California Sues the EPA over Emission Standards!

California (TGW) – California sued the Environmental Protection Agency Thursday, demanding that the state be allowed to limit greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.

"California is ready to implement the nation's cleanest standards for vehicle emissions, but we cannot do that until the federal government grants a waiver allowing us to enforce those standards," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said.

The suit follows a 2005 law that requires strict emissions standards.

California needs a waiver from the federal government because it wants to impose stricter standards than those of the federal government.

If the EPA denies the waiver, "we sue again, and sue again, and sue again until we get it," Schwarzenegger said.

The federal agency "has unreasonably delayed action on the requested waiver," according to the lawsuit. "Automotive emissions of greenhouse gases are increasing more rapidly than any other source," the lawsuit said. "The longer the delay in reducing these emissions, the more costly and harmful will be the impact on California."

"We're less than two months away and clearly California is more interested in getting a good headline than in giving us the time to make a good decision," an EPA spokeswoman said.

16 other states are considering or have already adopted laws similar to California’s, and many have joined the lawsuit.

"We are filling the void left by the Bush Administration's refusal to protect the environment," New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said in a statement.

"If the federal government won't lead on this critical issue, it should get out of the way of states like New York that are moving forward with sensible steps to address the climate crisis."

Via :: Reuters

In Case of Fire (pic)

The outrageousness of climate 'skeptics':

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Car Powered by Chocolate!

Africa (TGW) – Eat chocolate, help the environment and fight global warming.

British firm Ecotec has developed a process in which waste from chocolate producing factories is used to make biofuels.



Waste will be used to power the BioTruck, which will depart on November 26 from England to drive to Africa.

"The chocolate waste used to be used in landfill. But now we can make it travel as biofuel," said organizer Andy Pag who will be one of the two drivers on the trip.

"This is to show that you can have environmentally-friendly biofuels and that you don't have to convert normal diesel engines to use it," Pag said.

Sadly, the car’s exhaust does not smell of chocolate. "No! I'm afraid the exhaust doesn't smell of chocolate," said Pag.

Via :: Reuters

Experts: Global Warming Should be Treated as a Health Issue

Washington (TGW) – Global warming should be treated as a health issue, experts said at a meeting of the America Public Health Association.

Big emitters like the U.S. and China are especially vulnerable.

"There is ... an issue of disproportional vulnerability," Jonathan Patz of the University of Wisconsin said at a news conference. "But ... in the industrialized world, because we live in a globalized economy, an increase in disease anywhere in the world really puts everyone at risk."

Health hazards related to global warming include severe heat, severe droughts, increased smog, and more severe storms.

"Climate change is one of the most serious public health threats facing our nation," said Dr. Georges Benjamin, the association's executive director. "Yet few Americans are aware of the very real consequences of climate change on the health of our communities, our families and our children."

Via :: Reuters

Paradise Threatened by Global Warming

Maldives (TGW) – The President of the islands nation Maldives, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, called for urgent action against climate change.

The majority of the 1200 islands that make up Maldives are no more than 1 meter above sea level.

"Never in our documented history have so many islands been affected to such an extent. These surges were a grim reminder of the devastating tsunami of 2004 and a clear warning of future disasters," Gayoom said at a conference on development and climate change in Lisbon.

The U.N. estimates 40% of the world’s population lives on the coast.

Via :: Reuters

British Royal Family: Global Warming 'Most important issue facing us'

U.K. (TGW) – Even the British royal family is worried about global warming.

After the Queen of England’s speech yesterday, which announced a climate change bill, Prince Charles reiterated his climate concerns at the Prince of Wales's Business Summit on Climate Change.



He warned that the evidence of climate change is "frightening" and "alarming".

"Doing nothing is simply not an option - it can't be any more, because of the urgency of the situation," he said.

"It must surely be clear by now that the longer we leave it before taking effective action, the more dire the situation will become and the more desperate the measures that will be needed."

