Wildfires in southern California’s Kern County have destroyed 25 homes, caused thousands of people to evacuate, and burned about 15,000 acres. Firefighters in the region have had their hands full dealing with spreading fires. As trees burn, they emit stored carbon dioxide. The CO2 along with ash and smoke, worsen air quality which leads to increased incidence of respiratory illnesses.

Source: CNN

Air Pollution

Los Angeles Times Columnist, Gary Polakovic, argues that while the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is truly atrocious, what’s worse is the air polluting emissions that humans release into the atmosphere every day. The state of California alone emits around 2,215 tons of hydrocarbons daily.

The Gulf spill sends about 8,820 tons into the air and, unlike California, there will be an end to it one day. Man-made emissions are a daily byproduct of a modern era and there is no end in sight. Poor air quality kills about 3,860 people per year in California.

Source: LA Times

Mekong River Dam

The Mekong River flows through Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. It’s also the home to many rare, endangered species that you won’t find anywhere else in the world, like the giant catfish that is roughly the size of a small car.

The World Wildlife Fund says that the 11 hydropower dams could destroy any migration and spawning of the giant fish, forcing them into early extinction. Go here to learn more about the fascinating giants of the Mekong. Watch Alexandra Cousteau’s feature on the Mekong here.

Source: World Wildlife Fund

Last week environmental groups were warning about pollution levels in the Jordan River. Further probing has found their fears to be correct. Israel’s ministry of health has closed the site where Jesus is believed to have been baptized so that further quality tests can be conducted. Preliminary results showed high levels of sewage and chemicals from agriculture.

The news is not only a devastating blow to the near 100,000 people that come to the site yearly for baptism, but also for Israel’s tourism industry. Israel invested $2 million in infrastructure aimed at attracting even more people to the river. Officials say they will do everything to keep the site open.

Source: The Guardian

Polluted Water in China

The Ministry of Environmental Protection reported that 49.3 percent of the country’s water is potable. Every year the ministry takes samples from the largest lakes and rivers to determine the water quality. Although the figure is higher than last year’s 48 percent, over 24 percent cannot even be used for industrial purposes.

Why is China’s water quality so bad?

In the past decade regulations have increased; however, industrial waste is still being dumped directly into waterways creating a nasty concoction of chemical toxins.

Source: Reuters

Meet the Mini Cow

Ranchers around the world are rediscovering the benefits of miniature cattle. The mini cow was popular in the 1600’s at just under 42 inches, they required less land, food, and resources. And now the mini cow is making a comeback in a big way. It is even being hailed as the future of environmentally friendly beef.

Why?

It takes ten mini cows to emit the same amount of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, as one average size cow. A 1,200-pound cow needs about 2.5 acres of pasture whereas the same acreage can sustain five mini cattle. They convert food 25% more efficiently and some breeds have less cholesterol than chicken. One mini yields 350 pounds of beef.

Source: The Guardian

The U.S. Senate will postpone a comprehensive bill to tackle climate change. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said that in light of the BP oil spill, time would be better served dealing with offshore drilling rules. There is not a single Republican that supports a climate bill.

Many fear that the world is looking to the United States to take the lead on climate change and this decision could affect a global effort to mitigate the worse effects of it. Senator Reid said that the bill would be revisited in September, at the earliest.

Source: Reuters

Ban on Muslim Girls Bicycling

The Islamic seminary, Darul Uloom, has issued a fatwa, or decree, against Muslim girls over the age of 13 riding bikes. The reason behind the decree is that cycling makes it difficult to keep the “burqa,” or body veil, in place. The Chairman of the seminary, Arshad Farroqui, said that Islamic law requires girls to wear the veil and anything that could undermine the practice is prohibited. He then added that cycling has an adverse affect on a girl’s body.

Opponents of the new fatwa have said that it would make it harder for Muslim girls to get to school.

