Browsing environmental news sources so you don't have to. Contact Laura Barnes (lbarnes@istc.illinois.edu) with questions, comments, and suggestions.
Follow ENB on TwitterRead the full story in Environmental Protection.
Scientists at the Woods Hole Research Center in Massachusetts are releasing data from nine project mapping zones of the National Biomass and Carbon Dataset for 2000. All data products are being made available for download on a zone-by-zone basis and free of charge from the project Web site (www.whrc.org/nbcd).
Information on the 2006 reporting year is now available as part of the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) database. Today marks the earliest release of the data in the 20-year history of the program. Improvements in electronic reporting and data processing have made this possible. Nation-wide chemical releases into the environment are down by two percent from 2005.
“Citizens have information about hundreds of chemicals at their finger tips and, we’re getting that information to them faster than ever with improvements made in electronic reporting, data processing, and analysis,” said EPA’s Chief Information Officer, Molly O’Neill. “Making the public aware of this inventory of releases is a powerful tool for reducing pollution. From 2001 to 2006 we have seen a 24 percent decrease in total releases.” The TRI is an on-line electronic database, housing information about chemical releases at facilities across the country.
TRI tracks and contains detailed information on releases of nearly 650 chemicals and chemical categories from about 23,000 industrial and federal facilities. The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 established the TRI program. In 1990, The Pollution Prevention Act expanded the program by including data on toxic chemicals released, as well as treated, recycled, and burned for energy recovery.
EPA has been providing information to the public about chemical releases into the air, water and land at facilities nation-wide. This information is getting to the public earlier and faster than ever and is accessible by geographic location, industry sector, and individual chemicals.
Information about the 2006 reporting year is available at http://epa.gov/tri/tridata/tri06/index.htm
Business Week has a special report on green design initiatives. Highlights include:
Read the full story in Business Week.
Janine Benyus, dean of the burgeoning “biomimicry” design movement, helps companies look to the natural world to help take their business green
Read the full story in Environmental Leader.
The U.S. will be home to a $1 trillion carbon emission market by 2020 if federal and state policymakers continue on their current path towards a cap-and-trade program that is confined to domestic trading only, according to an analysis of bills before the U.S. Congress by New Carbon Finance research economists.
Read the full story in HBR Green.
Years ago Herman Miller decided to become an advocate for the environment, both because we believed it was the right thing to do and because we saw the potential for a clear business benefit. Ever since, we’ve been refining our processes to put our aspirations into practice.
For a full-color, graphic version of this newsletter, go to
http://www.greenercomputing.com/enewsletter.
Green IT Departments Save Companies Money, Research Finds
http://www.greenercomputing.com/news_third.cfm?NewsID=55615
Big savings in energy costs and opening new markets are among the top drivers for companies making their IT departments more energy efficient, according to new research from PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
Energy Star Specs for Efficient Servers Released
http://www.greenercomputing.com/news_third.cfm?NewsID=55601
By James Murray, BusinessGreen
As the EPA unveils its long-awaited draft specifications for energy efficient servers, a new survey reveals European IT chiefs are happy to pay more for greener products.
Health Insurance Company Tops List of Green IT Users
http://www.greenercomputing.com/news_third.cfm?NewsID=55605
Computerworld surveyed and ranked the top companies implementing green IT equipment and practices, shining a light what’s available and what works.
Green Metrics for the Data Center: If Only…
By Andrew Binstock
http://www.greenercomputing.com/columns_third.cfm?NewsID=55569
The IT world is clamoring for consistent, sophisticated standards for developing energy-efficient data centers, but at a recent gathering of the Green Grid’s Technical Forum, it was clear that any practical ideas are still some way from implementation.
Hosting Company Launches Green Data Center Initiatives
http://www.greenercomputing.com/news_third.cfm?NewsID=55599
The Planet aims to increase the operating efficiency of its data center by as much as 13.5 percent, and expects to save over $1 million in 2008 alone.
IBM, Motorola Join Supply Chain Carbon Reduction Group
http://www.greenercomputing.com/news_third.cfm?NewsID=55588
IBM and Motorola have joined the European Supply Chain Carbon Council, working with government and non-commercials groups to green their suppliers.
