delawareonline The News Journal, Wilmington, Del. For many homebuyers, the future looks green
Earth-friendliness, energy efficiency make for a win-win situation
By MIKE FOLEY, The Greenville (S.C.) News
John and Lindy Langston and son Mike are happy with their "green" home in Greenville, S.C. Features such as effective insulation, high-performance windows, tight construction, efficient heating and cooling equipment make the home energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. GNS, Greenville (S.C.) News/OWEN RILEY JR.
The Langston family didn't set out to be trendy -- that is, to be "green" -- when they bought their new home in the Carilion neighborhood near Furman University in Greenville, S.C.
It sort of sneaked up on them.
"Initially, we weren't looking for that," John Langston said about their new home's Energy Star certification and its EarthCraft status. "We were just looking at the quality of construction."
"It's all new technology to us," his wife Lindy said of the environmentally friendly features of their home.
For the most part, of course, the earth-friendly and money-saving technology is new to everyone. And it's coming to a new home near you.
Let's call 2008 the year of the green home.
According to the National Association of Home Builders, the green homes market is expected to increase to 10 percent by 2010, about double today's rate. Largely, the demand is coming from homebuyers, not from builders themselves. Nearly seven in every 10 consumers believe energy conservation is important or extremely important, the NAHB said.
The same study said buyers who place a priority on energy-efficiency and green building are also more likely to value other environmentally friendly features, such as proximity to parks and public transportation, and having sidewalks or walking trails in a neighborhood.
Todd Usher, president of the Home Builders Association of Greenville and president of Addison Homes, said builders in Greenville are starting to catch on to national trends.
"Energy-efficiency, green building, those are definitely trending upward in 2008," he said.
But while consumers want green improvements, cost is still a factor, said Buddy DeLozier, president of Authentic Custom Homes in Simpsonville, S.C.
"It does cost more to be green," DeLozier said. "It doesn't have to cost a ton, but it is more.
"We're trying to do everything we can to be green. We do build high-end homes, so they're paying for it up front, but there's a real cost savings in the future."
DeLozier used the example of a tankless water heater. A traditional 40-gallon tank water heater may cost about $350, while a tankless heater is about $1,000.
"But the tankless heater is less cumbersome, easier to install and takes up less space," he said. "The costs savings is huge. It takes a few years, but it adds up."
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Saturday, February 23, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Democracy Now! | Oil Giant BP to Give $500 Million to UC Berkeley for Biofuels Research
Democracy Now! | Oil Giant BP to Give $500 Million to UC Berkeley for Biofuels Research
Oil Giant BP to Give $500 Million to UC Berkeley for Biofuels Research
The deal would fund the development of “sustainable, commercially viable, and environmentally friendly” sources of energy. The newly created Energy Biosciences Institute claims to promote research into biofuels, as well as bacteria that would increase energy production from oil and coal. The partnership has split the campus community. We speak to two UC Berkeley professors. [includes rush transcript]
A controversy is brewing at the University of California in Berkeley where petroleum giant BP, formerly British Petroleum, is planning to give $500 million in funds to the university for research. The deal would fund the development of “sustainable, commercially viable, and environmentally friendly” sources of energy. The newly created Energy Biosciences Institute claims to promote research into biofuels, as well as bacteria that would increase energy production from oil and coal.
Critics at UC Berkeley point to the corporatization of academic research, the ecological dangers of biofuels, and BP’s long history of environmental irresponsibility. They call this an act of greenwashing by BP and have been protesting the deal since it was announced in February of this year.
But supporters claim that the corporate-academic partnership allows the university to realize its renewable energy research agenda and provides the most effective and economical means of addressing the looming environmental crisis.
To discuss and debate this issue, I am joined by two professors from UC Berkeley. Miguel Altieri is Professor of Entomology and a renowned expert in agroecology, or sustainable agriculture. He is opposed to the deal between BP and UC Berkeley. He joins me here in the Link TV studio in San Francisco.
The Environment and Your Chimney
The Environment and Your Chimney
How can a chimney professional help me be friendlier to the environment?
There are several areas in which a chimney professional can help you be a better steward of the environment.
* a properly cleaned and tuned appliance burns more efficiently and cleanly using less fuel.
* a chimney professional can advise you on how to use your appliance in order to get the maximum out of it and to use it in the cleanest manner possible.
* there are environmental standards which new appliances must meet. These standards dictate minimum levels of emissions that an appliance can release. Your chimney professional can advise you on these new standards and how they can affect you. As well as provide information on programs to change old appliances over to new ones.
* a chimney sweep can install a chimney cap on any open flues to ensure that animals and birds do not get caught in your chimney.
* a conscientious chimney maintenance company should be capable of providing all their services in an environmentally friendly manner. For example, heavy accumulation of creosote are often removed using harsh chemicals. Progressive companies remove these accumulations using new mechanical flails.
Is there anything I can purchase that can make my chimney and appliances more environmentally friendly?
* be sure to buy proper fuel for the appliance. A wood stove should burn firewood. Never burn painted or treated wood, construction debris, tires or anything other than cord wood. Modern wood stoves are complex and many have parts that can be damaged or destroyed by the by products of a chemical fire. The environment and air in your home can be dangerously compromised by smoke from contaminated fuel.
* buy EPA certified appliances. These appliances have been designed to be, when used properly, very clean burning. Make sure that the company installing the appliance is competent and knowledgeable. Ensure that you have read the instruction manual and understood it. Modern stoves do not work in the same manner as older stoves and must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's certified instructions.
* ensure that all of your flues have chimney caps to help save the lives of birds and animals. Ensure that the caps installed have provision to keep wildlife out and are sturdy enough to withstand raccoons.
How can a chimney professional help me be friendlier to the environment?
There are several areas in which a chimney professional can help you be a better steward of the environment.
* a properly cleaned and tuned appliance burns more efficiently and cleanly using less fuel.
* a chimney professional can advise you on how to use your appliance in order to get the maximum out of it and to use it in the cleanest manner possible.
* there are environmental standards which new appliances must meet. These standards dictate minimum levels of emissions that an appliance can release. Your chimney professional can advise you on these new standards and how they can affect you. As well as provide information on programs to change old appliances over to new ones.
* a chimney sweep can install a chimney cap on any open flues to ensure that animals and birds do not get caught in your chimney.
* a conscientious chimney maintenance company should be capable of providing all their services in an environmentally friendly manner. For example, heavy accumulation of creosote are often removed using harsh chemicals. Progressive companies remove these accumulations using new mechanical flails.
Is there anything I can purchase that can make my chimney and appliances more environmentally friendly?
* be sure to buy proper fuel for the appliance. A wood stove should burn firewood. Never burn painted or treated wood, construction debris, tires or anything other than cord wood. Modern wood stoves are complex and many have parts that can be damaged or destroyed by the by products of a chemical fire. The environment and air in your home can be dangerously compromised by smoke from contaminated fuel.
* buy EPA certified appliances. These appliances have been designed to be, when used properly, very clean burning. Make sure that the company installing the appliance is competent and knowledgeable. Ensure that you have read the instruction manual and understood it. Modern stoves do not work in the same manner as older stoves and must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's certified instructions.
* ensure that all of your flues have chimney caps to help save the lives of birds and animals. Ensure that the caps installed have provision to keep wildlife out and are sturdy enough to withstand raccoons.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Concord Supplies & Xerox Phaser 8560 Ink - No Pollution, No Recycling, No Waste - PR.com
Concord Supplies & Xerox Phaser 8560 Ink - No Pollution, No Recycling, No Waste - PR.com
Concord Supplies & Xerox Phaser 8560 Ink - No Pollution, No Recycling, No Waste
Concord Supplies has made printer ink recycling a thing of the past. With Xerox Phaser 8560 ink technology, traditional toner cartridges will no longer be utilized. Xerox Phaser solid inks are wax-like blocks that are deposited directly into the printer. No toner cartridges or ink cartridges to throw away or recycle. Xerox Phaser 8560 ink is the choice for those individuals that want to be environmentally friendly.
Wood Dale, IL, November 23, 2007 --(PR.com)-- With Xerox Phaser 8560 ink from Concord Supplies, recycling will become a thing of the past. Phaser 8560 ink uses the latest in Xerox solid ink technology to produce high quality, full color pages with no cartridge waste. By using a patented technology of wax-like ink blocks, Xerox Phaser 8560 ink produces color prints that are environmentally friendly and require no recycling or waste disposal.
Concord Supplies is proud to offer a full line of Xerox Phaser 8560 ink printer products that feature the new Phaser 8560 ink technology. Ken Reick, CEO of ConcordSupplies.com is pleased with the quality of the phaser ink technology as are the thousands of Concord Supplies customers that purchase Phaser 8560 ink each month. "People continue to embrace the new and innovative Phaser 8560 ink technology as a great and cost effective alternative to other printer ink technologies. 8560 ink is the best choice for customers seeking exceptional print quality with minimal impact to the environment," Mr. Reick said.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
For ‘EcoMoms,’ Saving Earth Begins at Home - New York Times
For ‘EcoMoms,’ Saving Earth Begins at Home - New York Times
For ‘EcoMoms,’ Saving Earth Begins at Home
Heidi Schumann for The New York Times
Women in San Rafael, Calif., meet to discuss living environmentally. A growing subculture is dedicated to the “green mom.”
