Wednesday, October 05, 2005

[Environmental quotations] Environmental quotation of the day Waste isn't waste until it's wasted. -- Don Knapp, Sierra Club Sourcebook, 1990. [Source: Rodes, Barbara K. and Rice Odell, compilers. A Dictionary of Environmental Quotations. Baltimore, MD : Johns Hopkins University Press, 1992.] 1:20:47 PM Google It!    [Green building] Are McMansions Going Out of Style? After more than 30 years of steady increase, the size of the typical American house appears to be leveling off, according to statistics gathered by the Census Bureau. [Source: New York Times -- thanks to Gristmill for the pointer] 1:14:09 PM Google It!    [Solar energy] Solar Decathlon's "Solar Village" Takes Shape on National Mall Trucks carrying 18 solar-powered and energy-efficient homes began rolling onto the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on September 29th. For 18 university teams, the first week of October was "do or die" time, as they hurried to assemble their homes for the start of the 2005 Solar Decathlon. [EERE Network News] 1:10:09 PM Google It!    [Energy policy] Energy Dept. Sends Mixed Messages on Conservation With natural gas prices soaring, the Bush administration is encouraging all Americans to conserve. The Department of Energy is working with private sector groups to promote energy efficiency. At the same time, it's also cutting funds for research on energy efficiency. [NPR Topics: Environment] 1:08:35 PM Google It!    [Wind power] Prospecting For Wind Wind power is a small but fast-growing segment of the U.S. energy market. Energy companies are scouring rural America for the best spots to put up wind turbines. But wind is not enough -- these companies need land, too. More from The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Shawn Allee, 10/3/05. [SEJ Environmental Journalism Today] 1:07:43 PM Google It!    [E-waste] Bill would tackle e-waste problem Wisconsin State Sen. Mark Miller has authored legislation that would require producers of electronic equipment to take responsibility for the collection and recycling of computer monitors, televisions, cellular phones and other electronics that they sell in the state. By Anita Weier. [Stateline.org RSS - Environment] 1:06:22 PM Google It!    [Biodiesel] It's Fast Food for Your Car It has been championed by the president and environmentalists alike as a solution to foreign dependency on oil and the ills of fossil fuel. But biodiesel, a diesel-fuel alternative made from vegetable or animal fats, has had two major problems: At as much as $1 more than regular diesel, it can be hard on the wallet. It can also be hard to find. [ENN Business Headlines] 1:04:49 PM Google It!    [Acrylamide] Acrylamide Infonet "This network functions as a global resource and inventory of ongoing research on acrylamide in food. It includes formal research, surveillance/monitoring and industry investigations." The site also provides links to sites from national and regional government from around the world on this potential carcinogen found especially in fried starchy foods. From the Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN), a project of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the University of Maryland. [Librarians' Index to the Internet: New This Week] 1:03:08 PM Google It!    [Energy conservation] Investing in Our Future: Energy Star and Other Voluntary Programs -- 2004 Annual Report Energy Conservation Programs--United States Source: Environmental Protection Agency Investing in Our Future: Energy Star and Other Voluntary Programs -- 2004 Annual Report (PDF; 1.77 MB) "With our partners' help, ENERGY STAR continues to grow and encourage greater investment in energy efficienty. In 2004, Americans saved around $10 billion on their energy bills while preventing greenhouse gas emoissions equivalent to those from 20 million vehicles." [ResourceShelf's DocuTicker] 1:02:09 PM Google It!    [Environmental health] Exposure To Environmental Ozone Alters Semen Quality Reproductive Health Source: Environmental Health Perspectives Exposure To Environmental Ozone Alters Semen Quality (PDF; 760 KB) "Results: There was a significant negative correlation between ozone levels at 0-9 and 10-14 days and 70-90 days before donation and average sperm concentration, which was maintained after correction for donor’s birth date, age at donation, temperature and seasonality. No other pollutant measures were significantly associated with sperm quality outcomes. Conclusions: Exposure to ambient ozone levels adversely impacts semen quality." [ResourceShelf's DocuTicker] 1:00:15 PM Google It!    [Green chemistry] 'Green chemistry' work wins Nobel Three chemists have been awarded the Nobel Prize for their work to reduce hazardous waste in forming new chemicals used in plastics and pharmaceuticals. [Environmental Health News] 12:58:57 PM Google It!    [Green chemistry] Green Polymer Field Blossoming Opportunities for designing polymers and developing polymerization processes that are safe, prevent pollution, and are more efficient in the use of materials and energy are enormous. [Environmental Health News] 12:57:58 PM Google It!    [Biodiesel] Biodiesel plant planned in N. Dakota BISMARCK, N.D. - Archer Daniels Midland Co. says it has chosen Velva, a McHenry County town of about 1,000, for its first wholly owned U.S. biodiesel plant. It is the second biodiesel plant announced in North Dakota this year. By The Associated Press. [Stateline.org RSS - Energy] 12:54:50 PM Google It!    [Energy efficiency] Georgians get tax break on energy-efficient appliances ATLANTA - Beginning Thursday, Georgians will get a tax break on energy-efficient items for their homes.  By The Associated Press. [Stateline.org RSS - Energy] 12:47:50 PM Google It!    [Small business] Small Business Advocate Newsletter The US Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Advocacy produces an online periodic newsletter, the Small Business Advocate, that details economic developments and regulatory trends related to small business as well as the latest initiatives of the SBA's Office of Advocacy. The October 2005 issue of The Small Business Advocate announces two Advocacy publications, newly updated in 2005: The Impact of Regulatory Costs on Small Firms and the State Model Legislation book. [ChemAlliance Environmental News] 12:40:15 PM Google It!    [Corporate sustainability] Third-Generation GRI Guidelines Shine a Beacon for Sustainability Reporters NEW YORK, Oct. 4, 2005 - The Global Reporting Initiative dubbed its guidelines overhaul and update "G3," in which it is defining metrics for the Indicators and integrating the Principles with the Indicators. [GreenBiz.com] 12:38:46 PM Google It!    [Alternative energy] Greening "the Joint..." From RenewableEnergyAccess.com, news of a partnership between Windstor Power and the Bristol County, Massachusetts, Sheriff's Office "...to produce and distribute electricity generated by up to three WindStor Wind Turbines, directly to the Bristol County Jail at a fixed rate for 15 years." Not only is the jail greening its energy supply, but the business relationship between Windstor and the Sheriff's Office is based on the"product service system" model: "WPC will build, own, operate and maintain the vertical axis turbines." [sustainablog] 12:35:11 PM Google It!    [Green building] Green Building Practices on the Rise Landscape contractors with commercial or interiorscape accounts could have a growing sales opportunity on the horizon. According to the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), the majority of respondents to a recent online survey reported implementing green concepts within their organization’s facilities. [Source: Lawn & Landscape Magazine] 12:34:16 PM Google It!    [Green building] Manufacturer calls its green building smart business When the Blittersdorfs decided it was time to move NRG Systems out of their cramped quarters in an industrial building across the road, they decided not just to preach the gospel of renewable energy and sustainability, but to live it. [Source: Boston Globe] 12:32:29 PM Google It!    [Fuel cells] Fuel Cell Power at Four Hotels Totals 2.25 MW FuelCell Energy, manufacturer of ultra-clean power generation plants for commercial and industrial customers, announced an additional 500 kW Direct FuelCell (DFC) power plant installation at Starwood Hotels & Resorts' Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina. This increases Starwood's commitment to base load heat and power from DFC power plants to 2.25 MW at four hotels in California, New Jersey and New York. [Great Lakes Pollution Prevention Roundtable (GLRPPR) News] 12:30:25 PM Google It!    [Schools] CCAR's S/P2 Online Training Reaches 2000 Schools Enrolled Mojave High School in North Las Vegas, Nevada is the 2,000th school to enroll in the "S/P2" online training in Safety and Pollution Prevention, which is provided free of charge by the Coordinating Committee For Automotive Repair to the nation's automotive training programs. The S/P2 courseware tracks technician/student progress through the training, grades tests and is constantly updated as changes occur in federal and state laws. [Great Lakes Pollution Prevention Roundtable (GLRPPR) News] 12:28:07 PM Google It!    [Environmental health] Lead Contamination in Cocoa and Cocoa Products: Isotopic Evidence of Global Contamination Cocoa--Lead Contamination Source: Environmental Health Perspectives Lead Contamination in Cocoa and Cocoa Products: Isotopic Evidence of Global Contamination "In summary, chocolate products and manufactured cocoa contain relatively high levels of contaminant lead compared with the baseline value for Nigerian cocoa beans used to make those products. Isotopic composition analyses of the products indicate multiple sources of contamination of industrial origin, which is consistent with the observation that there are numerous sources of lead contamination during the production of cocoa that have yet to be identified.... Similar lead isotopic composition in contaminated cocoa bean shells from Nigeria, together with the high ability of cocoa bean shells to adsorb lead, suggest that contamination during cocoa processing at each farm may be responsible for some of the contamination in cocoa products; we propose that the ongoing use of leaded gasoline in Nigeria contributes to that contamination. However, the low lead concentration in cocoa beans compared with those of manufactured cocoa and chocolate products indicates that most lead contamination in those products occurs after the beans are harvested and dried, during the shipping of those beans and/or the manufacturing of cocoa and chocolate products." [ResourceShelf's DocuTicker] 12:26:57 PM Google It!    [Environmental health] Maternal Fish Consumption, Hair Mercury, and Infant Cognition in a U.S. Cohort Pregnancy--Fish Consumption Source: Environmental Health Perspectives Maternal Fish Consumption, Hair Mercury, and Infant Cognition in a U.S. Cohort "Results from the present study among a U.S. cohort with moderate fish intake suggest that maternal fish consumption during pregnancy may benefit offspring cognition in infancy but that exposure to higher levels of mercury has adverse effects on child cognition. These findings, based on a relatively small group of women, merit further investigation and verification in other populations consuming moderate amounts of seafood. Meanwhile, we recommend that women continue to consume fish during pregnancy but seek out varieties with lower levels of mercury." [ResourceShelf's DocuTicker] 12:25:53 PM Google It!    [Climate change] Cities swap expertise on climate The leaders of more than 20 world cities are meeting in London to swap ideas on combating climate change. [Environmental Health News] 12:21:10 PM Google It!    [Solary energy] Officials tout solar power plan Pardee Homes, which is in the midst of rallying support for its controversial housing project in North Livermore, unveiled detailed plans on Friday for what could be the largest solar-powered community in the United States. [Environmental Health News] 12:20:06 PM Google It!    [Energy conservation] Consumers Urged to Conserve Energy The Department of Energy launches a campaign to promote energy conservation as the home-heating season approaches. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman says energy-saving steps can help consumers trim high heating costs this winter. Critics say the administration's emphasis on conservation is long overdue. [NPR Topics: Environment] 12:12:13 PM Google It!    [Green building] SBIC Accepting Submission for 2005 Awards The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC) now is soliciting submissions for its 2005 awards program. SBIC members are encouraged to submit their Best Sustainable Practice for an award of the same name. The award recognizes the best innovations and sustained contributions SBIC members are making toward building a sustainable future in America. In addition, SBIC is accepting entries for its Exemplary Sustainable Building award. All building professionals, including non-SBIC members, are invited to submit projects for consideration. The award recognizes outstanding buildings that have incorporated whole-building-design principles with a focus on durability and sustainability. Qualifying buildings will have been occupied for at least one year and fit into one of the following categories: government, institutional/commercial or residential. Applicants are encouraged to highlight any passive solar strategies used in the projects. Entries must be submitted by Friday, Oct. 21. Winners will be announced at the SBIC Awards Ceremony on Dec. 15 in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with Ecobuild Federal. [Source: Ecostructure E-Newsletter] 12:08:13 PM Google It!    [Fuel conservation] Jam Nation: How to Put the Brakes on Employee Driving How to avoid rush hour, work in your pajamas, and save the environment. By Joel Makower [Source: Grist Magazine via ClimateBiz.com] 12:05:18 PM Google It!

© Copyright 2005 Laura L. Barnes. Last update: 11/1/2005; 1:07:33 PM.