http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/49948/story.htm
SWITZERLAND: August 26, 2008
ZURICH - Swiss campaigners launched a bid on Monday to ban off-roaders, SUVs and gas-guzzling executive and sports cars, winning enough support for a referendum.
The Young Green party said on Monday in a statement, it had turned in 120,000 verified signatures gathered in support of a referendum, to be held within 18 months.
A spokesman for the Federal Chancellery said it will now check the signatures, although the 100,000 valid signatures necessary to call a referendum "should easily have been surpassed".
"Our initiative slows global warming, protects cyclists, pedestrians and children, stops the arms race on the streets..., reduces pollution and is still reasonable," the initiators said on their website.
The initiators want all new cars to emit less than 250g of carbon dioxide (CO2) per kilometre, and diesel engines to be equipped with particle filters.
Furthermore, new cars should weigh less than 2.2 tonnes and have a safer front in order to protect pedestrians.
Cars which do not fit these criteria but are already registered should have a speed limit of 100 km/h, the initiators propose.
Various European countries have introduced higher taxes to penalise pollution, hitting sales of cars such as SUVs.
(Reporting by Andrew Thompson in Zurich)
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
China bans plastic bags - will save 37 million barrels of oil per year
China's Plastic Bag Ban Will Save 37 Million Barrels of Oil
By Olivia Zaleski
1.9.2008
China has never been considered an environmental role model. Given a population of 1.3 billion, unprecedented carbon emissions and a slew of recent lead-toy scandals, many would say the country stands as a — if not the — prime example of environmental failure.
Yet, in a bolt from the blue, it looks like the red has embraced green.
Yesterday, China’s State Council put a nationwide ban on plastic bags. The cabinet has demanded all stores (from major supermarkets to small shops) go plastic bag-free after June 1.
According to the Daily Mail, China uses more plastic bags than any other country. China squanders 37 million barrels of crude oil on plastic bag production every year. The nationwide ban will no doubt help correct China’s tarnished image, especially before the Beijing Olympic Games.
With nations from Ireland to Uganda — and now China — topping the bag-ban list, lets hope the United States will make moves to follow the trend.
More at: http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/china-plastic-bags-47010907
By Olivia Zaleski
1.9.2008
China has never been considered an environmental role model. Given a population of 1.3 billion, unprecedented carbon emissions and a slew of recent lead-toy scandals, many would say the country stands as a — if not the — prime example of environmental failure.
Yet, in a bolt from the blue, it looks like the red has embraced green.
Yesterday, China’s State Council put a nationwide ban on plastic bags. The cabinet has demanded all stores (from major supermarkets to small shops) go plastic bag-free after June 1.
According to the Daily Mail, China uses more plastic bags than any other country. China squanders 37 million barrels of crude oil on plastic bag production every year. The nationwide ban will no doubt help correct China’s tarnished image, especially before the Beijing Olympic Games.
With nations from Ireland to Uganda — and now China — topping the bag-ban list, lets hope the United States will make moves to follow the trend.
More at: http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/china-plastic-bags-47010907
London To Ban Bottled Water At City-Run Facilities, Toronto Next?
London To Ban Bottled Water At City-Run Facilities, Toronto Next?
Tuesday August 19, 2008
CityNews.ca Staff
The bottled water backlash is alive and well in Ontario and on Monday the City of London demonstrated as much by becoming the latest Canadian municipality to hatch plans to eliminate the popular products.
The London city council has voted to stop the sale of bottled water at all city-run facilities including office buildings, arenas and community centres and possibly even golf courses.
In fairness the restrictions will be phased in over the next few months and will only apply to buildings appropriately equipped with drinking fountains, but the change could have serious implications for cities like Toronto, where movements to oppose bottled water have long been afoot.
The once-trendy treat has come under heavy fire of late, and London joins school boards in Toronto, Ottawa, Waterloo and Vancouver in its efforts to restrict the packaged H2O.
