Environmental pro

The "Human Car" Explained- HumanCar® Video

2007-08-28T02:08:00.001-07:00

Here is Video of Human Car, a creation of Seattle company HumanCar®, founded by Charles S. Greenwood PE, involved in developing human powered vehicles for over 30 years. The human car, a 4-wheel, 4-passenger vehicle can reach speeds of about 60+ mph.

New Technology for Wind Energy Project in Texas

2007-08-28T02:08:00.000-07:00

Shell WindEnergy and Luminant a subsiadary of TXU is reported to have agreed to jointly build a 3,000 megawatt wind project in Texas, developing Compressed Air Storage Technology for the wind farm.The air is to be pumped underground for use in electricity generation at a later stage improving reliability and economy. This project is expected to will double the current wind power generation in Texas.Source:scenta.co.uk URL:h*tp://www.scenta.co.uk/Engineering/ 1702082/shelling-out-wind.htm

VESPA's Green Video Contest

2007-08-27T21:36:00.000-07:00

Makers of Vespa, the iconic Italian brand scoooter for over 60 years has come out with a "Go Green Vespa Videa Challenge" calling creation of 15-second to 2-minute Videos promoting Vespanomics message from all scooter riders and enthusiasts.The interesting points, in the ICR survey, 2006, are a) switching to just 10% of total mileage to scooters US can see saving of around $42 million on gas per Day ( based on $3/ gallon average) b) reduced consumption by 14 million gallons of fuel per Day and c) reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 324 million pounds per day. The prizes for Top three contestants are vespas.The Information, Faqs and Tools are provided for the entrants for the use in submitting up to 5 videos.The contest closes on October 15,2007.

Clean Energy Project Design going the Open Source Software Development Way

2007-08-23T02:02:00.000-07:00

Here is an interesting Clean Energy Project, intiated by Robert J. Rohatensky, using the concept of "The Solar Heat Pump Electrical Generation System (SHPEGS)" and making it a feasible renewable base load power station for moderate climates.The idea is similar to Open Source Software Development mechanism and open to people with expertise to participate in the Project.How about joining the efforts in making the idea work for everyones benefit? Here is a Video about the animation of flows in SHPEGS system from shpegs.org.

"Our Earth as Art"-Images by the Landsat-7 satellite-Google Map

2007-08-22T20:09:00.000-07:00

Here is a very interesting Google map Created by Jonathan Perkins. "Welcome to the Earth as Art Gallery! Here you can view our planet through the beautiful images taken by the Landsat-7 satellite - and most recently, the Terra Satellite's Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER). h*tp://earthasart.gsfc.nasa.gov/ index.htm"
Now Google Maps have added a feature "embeddable maps", with all the same functionality of the Google Maps such as clickable, draggable, and zoomable.

View Larger Map

China's booming Economy polluting Sea

2007-08-09T07:42:00.001-07:00

Electricity Genertion using Cow Dung

2007-08-09T07:42:00.000-07:00

Smart Car crash: Video

2007-08-08T20:22:00.001-07:00

Official Global Partner of Live Earth, Smart Car is said to be "world’s only mass production vehicle that actually consumes only three liters of fuel per 100 kilometers" with only 88 grams of CO2 emissions per kilometer driven. Source:h*tp://www.smartusa.com/smart-media-press-live-earth.aspx . I have come across this video and wanted share.

Free Refrigerators and Rebates to encourage Energy Efficient Equipment

2007-08-08T20:22:00.000-07:00

More than 100 years old and largest municipal utility Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), providing safe water and electricity supplies to around 3.8 million residents and businesses, has interesting "Low Income Refrigerator Exchange Program".The program aims at replacing 50,000 old, inefficient refrigerators which results in saving $12 million each year in fuel costs and reduction of GHG emissions, equivalent of removing 40,000 cars off the road."High-Efficiency Clothes Washer Rebate Program" is another aimed at saving 30 gallons of water per load in addition to reduction of energy consumption for water heating and clothes drying resulting in savings up to $100 per year in water, sewer and energy costs. Source:ladwp.com

Marine debris Analysis 2006

2007-08-08T09:36:00.001-07:00

Cigarettes
Originally uploaded by Capitan Giona

The recent annual report by Ocean Conservancy on marine debris from data from the 2006 International Coastal Cleanup has got interesting facts calling for increased ocean conservation.The Cleanup event in 2006, was 21st annual initiative by Ocean Conservancy, involved 358,617 volunteers in 68 countries resulting in removal of 7,000,000 pounds of debris from the ocean, rivers, lakes and waterways. 61 percent of debris is from recreational and shoreline activities and 29 percent trash is from smoking related activities, both land-based sources of debris.Cigarettes/cigarette filters (1,901,519) ranked 1 in Top 10 Debris Items list and Cigar tips (186,258) ranked 10. This is really calling for awareness building and participation by every one. The 22nd annual International Coastal Cleanup is scheduled for September 15,2007. Source:oceanconservancy.org The ICC Report details are here. h*tp://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/News2?news_iv_ctrl=-1&abbr=press_&page= NewsArticle&id=9765

