Green-News: Tuesday 2.3.09
- Retired New York City subway cars are being used to make coral reefs. The stainless steel trains are thoroughly cleaned of hydraulic fluid, oil and grease and then sunk off the coast of Slaughter Beach Delaware. Officials hope the submerged cars will provide new homes for fish; via GreenUpgrader.
- Some scientists think dumping bales of crop waste deep into the ocean could cut atmospheric carbon build up by 14%. At depths of more than 1,500 meters there is very little mixing of deep water and surface water, keeping carbon on the ocean floor thousands of years; NewScientist investigates.
- Rearing beef contributes 57 times more greenhouse gases than growing potatoes. The annual beef consumption of the average American emits as much greenhouse gas as a car driven over 1,800 miles. Cows produce between 2.5 and 4.7 ounces of methane gas for each pound of beef; ENN reports.
- By 2030, researchers believe funding to stop climate change will require less than 1% of global gross domestic product. A new study by the World Wildlife Fund claims there are more than 200 opportunities in 21 geographical regions that could reduce emissions by up to 70%; via SustainableBusiness News.
- But other experts believe, even if carbon dioxide emissions are halted right now, global warming is largely irreversible and will still take thousands of years to improve, resulting in decreased water supplies, more wildfires, ecosystem changes, rising sea levels and expanded deserts; from the AFP.
- Despite being devastated by Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans is going green. Many new homes are being outfitted with solar panels and weather stripping, hybrid buses drive around the city, more bicycle lanes are being created and urban organic farming is catching on; the Associated Press explains.
Image credit: GreenUpgrader
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