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Green-News: Wednesday 4.29.09

Posted on April 29, 2009 by Gerald Pugliese

Politicians do a lot of talking about greenhouse gas emissions and global warming, but despite the rhetoric , the president of the United States has a hefty carbon footprint, between Air Force 1, military cargo planes, White House electricity and natural gas use, and helicopter and automobile travel, it piles up to 41,000 tons; via Red Green and Blue.

However, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says the U.S. should lead the negotiations toward a global treaty on climate change. Meeting with other countries, accounting for 75% of emissions, Clinton insists there is no longer any questions that growing concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide are warming the planet, which can propose economic, health and security challenges; The New York Times reports.

Speaking of public health, greenhouse gases contain harmful compounds like methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride that threaten human health. Additionally, higher temperatures can cause droughts, floods, wildfires, rising sea level and disruptions of agriculture; from Fresh Greens.

Now, believe it or not, pesky email spam hurts the environment too. When people spend time deleting junk and searching for legitimate email they burn more energy. In the United States, 2.4 million homes using electricity equates to the greenhouse gas emissions from 3.1 million passengers cars, sucking down 2 billion gallons of gas; Cnet News explains.

Plastic shopping bags are another scourge. It seems like nowadays everyone shops with those reusable bags, but the plastic bag industry has a plan. Create plastic bags made with 40% recycled materials and do it by 2015. This will require manufacturers to invest $50 million to revamp operations and improve collection of discarded bags; via TreeHugger.

Recycling plastics bags is one thing, but dirty diapers. My goodness! Cities like Oakland, California and Toronto, Canada currently compost garbage like animal poop, kitty litter, dirty diapers and sanitary products. Toronto officials insist the process is completely safe and all this icky stuff will be used on farmland and public parks; from Green Inc.

Image credit: NCinDC

Tags: Green Living, carbon dioxide, climate change, emissions, global warming, plastic bags, recycle

Green-News: Wednesday 4.1.09

Posted on April 1, 2009 by Gerald Pugliese

Drive around. You’ll see plenty of foreclosed homes and construction projects grinded to a halt. The reduction in homebuilding might be bad for the economy, but good for the trees, maybe. American loggers are chopping down fewer trees because the demand has dried up, but to cut costs, tree harvesters in other countries might start using cheaper, less sustainable and more environmentally harmful methods of logging; via Inhabitat.

Again, the recession stinks, but it might help ease global warming. In 2007, the United States spewed 7.3 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide, but in 2008 that total dipped to 6.98 billion tons. The answer is pretty simple, as the economic muck worsens, there won’t be as many industries, homes and vehicles to release pollution; from Red Green and Blue.

In 1993, former President Bill Clinton started greening up the White House, by improving lighting, heat, air conditioning, insulation, water sprinklers and other stuff. During George W. Bush’s term he installed solar panels and recycling bins. President Obama is looking to outdo them both. Calling for a greener nation, he wants to lead by example and the new White House garden is the first step of many to come; The Huffington Post reports.

And President Obama has raised the fuel efficiency standards of automobiles, not a huge jump, but every little bit helps. By 2011 average MPG must be 27.3 and increase of 2 MPG from 2010’s standard. Despite greedily taken government handouts, two U.S. automakers are protesting the move, saying it will cost the industry $1.5 billion; via earth2tech.

Speaking of cars and fuel, in 2014 California will have 46 retail hydrogen stations. As of now, only six states have hydrogen refueling stations, 26 in total, open to the public. Most are privately owned and only used for corporate fleets and vehicles. The project will cost $181.5 million and will be funding by government incentive programs; from CarTech Blog.

If running you car on hydrogen is too much. Try ditching meat instead. The rearing and distribution of meat is a major emitting of greenhouse gases, i.e. cow farts and exhaust from transport vehicles. One expert contends livestock production contributes to 55% of erosion in the U.S. and is responsible for one-third of total nitrogen and phosphorous discharge to surface water; Green Inc. explains.

Image credit: Stuck in Customs

Tags: Green Living, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, meat, solar power

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