Source: Deccan Herald

Swedish Cow Wash Keeps Cows Happy

DeLaval invented a system that keeps cows happy, healthy, and productive. It looks like an automatic car wash with huge rotating bristles and behaves the same way. The cow rubs against it, and it begins to spin allowing the cow to scratch itself wherever it feels itchy. The new device not only increases milk production by increasing blood flow, but it also relaxes them and decreases the incidence of disease. It’s gained so much popularity in Sweden that it’s spreading to the UK.

Source: Daily Mail

The coal industry says it will sue the Obama administration over plans to regulate surface coal mining, after the EPA issues new rules for mountaintop removal. The National Mining Association says its members are being illegally prevented from getting mining permits in Appalachia. Almost 200 permits have been held up since the Obama administration came in to office.

The EPA says mountain top removal is highly destructive and causes irreparable damage to both water sources and forests. Bank of America recently said it would cease lending to coal companies that use the practice. The coal industry says the EPA should have solicited public comment on its new rules before putting them into effect.

Source: Charleston Gazette

Dirty Side of Cosmetics Industry

The cosmetics industry may face tougher regulations after congress introduces new legislation. The Safe Cosmetics Act was introduced by State Representatives Jan Schakowsky, Ed Markey and Tammy Baldwin. It would give the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate the industry and calls for a phase out of ingredients linked to cancer, birth defects, and other illnesses.

The existing law passed in 1938, allows the cosmetics industry to make decisions about ingredient safety. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics says 12,500 chemicals are found in personal care products which results in exposure to about 126 chemicals each day.

The national trade association representing the global cosmetic industry says it’s concerned the legislation is not based on credible scientific principles and would put an enormous burden on the FDA.

Source: Environmental Leader

Biofuel in Flight

The world’s first flight powered entirely by algae-based biofuel has been completed at the International Aerospace Exhibition in Berlin. EADS, the maker of Airbus, says the Diamond Aircraft is more fuel efficient and used almost half a gallon less fuel per hour using the algae fuel than it would have had it been powered by kerosene-based jet fuel.

Exhaust from the twin prop plane also had an eight time lower hydrocarbon content. A repeat flight will be made at Farnborough Airshow in England. EADS says they hope to have a fully biofuel powered test route operating within five years.

Source: Treehugger

An investigation into what happened aboard the Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig keeps running into an obstacle, witnesses canceling testimony. So far a reported nine witnesses have withheld or delayed testimony.

Well site leaders Robert Kaluza and Donald Vidrine, who were the two top-ranked BP officials on board the rig during the explosion, have each canceled their testimonies twice. Lawyers for the oil companies aboard the rig say the cancellations are harming efforts to assign responsibility.

Currently the hearings are being held in Kenner, a suburb of New Orleans; however, the Coast Guard announced Tuesday that the next hearings will be held in Houston.

This places investigators closer to the witnesses who live in Texas and within jurisdiction of a district court that can subpoena them.

Source: New York Times

Rhino Poaching in South Africa on the Rise

The poaching of endangered rhinos appears to be on the rise. This month poachers using a helicopter and tranquilizer guns killed the last female rhino in a small game park in South Africa.

Experts estimate as many as 200 may be killed by the end of the year in South Africa, up from 122 confirmed killings in 2009. The motivation for poachers is the rhino’s horn, which can fetch over $30,000 on the black market. In some Asian countries rhino horn is thought to have medicinal properties. In the Middle East, the horns are used as handles for daggers and other decorative uses.

According to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora about 18,500 white rhinos and 1,500 black rhinos remain in the wild in South Africa.

Source: Treehugger

Plastiki Nears Sydney

David de Rothschild’s Plastiki has made it safely to Australia. The boat, which is made of 12,000 plastic bottles, is on a mission to raise awareness about plastic waste.

It left San Francisco four months ago. The Gold Coast Port is just a pit stop on the way to Sydney.

The Plastiki is expected to complete the remaining 300-mile journey to its final destination by Sunday.

Source: WDEF

His captivating passion for the planet and ability to simplify climate change made him a force to be reckoned with, especially when debating global warming. He was a consultant for the White House in every single administration from Nixon to Obama, a feat that speaks for itself. Schneider was the founder and editor of the journal Climatic Change and authored or co-authored over 450 scientific papers.

