African urbanisation and population growth
is putting more stress on resources |
Good News:
- The ubiquitous plastic bag is becoming an un-welcome guest in more than just San Francisco. China announced that the ultra-thin plastic bags will no longer be allowed in grocery stores and markets across the nation starting June 1. Australia is trying to "ban the bag" as well. NYC has passed a bill to require that stores and retailers recycle their own bags for consumers.
- It has been a good week for computers and their owners. Or at least a good week for announcements pertaining to electronics. HP has said it will start designing PCs to use 25 percent less power. And in response to the need for better recycling programs for electronic waste, Panasonic, Sharp and Toshiba have formed their own electronics recycling company in order to comply with soon-to-be-new state laws (Let's just hope that doesn't mean shipping the stuff overseas).
- The US National Forest System got a reprieve from President Bush's attempts to undermine environmental protections. A federal court in California has "invalidated" Bush's 2005 rule to drop harvesting limits, wildlife conservation measures, as well as any public comments on the rules, or lack thereof.
- The United Kingdom has decided that nuclear is the way to go after all. The UK has approved the go-ahead for energy companies to move forward on plans for "new generation" nuclear power plants, and this may spur others to do the same (read Ireland). And this, after Celsias covered this topic so well.
- Food shortages are being reported in Asia. Wheat and rice, staples in Asian diets, are not only running short, but the prices are skyrocketing leading to shortages among certain populations more than others. This comes a two weeks after the UN warned of impending shortages in 37 countries. Reduced yields due to climate change and desertification, increased urbanisation, consumer demand in developing countries (shifts to more animal-based diets) and biofuels are main causes.
- A recent report is showing that Sub-Saharan Africa is facing a a major issue with overpopulation as well as more and more of that population moving to urban centers which will further stress the already tenuous environmental situation in Africa.
- I am only putting this under dubious as I have a hard time justifying that you have to be rich to stay at environmentally-conscious hotels, but Fairmont Hotels and Resorts have joined up with the World Wildlife Fund to conduct a thorough carbon audit of the Fairmont properties and find ways to reduce CO2 emissions in order to become a member of the WWF's Climate Savers Program.
- Singapore has just opened a "green" terminal at the Changi Airport. Reading the story I am not entirely sold on just how green an airport can be, especially as the story only mentions some sky-lights and moving the air conditioning ducts to floor level, but it does have a butterfly garden, koi ponds, and 50 soccer fields worth of plant life. Although greener than others, it's still an airport expansion....
- Okay, this is from the NY Times, but I still like to see it. The Federal Trade Commission is looking into advertising claims regarding carbon offsets and other such potential "greenwashing."
- EcoStreet tells us that if you live in London, this weekend you can trade in two incandescent lights bulbs for two free CFLs for your home. It's called the London Lightbulb Amnesty. Great name and a great idea.