By PATRICIA LEIGH BROWN
Published: February 16, 2008
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — The women gathered in the airy living room, wine poured and pleasantries exchanged. In no time, the conversation turned lively — not about the literary merits of Geraldine Brooks or Cormac McCarthy but the pitfalls of antibacterial hand sanitizers and how to retool the laundry using only cold water and biodegradable detergent during non-prime-time energy hours (after 7 p.m.).
Move over, Tupperware. The EcoMom party has arrived, with its ever-expanding “to do” list that includes preparing waste-free school lunches; lobbying for green building codes; transforming oneself into a “locovore,” eating locally grown food; and remembering not to idle the car when picking up children from school (if one must drive). Here, the small talk is about the volatile compounds emitted by dry-erase markers at school.
Perhaps not since the days of “dishpan hands” has the household been so all-consuming. But instead of gleaming floors and sparkling dishes, the obsession is on installing compact fluorescent light bulbs, buying in bulk and using “smart” power strips that shut off electricity to the espresso machine, microwave, X-Box, VCR, coffee grinder, television and laptop when not in use.
“It’s like eating too many brownies one day and then jogging extra the next,” said Kimberly Danek Pinkson, 38, the founder of the EcoMom Alliance, speaking to the group of efforts to curb eco-guilt through carbon offsets for air travel.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Car makers seek battery that keeps going
Car makers seek battery that keeps going: "NEW YORK
The linchpin to the development of electric vehicles still comes down to developing the right battery.
Many of the major auto makers have gravitated toward lithium ion -- the type of battery used in smaller devices such as notebook computers and digital media players. It is lighter, holds a stronger charge and has the potential to last longer.
But safety and cost issues remain. Critics, meanwhile, remain skeptical about the battery's environmentally friendly credentials, especially the concept and practicality of 'zero emissions.' Still, major players predict 2010 will be a turning point for clean electric and next-generation hybrid cars as the new battery comes on the market.
'The early phase will begin in 2010 as many companies intend to introduce electric vehicles,' said Minoru Shinohara, senior vice president of the technology division at Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. . 'It's the starting point, and there will be very tough competition.'"
The linchpin to the development of electric vehicles still comes down to developing the right battery.
Many of the major auto makers have gravitated toward lithium ion -- the type of battery used in smaller devices such as notebook computers and digital media players. It is lighter, holds a stronger charge and has the potential to last longer.
But safety and cost issues remain. Critics, meanwhile, remain skeptical about the battery's environmentally friendly credentials, especially the concept and practicality of 'zero emissions.' Still, major players predict 2010 will be a turning point for clean electric and next-generation hybrid cars as the new battery comes on the market.
'The early phase will begin in 2010 as many companies intend to introduce electric vehicles,' said Minoru Shinohara, senior vice president of the technology division at Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. . 'It's the starting point, and there will be very tough competition.'"
MIT, Chevron join in $5M deep ocean exploring effort - San Francisco Business Times:
MIT, Chevron join in $5M deep ocean exploring effort - San Francisco Business Times:: "MIT, Chevron join in $5M deep ocean exploring effort
San Francisco Business Times
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Chevron Corp. will work together on to develop remote, ultra-deepwater exploration and production technology.
The $5 million Chevron Remote and Ultra-deepwater Research Program is intended to develop the technology required to recover oil in water depths up to and greater than 9,800 feet.
The program includes the sponsorship of two fellowships, and makes San Ramon-based Chevron (NYSE: CVX) a member of the MIT Energy Initiative, which was created to solve global energy problems. The five-year program will also support MITEI's energy research seed fund to promote the development of a broad range of energy technologies and concepts from across MIT.
The partnership is intended to develop technology to produce conventional oil and gas supplies in environmentally friendly ways, according to MITEI.
Mass High Tech"
San Francisco Business Times
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Chevron Corp. will work together on to develop remote, ultra-deepwater exploration and production technology.
The $5 million Chevron Remote and Ultra-deepwater Research Program is intended to develop the technology required to recover oil in water depths up to and greater than 9,800 feet.
The program includes the sponsorship of two fellowships, and makes San Ramon-based Chevron (NYSE: CVX) a member of the MIT Energy Initiative, which was created to solve global energy problems. The five-year program will also support MITEI's energy research seed fund to promote the development of a broad range of energy technologies and concepts from across MIT.