We had the pleasure of interviewing the “climate warrior” a couple of years ago and compiled a retrospective of Stephen Schneider in his own words. Watch the video.

Source: Stanford University

Leading Climate Scientist Stephen Schneider passed away Monday.

The 65 year-old reportedly suffered a heart attack when a flight he was on was landing in London.

The Stanford University professor advocated tirelessly for an aggressive response to climate change.

He also encouraged scientists to communicate directly with the public and was known for his ability to forge policies that made sense despite the complex nature of global warming.

Schneider was the founder and editor of the journal Climatic Change and authored or co-authored over 450 scientific papers.

In recent years, Schneider battled with mantle cell lymphoma, a rare form of cancer.

Source: Stanford University

California’s E-waste Scandal

The state of California’s e-waste program is being investigated for fraud totaling tens of millions of dollars.

Accusations include smuggling of illegal materials in from out of state.

State and industry officials estimate about $30 million in ineligible claims may have been paid.

Two state agencies control the program including CalRecycle and the department of Toxic Substances Control.

More than two-dozen e-waste firms have been investigated over the past two years but none have been fined or prosecuted.

Unlike most state recycling programs which are paid for by manufacturers, the California program is paid for by consumers who pay extra on purchases of monitors and televisions.

Source: Environmental Leader

BP Admits to Altering Photo

BP has admitted to photo shopping an image of its crisis center in Houston. Bloggers brought the issue to light after examining the photograph.

A closer look at the photo, which was posted on BP’s website, clearly reveals the figures and some of the images on the screen were photo shopped in.

The photo also contains data suggesting it was taken in 2001, not July 16, 2010 as claimed on BP’s site.

BP is claiming there’s nothing sinister about the alteration and says the images were inserted because the video screens were blank.

Source: msnbc

More African nations are demanding access to the Nile River, spurring a fight over water rights.

Historically only Egypt and the Sudan have rights to the water.

However the Nile runs through ten countries from its headwaters to the Mediterranean.

Upriver countries including Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda have signed a treaty declaring rights to the water.

Egypt, which depends on what water makes it down stream, is threatening taking legal action if its water rights are not upheld.

Environmental groups are concerned about the impact the increased demand on the river will have on wildlife.

The river feeds the Sudd wetland, which is the world’s largest inland wetland. It is home to large mammals like hippos and elephants and over 400 species of migrating birds.

Source: Treehugger

BP Detects Leak

BP has been directed to continue integrity testing for 24 hours after a possible underground leak was detected.

BP said Monday, the seepage, nearly 2 miles from its ruptured well, is natural and unrelated to the oil leak.

Oil Spill Response Director, Thad Allen, sent a letter to BP directing them to be extremely diligent about monitoring leaks and in reporting any findings to the government.

A small leak has also been detected near the top of BP’s cap. Allen says it doesn’t appear to be consequential

A spokesman for BP says they are testing two sets of bubbles rising from the top of the wellhead.

The spokesman says it’s possible the bubbles are nitrogen, which can form at the seabed atop deepwater wells, rather than natural gas.

BP has taken samples of both bubbles for testing and says they will communicate the results when the testing is complete.

Source: Today

Plastic Bag Ban in Oregon

A ban on single use plastic bags is gaining momentum in Oregon.

Portland Mayor, Sam Adams, has proposed a ban at grocery stores and retail pharmacies in the city.

The law would include a 5-cent charge on paper bags.

State lawmakers proposed similar legislation during February’s special session.

The mayor’s office says two thirds of Portlanders surveyed support a ban.

The California state Assembly approved a bill in June that would make California the first state in the nation to ban single-use plastic and paper bags from being handed out at grocery stores starting in 2012. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

California, Rhode Island, New York and Delaware have recently passed laws requiring stores to take back plastic bags and film for recycling.