"This really is the most important issue facing us as a society and as a species.

"Because, let's be clear, our planet will survive a high degree of climate change.

"Planets do survive. But only one planet, as far as we know, currently has the very precise conditions our species needs to survive. This is the problem.

"Make no mistake about it; we are well on the way to destroying those conditions, and making our planet uninhabitable."

He finished by saying, "This is not about saving the planet. Actually, it's about saving us. That is where each and every one of us has a responsibility to do what we can."

Via :: BBC

British Mega Retailer to Implement Tax on Plastic Bags - Why Can't U.S. do the Same?

UK (TGW) – The mega retailer Marks and Spencers will introduce a 5p charge for plastic grocery bags, the company said this week.

The move follows a successful trial in North Ireland, where plastic bag usage dropped 66%. In the Republic of Ireland, there is a flat plastic bag tax which has led to a 90% reduction in plastic bag use.

"Our initial trial in Northern Ireland has shown us that introducing charging does make customers think twice about the number of bags they use," chief executive Stuart Rose said.

The company plans to first begin with the charge in 33 of its South London stores.

For the first three weeks of the trial, free M&S Bags for Life will be given away.

Via :: Guardian

A Solar Market Bubble?

Japan (TGW) - The world’s number 2 maker of polycrystalline silicon is warning of a possible solar bubble.

The solar market has been expanding rapidly, with the price of silicon rising as well. Solar panel shortages are common because of the same shortage of silicon.

"Demand for solar power will grow, but we really don't know by how much," Managing Director Yukio Muranaga said. "It's too early to commit to more investment at this stage."

But the company is researching a new process that will aid them tremendously: vapor-to-liquid deposition.

"We are looking five years, 10 years ahead," he said, saying governments are likely to need to balance their environmental policies. "Solar cells require charcoal, which comes from trees. Producing too many solar cells means deforestation and that just defeats the purpose of green energy."

Via :: Reuters

Steamroller Crushes 10,000 Energy Inefficient Lightbulbs

This happened a couple of months ago (April), but it's still pretty cool:

Steamroller Crushes 10,000 Energy Inefficient Lightbulbs

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Oil Watch: 10/29/2007 - 11/03/2007 - Prices, Causes, and Effects

Closing price: $95.93 per barrel.
National gas average: $2.97

Prices continue to rise…

Cause(s):
1. Weak dollar (again)
A lower dollar makes oil cheaper in countries that use other currencies.
2. Nigerian output disruptions (again)
A rebel attack struck an oil rig. (again)
3. Shortage fears
Investors fear winter shortages

Effect(s):
Gas prices slowly rising, along with heating oil prices.

New York may Take Action Against Plastic Bags

New York (TGW) – New York may soon begin cracking down on plastic bags in large retailers.

A proposed law introduced Monday requires stores larger than 5,000 square feet to set up an in-store recycling program and sell reusable bags. Stores would be required to use bags printed with a reminder to consumers: "Please return this bag to a participating store for recycling."


Approximately 700 food stores plus large retailers would have to comply with this law.

"We think this strikes the right balance between conscience and convenience," said Councilman Peter Vallone, a co-sponsor of the bill, which needs approval from the city council and environmentally minded Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Even though plastic bags are horrible for the environment, millions are used every day.

Via :: Reuters

IBM to Recycle Silicon to Aid the Silicon Shortage of the Solar Industry

New York (TGW) – IBM said this week it has developed a silicon wafer recycling system.

It estimates that the silicon from the discarded wafers could generate 13.5 megawatts of solar energy.

This comes as a relief to the solar power industry, which, with grow, has caused a refined silicon shortage.

"One of the challenges facing the solar industry is a severe shortage of silicon, which threatens to stall its rapid growth," Charles Bai, chief financial officer of Chinese solar company ReneSola, said in a statement about the IBM recycling. "This is why we have turned to reclaimed silicon materials sourced primarily from the semiconductor industry to supply the raw material our company needs."

Via :: Reuters