At the centre of the matter are concerns relating to the fossil fuels used to produce and transport the plastic bottles, which for their part end up in landfills by the millions. Torontonians alone are estimated to consume 100 million bottles of water each year. Roughly 65 per cent of those are recycled, but the rest - 35 million or so - wind up on the trash heap.
More at: http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_25960.aspx
Tuesday August 19, 2008
CityNews.ca Staff
The bottled water backlash is alive and well in Ontario and on Monday the City of London demonstrated as much by becoming the latest Canadian municipality to hatch plans to eliminate the popular products.
The London city council has voted to stop the sale of bottled water at all city-run facilities including office buildings, arenas and community centres and possibly even golf courses.
In fairness the restrictions will be phased in over the next few months and will only apply to buildings appropriately equipped with drinking fountains, but the change could have serious implications for cities like Toronto, where movements to oppose bottled water have long been afoot.
The once-trendy treat has come under heavy fire of late, and London joins school boards in Toronto, Ottawa, Waterloo and Vancouver in its efforts to restrict the packaged H2O.
At the centre of the matter are concerns relating to the fossil fuels used to produce and transport the plastic bottles, which for their part end up in landfills by the millions. Torontonians alone are estimated to consume 100 million bottles of water each year. Roughly 65 per cent of those are recycled, but the rest - 35 million or so - wind up on the trash heap.
More at: http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_25960.aspx
Monday, August 11, 2008
SF Mayor Signs Toughest Green-Building Law
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom on Monday signed a law that analysts consider to be the nation’s toughest green-building standards.
The standards set out to improve energy efficiency in new and existing buildings to help achieve the city’s goal of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. Greentech Media in July wrote that Newsom had expected to sign the standards in the first week of August (see San Francisco to Boost Small Wind).
The new ordinance modifies the city’s building code, requiring applicants for residential and commercial building permits to follow a city-approved checklist and rating system, such as one created by the nonprofit Build It Green or the ratings system created by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (also known as LEED). Companies would also be required to obtain certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The new ordinance requires applicants to include separate and adequate storage and collection for recyclables, and to reduce the use of potable water for landscaping by 50 percent. The ordinance also governs storm-water management, construction-material recycling and the use of renewable energy.
More at http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/sf-mayor-signs-tough-green-building-bill-1225.html
The standards set out to improve energy efficiency in new and existing buildings to help achieve the city’s goal of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. Greentech Media in July wrote that Newsom had expected to sign the standards in the first week of August (see San Francisco to Boost Small Wind).
The new ordinance modifies the city’s building code, requiring applicants for residential and commercial building permits to follow a city-approved checklist and rating system, such as one created by the nonprofit Build It Green or the ratings system created by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (also known as LEED). Companies would also be required to obtain certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The new ordinance requires applicants to include separate and adequate storage and collection for recyclables, and to reduce the use of potable water for landscaping by 50 percent. The ordinance also governs storm-water management, construction-material recycling and the use of renewable energy.
More at http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/sf-mayor-signs-tough-green-building-bill-1225.html
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Climate concerns halt coal plant
Coal produces about 30% of US greenhouse gas emissions
The US state of Georgia has blocked construction of a new coal-fired power station because of concerns over its carbon dioxide emissions.
Environmentalists welcomed the news, and predict the decision will lead to reconsideration of many coal power plants under development in the US.
The judge cited a decision by the Supreme Court last year which issued a ruling recognising CO2 as a pollutant.
This is the first court judgement on an industrial plant based on that ruling.
Earlier this year, Georgia's Department of Natural Resources issued a permit allowing the Dynegy company to begin construction of its Longleaf coal plant.
But Fulton County Superior Court Judge Thelma Wyatt Cummings Moore has now halted construction of the 1,200 megawatt facility, ruling that the permit should have set limits on carbon emissions.
Coal plants across the country will be forced to live up to their clean coal rhetoric Bruce Nilles, Sierra Club
She based her decision on the 2007 federal Supreme Court judgement that ended several years of legal disgreements by ruling that carbon dioxide, the most important gas in the human-induced greenhouse effect, should be regarded as a pollutant under the US Clean Air Act.