The partnership is intended to develop technology to produce conventional oil and gas supplies in environmentally friendly ways, according to MITEI.
Mass High Tech"
Making The Better, Environmentally Friendly Light Bulb
Making The Better, Environmentally Friendly Light Bulb
Making The Better, Environmentally Friendly Light Bulb
A Naperville-based company is planning to bring the most energy-efficient lighting to the market as early as May.
Polybright International, Inc., is poised with its LED lighting technology to revolutionize the lighting industry, making incandescent, fluorescent and compact fluorescent lighting (CFL) remnants of the past.
“We’ve seen the transformation from analog to digital for decades—LPs to CDs, VHS to DVDs, analog phones to cell phones—but lighting technology has not changed much since Thomas Edison invented the light bulb 125 years ago,” said Carl Scianna, president and CEO of Polybright International. “The world is ready to move to an energy-efficient alternative in lighting.”
For years, LED technology was affordable mostly to large industrial enterprises alone such as the U.S. armed services. Since then, Polybright’s client list has grown to include McDonalds, Nike, the Pentagon, and Chicago area landmarks like Navy Pier, Soldier Field and the Merchandise Mart.
Consumers rarely used LED technology. The most notable use of LED lights was in headset lighting fixtures marketed for camping, cave exploration and other outdoor activities.
But now, LED lighting is hitting the mass consumer market.
Distributors from Walmart to Menards to Home Depot are expected to carry it. And Polybright is ready not only to change how the world is lit—in corporations, homes, and in government—but to also save the environment in the process.
LED, or light-emitting diode, lighting, uses crystals that convert small amounts of electricity into light. This photon energy, then, is powered by a technology that allows LEDs to maximize energy-efficiency, making LEDs the most eco-friendly lighting on the market.
For starters, Polybright’s LED lighting consumes 90 percent less energy than standard lighting. A typical 60 watt incandescent bulb and 15 watt CFL equivalent are both dwarfed by the 4 watt LED equivalent. While these numbers may initially seem inconsequential, over time the energy savings of using LED are monumental.
Macy’s retail store in Chicago, for example, expects to save more than $47,640 annually in its store by using LED lights. If Macy’s were to use LEDs in 180 of its North American stores the annual savings would total $8,575,200 annually and over a 10-year period account for nearly one-half billion dollars in total savings.
Making The Better, Environmentally Friendly Light Bulb
A Naperville-based company is planning to bring the most energy-efficient lighting to the market as early as May.
Polybright International, Inc., is poised with its LED lighting technology to revolutionize the lighting industry, making incandescent, fluorescent and compact fluorescent lighting (CFL) remnants of the past.
“We’ve seen the transformation from analog to digital for decades—LPs to CDs, VHS to DVDs, analog phones to cell phones—but lighting technology has not changed much since Thomas Edison invented the light bulb 125 years ago,” said Carl Scianna, president and CEO of Polybright International. “The world is ready to move to an energy-efficient alternative in lighting.”
For years, LED technology was affordable mostly to large industrial enterprises alone such as the U.S. armed services. Since then, Polybright’s client list has grown to include McDonalds, Nike, the Pentagon, and Chicago area landmarks like Navy Pier, Soldier Field and the Merchandise Mart.
Consumers rarely used LED technology. The most notable use of LED lights was in headset lighting fixtures marketed for camping, cave exploration and other outdoor activities.
But now, LED lighting is hitting the mass consumer market.
Distributors from Walmart to Menards to Home Depot are expected to carry it. And Polybright is ready not only to change how the world is lit—in corporations, homes, and in government—but to also save the environment in the process.
LED, or light-emitting diode, lighting, uses crystals that convert small amounts of electricity into light. This photon energy, then, is powered by a technology that allows LEDs to maximize energy-efficiency, making LEDs the most eco-friendly lighting on the market.
For starters, Polybright’s LED lighting consumes 90 percent less energy than standard lighting. A typical 60 watt incandescent bulb and 15 watt CFL equivalent are both dwarfed by the 4 watt LED equivalent. While these numbers may initially seem inconsequential, over time the energy savings of using LED are monumental.
Macy’s retail store in Chicago, for example, expects to save more than $47,640 annually in its store by using LED lights. If Macy’s were to use LEDs in 180 of its North American stores the annual savings would total $8,575,200 annually and over a 10-year period account for nearly one-half billion dollars in total savings.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Amazon.com: Farewell, My Subaru: An Epic Adventure in Local Living: Books: Doug Fine
Amazon.com: Farewell, My Subaru: An Epic Adventure in Local Living: Books: Doug Fine
One of the few perks of being a blogger is that occasionally you get an advance copy of great new books that are about to come out.
