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Friday, December 30, 2005
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Science Education
Source: Thomas B. Fordham Institute
The State of State Science Standards 2005
"Science education in America is under attack, with "discovery learning" on one flank and the Discovery Institute on the other. That's the core finding of our just-released comprehensive review of state science standards, the first since 2000. Written by pre-eminent biologist Paul R. Gross, The State of State Science Standards finds that even though the majority of states have reworked, or crafted from scratch, their science standards over the past five years, we're no better off now than before. That's the bad news. The good news is that many of the standards are easily fixed. More involvement by bench scientists, and better editing, could greatly improve what's out there. Plus, there are a number of excellent models to follow (California, Massachusetts, and South Carolina, for example). The public's anxiety about the future of our nation's scientific prowess is palpable and reasonable. How serious are we in addressing their concerns? To find out, read the report." Individual state reports available. [ResourceShelf's DocuTicker]
12:30:22 PM Google It! 
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Performance problems that led to a three-week suspension of Minnesota's biodiesel requirement confirmed fears of researchers who studied the soybean blended fuel years ago. [Source: AP via Duluth News Tribune]
12:27:47 PM Google It!
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Source: Environmental Science & Technology News, 12/21/05. Research posted recently on ES&T's Research ASAP website (10.1021/es0509836) describes how, in one elegant step, selected bacteria can recover precious metals from industrial waste solutions and deposit them as nanocrystal catalysts on their cell surfaces. By using the metal-covered biomass to clean up toxic chromium wastes, the researchers demonstrated the approach's potential as a sustainable technology. [Great Lakes Pollution Prevention Roundtable (GLRPPR) News]
12:19:15 PM Google It!
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Source: Environmental Science & Technology News, 12/28/05. When it rains, it pours—and that's the problem for scientists and engineers working in the field of storm-water management. But a study posted today on ES&T's Research ASAP website (10.1021/es051644f) confirms the effectiveness of rain gardens, an increasingly popular—and aesthetically pleasing—technique for reducing the flow of common pollutants after storms in cities and suburbs. Authors Michael Dietz and John Clausen of the University of Connecticut also show how a simple design modification can enhance rain gardens' ability to treat the polluted rainwater flowing off roofs. The authors hope that their results will help contribute to the growing acceptance of rain gardens by developers and homeowners. [Great Lakes Pollution Prevention Roundtable (GLRPPR) News]
12:17:04 PM Google It!
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Source: Canadian Renewable Fuels Association, 12/21/05. TORONTO, ONTARIO (Dec 21, 2005) – The Canadian Renewable Fuels Association today commended the Conservative of Canada for its election commitment to implement a "Renewable Fuel Standard" requiring a 5% renewable fuel content on average in Canadian transportation fuel. [Great Lakes Pollution Prevention Roundtable (GLRPPR) News]
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Ten new green energy projects have been named as best in the UK for leading the way in cutting carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy. [Environmental Health News]
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What is needed is to provide and enhance skills and knowledge in organic farming. Research in organic agriculture must develop the tools necessary for understanding complex interactions at different systems levels. [Environmental Health News]
11:28:44 AM Google It!
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The Department of Energy has been quietly working on a grand plan for nuclear power to be included in next year's budget. Ideas for the Global Nuclear Energy Initiative include reprocessing nuclear fuel so it can be re-used in reactors -- a process the United States abandoned earlier. [NPR Topics: Environment]
11:27:15 AM Google It!
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With European nations struggling to keep their promised targets under the Kyoto Protocol for greenhouse gas emissions, U.S. firms are set to cash in on the increased attention on renewable energies. [UPI via Monsters & Critics.com]
11:24:00 AM Google It!
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If Tim Toben has his way, some Chapel Hill residents could soon be waking up beneath grass-covered rooftops in terraced nine-story towers angled specially to soak up the solar heat. They'll take showers using water warmed by the sun's rays and be able to dash downstairs to pick up a half-gallon of organic milk for breakfast. [Source: Raleigh (NC) News & Observer]
11:12:48 AM Google It!
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On a blazing day last July at his farm west of Spokane, Fred Fleming placed a machine that looks like a meat grinder the size of a truck engine on a concrete slab and started dumping tiny canola seeds into the top. [Source: Seattle Times]
11:07:06 AM Google It!
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Willie Nelson drives a Mercedes. But do not lose faith, true believers. The exhaust from Mr. Nelson's diesel-powered Mercedes smells like peanuts, or French fries, or whatever alternative fuel happens to be in his tank. [Source: New York Times]
11:04:49 AM Google It!
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Recent soaring energy costs have created intense interest in non-petroleum-based energy sources. One alternative fuel source, biodiesel, offers a homegrown solution for the diesel engine industry. For test providers, the testing associated with diesel engine efficiency and emission particulates could translate into a windfall. [Source: Layover.com]
11:00:35 AM Google It!
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Farmers can count on improving technology and some help from the federal government to ensure a bright future in renewable fuels, according to an economist speaking here last week at a conference. Vernon Eidman, a professor of economics at the University of Minnesota, told participants reaching a demand goal of 25 billion gallons of ethanol by the year 2025 is possible. [Source: AgriNews]
10:58:13 AM Google It!