Dynegy is the largest coal plant developer in the US, with more proposed new coal plants than any other company.
Major emissions
Environmentalists believe the decision will influence the building of power plants across the US.
Bruce Nilles, director of the Sierra Club, said the decision marked a change in global warming regulation in the US because coal plants would now have to take into account their CO2 impacts.
"Coal-fired power plants emit more than 30% of our nation's global warming pollution," he said.
"Thanks to this decision, coal plants across the country will be forced to live up to their clean coal rhetoric."
Coal is a particular target for environmental campaigners
The Fulton County court is the first to apply a ruling of this nature under the Clean Air Act, although last year, Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius rejected a new coal plant on the grounds that global warming is a threat to public health and agriculture.
The developers of the $2 billion Longleaf plant plan to appeal to a state appeals court, and say they are still committed to the project.
Scott Segal, director of the Electric Reliability Coordinating Council, a Washington based industry organisation, said the judges assumptions "do not square with the facts or the law".
"The Georgia state court has written an opinion fully in uncharted territory," he told the Reuters news agency.
More coal plants are now under construction in the US than at any time in the last 20 years.
The Sierra Club anticipates that the ruling will accelerate moves to produce a strong federal bill to protect the climate.
The US state of Georgia has blocked construction of a new coal-fired power station because of concerns over its carbon dioxide emissions.
Environmentalists welcomed the news, and predict the decision will lead to reconsideration of many coal power plants under development in the US.
The judge cited a decision by the Supreme Court last year which issued a ruling recognising CO2 as a pollutant.
This is the first court judgement on an industrial plant based on that ruling.
Earlier this year, Georgia's Department of Natural Resources issued a permit allowing the Dynegy company to begin construction of its Longleaf coal plant.
But Fulton County Superior Court Judge Thelma Wyatt Cummings Moore has now halted construction of the 1,200 megawatt facility, ruling that the permit should have set limits on carbon emissions.
Coal plants across the country will be forced to live up to their clean coal rhetoric Bruce Nilles, Sierra Club
She based her decision on the 2007 federal Supreme Court judgement that ended several years of legal disgreements by ruling that carbon dioxide, the most important gas in the human-induced greenhouse effect, should be regarded as a pollutant under the US Clean Air Act.
Dynegy is the largest coal plant developer in the US, with more proposed new coal plants than any other company.
Major emissions
Environmentalists believe the decision will influence the building of power plants across the US.
Bruce Nilles, director of the Sierra Club, said the decision marked a change in global warming regulation in the US because coal plants would now have to take into account their CO2 impacts.
"Coal-fired power plants emit more than 30% of our nation's global warming pollution," he said.
"Thanks to this decision, coal plants across the country will be forced to live up to their clean coal rhetoric."
Coal is a particular target for environmental campaigners
The Fulton County court is the first to apply a ruling of this nature under the Clean Air Act, although last year, Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius rejected a new coal plant on the grounds that global warming is a threat to public health and agriculture.
The developers of the $2 billion Longleaf plant plan to appeal to a state appeals court, and say they are still committed to the project.
Scott Segal, director of the Electric Reliability Coordinating Council, a Washington based industry organisation, said the judges assumptions "do not square with the facts or the law".
"The Georgia state court has written an opinion fully in uncharted territory," he told the Reuters news agency.
More coal plants are now under construction in the US than at any time in the last 20 years.
The Sierra Club anticipates that the ruling will accelerate moves to produce a strong federal bill to protect the climate.
Henry Morgentaler named to Order of Canada
Tue. Jul. 1 2008 5:29 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
The Governor General's Office announced Tuesday abortion rights activist Dr. Henry Morgentaler has been named to the Order of Canada.
Morgentaler is among 75 Canadians appointed for one of Canada's highest honours. The appointments -- which went into effect in April -- also include former prime minister Kim Campbell, former New Brunswick premier Frank McKenna, and former Vancouver mayor Philip Owen.