U.K. Tech Sector Sets Sights on Energy Efficiency for Climate Goals
http://www.greenercomputing.com/news_third.cfm?NewsID=55585
Improving energy efficiency in computer hardware and consumer electronics can address three of the main environmental problems facing the planet, according to a new report from the high-tech trade association Intellect.
Data Center University Includes Green Courses
http://www.greenercomputing.com/news_third.cfm?NewsID=55575
The online university’s classes include instruction on efficient power, cooling and layout, all aspects that can cut emissions and save money.
IBM to Help Pharmaceutical Company Build Green Data Center
http://www.greenercomputing.com/news_third.cfm?NewsID=55571
As part of its $1 billion-a-year Project Big Green initiative, IBM is helping pharmaceutical company Kalbe build a green data center.
Siemon Gives Tips for Green IT Cabling
http://www.greenercomputing.com/news_third.cfm?NewsID=55567
network cabling solutions provider give tips on using cabling methods to maximize energy efficiency and make data centers greener.
ICT Helps Energy Efficiency and Productivity: Report
http://www.greenercomputing.com/news_third.cfm?NewsID=55559
Information and communications technologies have helped the economy achieve greater levels of productivity without increasing overall levels of energy consumption, a new study found.
High Tech, Low Carbon: the Role of Technology in Tackling Climate Change
http://www.greenercomputing.com/tools.cfm?LinkAdvID=97277
Improving energy efficiency in computer hardware and consumer electronics can address three of the main environmental problems facing the planet, according to a new report from the high-tech trade association Intellect.
Read the full story in the Arizona Republic.
Arizona’s solar-power supply is about to get a lot bigger. A solar-energy plant planned near Gila Bend will be among the world’s largest when it opens in 2011, Arizona Public Service Co. said Wednesday.
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency is launching this week the first steps toward new green standards for copiers and other imaging devices. This effort builds on the success of EPEAT – an on-line tool to help institutional buyers identify and buy greener electronic equipment.
On February 20, 2008 EPA will host a two-day roundtable to kick-off the development process for the new environmental standards. The forum will bring together representatives from manufacturers, suppliers, public and private sector purchasers, public interest groups and experts in electronics design to define the scope of the products to be covered, look at other standards and labels, and begin to develop potential environmental performance criteria for the new standards.
“EPEAT is a trusted resource for buyers looking for greener computers, because it was developed by all the stakeholders,” said David Jones, Associate Director of the Waste Division in EPA’s Pacific Southwest region. “The success of EPEAT has led to significant environmental benefits. EPA is committed to supporting stakeholder efforts to now reduce the impact of printers and copiers as well.”
EPEAT – the electronic product environmental assessment tool – was launched in 2006, focusing on desktop and laptop computers and monitors. It includes a set of environmental criteria and a system for registering and verifying equipment that meets those criteria. EPEAT-registered computers have reduced levels of toxics, are more energy efficient, are easier to upgrade and recycle, and use more sustainable packaging than conventional equipment. EPA supported the development of EPEAT, but it is now a largely self-sustaining system operated by the Green Electronics Council.
Purchasers have embraced EPEAT enthusiastically. Nearly all electronic equipment purchases by the U.S. government must be EPEAT-registered. In addition, more than six states and dozens of local governments and colleges and universities have adopted EPEAT in their procurement for computers. Major private companies are using the tool as well. That success has driven demand by purchasers for additional products to be added to EPEAT.
The February 20th workshop will begin a 12-18 month process to craft the criteria for imaging devices. EPA will not develop the new standard itself, but is providing funding and staff support to bring stakeholders together to do so. The standard will be finalized the IEEE Standards Association.
For information on the EPEAT standard and the searchable database listing all EPEAT-registered computer products, visit http://www.epeat.net. Additional information on the Green Electronics Council is available at http://www.greenelectronicscouncil.org.
For a full-color, graphic version of this newsletter, go to
http://www.climatebiz.com/enewsletter.
Green-e to Certify Offsets for Consumers
http://climatebiz.com/sections/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55607
Green-e, the country’s first certification program for carbon offsets, will launch a program next week to ensure that the products sold to offset activities such as flying or driving have been verified at each step.
