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Methanol poured into Gulf of Mexico oil spill
'RE: Let's replace oil with methanol' By John M. Kocol Since the BP oil spill, as Founder & CEO of CO2toMethanol.com, (and with his 6/4/10 email calling for replacing petroleum with methanol sent to a Harvard alumni group) John M. Kocol is the first person in the world that is calling for replacing our petroleum based economy with a methanol based economy. Had methanol spilled, within just a few days, it would of completely mixed with water. "Because of the BP oil spill, now's the time to replace our petroleum based economy with a methanol based economy." John M. Kocol's comments sent by email to a Harvard alumni group on 6/4/10. What do you think about John M. Kocol's idea about replacing petroleum with methanol? Please send your comments to: kocol@post.harvard.edu.
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Incinerators 'no significant threat' to public health
'Incinerators are not the answer' By Danny Foulstone The governments emphasis on diverting waste away from landfill should be on the reduction and the recycling of waste. Incinerator's are an out of date way of treating waste when there are other options available such as MBT (Mechanical Biological Treatment) plants that do not emit questionable gases and particulates into the atmosphere not to mention vast amounts of carbon dioxide. Incinerators are not the only way of generating energy from waste, an MBT process could also give an option for being a source of energy supply. By burning waste rather than burying it you are simply pumping the waste into the atmosphere into another dangerous form. Not only this, the toxic ash left over from burning still needs to be dealt with. The vast amounts of financial investment needed to build today's incinerators means it has to succeed... it has to keep burning. This leaves no flexibility when considering the improving waste reduction and recycling rate...[comment was too long]
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Which of the main political parties is the greenest?
'Recycling.' By Mike Norton We need a conservative government that will force the part state owned banks to finance businesses especially in compost plants and AD technology, this will allow the industry to expand and provide the infrastructure required to meet our recycling needs.
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NASA calls for reflective roofs to cool towns
'reflective roofs and their effect on wildlife' By Kathleen I totally agree that a reflective roof would have benefits, i.e. my house is hotter than *&%^ during the summer, however, one must consider the effects of the reflection on say geese flying overhead. How would the reflection affect the normal flying capabilities of birds? Would the reflection have an effect on airplane travel? Especially near airports. Would the reflection have an effect on drivers where the reflection would reflect up into drivers eyes (in hilly/mountainous regions). Its fine and dandy to want a quick fix to an issue, however there are always 'other' issues that arise from a potential solution to a problem and all angles must be considered.
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The results of Labour's failed domestic energy efficiency strategy
'The results of Labour's failed domestic energy efficiency strategy ' By Nigel Farren After 13 years of Labour, there is still no clear vision on how to deliver domestic energy efficiency let alone a delivery plan. All we have had is dithering, broken promises and waste at taxpayers' expense. The three biggest failures have been in 1) engaging homeowners 2) getting consumer facing organisations such as retailers, banks and estate agents to help 3) the lack of joined up thinking which has led to duplicated effort and cost. The Home Energy Management Strategy will not work because it is public sector led. Where will Councils get the money from? Do they have the staff, skills and resources needed? Whilst they can improve social housing, can they really do the same in private housing? We all need to work together but Labour has unfairly put the onus on Councils and energy suppliers to deliver. The private sector has to do their fair share. More on this next week. Thousands of ha...[comment was too long]
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New civil enforcement powers for green watchdogs
'Environmental Crime is real crime' By Gemma There is already a mis-perception that environmental crime is not real crime, and this is reflected in the low levels of fines currently awarded either directly, or after appeal. How will this new Act, and comments such as those from Hilary Benn, help enforcement authorities make individuals and businesses realise that permitting pollution (and thus breaking the law) is not a practice they can afford to continue?
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Mumbai water protests turn ugly
'Water Scarcity' By Huru Water scarcity is a major challenge in Asia and African countries,that need to be confronted headlong or we continue to experience dead.MDGs Goal 7 Enviromental Sustainability ( Water and Sanitaion )need special attention by the International Community to address water Scarcity. Thanks Huru
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Volunteers clear supermarket waste from Thames
'what a great initiative by ASDA' By Ellie "putting checkout operators in control of the number of bags they hand out" Wow and here was I thinking supermarkets were not doing much to stop people using carrier bags. Now I know who is to blame: it is those checkout operators for not being strong enough to say 'NO BAGS FOR YOU' to people. Bravo ASDA for going ahead with such a brave and planet saving scheme.
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Green Transport Day at ET
'VEHICLE EMISSIONS' By MALCOLM CLEMENTS "How to move to a more sustainable for of transport.....?" For over twenty years we at Broquet , without much help, have been manufacturing and marketing an interim technology that has proven to immediately reduce exhaust emissions for all petrol and diesel vehicles. We accept that Broquet is not the final solution, but while engineers and scientists work on finding the holy grail, and politicians continue to creat only hot air, we at Broquet can immediately ease the problem
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Convert shipyards to wind turbine factories say Lib Dems
'Wind turbine manufacturing not kept local ' By Karin Duranti How do we justify going green then giving away our jobs and manufacturing potential to Germany? These jobs and this contract could have been kept local.
