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Integrating Invasive Species Prevention And Control Policies
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service

Programs and policies to minimize the threat of, or mitigate the damages from, invasive species work best if designed in concert with each other. Whether program emphasis should be on prevention or control depends on the biological characteristics and size of the invasive species population, ecological characteristics of invaded ecosystems, the cost and efficacy of prevention measures relative to control measures, and the level of prevention costs borne abroad. Because all of these factors are highly variable, data needs are constant if intervention is to be both effective and economical.

+ Full Report (PDF; 417 KB)

Read the full story in Technology Review.

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a simple, two-step chemical process to convert plant sugars into hydrocarbon fuels. The compounds created during the process could also be used to make other industrial chemicals and plastics.

The Los Angeles Times just published a special report on green chemistry. Highlights include:

• Products derived from natural, nontoxic ingredients — once seen as fringe — are now mainstream
• Most industries remain dependent on hazardous substances
• L.A. firm is freed from a chemical fix
• Potential environmental risks aren’t part of chemical engineers’ training
• Not-so-dirty dozen: 12 principles of green chemistry
• Top 10 chemicals produced in the U.S.
• The green chemistry award goes to …

Fix Our Energy Addiction

Win $10,000 for your design idea! The 2009 Next Generation® Competition is seeking bright ideas that focus on Energy. Now in its sixth year, the Next Generation® Design competition recognizes design innovation on all scales ­from products and interiors to landscapes, buildings, and everything in between. The competition is open to young designers in practice 10 years or less and, whether on your own or in teams, we invite you to submit your smart ideas. The winner will receive the $10,000 seed money to help realize his or her idea, and will be featured in Metropolis magazine.

The online application is now available! Remember the competition deadline is January 30, 2009.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at 11:00am PDT/1:00pm CDT/2:00pm EDT. The webcast is free and CE credits are available. Register now.

There’s a lot of talk about greening data centers; a lot of ideas and concepts floating around that are interesting, but often backed with little or no data. There also is a rush to build data centers and get them online quickly, and in doing so, owners, engineers, and managers may not be planning adequately for growth, or leading them selves into problems that will surface in the future in a very expensive way.

This one-hour Webcast will have three presentations by three experienced data center design engineers who will provide practical, detailed knowledge and experience aimed a helping engineers and owners design, build, and operate data centers with energy efficiency, modularity, and reliability in mind.

Read the full story in Biomass Magazine.

New Zealand-based Aquaflow Bionomic Corp. has announced that it has produced its first samples of green-crude from wild and natural algae. The company said the green-crude differs slightly from first-generation biofuels because it’s made solely from photosynthetic microorganisms (algae), which absorb sunlight, carbon dioxide, and nutrients found in waste streams or agricultural runoff. Essentially, green-crude has the same origins as traditional oil reserves. Aquaflow Chairman Barry Leay said the outputs from the samples are showing similar or greater potential than existing petroleum products.

Read the press release.

Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced that buyers of the Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen are eligible for a $1,300 Federal Income Tax Credit. The Internal Revenue Service has issued a certification letter affirming that the vehicles qualify for the Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle income tax credit.