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Archive for December, 2010
Smart farming takes off in the West
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on December 22nd, 2010
SciDev.Net: Farmers from as far afield as Africa and China have flocked to see how a US farmer is harnessing precision farming techniques to boost crops yields and cut costs.
Precision farming enables farmers to use satellite positioning in smart new ways.
Clay Mitchell, based in Iowa, uses an autopiloted tractor with satellite navigation (satnav) to spray his crops. The technique is supported by 'real-time kinematics' (RTK), which takes a basic car satnav system and improves its accuracy from three metres...
EU exec plans more action on unsustainable biofuel
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on December 22nd, 2010
Reuters: The European Union's executive said on Wednesday it was looking at further measures to tackle the unwanted side-effects of biofuels production, which compromise the fuels' green credentials.
After a two-year investigation, the European Commission said the complex issue of "indirect land use change" could lessen carbon savings from biofuels, but it stopped short of immediately recommending new barriers against unsustainable biofuels.
Instead, it will recommend six months more of studies before...
Colombia watchdog opposes Canada miner’s gold project
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on December 22nd, 2010
Reuters: A Colombian state ombudsman on Tuesday recommended the government consider rejecting a license for Canadian miner Greystar Resources to develop a gold project because of environmental concerns.
The national Inspector General's recommendation is not binding, but the ruling could bolster those who argue the Angostura gold mine project would impact the delicate paramo ecosystems in northeastern Santander province.
"The Inspector General's office has requested the ministry... study the possibility...
Green Loan claims roll in
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on December 22nd, 2010
Brisbane Times: The troubled Green Loans scheme was hit with 200 claims for compensation before the government was forced to commit to a $30 million assistance package for household energy auditors this week.
The Department of Climate Change said the claims were yet to be resolved.
The government agreed to the compensation for about 10,000 auditors who paid to train themselves to conduct free assessments to help households reduce energy and water use.
A replacement scheme, Green Start, was abandoned on...
Climate change a possible culprit in elevated Snake River zinc levels
Posted by Summit Daily: Janice Kurbjun on December 22nd, 2010
Summit Daily: A CU-Boulder research team has been studying rising zinc levels in the Snake River drainage, which runs from the top of the Continental Divide to Dillon Reservoir. Special to the Daily/University of Colorado
Climate change is suspected as the primary culprit of rising concentrations of zinc in the Snake River, according to a recent study from the University of Colorado.
Higher levels of zinc can affect stream ecology, including harming the survivability of microbes, algae, invertebrates and...
Posted in Water Conservation 
Comments Off on Climate change a possible culprit in elevated Snake River zinc levelsIndonesia: Govt denies RI is world’s 3rd largest emitter in new report
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on December 22nd, 2010
Jakarta Post: The government released an official report on the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, claiming Indonesia emitted less than what the world believed and that the country did not deserve to be named the third-largest emitter. The report, based on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, said Indonesia released 1.38 billion tons of greenhouse gases in 2000 and 1.79 billion tons in 2005. The figure was far lower than a 2007 study by the World Bank, the UK Department for International Development...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Indonesia: Govt denies RI is world’s 3rd largest emitter in new reportSome Scientists Skeptical Of Chromium In Drinking Water Report
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on December 22nd, 2010
National Public Radio: Some scientists doubt the findings of a report that suggests widespread chromium contamination of drinking water.
Putting the words "hexavalent chromium" and "drinking water" in the same sentence sounds like a recipe for people to worry.
And a report released Monday by the Environmental Working Group sounded the alarm on chromium lurking in the taps of 31 U.S. cities got people fired up. The group figured some 74 million Americans drink water containing a cancer-causing form metal.
But how...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Some Scientists Skeptical Of Chromium In Drinking Water ReportSurvey: Drinking Water Pollution Concerns Fueling Awareness Among Americans Of ‘Fracking’ Used To Extract Natural Gas
Posted by Pollution Online: None Given on December 22nd, 2010
Pollution Online: Survey: Drinking Water Pollution Concerns Fueling Awareness Among Americans Of 'Fracking' Used To Extract Natural Gas
Americans Unwilling to Trade Clean Drinking Water For Dirty Energy Production; Strong Support Across Party Lines Seen For Putting Emphasis on Energy Production With Minimum of Pollution.
Washington, DC /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ - Do Americans think natural gas is as "clean" as it is touted as being by the energy industry? Nearly half of Americans (45 percent) are already very...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Survey: Drinking Water Pollution Concerns Fueling Awareness Among Americans Of ‘Fracking’ Used To Extract Natural GasEcological Internet Strong, Bold & Almost To Goal
Posted by Water Conservation Blog on December 22nd, 2010
Keep grassroots global biocentric portals and advocacy for global ecological sustainability. 10 DAYS TO GIFT EIS EARTH ADVOCACY!
Dear fellow Earth lovers,
Together we are the largest, most effective biocentric campaign for global ecological sustainability. Though small in stature, Ecological Internets network is large in ecology knowledge, passion and reach. Thank Gaia our 2010 year-end fund-raiser is nearly complete. We are extremely gratified that 276 Earth lovers have donated $43,446 ensuring EIs unique Internet brand of ecological informatics systems and global ecology action network continues to mid-2011. This week Finlands forests protected, next year the world!
While EIs basic expenses are covered, raising the remaining $6,500 to meet our $50K goal at http://www.ecoearth.info/shared/donate/ is the difference between just getting by (and the risk of running out of money, yikes!) and having additional needed staff & tools to optimally promote the protection and restoration of ecosystems, and ultimately our shared biosphere.
Video: Floods hit southern California
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on December 22nd, 2010
Guardian: Floods hit southern California
Unusually wet weather has caused power cuts, road accidents and evacuations in San Diego, near the US border with Mexico