Source: Environmental Leader

BP says there is no more oil flowing into the Gulf of Mexico from the submerged Deepwater Horizon oil rig. However, they will continue to test the integrity of the well to ensure that no other leaks arise. The oil giant still has a long way to go in cleanup efforts and disaster mitigation but at least the well is finally contained.

Source: BP

BP Scandal Involving a Terrorist

A disturbing implication has come to light involving the oil giant BP. The company is reported to have urged the Scottish government to release convicted terrorist, Abdelbeset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi, in order to speed up an oil deal in Libya. Al Megrahi was convicted of a 1988 bombing of the Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland killing 270 people. In August 2009 he was released due to a terminal prognosis of prostate cancer. He returned to his native home of Libya with a reported three months to live.

Now 11 months after the fact, al Megrahi is still alive and BP along with the British government are in the hot seat. Both deny allegations that they had any involvement in the prisoner’s release. The chairman of the National Oil Corporation of Libya, Shokri Ghanem, has also denied claims that there was a deal that BP would attain larger commercial interest in Libya in exchange for al Megrahi.

Scotland also denied that BP was involved in the release saying it was an act of compassion that the prisoner transfer agreement was made. U.S. lawmakers called for a full investigation into BP’s involvement in the release.

Source: CNN

Elephant Trainer Killed at Ohio Zoo

The age-old question of whether elephants should be held in captivity is back on the table following a trainer death at a zoo in Ohio. The Toledo Zoo’s primary star, Baby Louis, a seven-year old African pachyderm attacked his trainer on July 1. The trainer had been with the elephant since its birth.

Source: Boston Herald

A new report out by the U.S. Forest Service claims that forests are the key to mitigating the worst affects of climate change. The study finds that something called the hydrologic cycle, a fancy term for the way that water moves both on land and in the atmosphere, is inextricably linked to the climate. Climate change will affect snowpack amounts, timing of spring runoffs, groundwater levels, flooding, forest health and fires, increase droughts and ultimately water quality in general.

Why Forests?

Forests are crucial to ecosystems and life on this planet. They are also critical to maintaining the U.S. water supply. Over 50 percent of freshwater comes from forested lands and 18 percent of it is used to quench the Nation’s demand. Forests also reduce runoff, shade water, cycle nutrients, stabilize riverbanks, and help filter out pollutants. Not to mention sustains wildlife, fish, plants, food, energy, and industrial production.

Source: Water, Climate Change, and Forests: Watershed Stewardship for a Changing Climate

U.S. Green Building Market to Soar

The latest news from the green building sector is that the market is expected to hit $173.5 billion by 2015. EL Insights reports that the Gulf of Mexico oil spill has increased awareness to environmental issues and in turn the need to start building wisely. Green building touches on energy use, water use, indoor air quality, sourcing materials locally and reducing waste and pollution. In the United States alone, about 40 percent of energy consumption comes from buildings.

Source: Environmental Leader

BP is reporting for the first time in months that the oil has stopped flowing from the ruptured pipe in the Gulf of Mexico. The company lowered a capping stack onto the area a few days ago. Pressure testing in the area was conducted both yesterday and earlier today to ensure that the cap wouldn’t cause another portion of the pipe to explode. And for now the oil flow seems to have finally subsided.

Source: BP

Pacific Northwest Biofuels Planes

Alaska Airlines, Boeing, Portland International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Spokane International Airport, and Washington State University are working together to start incorporating biofuel in aviation in the Pacific Northwest. The project, “Sustainable Aviation Fuels Northwest,” will explore the biomass options within the four states. The potential sources are also indigenous to the region: algae, camelina, and wood products. The ultimate goal is to develop a sustainable fuel source for airlines.

Source: Alaska Airlines

New Orleans Music Scene Against Spill

New Orleans, Louisiana musicians with the Hot 8 Brass Band, Shamarr Allen, Dee-1, Paul Sanchez and Bennie Pete, created a song and music video voicing their distaste for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The video is mostly shot in Grand Isle, Louisiana and is available for free.

Watch it here.

