Nuclear Prospects Unclear
| Harnessing the Power of Highways KinergyPower is a new form of alternative energy which is also an example of distributed generation. KinergyPower was invented by two brothers Stefanos and Dimitri Horianopolous in Greece in 2002. Their system uses a series of hydraulic pistons to absorb the kinetic energy from the motion of traffic and transform it into hydraulic pressure. [.] |
| CCI’s Lake Erie Project Expands to Michigan Farms Environmental Defense Fund’s work to improve Western Lake Erie Basin water quality is making great strides. Farmers continue to enroll in key water quality practices in priority Ohio counties, and now the project is expanding over state lines.Funded by the Joyce Foundation, our Lake Erie project began in Ohio in 2006. Its focus is the Maumee River, the largest single contributor of nonpoint source pollution to the lake. The Maumee watershed was once largely forested swamp; today it is 85% farmland. The river winds through Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, so making meaningful progress in reducing nutrient runoff and sediments from farm fields brings us into all three states.  Filter strips of vegetation on Michigan farmlands can help limit sediments, excessive nutrients and pesticides entering water bodies, as well as create wildlife habitat. (Photo: Michigan Department of Agriculture) On April 3, Terry Noto and Karen Chapman of the Center for Conservation Incentives participated in a signing ceremony in Michigan for our new partnership with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and numerous conservation districts. Our goal is to improve wildlife habitat and water quality in southeastern Michigan and Lake Erie. Under the collaborative agreement, state and federal partners agree to fund landowners who voluntarily install highly effective conservation practices on their land in the six Michigan counties that are part of the Western Lake Erie Basin: Branch, Jackson, Hillsdale, Lenawee, Monroe and Washtenaw counties.  Incentives are available for Michigan farmers to grow native plants that benefit water quality and wildlife. (Photo: Michigan Department of Agriculture) “This effort will help farmers implement advanced level practices that deliver real results for soil health and water quality,” says Garry Lee, Michigan NRCS State Conservationist. “In these times of high energy prices and fertilizer costs, highly effective practices like precision nutrient management can be an important strategy for reducing nutrient inputs without sacrificing crop yields.” The project leverages resources primarily from Michigan’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.This partnership demonstrates Michigan’s pioneering attitude towards conservation and sets an example for the rest of the country. My CCI colleagues and I have begun work to establish a similar partnership agreement in the Indiana portion of the Western Lake Erie Basin watershed.For more information and photos, see the Western Lake Erie Basin Partnership website.Suzy Friedman |
| Adverts urge world to axe CO2 to 1980s levels The world should cut the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to below that of 20 years ago, more deeply than most government plans, to avoid the worst of climate change, a group of 150 advocates said on Monday. “We’ve gone too far — in a dangerous direction,” scientists, politicians, business leaders and others said in full-page advertisements in the Financial Times, the New York Times, the International Herald Tribune and two Swedish dailies. |
| Blueprint for sustainability plan. Meeting the challenge of climate change will demand a COAG-led national sustainability policy similar to the national competition reform process of the 1990s, according to a team of Victorian academics. |
| Press Release: Statement by EDF National Climate Campaign Director Steve Cochran on Comprehensive Climate Legislation Unveiled Today by Congressman Ed Markey
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tony Kreindler, EDF, 202-572-3378 or 202-210-5791 (cell) “We applaud Congressman Markey for his bold leadership on global warming. Today’s proposal marks an important step forward in the House of Representatives’ efforts to address the looming climate crisis.
“Congressman Markey’s Investing in Climate Action and Protection Act appears to be the most comprehensive climate bill drafted in the House, and Congress should carefully consider the legislation as it crafts an effective response to climate change.
“We’re particularly pleased that his bill would combine strong environmental protections with sound measures to protect American jobs and family budgets.
“We look forward to working with Congressman Markey, members of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and the House leadership to bring a strong bill to the House floor as soon as possible.”
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About Environmental Defense Fund
A leading national nonprofit organization, Environmental Defense Fund represents more than 500,000 members. Since 1967, Environmental Defense Fund has linked science, economics, law and innovative private-sector partnerships to create breakthrough solutions to the most serious environmental problems. For more information, visit www.edf.org
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| Cooperative system could wipe out car alarm noise The persistent, annoying blare of an ignored car alarm may become a sound of the past if a cooperative, mutable and silent network of monitors proposed by Penn State researchers is deployed in automobiles and parking lots. “The basis of this system is trust,” says Sencun Zhu, assistant professor of computer science and engineering. “You need to trust the entity that distributes the system’s sensors, so you can rely on all the monitored cars having the goal of protecting your car and others from theft.” |
| Take 5 for the Environment Change five simple habits today and make a positive impact! Pledge to do your part and help Denver become the most environmentally friendly city in the nation. We’ll send you a free residential toolkit with resources and tips to help green your home. Make the pledge! |
| Nuclear Prospects Unclear Global nuclear power capacity grew by less than 2,000 megawatts in 2007, a figure equivalent to just one-tenth of the new wind power installed globally last year, according to the latest Vital Signs Update from the Worldwatch Institute. Global nuclear capacity stands at 372,000 megawatts, but ranks as the slowest growing energy source-just 0.5 percent in 2007, compared to wind at 27 percent. |
| GE To Develop Hybrid Tugboats General Electric and the C-MAR Group recently announced plans to work together on the development of hybrid engine technologies for tugboats, in an effort to offer lower costs for customers and while lowering carbon emissions. The tugboat platform builds on current hybrid technology projects for locomotives, city buses and off-highway vehicles. These hybrid technologies [.] |
| Scientist urges carbon tax to help climate The U.S. scientist who 20 years ago first told Congress that the Earth’s climate was warming said on Monday that urgent action was needed to cut greenhouse gases and proposed a tax on carbon emissions.James Hansen, the director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, said at a congressional briefing that a carbon tax would be the most efficient way to cut global warming emissions and encourage non-fossil energy sources. |
| White House Role Cited in EPA Reversal on Emissions As reported by By Juliet Eilperin, Washington Post Staff Writer: “Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen L. Johnson favored giving California some authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks . before he consulted with the White House and reversed course, congressional investigators said yesterday.” |
| Floating Offshore Wind Turbines Norwegian company StatoilHydro is working on a 2.3 megawatt floating wind turbine that will be attached to the top of ‘Spar-buoy’ and moored to the seabed by three anchor points. It is hoped that the 80 meter diameter, 65 meter high Siemens turbine will have lower deep-water installation costs when compared to traditional wind [.] |