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Recycling still rules, research shows
'Still Need for Ethical Recycling' By Houston Computer Recycling I fear that the findings of this article are being distorted, especially in North America where ewaste is largely processed through privatized means and under less regulation. These "backyard" recyclers do not have a history of repair but DO have a history of unsafe working conditions and harmful practices. Computer recyclers honoring the Basel convention is the real long term solution to keep from contributing to the growing problem.
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New civil enforcement powers for green watchdogs
'Yes Env Crime is real crime...but' By Matt Of course environmental crime is real crime. But with these powers, the EA & NE can take positive action against companies without the expense of action in the courts. More importantly, it will require fewer "working hours" to issue such spot fines or complance notices. Far better that the EA can send out 20 compliance notices that result in major pollution being prevented, than being able to prosecute a single case of gross pollution.
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Supermarket ditches tinned tomatoes to slash waste
'The basic picture...' By Michael Butler Hello Sam From the local consumer, kerbside recycling perspective, as defined by our council - this form of packaging fails miserably. It may satisfy packaging requirements from certain points of view, but, at home it just ends up in landfill - complete failure! And, I know that Tetra Pak has made local initiatives regarding recycling points etc., well done, but, recycling at its best starts at home kerbside. The consumer just uses and then throws away! Even though this is a very complex and profound issue, one mustn't lose sight of the end user, the customer you and me. We pay for all of this and its not working. This type of packaging languishes in PAC12! Nearly the worst, in award winning http://www.pullapart.co.uk/ The best is PAC1, This packaging type has some way to go! But, to achieve absolute top grade is simple - make arrangements with all local UK councils to take back your packaging. For consumers to ...[comment was too long]
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British Government pledges to use more sustainable timber
'Sustainable timber' By Jason Great, but we've been here before - the same policy was announced years ago but not enforced properly, hence the continued use of illegal timber in government projects. Will it be enforced this time?
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M&S announces five year plan to become greenest shop in the world
'M&S brand bravery' By Claire Livesey This latest extension of Plan A is a fantastic move from M&S and a highly ambitious challenge. From a brand perspective it firmly places M&S in the forefront of retailers and puts a firm stake in the ground. It will be interesting to see how other brands move and whether M&S can stay true to their promises. It fits well with my perception of the M&S brand as grown up and responsible in contrast to the cheaper high street fashion stores and makes me feel positive about their longer-term outlook. The cost savings must be reassuring to a shareholder too.
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Greenland ice sheet at 'tipping point'
'Climate Apathy' By Andy There is some excellent Science backing up Climate Change, the only problem is the average person in the street will never fully appreciate or sign up to the major lifestyle changes needed - so such researh and articles are a bit like preaching to the converted (Pete excepted) In addition, most political systems are not set up to force real change. The recent and ongoing economic collapse has done far more to curb emissions than many a jet setting conference - and I predict that the only real saviour on the horizon is a failure of growth orientated society. Anyway Tony - where was it you've moved ?....
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Supermarket's eco-store will be first to house bees
'Bees' By Jeremy Good article and good on Sainsbury's helping to save the British honey bee. But I have to say the author doesn't seem to know a lot about bees. Eight hives would certainly amount to "several hundred" bees to start with, although "several hundred thousand" might have been a bit closer!
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Candidate crops for contaminated land biofuels crop considered
'brownfield site recovery using vegetation' By Kathleen I don't understand why they wouldn't deconaminate the land with phytoremediation and/or bioremediation first and then grow the reed canary grass if still needed. Isn't the purpose to 'fix' the problem instead of allowing it to continue and use it for another purpose? With their scenario, is there any chance of human or animal contamination since the region will 'appear' clean?
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Supermarket ditches tinned tomatoes to slash waste
'Even BIGGER picture...' By Michael Butler Hello Sam With all do respect to Tetra Pak and your good self - from the local consumer and local kerbside recycling, as defined by our council's (kerbside recycling), perspective. This form of packaging is not fit for contemporary purpose. It may satisfy a basic packaging brief, but, at home this just ends up in landfill! I also know that TP has made local initiatives regarding recycling points etc., well done, but, recycling at its best starts at home - kerbside. The consumer just uses and then - chucks away! Tetra Pak is PAC12, next to toxic! (PAC13), in www.pullapart.co.uk The best according to PA is PAC1, TP's packaging type has a very long way to go, sorry! Disappointed in Sainsburys too!
