| |
Top go green efforts news stories... |
|
| |
|
|
| |
"we" Can Do It |
|
| |
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/30/AR2008033001880.html Al Gore has announced a 3 year, $300 million public advocacy campaign to push for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, focusing on the necessity of a national carbon emission cap and ratification of a new global pact on climate change. Sponsored by the Alliance for Climate Protection, the "we" campaign will include a plethora of advertisements, 10 million volunteers, and a broad range of partnerships."This climate crisis is so interwoven with habits and patterns that are so entrenched, the elected officials in both parties are going to be timid about enacting the bold changes that are needed until there is a change in the public's sense of urgency in addressing this crisis," Gore said. "I've tried everything else I know to try. The way to solve this crisis is to change the way the public thinks about it."Washington Post; March 31, 2008Submitted by M. Brooks |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Earth Hour |
|
| |
http://www10.earthhourus.org/ The World Wildlife Fund has organized Earth Hour - one hour on March 29 when people across the globe will turn off their lights. At 8pm local time, WWF encourages you to turn off your electricity consumption to show that you care about climate change and our planet.Earth Hour was created by WWF in Sydney, Australia in 2007, and in one year has grown from an event in one city to a global movement. In 2008, millions of people, businesses, governments and civic organizations in nearly 200 cities around the globe will turn out for Earth Hour. More than 100 cities across North America will participate, including the US flagships–Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix and San Francisco…Earth Hour; March 28. 2008Submitted by M. Brooks |
|
| |
|
|
| |
A New Strategy for Battling Climate Change - Adapt |
|
| |
http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-adapt26mar26,0,4227673.story Some believe that the money being directed toward reversing climate change would be better off in a 'treat the symptoms' approach to mitigating the its impacts...Instead of spending trillions of dollars to stabilize carbon dioxide levels across the planet -- an enormously complex and expensive proposition -- the world could work on reducing hunger, storm damage and disease now, thereby neutralizing some of the most feared future problems of global warming.Hans von Storch, director of the Institute of Coastal Research in Germany, said that the world's problems were already so big that the added burdens caused by rising temperatures would be relatively small. It would be like going 160 kilometers per hour on the autobahn when "going 150 . . . is already dangerous," he said.LA Times; March 26, 2008Submitted by J. Andrews |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Only in America: Renewable Portfolio Standards |
|
| |
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/mar/25/biofuels.energy1 The United States adopted a massive increase to the mandate of alternative fuels in the 2007 energy bill. While Europeans outpace Americans in fuel economy, they are hesitant to adopt similar mandates due to a lack of evidence showing biofuels helps combat climate change; rather, evidence is slowly piling up that says biofuels contribute more to climate change than traditional gasoline and diesel.Under the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation, all petrol and diesel must contain 2.5% of biofuels from April 1. This is designed to ensure that Britain complies with a 2003 EU directive that 5.75% of petrol and diesel come from renewable sources by 2010.The EU plans to raise the compulsory biofuel quota to 10% by 2020, but [UK Prime Minister] Brown is understood to be ready to challenge this plan. A senior government source said last night: "There is a growing feeling that we need to get all the facts. Some biofuels are OK but there are serious questions about others. More work needs to be done."Did the United States commit an egregious error by ramping up RPS without international consent? Will American automakers suffer further as American and European consumer preferences further diversify?The Guardian UK; March 25, 2008Submitted by B. Shapiro |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Building Codes Adopting to Climate Change |
|
| |
http://www.projo.com/news/content/coastalhazards_03-25-08_QH9G8PE_v11.380972e.html Coastlines endangered by rising sea levels are subject to new building codes, and the state of Rhode Island is leading the way in changing requirements for both public infrastructure and private developments. Regulations for bridges, roads, sewers, pipelines and residences are being modified to offset problems associated with climate change.The coastal management team is recommending: •Adopting an increase in the required first-floor elevation for new and improved structures in high hazard areas along the coast. •Creating a standard method for determining whether improvements to buildings damaged by storms amount to more than 50 percent of the size or the value of the building — a determination that would force the owner to comply with more stringent, and expensive, building standards. •Establishing a plan to remove debris that a storm would bring up the Bay and dump on the shores of East Providence and Providence. •Tightening standards for structures built in so-called A-zones, where only minor wave damage would be expected.Now the question is, will insurers adopt provisions to recognize these new standards to fight climate change and lower premiums?Providence Journal; March 25, 2008Submitted by B. Shapiro |
|
| |
|
|
|