Random House was nice enough to send me a copy of Farewell, My Subaru which I've been reading recently. It's a fun and quick read. Essentially, a journalist decides to try and live locally and as in as environmentally friendly a way as possible while still enjoying all the comforts of the "Digital Age". The book is sprinkled with facts about our environmental impact such as "The average American adds four tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere every year based on food choices alone." It is also sprinkled with recipes as the author is a foodie as well.
Particularly interesting and entertaining was Chapter 6 which describes the authors journey to convert his car to run on biodiesel.
So overall, I recommend the book to Envirotech readers and have been enjoying reading it as a way to procrastinate from writing my dissertation and all the other things I 'should' be doing.
One of the few perks of being a blogger is that occasionally you get an advance copy of great new books that are about to come out.
Random House was nice enough to send me a copy of Farewell, My Subaru which I've been reading recently. It's a fun and quick read. Essentially, a journalist decides to try and live locally and as in as environmentally friendly a way as possible while still enjoying all the comforts of the "Digital Age". The book is sprinkled with facts about our environmental impact such as "The average American adds four tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere every year based on food choices alone." It is also sprinkled with recipes as the author is a foodie as well.
Particularly interesting and entertaining was Chapter 6 which describes the authors journey to convert his car to run on biodiesel.
So overall, I recommend the book to Envirotech readers and have been enjoying reading it as a way to procrastinate from writing my dissertation and all the other things I 'should' be doing.
FarmPolicy.com New Studies Regarding Biofuels
FarmPolicy.com New Studies Regarding Biofuels
, writing in today’s Wall Street Journal, reported that, “While the U.S. and others race to expand the use and production of biofuels, two new studies suggest these gasoline alternatives actually will increase carbon-dioxide levels.
“A study published in the latest issue of Science finds that corn-based ethanol, a type of biofuel pushed heavily in the U.S., will nearly double the output of greenhouse-gas emissions instead of reducing them by about one-fifth by some estimates. A separate paper in Science concludes that clearing native habitats to grow crops for biofuel generally will lead to more carbon emissions.”
The Journal article noted that, “The Renewable Fuels Association [RFA] in the U.S. said that ‘biofuels alone are not the silver bullet’ for the world’s energy or environmental challenges. It said earlier analyses of greenhouse-gas reductions show corn-derived ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 22% on average, though those studies didn’t include the effect of changing land use.
“‘We absolutely assert that ethanol production and use is a responsible way to address the environmental, energy and economic challenges the world faces today,’ spokesman Matt Hartwig said. He said the group’s researchers will study the papers and formulate a response.”
To view a statement regarding this issue from RFA President Bob Dinneen, just click here.
The Journal article reported that, “In the second study, researchers found that the effect of biofuels varied hugely, depending on where and how they were produced. For example, an increasing amount of land in Brazil is being used to grow sugarcane for ethanol. Converting the undeveloped land into sugarcane fields releases CO2. It would take 17 years for the positive effect of using sugarcane ethanol from those fields instead of petroleum-based fuels to overcome the CO2 farming the land put into the air. Draining and clearing peatlands in Malaysia and Indonesia to grow palm oil emits so much CO2 that palm biodiesel from those fields would have to be burned for more than 420 years to counteract it.”
Elisabeth Rosenthal reported in today’s New York Times that, “Almost all biofuels used today cause more greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fuels if the full emissions costs of producing these ‘green’ fuels are taken into account, two studies being published Thursday have concluded.
“The benefits of biofuels have come under increasing attack in recent months, as scientists took a closer look at the global environmental cost of their production. These latest studies, published in the prestigious journal Science, are likely to add to the controversy.
“These studies for the first time take a detailed, comprehensive look at the emissions effects of the huge amount of natural land that is being converted to cropland globally to support biofuels development.”
The Times article stated that, “Together the two studies offer sweeping conclusions: It does not matter if it is rain forest or scrubland that is cleared, the greenhouse gas contribution is significant. More important, they discovered that, taken globally, the production of almost all biofuels resulted, directly or indirectly, intentionally or not, in new lands being cleared, either for food or fuel.
“‘When you take this into account, most of the biofuel that people are using or planning to use would probably increase greenhouse gasses substantially,’ said Timothy Searchinger, lead author of one of the studies and a researcher in environment and economics at Princeton University. ‘Previously there’s been an accounting error: land use change has been left out of prior analysis.’”
