Friday, December 10, 2004

[Sugar industry] A bittersweet harvest Our insatiable appetite for sugary products is causing massive environmental damage to some of the world's most complex and delicate ecosystems, says Sanjida O'Connell. [Source: The Independent (UK)] 11:37:26 AM Google It!    [Fuel cells] Trafalgar tree is a true ever-green It was once a pretty picture of environmental decadence: a towering Norwegian spruce ripped up from the forest and festooned with fossil fuel-guzzling festive lights. But this year the 29-metre (95ft) high illuminated Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square in the capital is powered by hydrogen and a fuel cell in the first project of its kind in Europe. [Source: The Guardian (UK)] 11:36:06 AM Google It!    [Schools] Relating to the environment Students can learn about nature’s life cycles in two ways. One is to open a textbook and read about it. The other is to catch a wild deer, extract a tooth and take a blood sample. Benilde-St. Margaret’s ecology instructor Keith Leiseth prefers his students take the Wild Kingdom approach. [Source: Plymouth (MN) Sun Sailor] 11:34:38 AM Google It!    [Environmental policy] Heating up at last? The Bush administration may yet oversee a proper debate about energy policy. [Source: The Economist] 11:31:56 AM Google It!    [Health care facilities] Lighting retrofit helps system cut energy use by 40 percent Inova Health System, a health care system based in Falls Church, Va., issued a challenge to its energy services provider, Baltimore-based Consumer Lighting Products Inc. With no inconvenience or disruption to patients and staff, the system wanted lighting conservation projects that saved energy and reduced HVAC and maintenance costs. [Source: Health Care Facilities Management] 11:30:33 AM Google It!    [Fuel cells] Plant-life inspires cooling system for the fuel cell powered laptops of the future Efficient design reduces surface temperature of laptop cooling system by 27 degrees Celsius. [Source: Fuelcellworks.com] 11:15:03 AM Google It!    [Fuel cells] Ford Unveils Hybrid Focus - Hybridized Fuel Cell Vehicle Ford is building an evaluation fleet of advanced hydrogen fuel cell, hybrid electric Focus sedans using Ballard Power Systems' fuel cell. [Source: MixedPower.com] 11:13:46 AM Google It!    [Fuel cells] Hyundai develops better fuel-cell SUV The Hyundai Motor Co, South Korea's largest auto maker, on Thursday said it had succeeded in developing a fuel-cell electric version of its popular Tucson compact sports utility vehicle. The company said the vehicle is a major improvement over its predecessor and will be road-tested in the US for five years. [Source: Asia Times] 11:12:13 AM Google It!    [Fuel cells] DaimlerChrysler Doubles Fuel Cell Cars Auto maker DaimlerChrysler AG reported Thursday that it doubled the number of fuel cell powered vehicles it manages in the United States in December. [Source: Associated Press via Forbes Magazine] 11:11:02 AM Google It!    [Open spaces] Illinois Legislative Leaders Recognized for Championing Open Space Funding The Nature Conservancy is pleased to recognize the outstanding contributions that several key Illinois legislators have made to protect our open spaces. Each year the Conservancy reviews legislative proceedings to determine if there are exceptional actions that merit special recognition through the Acorn Award. Policy decisions that support conservation of our lands and waters are deciding factors. The Acorn Award may recognize state and federal elected officials and other policymakers. The Conservancy recently honored legislative leaders in the Illinois General Assembly with an Acorn Award for their leadership roles in protecting conservation sources needed by Illinois communities to protect natural, open areas. Recognized were Senate President Emil Jones Jr. (D-Chicago), Speaker Michael J. Madigan (D-Chicago), Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego), Minority Leader Frank Watson (R-Greenville), Senators Susan Garrett (D-Lake Forest) and Pamela Althoff (R-Crystal), and Representatives Karen May (D-Highland Park) and Elizabeth "Beth" Coulson (R-Glenview). The signature Acorn Award is given by the Conservancy to recognize legislative leaders whose actions make a difference to critical conservation issues in Illinois. 11:09:40 AM Google It!    [Health care facilities] EPA and Yale-New Haven Hospital Sign Pact For Self-Audit Yale-New Haven Hospital, acknowledging the importance of environmental stewardship in the provision of healthcare services has agreed to undertake a voluntary comprehensive environmental audit. The agreement signed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is the first of its kind in the New England Region and is part of a larger effort launched last spring by EPA’s New England office to foster increased compliance with environmental laws by New England hospitals. The agency’s decision to focus on the healthcare industry was prompted by concerns that many New England hospitals may not be in full compliance with environmental laws. It also was influenced by the experience of EPA’s New York/New Jersey regional office, which took enforcement actions against several hospitals after significant non-compliance was found during inspections of hospital facilities. 11:07:32 AM Google It!    [Illinois politics] Con-Con 2008? Some people who think we need a state Constitutional Convention in 2008 have set up a Yahoo! Group . The last attempt at holding a Con-Con was blocked at the polls by a consortium of business and labor groups. - Rich Miller [The Capitol Fax Blog] 11:03:44 AM Google It!

© Copyright 2005 Laura L. Barnes. Last update: 10/25/2005; 12:08:12 PM.