Tuesday, March 08, 2005

[Floral industry] Putting the bloom back This month, Sheryl Eisenberg discusses the environmental impact of the flower growing industry. 12:00:10 PM Google It!    [E-Waste] U.S. Senators introduce legislation go help curb electronic waste U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jim Talent (R-Mo.) introduced legislation on March 3 that would give consumers and industry tax incentives to safely dispose of old or outdated personal or office electronics, which contain a number of hazardous toxins including lead, mercury and cadmium. [Source: Environmental Protection E-News] 11:58:24 AM Google It!    [Schools] School Energy Audits Tackling energy consumption can seem overwhelming. After all, it took over 10 years and 140 countries to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. Yet, discovering sustainable ways to reduce energy consumption in your local community is easier than you might think. Many local energy companies or city utility agencies are teaming together with students to save schools and districts energy and money and to beautify learning environments. By providing energy audits, technical assistance with retrofit plans, information about financing methods, staff training and educational programs, these companies can help schools identify many ways to save energy and money. Have students investigate local energy and utility companies to see what resources and opportunities are available to address energy consumption in their school or district. Students can play a critical role in educating their peers and community on the many benefits of creating a more energy-efficient learning environment. Students can also take a pledge to make a difference. Download Facing the Future's new Pledge Form and have students visit Facing the Future's Fast Facts/Quick Actions website to discover more energy facts, quick actions students can take, and to link to additional resources. 11:56:51 AM Google It!    [Schools] New Curriculum: Fueling the Future On February 16, 2005 140 countries and the European Union ratified the Kyoto Protocol agreeing to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by at least 5 percent from 1990 levels. The Kyoto Protocol, which was created through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is described by the UNFCCC as "an enhancement of energy efficiency and an increase in the production and use of new and renewable energy, as well as measures to limit or reduce emissions of GHGs." The Protocol was created in response to GHG emissions statistics from 1992, and the reasoning that emissions levels would continue to increase and contribute to global warming as developing countries began to require larger amounts of energy. Help students understand energy issues using the new Facing the Future activity: Fueling the Future. In this activity students compare energy use and CO2 emissions by sector in the United States and China (and optionally in another country). They research and discuss energy impacts and sustainable energy solutions and present their findings at a 'World Energy Summit'. Download this activity on Facing the Future's website here. 11:54:21 AM Google It!    [Grants] Melinda Gray Ardia Environmental Foundation Their mission is to support educators in developing environmental curricula that integrate field activities and classroom teaching and that incorporate basic ecological principles and problem solving. To apply, visit http://www.mgaef.org/grants.html. The application deadline is April 9, 2005. 11:51:02 AM Google It!    [Water quality] National Water Quality Assessment Database Posted on EPA's Website This past February, the U.S. EPA Office of Water released the first-ever interactive database of state water quality assessment data, which provides the public with easy web access to water quality information at the state and local levels. 11:48:04 AM Google It!    [Corporate sustainablity] SustainAbility U.K. consultancy SustainAbility claims to have coined the phrase “triple bottom line,” which refers to a framework for measuring and reporting corporate performance against economic, social, and environmental parameters. Its Web site offers an introduction to the concept, along with details on the organization’s efforts to promote it. The site also serves as an international clearinghouse for research related to sustainable development. [Source: GreenBiz.com] 11:34:23 AM Google It!    [Textile industry] Carpet Manufacturer Creates New Products from Post-Production Waste Commercial carpet manufacturer Bentley Prince Street has developed a process for creating high-quality commercial carpet from waste yarn. Its two newest products, Scan and UPC, are the result of an engineering process that re-purposes post-production waste yarn to manufacture broadloom and carpet tile products. [Source: GreenBiz.com] 11:32:38 AM Google It!    [Fuel cells] Hotel Chain Checks into Fuel Cell Projects Starwood Hotels & Resorts has signed on for a series of fuel cell projects to power its string of hotels. Starwood, FuelCell Energy, Inc., and Alliance Power -- forming a joint venture called Alliance Star Energy LLC -- have drawn up a Master Energy Services Agreement (MESA) to provide the framework for the power plant projects. Initial focus will be in California, the companies say, but the MESA is open to all of Starwood's hotels and resort properties. [Source: GreenBiz.com] 11:31:40 AM Google It!    [Fuel efficiency] Esso Urges Customers to Turn off Their Engines at Car Washes Esso is launching an information campaign in the Greater Toronto Area to tell its car wash customers to cut down on idling while in line. The idea is to encourage customers to reduce smog-forming emissions that build up as a result of idling. [Source: GreenBiz.com] 11:30:46 AM Google It!    [Schools] Spinach Power for Solar Cells Another Science News for Kids article, this one on solar cells. 11:28:44 AM Google It!    [Schools] Power of the Wind This Science News for Kids article gives a good overview of wind power. There are also links to additional information, a list of questions, and a printable word search. For Teachers: Wind Energy A wind energy teacher's guide can be found at http://www.awea.org/pubs/documents/TeachersGuide.pdf (American Wind Energy Association). See also http://www.fi.edu/tfi/units/energy/windguide.html (Franklin Institute). Lesson plans and other materials from the KidWind Project in Massachusetts are available at http://www.kidwind.org/materials.html (KidWind Project). Renewable energy materials and resources can be found at http://www.nrel.gov/education/lessons.html (National Renewable Energy Laboratory). 11:27:43 AM Google It!    [Book reviews] A Short Review of Nearly Everything Bill Bryson's books offer environmental ethics with a light touch. [Source: Grist Magazine] 11:24:43 AM Google It!    [EPA] RCRA, Superfund & EPCRA Call Center Terminating Support of RCRA and Underground Storage Tank Programs The Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) is today announcing significant changes to the operation of the RCRA, Superfund & EPCRA Call Center (Call Center). The Call Center will terminate support of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Underground Storage Tanks (UST) programs at close of business on Thursday, March 31, 2005. The Call Center will continue as before to respond to public inquiries about the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA, or Superfund), including the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act (SBLRBRA, or Brownfields); the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), including the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) program; the Superfund Amendments Reauthorization Act (SARA) Title III; the Clean Air Act (CAA) Section 112(r); and the Oil Pollution Control Act (OPA). Call Center access will remain unchanged for these programs. As of April 1, 2005, RCRA program information will only be available to the public through the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/osw. The Call Center will no longer answer any RCRA questions. To make it easier for people to find sources of RCRA information, the Office of Solid Waste (OSW) has compiled a complete list of phone numbers and waste program Web sites maintained by EPA Regional offices and state environmental agencies to help users locate site-specific information on RCRA facilities within their states. This compilation is found at http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/comments.htm. The site also provides links to the RCRA OnLine database (a searchable compilation of OSW memos and guidance documents) and to an on-line order form (http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/publicat.htm) for OSW publications. OSW publications may also be ordered by calling the National Service Center for Environmental Publications toll-free at 800-490-9198. Similarly, as of April 1, 2005, callers will no longer be able to receive information about EPA's UST program through the Call Center. For information about the UST program and leaking UST program, see EPA's Web site at http://www.epa.gov/oust/ for general information about the Federal tank program; answers to frequently asked questions; laws, regulations, and policy guidance about the tank program; publications and compliance help for states as well as tank owners and operators; and links to regional, state, local, and tribal tank programs. To order publications developed by EPA's Office of Underground Storage Tanks, please call EPA's toll-free number for its publications distribution center at 800-490-9198. For more information, contact Scott Maid, Project Officer, at maid.scott@epa.gov, at 703-308-8029, or at Office of Solid Waste (5305W), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. [ChemAlliance Environmental News] 11:23:18 AM Google It!    [Publications] New From the GAO New GAO Reports (PDFs) Source: Government Accountability Office Reports + Clean Air Act: Observations on EPA's Cost-Benefit Analysis of Its Mercury Control Options Highlights ||| Full Report + Hazardous Waste Sites: Improved Effectiveness of Controls at Sites Could Better Protect the Public Highlights ||| Full Report Special Publication + 21st Century Challenges: Reexamining the Base of the Federal Government [ResourceShelf's DocuTicker] 10:57:40 AM Google It!    [Sustainable products] Factor 10 Gil Friend's Sustainability Sunday essay at WorldChanging this week considers the concept of "Factor 10," or getting 10 times more output/benefit from a unit of a natural resource than we do now. This is a needed line of thought, even if, as one commenter notes, it may be only an ideal at the present time. Gil notes on his own blog that this concept is making headway in Europe, but is "under-noticed" in the US. Technorati tags: business, natural resources By noemail@noemail.org (Jeff McIntire-Strasburg). [sustainablog] 10:56:50 AM Google It!    [Alternative energy] Framing Alternative/Green/Clean Energy From Clean Edge via TriplePundit, an essay discussing the language we use when we discuss alternative energy choices, and their effect on consumers. The verdict: "clean" seems to work best from a marketing perspective. Technorati tags: energy, language By noemail@noemail.org (Jeff McIntire-Strasburg). [sustainablog] 10:56:04 AM Google It!    [Corporate sustainability] EPA Welcomes New Performance Track Program Member Facilities (Washington, D.C. – March 4, 2005, by Dave Ryan, 202-564-7827 / ryan.dave@epa.gov) EPA is today announcing 54 facilities from 25 states and Puerto Rico as new members in the National Environmental Performance Track Program. Performance Track rewards facilities that voluntarily exceed regulatory requirements, implement systems for improving environmental management; work with their communities, and set three-year goals for improvements in environmental performance. Only facilities with a record of sustained compliance with environmental requirements are eligible to participate in this program. For more information on Performance Track membership benefits, visit: http://www.epa.gov/performancetrack/benefits . For information on the program in general, visit: http://www.epa.gov/performancetrack/. For more information on the Corporate Leader designation, visit: http://www.epa.gov/performancetrack/corporateleaders [ChemAlliance Environmental News] 10:54:31 AM Google It!    [Meetings] Green Chemistry Conference, "Taking Measure of Green Progress: Opportunities to Meet Global Challenges," June 20-24, 2005, Washington, D.C.. The joint meeting of the 2nd International Conference on Green and Sustainable Chemistry and the 9th Annual Green Chemistry and Engineering Conference, "Taking Measure of Green Progress: Opportunities to Meet Global Challenges" will be held June 20-24, 2005 at the Hotel Washington in Washington, D.C. The Conference will focus on the design, development, and implementation of chemical processes and products that reduce or eliminate hazardous substances in a way that is feasible and economically viable. The program will include important elements such as fundamental and market-driven R&D, the road to innovation, green metrics, and business models and success stories. Leading international researchers from industry, academe, and government will discuss: The current status of the field, how 'green' progress can be measured and quantified, and key opportunities for integrating of green technologies into global solutions. Technical sessions will include presentations covered by the following topics: Metrics, measures and processes Alternative Synthesis and Solvents Catalysis Industrial Success Stories Electrochemistry Biotech and Biobased General Topics - Such as Nanotech, Process Design and Intensification, Curriculum Development, Politics and Economics of Green Chemicals, and Sustainable Energy. In addition to the technical sessions, there are a number of other highlights of the conference, including: the 2004 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award winners will present their award winning research and development - this willl include presentations by international award winners. Workshops on NSF Workshop on Biorenewable Resources, Green Chemistry Education, Green Engineering Education, How to Write a Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Nomination, and Sustainability 101: Metrics and Best Practices Keynote addresses by prominent figures in the field of green chemistry/engineering For more information and to register, visit the American Chemical Society website. [ChemAlliance Environmental News] 10:52:27 AM Google It!    [EPA] Insider Nominated to Head EPA Stephen Johnson will be first administrator with scientific training [ScienceNOW] 10:51:21 AM Google It!    [Fuel efficiency] AAA Questions EPA Gas-Mileage Reporting The American Automobile Association, the US's largest automobile-information and advocacy organization, questioned the EPA's methods for determining the fuel mileage ratings given to the nation's car fleet. [ENN Business Headlines] 10:50:35 AM Google It!    [Green products] Not Many Knocks Against Environment-Friendly Hardwood For years, foresters have sought a fast growing, environmentally responsible hardwood with the dual tangibles of good looks for the home and sustainable growth. [ENN Business Headlines] 10:50:04 AM Google It!    [Energy efficiency] Energy-Efficient Phone Adapter Scoops EPA Design Award A San Jose circuit maker has been named Grand Champion in the category of Efficiency Challenge 2004, an international design competition for power supply efficiency. [ENN Business Headlines] 10:49:33 AM Google It!

© Copyright 2005 Laura L. Barnes. Last update: 10/25/2005; 12:09:33 PM.