Green-News: Tuesday 1.27.09
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- The economy is suffering. And unemployment is rising. But green jobs are expected to boom, such as farmers, CSA coordinators, recyclers, conservation biologists and solar power installers. Currently, the solar industry employs over 25,000 workers, but it could leap to 110,000 by 2016; via FastCompany.
- Speaking of community supported agriculture. There are plenty of reasons to eat local! Locally grown food tastes better, retains more nutrients, contains no genetically modified organisms, promotes genetic diversity, and is better for the environment and preserves open spaces; from Green Living Review.
- Now, despite out obvious recession, interest in green products continues to grow. A new survey of 9,000 consumers revealed shoppers deliberately bought more green products in 2008 than any year before. In 2007, 32% of people sought green products, but in 2008 it increased to 34%; ENN reports.
- Electricity usage from the internet doubled between 2000 and 2006. But don’t feel guilty. According to data, the internet’s energy efficiency is improving. Old dial-up connections sap 3.56 kWh per GB, but new stuff, like DSL and cable, only consume .17 kWh/GB and .72 kWh/GB, respectively; via earth2tech.
- Under the new administration, government officials are hopeful the "Bigger Better Bottle Bill" has its first real shot at becoming law. The legislation would impose a nickel deposit on non-carbonated beverage containers and invest unredeemed deposits into state cleanup programs; The Post-Standard explains.
- The European Union seeks to tighten environmental standards for ships, striving for zero waste and zero emissions, by strengthening existing laws surrounding ship waste disposal at port facilities and setting up an environmental management system to oversee the maritime shipping sector; from ENN.
Image credit: Dog Company
