Energy Problem Solved by New Nuclear Project

If scientists succeed in building an experimental nuclear fusion reactor and making it work it could solve the world's energy problems for the next 1,000 years or more. We are talking about a Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor which will be built in France at Cadarache in the south of the country. The reactor has enormous potential and could lead to the building of a prototype power station in about 30 years. There will be enough electricity to last the world for the next 1,000 to 2,000 years, so it is really quite important that it works. The idea for this reactor is that it should have an advantage over current nuclear reactors because it would be cleaner. It should not rely on enriched uranium fuel and it should not produce plutonium, which is a concern from a terrorism point of view.
Ian Fells, of the Royal Academy of Engineering in Britain and an expert on energy conversion says:

"The technology of this is the science of the hydrogen bomb. You take a couple of hydrogen atoms and you squeeze them together, you fuse them together, and they turn into an atom of helium and produce a great burp of energy. This is turning mass into energy as with Einstein's celebrated equation E=MC2 (energy = mass times the speed of light squared)"

The people who are working on the project seek to mimic the way the sun produces energy, potentially providing an inexhaustible source of low-cost energy using seawater as fuel.

Is this too good to be true? Hopefully not. If they manage to make it and it stands up to expectations, will we then say good-bye to the oil?

This blog is based on an article by Planet Ark.

Ideas on Raising Profile of Green Branding Issues

On the environmental blog site TreeHugger, the famous marketing man Seth Godin has agreed to an interview. He injects ideas on raising profile of green branding issues such as 'Global Warming' and 'Hybrid Cars'.
A quote:

Acid rain is a much more powerful story. Acid = death and rain is omnipresent and supposedly pure and lifegiving. Put them together and you get something that feels tangible and an emergency.

Want to read more? Click.

Envrionmental Friendly Music Festivals

There are several music festivals these days thinking a lot of their vaste disposal and how it influences the well being of Mother Earth. Luckily for all of us many of these festivals have great concern for the globe. The festivals' use of biodegradable dishware & cutlery will help maintaining our earth.

Let us all wish for Mr. George W. Bush to realize that we have to take care of the earth to keep us human beings alive.

George Bush - The Environmental Foe

The President of USA, Mr. George Bush, looks set to shun his pleas by his main industrial allies to step up a fight against climate change at a Group of Eight summit next month. He is not convinced that the world is warming.

And if he is looking for prove, then he may just read this (from Planet Ark):

Many scientists are aghast -- the science academies of all G8 nations as well as of China, India and Brazil said this month that burning of fossil fuels in power plants, cars and factories seemed the main cause of recent warming.

It is therefore reasonable to ask:
How stupid can that man be??? Or is it for the sake of the US Industry??

He surely doesn't think much about his grandchildren having to live in a world their grandfather has created.

Bad Knees - Here are some Exercises

This is for your internal environment - your knees. If you are having pain in your knees, it is painful even to walk a little bit.

Don't give in. Knee pains do not need to be the end of all physical activity. You can keep active by switching to exercises that have less of an impact on your knees. The key is supplemental conditioning, where you work to strengthen your lower body to withstand the wear and tear of whatever exercise you ultimately choose.

Exercises you actually can do is to swim. Swimming is fairly easy on the knees. Just jump into the water and make your swim just a little bit longer than you intended to. It helps. Not close to the water? Then jump on your bicycle, which is not bad for your knees, and go for a ride.

Not having a bike either - go for a walk in the forest where the ground is soft.

Petrol Without Sulphur in Norway

Almost every Norwegian car is now using petrol and diesel oil without sulphur. The consequence of this is less emissions of health- and environmental dangerous gases from the cars. The reduction of the emissions as a concequence of using petrol and diesel oil without sulphur, contributes to less damaging to the health, less acidification and is reducing the ozone near the ground.

Norway is now ahead of EU, as the EU demands that all the EU countries will have petrol and diesel free of sulphur within 2009.

Ships Pollute Air

Whenever you see a ship in port, the idling ship's smokestack continue to spew a raft of pollutants such as sulfur oxides into the air in order to power all the lighting, pumping, refrigeration and other ship functions while the valuable cargo is unloaded. There are, however, a growing concern for this. Two of BP’s (formerly British Petroleum) large, ocean-going oil tankers are going to be retrofitted with a more environmentally friendly "cold ironing" system that will allow the ships to be plugged into electrical outlets on shore and shut off their polluting smokestacks, according to The Newsletter of the North American Commision forEnvironmental Cooperation.

"Obviously if such a system makes sense here we’ll start working on doing it in other places," says BP spokesman Phil Cochrane. He adds that in addition to being an environmental solution, BP will be doing an economic analysis about whether the program could save the oil company money over the long term.

I wonder if that means that ships all over the world are polluting the air until the BP's "pilot project" is ready to be used in other ports?

