Jun 2008
Company scores plummet in Greener Electronics Guide
29/06/08 19:41 Filed in: Enviroment
With expanded and tougher criteria on toxic chemicals, electronic waste and new criteria on climate change only Sony and Sony Ericsson score more than 5/10 in our latest Guide to Greener Electronics. Nintendo and Microsoft remain rooted to the bottom of the Guide.
The Greener Electronics Guide is our way of getting the electronics industry to face up to the problem of e-waste. We want manufacturers to get rid of harmful chemicals in their products. We want to see an end to the stories of unprotected child laborers scavenging mountains of cast-off gadgets created by society's gizmo-loving ways.
Full Article: GreenPeace
Release Greenpeace activists!
22/06/08 10:08 Filed in: Enviroment
Greenpeace activists in Japan have been arrested for exposing a stolen whale meat scandal involving the Japanese government-sponsored Southern Ocean whaling programme.
Junichi Sato and Toru Suzuki are charged with stealing a box of whale meat which they presented as evidence of a whale meat smuggling operation. The activists requested a Japanese government investigation into the scandal, and the Tokyo public prosecutor agreed there was sufficient evidence of wrongdoing. His investigation has now concluded. The only persons charged are the Greenpeace activists who presented the evidence.
Our activists are innocent of any crime. They have been arrested for returning whale meat that was stolen from Japanese taxpayers, and exposing a fraud that may reach high into the Japanese government agencies that run the whaling programme.
Please write to the Japanese Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and demand the activists’ immediate release.
Junichi Sato and Toru Suzuki are charged with stealing a box of whale meat which they presented as evidence of a whale meat smuggling operation. The activists requested a Japanese government investigation into the scandal, and the Tokyo public prosecutor agreed there was sufficient evidence of wrongdoing. His investigation has now concluded. The only persons charged are the Greenpeace activists who presented the evidence.
Our activists are innocent of any crime. They have been arrested for returning whale meat that was stolen from Japanese taxpayers, and exposing a fraud that may reach high into the Japanese government agencies that run the whaling programme.
Please write to the Japanese Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and demand the activists’ immediate release.
Water-fuel car unveiled in Japan
14/06/08 22:15 Filed in: Transportation
Japanese company Genepax presents its eco-friendly car that runs on nothing but water. The car has an energy generator that extracts hydrogen from water that is poured into the car's tank. The generator then releases electrons that produce electric power to run the car. Genepax, the company that invented the technology, aims to collaborate with Japanese manufacturers to mass produce it.
SOUNDBITE: Kiyoshi Hirasawa, CEO, Genepax.
“I have a dream, banning by 2012 fossil fuel cars from the roads all over the world.”
Ultra Motors Light Electric Vehicle
10/06/08 19:24 Filed in: Transportation
This Light Electric Vehicle offers the fun of a bike with the power of an electric motor, all wrapped up in a quiet riding and decidedly stylish design. It's perfect for those who want an economic transportation solution that is good for the environment and good for the soul.
Designed for urban or suburban commutes, this Light Electric Vehicle offers lightweight aluminum construction with full suspension. Add in its comfortable,oversized seat and you have a powerful ride that's easy to handle.
When you don't feel like pedaling, the A2B offers unassisted power on demand for up to 20 miles at a cruising speed of 20mph. Plus, the A2B can be easily upgraded to double its range to 40 miles with the addition of a secondary battery pack and increase its carrying capacity with the addition of baskets and rear carrier bags.
Via UltraMotor
Tired of beef, chicken or veggies. We should start eating BUGS.
05/06/08 15:39 Filed in: Eco-food
Bamboo Worms are tasty insect snack that are high in protien, fibre and low in fat. It is one of the most popular edible Thai insects an enjoyed by people nation wide. The taste and texture is similar to corn puff snacks, however bamboo worms are high in protien.
These farm bred bamboo worms have been fried, slow roasted and then tossed in a tasty BBQ powder. Great taste! (Shelf life 2 years)
From: https://www.thailandunique.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=47
These farm bred bamboo worms have been fried, slow roasted and then tossed in a tasty BBQ powder. Great taste! (Shelf life 2 years)
From: https://www.thailandunique.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=47
The Most Dangerous Species in the Mediterranean
03/06/08 20:28 Filed in: Media
Wasted Energy
01/06/08 11:26 Filed in: Energy
By HANNAH FAIRFIELD- New York Times
It's gone before you even knew it was there: As energy is unlocked from fuels at power plants, two-thirds of the energy consumed to create electricity is lost.
The laws of thermodynamics dictate that conversion efficiency will never be 100 percent, because heat is lost at every step of the conversion process. But new technologies may be able to greatly increase conversion efficiency, moving from an overall rate of 36 percent to closer to 50 percent.
At present, coal — in all its carbon-belching inefficiency — is king because it's cheap. Still, the use of natural gas to create electricity has been rising rapidly, in part because of more-efficient gas turbines."High fossil fuel prices will drive technology and innovation, because they respond to price signals," said Frank A. Wolak, an economist at Stanford. "Technology can improve efficiency by working the margin, gaining 10 to 15 percent. That's money."
Adding a carbon tax or regulating carbon trading could also change price incentives, increasing demand for nuclear and renewable energy sources.
"Once the cost of burning fossil fuels doubles, the renewable energy options begin to look really good," said Jon G. McGowan, a mechanical engineer at the University of Massachusetts.
Read Full Article http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/01/business/01metrics-txt.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin