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 TwitterThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released a report that can help reduce the potential impact of climate change on estuaries, forests, wetlands, coral reefs, and other sensitive ecosystems. The report, entitled Preliminary Review of Adaptation Options for Climate-Sensitive Ecosystems and Resources, identifies strategies to protect the environment as these changes occur.
The latest issue of Renewable Energy Weekly is now available. Highlights include:
BuildItSolar includes plans, tools and information to do renewable energy and conservation projects. Includes links to The Half Project, one family’s program to cut their energy use, energy costs, and CO2 emissions in half. Excellent resource for DIY solar information.
Read the full post at The Green Geek.
A new type of architecture is gaining in popularity, thanks to visionaries such as architect Vincent Callebaut that blend design and technology to create a new definition for the term “green building”. Callebaut’s latest project uses green technologies and systems that are more than just examples of sustainable design; the structure actually improves the environment just by sitting there.
Read the full story at GreenSage.
To spare the world’s rainforests, we must reduce the imports of tropical woods. According to the Rainforest Relief Organization, we need to reduce tropical wood imports by 90% with the remaining 10% coming only from non-old growth logging which has been independently certified as well managed. Particularly instrumental in this effort is the wood accredited by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), an international nonprofit organization that sets standards for responsible forest management.
Read the full story in Environmental Protection.
Clear Skies Solar, Inc., a provider of turnkey solar electricity installations and renewable energy solutions, has purchased 34 acres of land in Cantil, Calif. – the future site of a $44-million 8 MW solar farm. The company was slated to close on the land contract on June 14, taking full title of the property at that time.
Read the full story in Environmental Protection.
When used correctly, Energy Star-qualified programmable thermostats can save money on energy bills and help fight global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. If consumers manage their heating and cooling schedules accordingly, a programmable thermostat can save about $180 a year on home energy bills.
Read the full story in InfoWorld.
A technology that could help the environment by eliminating the need to ship a power adapter with every electronics device got a vote of confidence Friday from consumer electronics maker Westinghouse Digital Electronics.
Read the full post at Sustainable IT.
Organizations are investing in green computers — that is, machines that are energy efficient and built in an environmentally responsible manner — at ever-increasing rates. Sometimes they pay a small premium to do this. Is it worth it? They seem to think so.
And their belief is not unfounded. Organizations that invest in green hardware find that the energy savings, extended product lifecycle, and other benefits more than make up for the additional price of that hardware.
Read the full story in InfoWorld.
Samsung Electronics on Monday unveiled two new mobile phones made with plastic made from corn as it expands initiatives aimed at being more nature-friendly.