Source: Nola.com

BP says that a new 40-foot stack of valves may be the key to shutting off the leaking well for good. The company is set to test the pressure in the well today that will determine whether the valve stack will shut off the oil or compound the problem. Basically one of two things could happen, either the valve works and the leak gets plugged for good, or the valve increases the pressure inside the well causing it to explode and gush from another point.

BP claims that they have new equipment to measure the pressure that wasn’t available last month. Either way the company’s last “Hail Mary,” the relief wells, should be in place soon to stop the worst spill in U.S. history.

Source: Businessweek

Offshore Drilling Ban

Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Interior Department, has released his decision memorandum to suspend certain offshore drilling and permitting activities in the Outer Continental Shelf until November 30, 2010. It applies to wells using subsea blowout preventers or surface blowout preventers on a floating platform in the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific. The goal is to improve safety and find out what caused the Deepwater Horizon to explode; to improve measures to contain and prevent blowouts; and time for the operators to submit proof that they have the capacity and ability to respond to oil spills immediately. November 30 also marks the end of hurricane season in the Atlantic.

Source: Secretary of the Interior

Pre-Tiger Summit in Bali

Thirteen countries where tigers still roam free are meeting in Bali this week to discuss a global plan to save the tigers. Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam are striving for a unified voice for the Tiger Summit in Russia in September. Tiger populations in the wild have reduced to about 3,200 from more than 100,000.

What’s happening to the tigers?

Habitat destruction, loss of food source, poaching, disease, and “retaliatory killing” are all contributing to the worldwide loss of the big cats. Retaliatory killing is when tigers come into repeated aggressive contact with villagers living in areas near tiger habitats that are shot for “repeated offenses.” Out of the original 9 species only 6 remain: Sumatran, Bengal, Amur, Indochinese, South China, and Malayan.

Source: WWF

BP is drilling two relief wells that are the very last resort and expected to completely stop the leak. The first of these is about five feet away from the well at 17,840 feet beneath the surface. President Obama ordered the second relief well drilled in the event that the first does not work. In the meantime, the oil is still spewing into the Gulf of Mexico with only a portion of it being recovered.

Source: CNN, New York Times

Clean Energy Tax Credit

President Obama is pushing for an increase in available funds for clean energy manufacturing tax credits. He is urging Congress to allocate an extra $5 billion. He argues that the investment would create 40,000 jobs and add about $12 billion to the private sector, which could create an additional 90,000 jobs.

Source: The White House

Arctic Swimsuit Edition Highlights Climate Change

Canada’s publication from the far north, uphere, decided to ruffle some feathers with the July/August swimsuit issue. Climate change has been overshadowed lately by energy legislation and oil spills, not to mention rendered questionable yet again by shoddy science, embellishments, and scandal after scandal. However, few can actually see a noticeable daily change in climate like the people living in an arctic tundra. Uphere’s swimsuit issue set to an icy backdrop hopes to bring the issue back into the spotlight using bikinis.

Source: uphere

According to a recent study by the Trust for America’s Health, obesity rates in the Unites States have risen to unprecedented levels. Combined data taken from 2007 to 2009 shows that about thirty-eight states have obesity rates higher than 25 percent. In 1991 not one state had obesity rates higher than 20 percent. Mississippi has the highest obesity rates in adults at 33.8 percent. Colorado scores the lowest at 19.1 percent.

A healthy diet and exercise can greatly reduce obesity rates. In fact, 75 percent of Americans consume less than two servings of fruit per day and 50 percent consume less than three servings of vegetables per day. And there is a correlation between eating fruits and vegetables and healthy living. Ten out of ten states with the highest obesity rates also have the lowest fruit and vegetable consumption. It’s all about making it easier to choose to be healthy the report says. Policies and programs need to focus on: improving access and making healthy foods cheaper; making it easier and more affordable to exercise; and improving obesity-prevention health care.

What does this have to do with the environment?

The study focuses on something called, “active travel.” It essentially lays out an action plan to make it easier for people to walk, bike, and use public transportation to get around town. And as you know, opting for public transit, biking, or walking is a great way to reduce your environmental impact.

