Monday, March 21, 2005

[Ecological economics] Protecting environment pays off, experts say Ecologists and health advocates are assigning dollar values to wetlands, species and other parts of the environment as they argue for its protection and enhancement, an approach they find practical, though sometimes distasteful. [Source: Chicago Sun-Times via GLIN's News in the Great Lakes Region (http://www.great-lakes.net/news/)] 12:53:15 PM Google It!    [Meetings] Compressed Air - Energy Efficiency Training for P2 If you are attending the Environmental Summit April 11-14 in Chicago, you may also want to sign up for the E2P2 Training. Supported in part by DOE, this is a less expensive way to get this tool and incorporate E2 into P2 site visits. Compressed Air - Energy Efficiency Training for P2 Description:   Add value to P2 site visits. Compressed air systems account for $1.5 billion per year in U.S. energy costs, and 0.5 percent of emissions. This 1-day workshop will teach P2 assistance providers how to achieve 15 - 25% cost savings through more effective production and use of compressed air.  <http://www.oit.doe.gov/bestpractices/compressed_air/> Cost:  $35   (over $400 value; Training costs subsidized by DOE) This training was organized through an on going "Allied Partner Agreement"  between DOE and NPPR to deliver energy efficiency training to P2 assistance providers. See training registration http://www.environmentalsummit.org/agenda.cfm?xdl=244 12:52:14 PM Google It!    [Meetings] The Future of Commerce: Sustainable Solutions For Business Michigan's 10th Annual Sustainable Business Conference & Expo May 11 and 12, 2005 Grand Rapids, Michigan Forge a sustainable future. Join business leaders, environmental advocates, educators, students and government and community leaders for the 10th Annual Sustainable Business Conference & Expo on May 11 and 12. Keynote speakers will inspire you. The sessions will teach you. And the networking will motivate you to get beyond compliance and lead the way to a sustainable future for Michigan and beyond. You will learn how to: Align the principles of business with ways to protect the environment Meet today’s financial, ecological and social needs (The Triple Bottom Line) without compromising the future Develop innovative supply chain processes Hosted by by the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum and Grand Rapids Community College, this two-day event will be held at the college's Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 12:49:58 PM Google It!    [Paints and coatings] Choose Green Report: Wood Finishes and Stains This Choose Green Report, published in February 2005, picks up where the Architectural Paints report left off with a look at wood finishes -- coatings that, unlike paint, do not completely mask the wood's appearance. Such coatings include varnishes, shellacs, lacquers, natural oils, water-based wood finishes, and wood stains. [Source: GreenBiz.com] 12:48:52 PM Google It!    [Grants] Informal Science Education Preliminary Proposal Due Date(s) (required): September 16, 2005 Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time): December 05, 2005 The ISE program invests in projects that develop and implement informal learning experiences designed to increase interest, engagement, and understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by individuals of all ages and backgrounds, as well as projects that advance the theory and practice of informal science education. Projects may target either public audiences or professionals whose work directly affects informal STEM learning. ISE projects are expected to demonstrate strategic impact, collaboration, and innovation. 12:47:32 PM Google It!    [Grants] Partnership to Promote Innovation in Environmental Practice Application due date: Apr 21, 2005 The Environmental Protection Agency’s National Center for Environmental Innovation (NCEI) is soliciting proposals from institutions that are interested in promoting innovations that can improve environmental results from State and federal programs. EPA is seeking proposals to explore innovative environmental policies practices and to support mechanisms by which new approaches can be shared and discussed by federal and state environmental practitioners. The goal is to increase understanding of new approaches, to facilitate use of proven concepts, and to encourage more innovation in environmental programs. 12:45:48 PM Google It!    [Nanotechnology] Nano Hazards: Exposure to minute particles harms lungs, circulatory system Nanomaterials, the current darlings of industry, are showing up in products ranging from cosmetics to electronics. However, new animal studies indicate that inhaling these microscopic spheres and tubes could cause big trouble, especially for workers who manufacture and handle them. [Source: Science News] 12:44:19 PM Google It!    [Green chemistry] Environmentally safer catalyst makes more hydrogen Ohio State University engineers have developed a chemical catalyst that increases hydrogen production without using a toxic metal common to other catalysts. Though the new catalyst is still in the early stages of testing, it could represent an important step toward using the nation's coal supply to power alternative fuel vehicles and equipment. The catalyst uses a combination of iron, aluminum and other metals to harvest hydrogen from carbon monoxide and water, explained Umit Ozkan, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at Ohio State. In tests, the catalyst performed up to 25 percent better than a commercially available alternative. [Source: Environmental Protection E-News] 12:41:55 PM Google It!    [Nanotechnology] Can the nanomaterial industry be environmentally sustainable? Research into making the emerging nanomaterial industry environmentally sustainable is showing promise in a preliminary engineering study conducted at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Rice University. Under the auspices of the Rice University Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology (CBEN) funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), researchers have been investigating the potential environmental impact of nanomaterial waste. Specifically, they want to know if they can predict the fate and transport of nanomaterial waste in natural systems, and whether nanomaterials will behave the same as common environmental pollutants. In addition, they want to determine if nanomaterials can be treated before they enter the environment to minimize impact. [Source: Environmental Protection E-News] 12:40:53 PM Google It!    [Frogs] Frogs: A Chorus of Colors "As humans change natural environments, frogs around the world are disappearing." This site provides information on frog life cycles and reproduction, environmental concerns, details on various species (including poisonous ones), photographs, and audio files of individual species and of a frog chorus. From the American Museum of Natural History. [Librarians' Index to the Internet] 12:31:19 PM Google It!    [Pulp and paper industry] Environmental Paper Network Web site for a "group of environmental organizations joined together to support socially and environmentally sustainable transformations within the pulp and paper industry." Features fact sheets, statistics, reports, and other material on responsible fiber sourcing and endangered forests, recycled paper, and clean production technologies (such as chlorine-free bleaching and pulping) to reduce pollution. Includes a glossary and links to related organizations. [Librarians' Index to the Internet] 12:30:38 PM Google It!    [Environmental management] New Article on ChemAlliance: "What's Ahead in Environmental Management for 2005?" ChemAlliance recently spoke with contacts in various government agencies and trade associations to determine what regulatory developments, management trends, and “hot” issues will be facing environmental managers in 2005. While no significant “new” issues are expected in 2005, development of a plan for allocating resources still remains critical in order for companies to properly manage their environmental compliance. From the Clear Skies Initiative and chemical safety to security, innovation to sustainability, Cynthia Challener discusses the topics that are most on environmental managers’ minds this year. [ChemAlliance Environmental News] 12:29:34 PM Google It!    [Alternative fuels] State of Illinois to Invest in E-85 Fuel Stations Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced today that $500,000 in Opportunity Returns funding is now available to establish new E-85 facilities at retail gasoline outlets in Illinois. [ENN Business Headlines] 12:11:32 PM Google It!

© Copyright 2005 Laura L. Barnes. Last update: 10/25/2005; 12:09:40 PM.