The Governor General's website states that Morgentaler was made a member of the Order of Canada for "his commitment to increased health care options for women, his determined efforts to influence Canadian public policy and his leadership in humanist and civil liberties organizations."
Morgentaler has been a controversial figure for decades, playing a key role in striking down Canada's abortion laws in 1988. He had been openly performing illegal abortions -- which had been only allowed on limited terms in some hospitals -- since the late 1960s. He now runs clinics across Canada.
While some consider Morgentaler a hero for his legal and political battles on behalf of abortion and women's rights, many anti-abortion activists consider him undeserving of one of Canada's most prestigious honours.
Feminist author Judy Rebick said Morgentaler's appointment was long over due.
"Certainly most women believe this is a huge victory, and he put his liberty and his life on the line to win it, and I think that should be recognized," she said.
"The abortion debate is over in this country, the pro-choice side won, and Dr. Morgentaler was a big part of that victory."
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080701/morgentaler_order_080701/20080701?hub=CTVNewsAt11
CTV.ca News Staff
The Governor General's Office announced Tuesday abortion rights activist Dr. Henry Morgentaler has been named to the Order of Canada.
Morgentaler is among 75 Canadians appointed for one of Canada's highest honours. The appointments -- which went into effect in April -- also include former prime minister Kim Campbell, former New Brunswick premier Frank McKenna, and former Vancouver mayor Philip Owen.
The Governor General's website states that Morgentaler was made a member of the Order of Canada for "his commitment to increased health care options for women, his determined efforts to influence Canadian public policy and his leadership in humanist and civil liberties organizations."
Morgentaler has been a controversial figure for decades, playing a key role in striking down Canada's abortion laws in 1988. He had been openly performing illegal abortions -- which had been only allowed on limited terms in some hospitals -- since the late 1960s. He now runs clinics across Canada.
While some consider Morgentaler a hero for his legal and political battles on behalf of abortion and women's rights, many anti-abortion activists consider him undeserving of one of Canada's most prestigious honours.
Feminist author Judy Rebick said Morgentaler's appointment was long over due.
"Certainly most women believe this is a huge victory, and he put his liberty and his life on the line to win it, and I think that should be recognized," she said.
"The abortion debate is over in this country, the pro-choice side won, and Dr. Morgentaler was a big part of that victory."
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080701/morgentaler_order_080701/20080701?hub=CTVNewsAt11
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Protect God's creation: Vatican issues new green message for world's Catholics
· Pope addresses climate change conference · US church leaders lobby Bush on global warming
John Vidal and Tom Kington in Rome
The Guardian,
Friday April 27, 2007
An Arctic coastline yesterday where the sea is usually still frozen at this time of year. The Vatican has added its voice to concerns over global warming. Photograph: Francois Lenoir/ReutersThe Vatican yesterday added its voice to a rising chorus of warnings from churches around the world that climate change and abuse of the environment is against God's will, and that the one billion-strong Catholic church must become far greener.
At a Vatican conference on climate change, Pope Benedict urged bishops, scientists and politicians - including UK environment secretary David Miliband - to "respect creation" while "focusing on the needs of sustainable development".
The Pope's message follows a series of increasingly strong statements about climate change and the environment, including a warning earlier this year that "disregard for the environment always harms human coexistence, and vice versa".
Observers said yesterday that the Catholic church is no longer split between those who advocate development and those who say the environment is the priority. Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, head of the Pontifical Council of Justice and Peace, said: "For environment ... read Creation. The mastery of man over Creation must not be despotic or senseless. Man must cultivate and safeguard God's Creation."
More at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/apr/27/catholicism.religion
John Vidal and Tom Kington in Rome
The Guardian,
Friday April 27, 2007
An Arctic coastline yesterday where the sea is usually still frozen at this time of year. The Vatican has added its voice to concerns over global warming. Photograph: Francois Lenoir/ReutersThe Vatican yesterday added its voice to a rising chorus of warnings from churches around the world that climate change and abuse of the environment is against God's will, and that the one billion-strong Catholic church must become far greener.