The 11th Hour Trailer:Video

2007-08-08T05:22:00.003-07:00

I have come across this Video and wanted to share."The 11th Hour is a new documentary from Leonardo DiCaprio about the state of humanity and the world. Join the action at www.11thhouraction.comFilm site: www.11thhourfilm.com"

Ranking of Ozone-Polluted American Cities 2007

2007-08-08T05:22:00.002-07:00

The issue of Ozone also should get priority among other environmental issues.High concentrations (ppm) of ozone, due to high concentrations of pollution and daylight UV rays at the earth's surface, affects lung function and irritate the respiratory system.shortness of breath, chest pain during inhaling deeply, wheezing, and coughing are few of the symptoms. lungusa.org has ranked 25 American Cities on Ozone pollution levels with Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside, Calif. topping the list and Cleveland-Akron-Elyria, Ohio with 25 th rank.The list is here at infoplease.com. Here is the European Environment Agency's near real-time ozone map (ozoneweb). The NASA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists report 2007 ozone hole in the polar region of the Southern Hemisphere has broken records for area and depth.Ozone Hole Watch web site of NASA on the latest status of the ozone layer over the South Pole is here.

Air Pollution and Death Rate: a Study

2007-08-08T05:22:00.001-07:00

A recent British study has indicated that the long-term effects of air pollution might result in higher death rate, besides other issues.The study was focused on two types of air pollution: black smoke, which comes from burning coal, and sulfur dioxide. The findings were same irrespective of the localities and neighborhoods and deaths were especially from respiratory diseases.Read the full article at webmd.com. The URL is h*tp://www.webmd.com/news/ 20070731/air-pollution-may-increase-death-rate?action=related_link&src=rss_cbsnewsfull

Mount Madonna Pajaro Watershed Project included in School science curriculum

2007-08-08T05:22:00.000-07:00

It is intersting to note that the awareness programs are being taken up at school level which will definitely be helpful in the future.Top in the list of America's most endangered rivers 2006 by americanrivers gets included in School science curriculum."Mount Madonna School 8th grade science class studies the Pajaro River Watershed and the affects of human population on the area".Source

Most Endangered American Rivers 2007

2007-08-08T05:21:00.001-07:00

Ducky on the lower Salmon
Originally uploaded by AmericanRivers.org

AmericanRivers, national organization working for healthy rivers, since 1973, with more than 65,000 members and supporters nationwide, solicits nominations from environmental groups and organisations for the America’s Most Endangered Rivers report, each year.The list of rivers in 2007 is 1) Santa Fe River (New Mexico) 2) San Mateo Creek (California) 3) Iowa River (Iowa) 4) Upper Delaware River (New York) 5) White Salmon River (Washington) 6) Neches River (Texas) 7) Kinnickinnic River (Wisconsin) 8) Neuse River (North Carolina) 9) Lee Creek (Arkansas, Oklahoma) 10) Chuitna River (Alaska).It is inspiring to note the initiative.The details and report are here at americanrivers.org.

Harnessing Solar Energy using Coated Ballons

2007-07-10T07:48:00.000-07:00

Here is a new and interesting way of Electrical Energy production by using helium balloons coated with solar cells which is devised by scientists at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa.It is said that two of the systems are already installed.It is looks portable as the systems float in air.Source:jpost.com. Here is the news. h*tp://www.jpost.com/servlet/ Satellite?pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull&cid=1182409629380

Anaerobic Fermentation may help conversion of Glycerin to Ethonal

2007-07-10T03:05:00.001-07:00

The recent findings from Rice University are to offer a possible solution to the overproduced glycerin (One pound of glycerin is produced for every 10 pounds of biodiesel), a major by-product of biodiesel production. A bacterium can be used for the fermention of glycerin and production of ethanol, a biofuel. Microorganisms such as E. coli are capable of digesting glycerin in an oxygen-free environment (anaerobic fermentation). It is the most economical and widely used process for biological conversion.Source:scientistlive.com. the news is here. h*tp://www.scientistlive.com/18063/putting-e-coli-to-work.thtml

