Green-News: Wednesday 12.17.08
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- Rain might be a drag. But it’s an untapped source of energy, until now. Designer Sang-Kyun Park has invented an LED umbrella, powered by falling rain. The drops react with the umbrella made out of polyvinylidene fluoride (PDVF), energizing a series of LED lights; inhabitat investigates.
- NY is cracking down on bags. Starting to January 1, 2009 a new law will require stores with more than 10,000 square feet of retail space or are part of a chain with 5 or more locations to collect and recycle plastic bags and provide bins for bag recycling; SustainableBusiness News explains.
- Junk mail is a waste. I hate it! So here’s a cool idea. For $20, GreenDimes makes it easy to opt out of big mailing lists. And, to sweeten the deal, when you join, they plant 5 trees, claiming that combined effort of planting and saving trees is like growing your own tiny forest; from GreenDaily.
- Some people doubt climate change is real. But Rence Sore, the Permanent Secretary of Environment, Conservation and Meteorology, believes the writing is on the wall. Saying our coasts are eroding, seas are yielding less fish and gardens grow less food; via The Solomon Star.
- More on global warming, researchers have determined glaciers in Greenland are losing ice faster this year than last year. And last year was already a record-setting loss. Experts claim the floating ice coming off the glaciers could cover an area twice the size of Manhattan Island; ENN reports.
- Recently the European Union agreed to dramatically cut greenhouse gas emissions. But Russia may not participate in the plan if it goes against their interests. Russia’s current strategy is to lower emissions 30% below 1990-levels and then reduce them more by 2020; more from ENN.