It also focuses on healthy eating being more affordable which translates into local seasonal produce as the most viable option. Local seasonal produce is not only better for you but it also does not incur those hefty carbon dioxide emissions generated from international transportation.

Source: F as in Fat

Bicycle Safety

Most countries, cities, and towns are pushing for more bicyclists to get back on the road. Bicycling helps to alleviate traffic congestion, improves air quality by not adding to tailpipe emissions, and promotes healthy living.

So why aren’t more people braving the streets in cycle gear?

Slate’s Tom Vanderbilt says that the safer bicycling is viewed, the more people will join the club. He says that bike paths should be separated from vehicle traffic and made into their own roadways and highways.

Source: Slate

Greenpeace’s latest efforts are just in time for summer’s favorite cuisine: seafood. Their new campaign is targeting Costco for selling destructively farmed seafood. The big box store is just one of many that sell not only several threatened and endangered fish but other species that are harvested using unsustainable practices. Recent Greenpeace surveys found that Costco continues to sell 15 of the 22 at risk seafood species including Alaskan pollock, Atlantic cod, Atlantic salmon, Atlantic sea scallops, Chilean sea bass, grouper, monkfish, ocean quahog, orange roughy, red snapper, redfish, South Atlantic albacore tuna, swordfish, tropical shrimp, and yellowfin tuna. Greenpeace launched a similar and ultimately successful campaign targeting Trader Joes (which pledged to remove all red-listed seafood by the end of 2012) and hopes that Costco will follow suit.

For a guide choosing the healthiest and most ocean-friendly seafood this summer, go here:

Source: Fast Company

GE Supports Clean Energy Legislation

As part of their new ecomagination initiative to support sustainable energy development, General Electric (GE) teamed up with the American Wind Energy Association to send a 131-foot wind turbine blade to Washington, D.C.’s Nationals Park for the 2010 Congressional Baseball Game. GE collected more than 6,000 signatures on the blade in support of clean energy legislation hoping to make clear to Congress their vested interest in the passage of a comprehensive climate bill. While the company is the largest U.S. supplier of wind turbines and will benefit from any legislation that supports the wind industry, the innovative and hard-to-miss petition is a creative example of the company’s commitment to activism and corporate responsibility.

Source: Fast Company

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has partnered with health officials in each of the Gulf states to ensure the safety of any seafood coming out of the Gulf. All seafood will be tested for the presence of oil before being sold. There is limited access to fishery stocks amid numerous closures by NOAA. However, several areas remain open, which has led to ongoing safety concerns. Despite the newly established safety program, others are concerned that oil may not be the only health hazard. Thousands of tons of dispersants have been applied to Gulf waters in an attempt to mitigate some of the impacts of the oil. The dispersants could also pose a threat to seafood safety. While they are less toxic than oil and have been tested and heavily monitored by the EPA, the sheer quantities in which they have been used are disconcerting. For more about the dispersants being used in the Gulf, go here. For reassurance, go here.

Source: ENN

BP Oil Spill and Clean Energy Legislation

Leaders from across the renewable energy sector are concerned that Congress is continuing to drag its feet on passing a comprehensive energy bill. Many voiced dismay at the recent Renewable Energy Finance Forum over ongoing partisan bickering in Congress despite the common frustrations and worries surrounding the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Several leaders noted that differences were put aside following the Santa Barbara oil spill in the late sixties. Environmental action became a priority with the passing of the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts. Industry leaders asserted that now is once again the time to avoid partisanship because legislation needs to focus on energy diversification. Peter Duprey, CEO of Acciona Energy North America, noted that a long-term energy policy is necessary while Michael Garland, CEO of wind-powerhouse Pattern Energy Group, added that pressure from the renewable energy industry would facilitate political action stressing, “If you aren’t out there right now actively calling and writing your legislators, and asking 10 other people to do the same, you’re failing your industry in this business.” Despite political woes and other industry challenges, the green energy industry has certainly not been negatively affected by the oil spill, which, if anything, has simply highlighted the need for alternative sources of energy and fuel.