Floating Windmills are being planned for North Sea

2007-07-10T03:05:00.000-07:00

Norwegian energy group Norsk Hydro and German engineering firm Siemens have announced recently thier plans to undertake innovative research to build wind turbines that can float on the ocean's surface.In the present scenario windmills are built on the land and in shallow off-shore seabed sites. Windmill installations sometimes get criticisms such as spoiling the landscapes, noise and threat to birdlife.The design might consist three 60 metres long blades attached to about 200 metres long steel tube with a concrete base, with 80 meters extending above the water. It is hoped that prototype would be operating in the North Sea by 2009 and off-shore wind energy field set up by 2013, using 5 megawatt wind turbines.It is interesting to note that the energy could be used by offshore activities and coastal communities. Source:deutsche-welle.de .The news is here.h*tp://www.deutsche-welle.de/dw/article/0,2144,2649035,00.html

How much good "Emission Reduction Schemes" are?

2007-07-09T00:45:00.002-07:00

In the context of "Live Earth concerts", here is a news "Emission-lowering schemes could be bad for the planet" by scotsman.com, discussing the effectiveness of the schemes. The awareness building activities also result in significant increase of emissions. Making the total carbon footprint of the entire events is not the soltution as some of the schemes are poorly regulated.

Value of "Carbon Offset Credits" a point of view

2007-07-09T00:45:00.001-07:00

caravanchannel.tv had a program in which the value of carbon offset credits was discussed.Read the news release TV Shows questions value of "carbon offset credits" here.Here is a video on youtube.

Lifestyle Changes for Zero Carbon Future

2007-07-09T00:45:00.000-07:00

Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT), UK, working to offer solutions for climate change, pollution and the waste of precious resources, has recently released a report," zerocarbon britain", as a part of the annual Sustainable Science Symposium.In the context of UK government's target of carbon emissions reduction by 60% by the year 2050, the report by CAT is suggesting a creation of a market for carbon that affects every one and alloting People their own carbon credits "Tradable Energy Quotas (TEQs)" to be carried on smart cards.Free allocation of credits to get reduced year after year as the country moves towards carbon free country.Here is the news from news.scotsman.com. The report "zerocarbonbritain" is here. zerocarbonbritain.com.The details of Sustainable Science Symposium by CAT is here.

ARS "Slurry treatment system" study shows Reduction of Emissions

2007-07-05T20:05:00.000-07:00

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have developed an innovative hog waste-management system which is named as 'Super Soil System'. The process of "waste handling system converts pig slurry into soil improvers and fertilizers, and removes almost all of the suspended solids, phosphorus and ammonia from the separated effluent". The latest research by ARS at, at a large commercial pig finishing operation it was found that replacement of conventional anaerobic lagoon practices with the "Slurry treatment system" has resulted in GHG emissions reduceion by 97 about percent. The waste treatment system is said to be installed on two pig production sites. The process is helpful in many ways such as improving the soil quality, reduction of GHG emissions and may be the proess gets carbon reduction credits. Source:thepigsite.com.The news is here.h*tp://www.thepigsite.com/swinenews/14839/slurry-treatment-system-gives-green-credits-and-cosub2-sub-trade-opportunities

"Cycle Hero" Video and Competition

2007-07-05T07:04:00.001-07:00

Here is an interesting Cinema advert Video on youtube, aiming to "raise awareness of the impact of transport"by CTC, UK based organisation. Competition "CycleHero" details are here, in which winner will get a custom built bike worth £1500.

Vote Your "Science Idol!"

2007-07-05T07:04:00.000-07:00

The Union of Concerned Scientists, a "science-based nonprofit working for a healthy environment and a safer world" has its second annual "Science Idol: The Scientific Integrity Editorial Cartoon Contest" for online voting. The list of finalists is here to view and vote.The Voters have a chance to win a 2008 Defending Science calendar featuring the work of our top 12 finalists. The last years winner "2006 Science Idol: James MacLeod" and other finalists work can be seen here.

Convention centre to be constructed using "Green Concrete"

2007-06-30T07:13:00.002-07:00

Here is an interesting news about launching of Carbon Neutral Concrete, which is described as a 'zero CO2 version' of the material, by Ecocem.The product is going to be used by Treasury Holdings in the construction of its €380m Dublin convention centre. Carbon footprint of 9,358 tonnes of CO2 is expected in the construction, out of which 4,608 tonnes will be reduced by the use of new product and balance by purchase of carbon credits under approved schemes. Source:rte.ie. The news is here. h*tp://www.rte.ie/ business/ 2007/ 0628/ecocem.html