The article stated that, “In the wake of the new studies, a group of 10 of the United States’s most eminent ecologists and environmental biologists today sent a letter to President Bush and the speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, urging a reform of biofuels policies. ‘We write to call your attention to recent research indicating that many anticipated biofuels will actually exacerbate global warming,’ the letter said.
“The European Union and a number of European countries have recently tried to address the land use issue with proposals stipulating that imported biofuels cannot come from land that was previously rain forest.
“But even with such restrictions in place, Dr. Searchinger’s study shows, the purchase of biofuels in Europe and the United States leads indirectly to the destruction of natural habitats far afield.
“For instance, if vegetable oil prices go up globally, as they have because of increased demand for biofuel crops, more new land is inevitably cleared as farmers in developing countries try to get in on the profits. So crops from old plantations go to Europe for biofuels, while new fields are cleared to feed people at home.”
Juliet Eilperin reported in today’s Washington Post that, “Clearing land to produce biofuels such as ethanol will do more to exacerbate global warming than using gasoline or other fossil fuels, two scientific studies show.
“The independent analyses, which will be published today in the journal Science, could force policymakers in the United States and Europe to reevaluate incentives they have adopted to spur production of ethanol-based fuels. President Bush and many members of Congress have touted expanding biofuel use as an integral element of the nation’s battle against climate change, but these studies suggest that this strategy will damage the planet rather than help protect it.
“One study — written by a group of researchers from Princeton University, Woods Hole Research Center and Iowa State University along with an agriculture consultant — concluded that over 30 years, use of traditional corn-based ethanol would produce twice as much greenhouse gas emissions as regular gasoline. Another analysis, written by a Nature Conservancy scientist along with University of Minnesota researchers, found that converting rainforests, peatlands, savannas or grasslands in Southeast Asia and Latin America to produce biofuels will increase global warming pollution for decades, if not centuries.”
, writing in today’s Wall Street Journal, reported that, “While the U.S. and others race to expand the use and production of biofuels, two new studies suggest these gasoline alternatives actually will increase carbon-dioxide levels.
“A study published in the latest issue of Science finds that corn-based ethanol, a type of biofuel pushed heavily in the U.S., will nearly double the output of greenhouse-gas emissions instead of reducing them by about one-fifth by some estimates. A separate paper in Science concludes that clearing native habitats to grow crops for biofuel generally will lead to more carbon emissions.”
The Journal article noted that, “The Renewable Fuels Association [RFA] in the U.S. said that ‘biofuels alone are not the silver bullet’ for the world’s energy or environmental challenges. It said earlier analyses of greenhouse-gas reductions show corn-derived ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 22% on average, though those studies didn’t include the effect of changing land use.
“‘We absolutely assert that ethanol production and use is a responsible way to address the environmental, energy and economic challenges the world faces today,’ spokesman Matt Hartwig said. He said the group’s researchers will study the papers and formulate a response.”
To view a statement regarding this issue from RFA President Bob Dinneen, just click here.
The Journal article reported that, “In the second study, researchers found that the effect of biofuels varied hugely, depending on where and how they were produced. For example, an increasing amount of land in Brazil is being used to grow sugarcane for ethanol. Converting the undeveloped land into sugarcane fields releases CO2. It would take 17 years for the positive effect of using sugarcane ethanol from those fields instead of petroleum-based fuels to overcome the CO2 farming the land put into the air. Draining and clearing peatlands in Malaysia and Indonesia to grow palm oil emits so much CO2 that palm biodiesel from those fields would have to be burned for more than 420 years to counteract it.”
Elisabeth Rosenthal reported in today’s New York Times that, “Almost all biofuels used today cause more greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fuels if the full emissions costs of producing these ‘green’ fuels are taken into account, two studies being published Thursday have concluded.
“The benefits of biofuels have come under increasing attack in recent months, as scientists took a closer look at the global environmental cost of their production. These latest studies, published in the prestigious journal Science, are likely to add to the controversy.
“These studies for the first time take a detailed, comprehensive look at the emissions effects of the huge amount of natural land that is being converted to cropland globally to support biofuels development.”
The Times article stated that, “Together the two studies offer sweeping conclusions: It does not matter if it is rain forest or scrubland that is cleared, the greenhouse gas contribution is significant. More important, they discovered that, taken globally, the production of almost all biofuels resulted, directly or indirectly, intentionally or not, in new lands being cleared, either for food or fuel.
“‘When you take this into account, most of the biofuel that people are using or planning to use would probably increase greenhouse gasses substantially,’ said Timothy Searchinger, lead author of one of the studies and a researcher in environment and economics at Princeton University. ‘Previously there’s been an accounting error: land use change has been left out of prior analysis.’”