At a Vatican conference on climate change, Pope Benedict urged bishops, scientists and politicians - including UK environment secretary David Miliband - to "respect creation" while "focusing on the needs of sustainable development".
The Pope's message follows a series of increasingly strong statements about climate change and the environment, including a warning earlier this year that "disregard for the environment always harms human coexistence, and vice versa".
Observers said yesterday that the Catholic church is no longer split between those who advocate development and those who say the environment is the priority. Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, head of the Pontifical Council of Justice and Peace, said: "For environment ... read Creation. The mastery of man over Creation must not be despotic or senseless. Man must cultivate and safeguard God's Creation."
More at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/apr/27/catholicism.religion
UK plans big wind power expansion
Gordon Brown hails a 'green revolution'
Thousands of new wind turbines could be built across the UK over the coming decade as part of a £100bn plan to boost renewable energy.Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the UK should be a leader in renewable energy.
But he warned it would not come from "business as usual" and he called for a national debate on achieving the UK's target of 15% renewable energy by 2020.
The Tories said that Labour was coming round to "our vision". The Lib Dems said Mr Brown "doesn't do green".
In a speech earlier, Mr Brown said the government's plans represented the "most dramatic change in our energy policy since the advent of nuclear power".
Increasing our renewable energy sources in these ways, on this scale, will require national purpose and a shared national endeavour Prime Minister Gordon Brown
"The North Sea has now passed its peak of oil and gas supply - but it will now embark on a new transformation into the global centre of the offshore wind industry.
'Inevitable' changes
Under the government's plans an extra 4,000 onshore and 3,000 offshore turbines will be needed, impacting on communities, business and the government.
Ministers say visible changes to landscapes, towns and cities are "inevitable" but in his speech Mr Brown promised local communities wind turbines would be sited in the "right" locations.
More at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7474592.stm
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
California set for summer of love as court reverses gay marriage ban
Businesses and city halls gear up for rush to tie knot · State is first to marry gay couples from anywhere
Dan Glaister in Los Angeles
The Guardian,
Tuesday June 17, 2008
Four years ago nearly 4,000 gay couples were married in San Francisco, only to find their unions annulled by the state's supreme court within months. But from yesterday many of those same couples, and thousands more, were expected to take advantage of the court's latest ruling permitting gay partners to become "spouses for life".
The ruling was due to come into force at 5.01pm yesterday, barring further legal challenges. Several counties and cities planned to keep their clerk's offices open late to hold the first ceremonies.
The mayor of San Francisco, Gavin Newsome, who jumped the gun four years ago by issuing marriage licences to same-sex couples, will again officiate at a ceremony at the city hall. His first act will be to marry the couple he first joined together four years ago, Phyllis Lyon, 84, and Del
Martin, 87, a lesbian couple who have been partners for 55 years.
More than 600 same-sex couples have booked ceremonies at the city hall in the next 10 days, with 165 scheduled for today.
More at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jun/17/gayrights.usa
Dan Glaister in Los Angeles
The Guardian,
Tuesday June 17, 2008
Four years ago nearly 4,000 gay couples were married in San Francisco, only to find their unions annulled by the state's supreme court within months. But from yesterday many of those same couples, and thousands more, were expected to take advantage of the court's latest ruling permitting gay partners to become "spouses for life".
The ruling was due to come into force at 5.01pm yesterday, barring further legal challenges. Several counties and cities planned to keep their clerk's offices open late to hold the first ceremonies.
The mayor of San Francisco, Gavin Newsome, who jumped the gun four years ago by issuing marriage licences to same-sex couples, will again officiate at a ceremony at the city hall. His first act will be to marry the couple he first joined together four years ago, Phyllis Lyon, 84, and Del
Martin, 87, a lesbian couple who have been partners for 55 years.
More than 600 same-sex couples have booked ceremonies at the city hall in the next 10 days, with 165 scheduled for today.
More at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jun/17/gayrights.usa
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