G8-meeting in Scotland

Jefry Sachs, according to The New York Times, "the most important economist in the world", and certainly one of the smartest" says:

"Don't let the leaders [of the G8 countries] leave Scotland without offering serious plans for ending poverty and climate change. They are not going to Gleneagles for a game, or for a little vacation, not for photo-ops, not for smiles. They are there to set us on a real path to ending extreme poverty. Give them a serious warning - don't leave here without doing your work. Don't leave here without putting in place solutions to these problems."

AGREE!

Read more

Norway Aiming at EcoTourism

Lupins
Originally uploaded by edouard_e.

The Norwegian Ministry of Environment will support the Foundation for Sustainable Consumption and Production in their aiming at EcoTourism in Norway. There has been developed a project lasting for three years which will establish EcoTourism as a concept, network and market for tour operators whome having their business based on the nature.

The pupose of the project is to
1. Motivate nature based tour operators to run their businesses in a way that will secure the consideration of the environment, the nature, the culture and the local community to be taken care of by the trade
2. Prepare for the marketing of Norwegian EcoTourism Products in the right markets having as purpose that Norwegian small scale, nature based tour operators will be able to take their share of the internationally growing market for EcoTourism

In this world of a growing need for putting environmental issues on the map, this is a great leap in the right direction.

Trash from High-Tech a Global Threat

How many desk-tops or lap-tops have you had the latest five years? When you bought a new one, what did you do with the old one? How many cell phones, TV-sets, MP3-players etc. have you disposed of in these years?

What do you think happen to the trash? As the life cycle of electronic equipment shrinks, outdated products like VCRs get replaced by DVD players and our landfills quickly overflow with hi-tech trash. In fact, "obsolete" electronics have become the fastest growing waste stream in the industrialized world.

"We need to reign in this new area of environmental risk which, of course, didn't exist ten years ago," explains Duncan Bury of Environment Canada's National Office of Pollution Prevention.

From The Newsletter of the North-American Commision for Environmental Cooperation:

The Europeans, who produce about six million tons of e-waste annually, are considerably ahead of North America in this matter, having passed two pieces of EU legislation to deal with the mounting problem. Coming into effect over the next two years is the front-end RoHS directive (Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances), which compels the electronics industry to use substitute hazardous materials for more environmentally preferable alternatives, and the back-end WEEE (Waste, Electrical and Electronic Equipment), which tackles the recycling and disposal side.

What about it Mr. Bush? Do you learn something?

Future Houses will have The Swan Brand

The future houses in Scandinavia will soon have a the Scandinvian Swan Brand.

In Sweden Skanska have started building the first house in Scandinavia which will have the Swan Brand. Among the key words for this house are "Energy Efficiency" and "Inside Climate"

By getting allowed to brand the house with The Swan, the builder is demanded to avoid materials which will hurt the environment. Another demand is for the disposal from the buildings to be recycled. A high level of Quality Controll will ensure the prevention of moisture damage.

This is a very nice development in the construction business. May several follow suit.

Read more (in Norwegian) at the web site of Stiftelsen Miljømerking.

Acid Rain Kills

Just wanted to say it.

Thanks to RustleTheLeaf.

Claim for Urgent G8 Warming Action

Some huge companies now urge the G8 to take global warming seriously. It is Planet Ark who is telling us this story today.

"We share the belief that climate change poses one of the most significant challenges of the 21st century," said moguls from multinationals including car maker Ford, airline British Airways, bank HSBC, electricity generator EdF and oil major BP.

Valuable forests being protected in Norway

The Norwegian Ministry of Environment today announced that 16 areas of valuable forests is now protected by law. These areas are located in the Nordland County and eastern parts of Norway.

The Minister of Environment Knut Arild Hareide:

Protection of these areas of old forests worthy of protection guarantees for areas of valuable biological diversity. In these forests lives several endangered species of wood quoted on the Norwegian "red list". This decision is a considerable contribution for the government's aim at increasing the protection of our forests.

Good for Norway - and for Mother Earth!

Environmentally Friendly Cars - in Brazil

Think about it. Twenty years ago 90% of cars made in Brazil on ethanol (which was also produced in Brazil). Today, it's 0.06%.

Ethanol is derived from Brazil's plentiful supplies of sugar-cane. And as such is very environmentally friendly.

It's a shame that the Brazilians didn't continue making cars running on ethanol. But, to quote BBC, the reason for this was

- Under newly-restored civilian rule, governments were less concerned about promoting the fuel for national security reasons
- Sugar prices rose, making the ethanol subsidy too costly for the state
- Oil prices had fallen from their 1970s highs
- State oil company Petrobras had discovered new offshore oilfields, making Brazil more self-sufficient in oil.

Let us hope the tide will turn...

An Environmentally Friendly Car

According to World Changing Daimler-Chrysler has developed a new bionic concept car. The new car is a Mercedes-Benz. It is streamlined and light, and it is economical and environmentally friendly thanks to the latest diesel technology.
From the web-site of Daimler-Chrysler:

In the Mercedes study, the optimal aerodynamic properties derived from the boxfish and a new lightweight construction concept taken from nature create the conditions for a low fuel consumption and excellent performance. Equipped with a 103 kW/140-hp direct-injection diesel engine, the concept car consumes 4.3 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres (combined), making it 20 percent more economical than a comparable standard-production model.