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Those who argue it takes more energy to produce ethanol than the fuel itself generates are absolutely right, according to Robert Brown. But, the Iowa State professor added, the same is true for all other forms of energy, including gasoline, electricity and natural gas. [Source: AgriNews]
10:55:07 AM Google It!
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Source: GreenBiz.com, 12/30/05. In an industry first, Ford Motor Company has issued a report addressing the business implications of climate change, carbon dioxide emissions and global energy concerns. The report addresses how concerns about emissions of greenhouse gases, including CO2, are linked to other factors affecting the business; the steps the company is taking to manage the risks and capture opportunities associated with climate change; and the market, policy, social and technological enablers required to achieve significant changes in the industry's carbon footprint. [Great Lakes Pollution Prevention Roundtable (GLRPPR) News]
10:41:16 AM Google It!
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Source: Royal Philips Electronics via CSR Wire, 12/27/05. Marking the switch from traditional lighting to advanced, environmentally responsible solid-state lighting (SSL), Royal Philips Electronic (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI), will usher in 2006 by sponsoring a charity auction of the light bulbs used to illuminate the New Year's Eve Ball above Times Square. One-hundred percent of the winning bid on the auction will benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The charity auction, part of the company's "Next Year is brought to you by Philips" advertising campaign, will take place from Dec. 30, 2005 to Jan. 6, 2006. Beginning in December 2006, Philips will light the New Year's Ball with solid-state or LEDs. [Great Lakes Pollution Prevention Roundtable (GLRPPR) News]
10:39:14 AM Google It!
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Source: Des Moines Register, 12/29/05. Geothermal systems, also called ground source heat pumps, use the Earth's relatively constant underground temperature as a heating source. These systems have been around for decades and are now common in many schools. With natural gas prices climbing, heat pump installers say they've seen growing residential interest in geothermal energy. [Great Lakes Pollution Prevention Roundtable (GLRPPR) News]
10:38:06 AM Google It!
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Article discussing the benefits of hybrid cars and alternative fuels in PC Magazine.
9:29:27 AM Google It!
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Contact: Enesta Jones, 202-564-4355 / jones.enesta@epa.gov
(Washington, D.C.-Dec. 29, 2005) To reduce lead poisonings in children across the country, EPA is proposing new requirements for contractors and construction professionals when working in homes that contain lead-based paint.
"Under President Bush's leadership, we are addressing one of the greatest environmental challenges facing our most vulnerable residents: childhood lead poisoning,'' said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "Today's action brings us one step closer to ensuring that our nation's children are safe and healthy.''
Lead is a highly toxic metal that was used for many years in paint. Lead can cause a range of health effects, from cognitive impairment and learning disabilities, to seizures and death. Children under six years are most at risk because their developing nervous systems are especially vulnerable to lead's effects and because of their more frequent hand-to-mouth behavior.
Preventing the creation of new lead-based paint hazards from renovation activities in housing where children under six reside is one purpose of this proposed regulation. EPA's analysis indicates that renovation, repair and painting projects in housing that is likely to contain lead-based paint affects more than 1.1 million children under age six annually. In the absence of this regulation, lead-safe practices are not likely to be employed to perform the renovation projects.
EPA is proposing that contractors must be trained in the use of lead-safe work practices, renovators and firms be certified, providers of renovation training be accredited, and renovators follow protective work practice standards. These work practices include posting warning signs, restricting occupants from work areas, arranging work areas to prevent dust and debris from spreading, conducting a thorough cleanup, and verifying that cleanup was effective.
The rules would apply to all persons who do renovation for compensation, including renovation contractors, maintenance workers in multi-family housing, painters and other specialty trades. The new requirements would apply to most renovation, repair or painting activities where more than two square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed.
EPA is proposing a two-phased approach. The first phase would apply to renovations in rental and owner-occupied housing built before 1978 where a child with an elevated blood lead level resides, in rental housing built before 1960, and owner-occupied housing built before 1960 where children under six reside. The second phase, to start a year after the first one takes effect, would apply to renovations covered in the first stage plus renovations in rental housing built between 1960 and 1978. The second stage also would apply to owner-occupied housing built between 1960 and 1978 where children under six reside.
In 1978, there were three to four million children with elevated blood lead levels in the United States. Significant progress has been made to reduce lead poisonings. As of 2002, an estimated 310,000 children had elevated levels of lead in their blood, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While the Consumer Products Safety Commission banned lead-based paint for residential use in 1978, more than 38 million homes in the United States still contain some lead-based paint. Two-thirds of the houses built before 1960 contain lead-based paint.
This proposal is one component of a comprehensive program that will also include training and an education and outreach campaign to promote lead-safe work practices. EPA will take public comment for 90 days following publication of the proposal in the Federal Register. For more information or to obtain copies of the proposal and supporting materials, visit: http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm.
9:26:22 AM Google It!
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© Copyright
2006
Laura L. Barnes.
Last update:
1/11/2006; 3:14:28 PM.
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