Middle-East:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7908621.stm
This is an article about a new nuclear power plant about ready to start operating in Iran. With help from Russian engineers the plant is starting test runs. Iran insists that it is not violating the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty because it will only be used to supply power, not to make bombs. The corespondent said that this appears to be true so far.
-Also on the subject: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090225/wl_mideast_afp/irannuclearpoliticsrussiaenergy;_ylt=A0LEao0X6KVJzd0AqEKs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTJyamdjM2xyBGFzc2V0A2FmcC8yMDA5MDIyNS9pcmFubnVjbGVhcnBvbGl0aWNzcnVzc2lhZW5lcmd5BHBvcwMxMwRzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3J5BHNsawNpcmFuc2F5c251Y2w
Asia:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7910722.stm
This article reports on the possible habitat conflict being created in Indonesia. The WWF claims that deforestation is leading to decreased habitat for the already endangered Sumatran tigers. As this occurs, people are being attacked and killed, reportedly from the lack of habitat, and people are killing the tigers.
Latin America:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7905357.stm
This article is about crisis in Argentina. A drought that seems to have affected them for about two years now is killing their livestock as well as their agriculture sector. This is a major part of their economy which is also in recession.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Eco-Friendly Burials
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/02/17/dying.green/
This article is about the green trend stretching the "death-care" business. People are having their ashes put into man-made cement reef start-ups. Others are choosing to be buried in biodegradable coffins. The company selling these claims that they will be a major help to the environment by releasing "72% less CO in the cremation process compared to a traditional coffin." There are also some surprising statistics about how many toxins are put into the ground and materials are almost thrown away in the burial process.
It find it interesting that the public concern leads people like those in this article to reduce their "carbon-footprint" even after death.
This article is about the green trend stretching the "death-care" business. People are having their ashes put into man-made cement reef start-ups. Others are choosing to be buried in biodegradable coffins. The company selling these claims that they will be a major help to the environment by releasing "72% less CO in the cremation process compared to a traditional coffin." There are also some surprising statistics about how many toxins are put into the ground and materials are almost thrown away in the burial process.
It find it interesting that the public concern leads people like those in this article to reduce their "carbon-footprint" even after death.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
UK Use of Biodiesel
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/22/science/earth/22cook.html?_r=1&ref=earth
This article is mainly about different biodiesel distributions throughout the UK and if it will solve pollution problems. There are small single-owner distributors to converting plants to "vehicular milkmen," bringing gallons straight to customers' doors. I was surprised to read one fact in this that I was unaware of: it's illegal to sell cars in America that have already been adapted for biodiesel.
It also surprised me some that this article, the majority of which talks about the UK, can be found in the New York Times rather than on a site like BBC, which I was also looking through.
This article is mainly about different biodiesel distributions throughout the UK and if it will solve pollution problems. There are small single-owner distributors to converting plants to "vehicular milkmen," bringing gallons straight to customers' doors. I was surprised to read one fact in this that I was unaware of: it's illegal to sell cars in America that have already been adapted for biodiesel.
It also surprised me some that this article, the majority of which talks about the UK, can be found in the New York Times rather than on a site like BBC, which I was also looking through.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Turbines and Green Energy for Alaska
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/18/business/18alaska.html?ref=earth
This article I thought would be good to add because of its positive look on energy sources like wind turbines. The previous article I posted put a possible negative spin on these technologies so I felt it important to include another article that took a different perspective. This one portrays the straying from expensive fossil fuels to cheaper, natural fuels in Alaska.
This article I thought would be good to add because of its positive look on energy sources like wind turbines. The previous article I posted put a possible negative spin on these technologies so I felt it important to include another article that took a different perspective. This one portrays the straying from expensive fossil fuels to cheaper, natural fuels in Alaska.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Turbines Bad for Birds
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/tayside_and_central/7892277.stm
I decided that this is another article that is important to add because of it's look at possible negative impacts by green tech. Although short, the article suggests that wind turbines could be a legitimate threat to birds. If it's true that it kills birds it could be a solution that's not worth the cost.
It's a coincidence that I found two articles with eco-friendly criticisms which I think says a lot. Perhaps more is coming to light about the bad side of this generally praised Green trend.
I decided that this is another article that is important to add because of it's look at possible negative impacts by green tech. Although short, the article suggests that wind turbines could be a legitimate threat to birds. If it's true that it kills birds it could be a solution that's not worth the cost.
It's a coincidence that I found two articles with eco-friendly criticisms which I think says a lot. Perhaps more is coming to light about the bad side of this generally praised Green trend.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Corn Ethanol Controversy
http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/02/14/renewable-fuels-association-blasts-university-of-minnesota-study-on-corn-ethanol/
I thought this article would be interesting to add to my blog because it is a different view on the widely accepted Green trend. The idea that a new, eco-friendly fuel source is actually not so eco-friendly, is a pretty disturbing concept to some people. The University of Minnesota seems to think that corn ethanol will not be beneficial to the environment, however the Renewable Fuels Association believes that their findings are unfounded. It is controversial and an interesting view when compared with the widely positive articles on the subject.
I thought this article would be interesting to add to my blog because it is a different view on the widely accepted Green trend. The idea that a new, eco-friendly fuel source is actually not so eco-friendly, is a pretty disturbing concept to some people. The University of Minnesota seems to think that corn ethanol will not be beneficial to the environment, however the Renewable Fuels Association believes that their findings are unfounded. It is controversial and an interesting view when compared with the widely positive articles on the subject.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Green Software
http://www.wfsb.com/money/18671733/detail.html
This is a story I got off the local TV station's (WFSB channel 3) website. It is about various software and technology companies that are trying to do their part in the green trend. There are various programs to aid in companies keeping better track of their fuel consumption and various other expenses. Other companies are making products like computer chips that are "energy sipping" or use very little energy.
What I have to wonder about in all these eco-friendly reports is whether or not this is all being done as a trend or if this is the natural progression of things. I also wonder if steps like these have always existed in some way but it is a trend now mostly because of the attention the news gives to it.
This is a story I got off the local TV station's (WFSB channel 3) website. It is about various software and technology companies that are trying to do their part in the green trend. There are various programs to aid in companies keeping better track of their fuel consumption and various other expenses. Other companies are making products like computer chips that are "energy sipping" or use very little energy.
What I have to wonder about in all these eco-friendly reports is whether or not this is all being done as a trend or if this is the natural progression of things. I also wonder if steps like these have always existed in some way but it is a trend now mostly because of the attention the news gives to it.
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