The key data:

Length/width/height - 4243/1815/1594 mm
Wheelbase - 2568 mm
Engine output - 103 kW/140 hp
Max. torque - 300 Nm at 1600-3000 rpm
Fuel consumption (combined) - 4.3 l/100 km; 70 mpg (US gallons)
Acceleration 0-100 km/h - 8.2 s
Max. speed - 190 km/h

This looks great. Now we are waiting for the price tag.

The EU Flower in International Tourism

Early in 2005 the EU focused the marketing activities on Tourism Fairs. They wanted to build on the success to the tourist accomodation service category is experiencing. There have been information stands at various fairs in Piraeus (Greece), Milan and Berlin.

As we nowadays are getting more and more focused on our environment, the benefits for the accomodation service are:
1. To show high quality and environmental performance. The European Eco-label is the best way to tell the guests about the efforts regarding environmental measures and quality improvements
2. Eco-efficiency for cost-advantages. Most of the environmental measures require some time and effort but on the other hand they offer added value. As an example of this: Reducing the consumption of natural resources like energy and water helps reducing costs.
3. Sense of well-being. Environmental commitment stands for healthy lodgings, healthy nutrition and a healthy environment for the guests and the employees. Environmentally friendly tourist accommodation use natural building materials, have non-smoking areas and avoid the use of hazardous chemicals. Linen is washed with more environmentally friendly detergents.

It cannot be better.

Thanks to the The European Eco-label for tourist accommodation service for excerpts from their web-site.

Update on Live 8

Live 8 have got their own web site. Check it out here.

What's Live 8 about?

On Wednesday 6th July, the eight leaders of the most powerful and richest countries in the world will gather for a summit meeting in the town of Gleneagles in Scotland.

These men can make poverty history and change the future for hundreds of millions of people – but they will only do it if enough of us tell them to.

That’s what LIVE 8 – The Long Walk To Justice is all about, and that’s why we want your voice, not your money.

Let us all join in to double the aid to starving children. You can join in by just being present at one of the Live 8 concerts. Either in London, Berlin, Rome, Paris or Philadelphia. Let your voice be heard.

Smoking - the Environmental Feud

Cigarette
Originally uploaded by sjakk.

Why does every non-smoker have to accept the smokers puffing their nicotine gas into the air which is shared by everyone in a room? Why don't smokers show any consideration for the non-smokers?

I do not want to take away the smoker's pleasure when having a cigarette. But I do not want to smoke myself. And, when a cigarette is lighted in the room where I am, I am smoking as well. And I DON'T WANT TO!

Quite often there is one smoker in a room filled with none smokers. And just as often the smoker lights his/hers cigarette without taking notice of the non-smokers in the room.

Smokers. Why do you have to push upon me something I don't want. Why can't you show some consideration for the ones who do not want to smoke?

Please give some answers...

Swan Ecolabel - The Environmental Certificate in Norway

The food store COOP Mega Skøyen (Norway) has got their Swan Ecolabel as the first food store in Norway. The Swan Ecolabel is the same as the European ecolabel, the EU-Flower. The store has a lot of ecological and environmental friendly products.

May other follow suit.

Live 8 - a major show for the environment

Thanks to Bob Geldof there will be a repeat of what he did with Live Aid 20 years ago in 1985. He will do it to highlight the ongoing problem of global poverty and debt. And in fact, by highlighting this, the environmental situation of the world will also be highlighted. If we solve the poverty of the World, then we will also solve the chopping of the global forests. Because - poor countries will no longer have to chop down their Rain Forest or other forests making the world a better place to live.

The events will take place in London, Philadelphia - US, Paris, Berlin & Rome on July 02.

The list of contributing artists:

Hyde Park, London
Coldplay
Dido
Sir Elton John
Keane
Annie Lennox
Madonna
Mariah Carey
Muse
Scissor Sisters
Sir Paul McCartney
Joss Stone
Stereophonics
Sting
Robbie Williams
U2
REM
Velvet Revolver
Bob Geldof
The Killers
The Cure
Snow Patrol

Museum of Art, Philadelphia
Will Smith (host)
Bon Jovi
Maroon 5
P Diddy
Stevie Wonder
Jay-Z
The Dave Matthews Band
Sarah McLachlan
Rob Thomas
Keith Urban
50 Cent
Kaiser Chiefs

Eiffel Tower, Paris
Jamiroquai
Craig David
Youssou N'Dour
Yannick Noah
Andrea Bocelli
Calo Gero
Kyo
Placebo
Axelle Red
Johnny Halliday
Manu Chao
Renaud

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin
A-ha
Crosby, Stills and Nash
Brian Wilson
Lauryn Hill
Bap
Die Toten Hosen
Peter Maffay

Circus Maximus, Rome
Duran Duran
Faith Hill
Irene Grandi
Jovanotti
Tim McGraw
Nek
Laura Pasini
Vasco Rossi
Zucchero

And the best part of it. It's all for free.

BE THERE..!!

You may read all about it at BBC News