Source: Fast Company

The city of Paris is about to get another makeover, this time of the renewable energy variety. The city plans to generate power with underwater turbines, called hydroliennes, from the river Seine. The turbines will be placed beneath four of the bridges that cross the famous river that winds through Paris: the Pont du Garigliano, Pont de la Tournelle, Pont Marie, and Pont au Change.

The majority of the turbines will be beneath the surface; however a portion will still be visible. Officials say this project isn’t necessarily about generating power, but awareness. Critics say it’s a lot of money to spend on awareness.

The project is set to begin next spring.

Source: The Guardian

Turning Sea Trash into Vacuum Cleaners

Electrolux, the legendary vacuum cleaner company, is launching a new model called Vac from the Sea, which will be made from recycled plastic that has been collected from the ocean. The company is recruiting volunteers around the world to gather plastic pollution that will be transformed into the new vacuum cleaners. The company was inspired to initiate the project due to increasing plastic shortages and growing public concern regarding the health of the world’s oceans. An estimated 10 percent of the world’s plastic waste ends up in the ocean posing threats to wildlife, water quality, and marine ecosystems.

Source: Fast Company

Poor air quality has long since been a concern for Honk Kong. Democracy advocates and environmentalists alike are worried that the city’s current political system may be preventing improvements in air quality.

Joanne Ooi, CEO of the, Clean Air Network says the “political system is holding back environmental reform.”

Advocates are concerned that business interests are being put before public health. Public transit is a primary example, where aging buses and trucks make up about one third of the fleet. Outfitting buses with air pollution controls costs money and many feel that financial incentives must be put in place to make air quality improvements feasible. Many want to see more a more balanced legislature- one that includes public health and human rights advocates.

Source: Huffington Post

Sweden Replacing Oil for Power

Sweden is in the midst of replacing oil with biofuel. Combined heat and power plants are already supplying heat for more than half of Sweden’s families as well as electricity. The primary source for biomass is wood.

Studies show that in 2009, roughly 32 percent of energy was generated using biomass. Sweden’s goal is to reach 50 percent by 2020 and be free of imported fossil fuels by 2030.

Source: ecogeek

Reducing costs and carbon emissions is good business. A recent study has shown that companies in the U.S. and U.K. could save roughly $19 billion by 2020 simply by trading business trips for video conferencing.Although telecommunications company AT&T conducted the study, there’s no denying the fact that less travel means fewer carbon emissions. According to the study, eliminating business trips would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 5.5 million metric tons.

Source: Matter Network

Portland’s 20-minute Neighborhood Dream

Portland’s Mayor, Sam Adams, is working to improve the livability of Oregon’s most populous city with what he calls “20-minute neighborhoods.” He’s hoping to ensure that all of the city’s neighborhoods include basic amenities that are within comfortable walking and biking distance. This will improve access to fresh, healthy foods and reduce reliance on cars in all parts of the city. In addition, the plan aims to not only improve the local economy but to enrich community in the city’s underserved areas.

Source: fast company

According to the British Trust for Ornithology, the nightingale population in Britain has declined by nearly 90 percent in the past 40 years. Nightingales are hailed for their pretty songs. They build ground-level nests in dense shrubbery and have seen their habitat destroyed by an ever-growing population of hungry deer. The nightingale spends winters in West Africa where scientists believe that the Sahara desert’s expansion has also claimed significant portions of their habitat.

Source: The Guardian

Disease Plagues Siberian Tigers

A disease is impairing the ability of Siberian tigers to hunt. The tigers are found in Russia’s far east. The disease is leading the tigers into human civilizations in search of an easy meal. Once they loose their fear of humans, they pose a threat and are put down.

The Wildlife Conservation Society has been tagging and tracking tigers for years. The last tagged tiger, Galya, was recently put down for repeatedly harassing the town of Terney. The necropsy revealed that the cat had nothing in its stomach, which is highly unusual. Since scientists have been unable to define the disease they are worried that it could wipe out the entire tiger population in the area.

Source: Guardian