The article stated that, “In the wake of the new studies, a group of 10 of the United States’s most eminent ecologists and environmental biologists today sent a letter to President Bush and the speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, urging a reform of biofuels policies. ‘We write to call your attention to recent research indicating that many anticipated biofuels will actually exacerbate global warming,’ the letter said.
“The European Union and a number of European countries have recently tried to address the land use issue with proposals stipulating that imported biofuels cannot come from land that was previously rain forest.
“But even with such restrictions in place, Dr. Searchinger’s study shows, the purchase of biofuels in Europe and the United States leads indirectly to the destruction of natural habitats far afield.
“For instance, if vegetable oil prices go up globally, as they have because of increased demand for biofuel crops, more new land is inevitably cleared as farmers in developing countries try to get in on the profits. So crops from old plantations go to Europe for biofuels, while new fields are cleared to feed people at home.”
Juliet Eilperin reported in today’s Washington Post that, “Clearing land to produce biofuels such as ethanol will do more to exacerbate global warming than using gasoline or other fossil fuels, two scientific studies show.
“The independent analyses, which will be published today in the journal Science, could force policymakers in the United States and Europe to reevaluate incentives they have adopted to spur production of ethanol-based fuels. President Bush and many members of Congress have touted expanding biofuel use as an integral element of the nation’s battle against climate change, but these studies suggest that this strategy will damage the planet rather than help protect it.
“One study — written by a group of researchers from Princeton University, Woods Hole Research Center and Iowa State University along with an agriculture consultant — concluded that over 30 years, use of traditional corn-based ethanol would produce twice as much greenhouse gas emissions as regular gasoline. Another analysis, written by a Nature Conservancy scientist along with University of Minnesota researchers, found that converting rainforests, peatlands, savannas or grasslands in Southeast Asia and Latin America to produce biofuels will increase global warming pollution for decades, if not centuries.”
Eco Worrier - Times Online - WBLG: 20 green ideas for Valentines day
Eco Worrier - Times Online - WBLG: 20 green ideas for Valentines day
20 green ideas for Valentines day
Love_cake_trayYes, there’s too much tat and it’s all horribly commercial, but there’s a lot to be said for bothering with Valentine’s Day. So long as you make something special of it: don’t go down the predictable route, opting for a dozen air-freighted roses. Instead charm the pants off your loved one with something original.
“To do” presents…
1/ Book your lover a day at the UK’s only true eco-spa. Titanic Mill is offering a Winter Blues Spa Day for £99, offer open until 29th Feb.
2/ Or what about a two night eco-retreat in a luxorious Tipi, in Wales? Keep warm with a wood-burning Mexican chimney and you can visit the nearby Centre for Alternative Technology
Living presents…
3/ Save a chunk of rainforest. The World Land Trust, a conservation organisation that buys up the rainforest to protect it, is offering the chance to buy half an acre for £25. Your chosen one will get a certificate and a Valentine’s card, as well as a bar of organic chocolate.
4/ Closer to home, the Carbon Neutral company offers the chance to dedicate two native trees in Lovers’ Wood, part of Warcombe Wood, in Devon, to your partner. In return, you receive a certificate and a map directing you to your trees.
Other ways to watch your love grow…
5/ You don’t have to choose imported roses. Wiggly Wigglers sells local, seasonal bouquets, and all sorts of gardening gifts for those with green fingers, or wannabes.
6/ Or try your local garden centre for a pot of daffodils or crocuses. They are in season and you can plant them out in the garden afterwards.
7/ For something more exotic, treat your Valentine to a Wild Cherry tree. According to tree2mydoor.com, they are native to the UK and will blossom with pink or white flowers. They don’t grow too large, so it’s the ideal gift for someone with a small garden
8/ For more of a kick, spice up your love life with a grow-your-own chilli plant.
Supper-time…
9/ Nothing beats home-cooked food made with local, seasonal ingredients. For a stack of info on what's good right now and other ethical food advice, click here for the Real Food guide. Or here for another seasonal eating website.
I prefer easy, one-pot suppers on Valentine’s night, stews and casseroles that you don’t have to fuss over. If you can get your hands on a Le Creuset heart-shaped pot, even better.
10/ This leaves you lots of time to cuddle up on the sofa with a drink. And what better to choose than a fine organic tipple. Times wine critic Jane McQuitty rated this Gewürtzraminer (2003) as one of her top winter wines.
11/ If you can get your hands on some recycled wine glasses, such as these, your date will be all the more impressed.