Studies Suggest Energy Productivity, Carbon Tax to Slash Emissions
http://climatebiz.com/sections/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55614
One study advocates for reducing wasted energy, and another sees a tax as the most effective way to push emission cuts.
DHL Completes More Eco-Friendly Ship Voyage as Industry Comes Under Fire
http://climatebiz.com/sections/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55596
A cargo vessel that uses a towing kite system to achieve better shipping fuel economy completed its first shipment this week as the industry found itself under fire from U.S. and international regulators.
Hundreds of Investors Discuss Climate Risks, Opportunities at U.N.
http://climatebiz.com/sections/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55597
The Investor Summit on Climate Risk drew about 480 investors discussing ways to make it costly to use carbon and announcing new plans to reduce GHG emissions.
Sony, Nike, Others Pledge to Expand GHG-Cutting Efforts
http://climatebiz.com/sections/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55604
In the Tokyo Declaration, a dozen global companies commit to make carbon emission programs for business partners and customers.
IBM, Motorola Join Supply Chain Carbon Reduction Group
http://climatebiz.com/sections/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55588
IBM and Motorola have joined the European Supply Chain Carbon Council, working with government and non-commercials groups to green their suppliers.
Xcel Energy, PG&E Among Utilities with Leading Energy Efficiency Programs
http://climatebiz.com/sections/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55580
The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy released its second survey of the country’s best utility-based efficiency programs, finding that a handful of companies are significantly stepping up efforts to reduce their customers’ energy usage.
U.K. Tech Sector Sets Sights on Energy Efficiency for Climate Goals
http://climatebiz.com/sections/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55585
Improving energy efficiency in computer hardware and consumer electronics can address three of the main environmental problems facing the planet, according to a new report from the high-tech trade association Intellect.
Most Global FT500 Companies Address Climate Change in Non-Financial Reports
http://climatebiz.com/sections/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55579
The vast majority of the world’s largest companies issued stand-alone non-financial reports addressing climate change, according to CorporateRegister.com.
Lawyers Focus on Climate Change Implications, Greening Operations
http://climatebiz.com/sections/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55578
Former New York Gov. George E. Pataki is spearheading a climate change law practice to help clients deal with the legal and economic effects of a warming planet. Meanwhile, lawyers in New England are teaming to reduce the environmental impacts of their operations.
Foundation Donates $6M to Foster Clean Tech in Texas
http://climatebiz.com/sections/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55573
The Lone Star state’s clean-energy future got a little brighter last week with a $6 million initiative launched by the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation.
Five Tips to Reduce Your Fleet’s Emissions
By Karen Healey
http://climatebiz.com/sections/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55617
Companies of all shapes and sizes are starting to take a serious look at the environmental impacts of their vehicle fleets. Whether you’re running 10 hybrids or 10,000 Peterbilts, here are a handful of simple suggestions that can make a big impact.
WebEx’s Green Guide to the Office
http://climatebiz.com/sections/toolsresources_detail.cfm?LinkAdvID=97275
This report looks at the many ways that businesses of all sizes can contribute to combating climate change, from employee-level recycling programs to solutions from the IT department like collaborative working.
Read the full story in Metropolis Magazine.
Japanese luxury-bathroom manufacturer Toto has developed a tile that essentially cleans itself. Available in Japan since 1993, Hydrotect tiles are currently used in more than 7,000 buildings, and they make their stateside debut this spring. The tiles work on the same principle as self-cleaning glass, which has been used successfully in the United States for a few years. Titanium dioxide is baked into the surface of the ceramic tiles. When exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, it decomposes organic compounds, including soot, grime, and oil. The treated surface also becomes hydrophilic, meaning that a thin layer of moisture prevents dirt adhesion. As a result, mere rainwater washes away the dirt particles—no scrubbing or harmful detergents required.
Read the full story in Nature.
The dream of perpetual flight without fuel has inspired pilots to take to the skies in solar-powered planes. Vicki Cleave looks at a mission to fly a solar plane through the night — and around the world.
Read the full story in Nature.
If biofuels are to help the fight against climate change, they have to be made from more appropriate materials and in better ways. Jeff Tollefson asks what innovation can do to improve the outlook.