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London Fashion Week plugs green clothes
'recycling denim/cotton' By Kathleen I would like to know why the fashion industry isn't being held accountable for recycling all of the fabric? I'm assuming that the cloth, regardless of its type, can actually be recycled into new cloth. Yes it will decrease the amount of 'new production', however it takes a lot of lbs. of waste out of the landfills that may potentially never break down depending on what its made from. Every city should have a place to recycle clothing that can't be worn by someone else, i.e. go to goodwill.
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Green building doesn't mean happy workers
'green buildings' By karen That's funny. I don't know what they're using for green measures. The buildings are not being designed and built properly if there are problems of this sort - chalk it up to poor architecture & engineering rather than 'green' issues. Having been involved in the green building industry for 30 years, what I see is that building owners want to cut corners (cost) but to be truly green you want 1) individual controls 2) operable windows 3) non-centralised HVAC systems.
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Pollution check after fire on asbestos filled aircraft carrier
'Asbestos clean-up (just ban it already)' By Jonathan @ MesoRC.com It s good that the clean-up & disposal is being closely monitored that ship was full of all sorts of nasty stuff. I m part of an online resource center (http://www.mesorc.com) that recently launched a campaign to ban asbestos altogether. You can check it out at http://www.banasbestosnow.com Hopefully we ll one day be rid of asbestos completely and avoid situations like this entirely.
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Green building doesn't mean happy workers
'green buildings' By karen That's funny. I don't know what they're using for green measures
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Supermarket ditches tinned tomatoes to slash waste
'The BIG picture' By Sam Hello, this is Sam. I work in the environment and communications team for Tetra Pak. I have a few points that you might find useful in your debate. First of all, I thought you would find the two attached articles useful. It shows how the decision was made with the full Life Cycle impact in mind, not just the disposal solution. http://www.theecologist.org/investigations/waste_and_recycling/400196/how_green_are_tetrapak_food_cartons.html . If you are not an Ecologist subscriber, you can see some of the statistics here in the Packaging News article. http://www.packagingnews.co.uk/news/978234/Sainsburys-packaging-head-promises-future/. Cartons are very lightweight and transport efficient. This, the shape of the carton and the fact that the cartons are made mainly from paperboard (a renewable resource), mean they are repeatedly shown to be a very low carbon packaging choice in Life Cycle Studies across the world. Cartons are widely recycled ...[comment was too long]
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Find An Acorn Plant An Oak The Carbon Soak
'Find An Acorn Plant An Oak The Carbon Soak' By Alan Bowman The reason for the PAWRS Eco Team concentrating minds on this subject is to give the Planet back her lungs. Trees soak up Carbon Dioxide and also have a great impact on our weather patterns. We are all well into proper waste management and recycling and the renewable energy fields as organisations and individuals and this Find An Acorn Plant An Oak The Carbon Soak or Any Tree Seed anywhere gives each individual the chance to do something and collectively this is enormous. Last year in December over 400,000 trees were planted worldwide in just 1 hour and this action is a tremendous addition for good to the Planet.
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Free paper launches recycling scheme
'What about train companies recycling?' By David Mallard I suspect the average copy of metro left on a train gets read by quite a few people over the course of the day - meaning it is reused and very efficent use of resources. Surely the issue is that train companies don't offer recycling bins or sort the waste in their litter bins.
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UK's biggest fuel cell shows tech no longer Sci-Fi
'TfL's hydrogen fuel cell' By Beryl Wells Can you explain how the hydrogen is being sourced please?
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Free paper launches recycling scheme
'Grand pledge from Metro? ' By Helen Bird Don't get me wrong, it is good that they are encouraging recycling and discouraging 'littering', but it kind of displaces the problem. **Metro, why don't you work in partnership with local authorities on the issue - sponsor some public recycling bins to help cover the cost of the actual bins and also the collection/sorting of the materials?
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Energy storage clean fuel, high profile off grid demonstration
'Energy storage clean fuel, high profile off grid demonstration' By Charles Purkess Recommend link below.... High profile demonstration of an energy independent, floating office building/home being built by Ballast Nedam in Amsterdam uses ITM Power technology to create clean fuel from renewables, so that the solar energy stored during the day, can be used at night for cooking on gas, power heating etc... http://www.itm-power.com/index.php/financial-reports-2010.html Green Hydrogen is a very good way to store energy for long periods of time.
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Supermarket ditches tinned tomatoes to slash waste
'True Sustainability' By Sian, Manchester I agree with all comments made above. This will not reduce waste, it's merely changing the type of waste created. It only saves 'so many tonnes' of waste because a tin is heavier than a carton. Sainsbury's, if you REALLY want to reduce waste and be more sustainable, sell chopped tomatoes in glass jars or durable plastic flasks and allow customers to refill them at a deli counter at a slightly discounted price. THAT'S how you reduce waste (and costs and emissions from unnecessary packaging manufacturing) The only problem would then be some silly Health and Safety regulation, or statutory rights or something. Madness. More re-using of materials please. Recycling is a secondary preference.
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