12/ Don’t forget to set the mood with organic candles, made from renewable, organic plant wax.
13/ Not everyone feels at home cooking, especially on a first date. If you must go out, at least choose a green restaurant. There’s handful in the capital, such as Acorn House and Konstam. In Bristol, there’s Bordeaux Quay. Brighton, try Due South. Up North, I've heard nothing but good about The Star Inn, near Helmsley.
You can’t go wrong with chocolate…
14/ A cake baked in a heart-shaped baking tray is bound to set your love’s heart a flutter. Buy it from Heals (see above for picture). And try this recipe for Fairtrade chocolate cake (or cheat with this one from M&S).
15/ For dedicated chocoholics, there are a number of goodie bags you could order, including this one from Fairtrade chocolate company Divine, and this one from organic choc company Green and Blacks.
16/ And while were at it, it’s worth mentioning that Faith in Nature does a chocolate shower gel, and we all like showers because they use less water than baths – unless, of course, you share your bath.
Make your own card…
17/ A card is an important gesture, but what about making one from old bits of magazines and wrapping paper. Even cutting out a heart of bright red card does the job, and it's a lot cheaper than a tacky declaration of love from Clintons. This heart-shaped writing paper made from elephant dung is a good starting point for homemade creations, or give it as a gift.
18/ If time’s too short, there are crafty, fair trade cards from here. And here.
To bed…
19/ Perhaps now is the moment to present the Valentine’s package devised by eco-underwear company Green Knickers. It contains Fairtrade chocolate and a pair of pants – or boxers for men.
20/ And if you’ve played your cards right, you might be calling on one of the Fairtrade condoms sold by French Letter, a new company that gives a percentage of its profits back to the Malaysian rubber producers.
Posted by Anna Shepard on February 7, 2008
THTV: How to Buy Green Lube : TreeHugger
THTV: How to Buy Green Lube : TreeHugger: THTV: How to Buy Green Lube
by George Spyros, New York City, USA on 02.14.07
Why spoil the erotic moment and the planet with petroleum-based lubricants when you and yours can get eco-sexy with water-based products from Babeland?
by George Spyros, New York City, USA on 02.14.07
Why spoil the erotic moment and the planet with petroleum-based lubricants when you and yours can get eco-sexy with water-based products from Babeland?
Biofuels Deemed a Greenhouse Threat - New York Times
Biofuels Deemed a Greenhouse Threat - New York Times
Biofuels Deemed a Greenhouse Threat
By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL
Published: February 8, 2008
Almost all biofuels used today cause more greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fuels if the full emissions costs of producing these “green” fuels are taken into account, two studies being published Thursday have concluded.
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World View: Greg Winter and Libby Rosenthal discuss the downsides of biofuels. (mp3)
The benefits of biofuels have come under increasing attack in recent months, as scientists took a closer look at the global environmental cost of their production. These latest studies, published in the prestigious journal Science, are likely to add to the controversy.
These studies for the first time take a detailed, comprehensive look at the emissions effects of the huge amount of natural land that is being converted to cropland globally to support biofuels development.
The destruction of natural ecosystems — whether rain forest in the tropics or grasslands in South America — not only releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere when they are burned and plowed, but also deprives the planet of natural sponges to absorb carbon emissions. Cropland also absorbs far less carbon than the rain forests or even scrubland that it replaces.
Together the two studies offer sweeping conclusions: It does not matter if it is rain forest or scrubland that is cleared, the greenhouse gas contribution is significant. More important, they discovered that, taken globally, the production of almost all biofuels resulted, directly or indirectly, intentionally or not, in new lands being cleared, either for food or fuel.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
GreenBiz.com | State of Green Business 2008
GreenBiz.com | State of Green Business 2008: "Just published — State of Green Business 2008
In this landmark report, Joel Makower and the editors of GreenBiz.com answer the question: How are U.S. businesses doing in their quest to be greener and more environmentally responsible? It introduces the GreenBiz Index, a set of 20 indicators of progress, tracking the resource use, emissions, and business practices of U.S. companies: carbon, materials, energy, and toxics intensity, clean-tech investments, e-waste recovery, paper use, employee commuting, and more."
In this landmark report, Joel Makower and the editors of GreenBiz.com answer the question: How are U.S. businesses doing in their quest to be greener and more environmentally responsible? It introduces the GreenBiz Index, a set of 20 indicators of progress, tracking the resource use, emissions, and business practices of U.S. companies: carbon, materials, energy, and toxics intensity, clean-tech investments, e-waste recovery, paper use, employee commuting, and more."
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