BREAKING: Senators Boxer and Sanders Introduce Climate Legislation.
On vacation we do not consider the environment
Although many of us think of to make environmentally friendly choices in everyday life, when it comes to the holiday we prioritize other things.
Most tourists opt out of taking the green option when it comes to travel planning, especially regarding the mode of transport they use.
– Many people think of the environment in their everyday lives, for example they recycle, cycle or take public transportation to work and choosing organic foods – but when it comes to the holiday, it may seem that they do not want to take responsibility for the environment, but other things may control decisions, says Therese Hedlund ..
“Feels far away”
Her study shows that our decisions are more often based on individual, rather than the collective benefits when it comes to travel.
– For example flying is a quick and convenient way to get around when you have time constraints or are traveling with children, but the negative environmental impacts will affect us collectively. These negative feelings feel far away when we are making the decision, says Therese Hedlund.
Ironically tourists are also not willing to pay for an environmentally-friendly tour operator when considering the mode of transport to get to their destination, will however consider an environmentally-friendly, and often more expensive, accommodations at the resort.
– By choosing an eco-labelled accommodation you can show others that you are willing and able to pay for an accommodation that is more beneficial for the environment. This behaviour can provide status in today’s society, says Therese Hedlund.
ABOUT THE SURVEY
Based on a dissertation from Umeå University in Sweden that used two different surveys, one with 681, and the other with 732 response participants. The average age of the participants was 44 and 52 years, and there were equal numbers of men and women in both surveys.
Source: http://www.expressen.se/res/pa-semestern-bryr-vi-oss-inte-om-miljon/
US Environment Agency Releases First Climate Adaptation Plan
For the first time, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has publicly released a draft plan on how the department’s programmes will adapt to global warming, in a move that could lay additional groundwork…
Download the full Report here (55 pages)
via EPA.GOV
Electrifying Reading Station
FUTURE CLIMATE CHANGE NEWS
- The aim is to become one of the UK’s first climate-neutral train stations
- Electrifying key routes on the railway will mean faster, greener, quieter and more reliable journeys for thousands of passengers.
- The overall goals are pointing towards climate-and fossil fuel-free district in 2030 where carbon dioxide emissions below 1.5 tonnes per person per year by 2020
Electric trains emits circa 20-35% less carbon per passenger than a diesel train. With zero emissions at the point of use, they improve air quality in pollution hot spots such as city centres and main line stations. Electric trains are quieter than diesels and are virtually silent when waiting at stations.
Read about the progress at Reading station area development:
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/reading
An Experiment in Zero Waste | Residence on Earth
An Experiment in Zero Waste
Posted on February 6, 2013
Ever since I read Elizabeth Royte’s Garbage Land, I can’t throw away anything without thinking about the secret life of trash. Royte followed her garbage to landfills where nothing decomposes and a hotdog from 1950 looks virtually the same in 2005. I followed her to the recycling plants where enormous batches of paper are made back into pulp, and where plastic bottles find a second life as carpets or outdoor furniture. I traveled vast distances as trash from New York City is trucked to landfills as far away as West Virginia and where toxic sludge from wastewater treatment plants is spread on fields as fertilizer. Knowing that Americans generate 250 million tons of trash per year, I began an experiment last summer to see how much waste I actually produced and could divert.
Recycling was the easy part. Because I do not drink soda or bottled water, my container recycling over the course of a week was usually one or two milk and orange juice cartons, an egg carton, and various paperboard containers, aluminum cans, and plastic tubs. My paper was fairly minimal because almost all of my printing was done at work and I subscribed to no paper newspapers or magazines. However I did get a large amount of junk mail…
Green game-changers: insights for mainstreaming business innovation
Take a look through our new report that features 10 larger businesses that draw from entrepreneurial activity and are taking innovation forward at a grand scale.
This review follows on from last year’s Green Game-Changers report, which looked at small-scale sustainability innovators. The potential of these smaller players inspired this year’s review of the progress that large firms have made to adopt and scale up innovations. Within this remit we have honed in on those that have gone beyond product and process optimisation and have innovated their business models towards sustainability. Hertz, Philips, B&Q, Umicore, and Caterpillar are just a few of the companies who have spoken about their experiences.
Download the ‘Green Game-Changers’ report.
The report was produced with research from Verdantix
The Green Investment Report: The ways and means to unlock private finance for green growth
The Green Investment Report aims to inform and inspire policy-makers and public and private finance providers to close the gap in delivering inclusive, sustainable growth.
Foreword
Shaping a global economy fit for the 21st century is our greatest challenge. Such an economy in 2050 will satisfy the needs of more than 9 billion people, who will rightly demand equal opportunities for development. Delivering such inclusive development in a sustainable way, however, requires that we remain within the boundaries of what our planet can safely deliver. Economic growth and sustainability are inter-dependent, you cannot have one without the other, and greening investment is the pre-requisite to realizing both goals.
Download the report of the Green Growth Action Alliance here (40 pages)
http://reports.weforum.org/green-investing-2013/?doing_wp_cron=1359415984.7779729366302490234375
A British Energy supplier launches solar power solutions for companies in Greater Reading
FUTURE CLIMATE CHANGE NEWS
It is now offering British Energy businesses in the Greater Reading area the opportunity to buy solar power solutions. The production of one´s own electricity from the sun can be a reality for entrepreneurs. It has a range of comprehensive solutions which can help with everything from the planning to the commissioning of the plant.
– In spring 2013, we will launch our finished solar packages to residential customers in the region. We are now taking the next step in our commitment to environmentally friendly and renewable energy solutions by also offering corporate solar power, says the director of new business at British TBV-Energy.
British Energy’s offer to entrepreneurs is solution-oriented, which means that we tailor our solutions to the customer’s needs and the current real estate conditions. Customer may help all the way, from accessing it´s feasibility to the installation and commissioning of the solar system. Whether the system is integrated into the building’s facade, roof, or a more standard solution, is completely dependent on what is the most optimal and economical for the customer.
– As the next generation of energy, we want to be at the forefront of developments leading towards our vision of a sun economy – ie where all energy is directly or indirectly derived from the sun – and we believe that distributed, local production is an important step on the way, says British TVB-Energy.
Global risks 2013
The World Economic Forum has recently published “Global Risks 2013” – a report on how various factors affect the development of the world.
The report analyzes 50 global risks concerning their influence and interconnection, and the likelihood of them happening. The report is based on surveys of more than 1,000 experts in industry, government and academia.
The results show that the world is exposed to greater risks during economic crises, as these reduce our ability to deal with environmental issues. Income Gaps and economic deficits are factors that pose the greatest risks to the world. In third place was increased greenhouse gases.
http://www.weforum.org/reports/global-risks-2013-eighth-edition
Is this what we can expect from a four degree increase in temperature by 2050?
It this what we can expect from a four degree increase in temperature by 2050?
- The sea rises, and at least 1.5 million people are homeless only in Egypt.
- Bangladesh loses over 30% of their lands, tens of millions of people become homeless.
- Antarctic ice may melt quickly and sea levels rise by five meters.
- Agricultural production is decreasing globally.
- Most of the Indian subcontinent becomes dehydrated.
- Drought affects especially south-western North America, Central America, the Mediterranean and South Africa.
- In Southern Europe disappear 70% of the summer rains, heat waves lasting an average of 65 days longer.
- Forest fires in the Alps.
- British summer temperatures are likely to reach 45? C
- Europe receives 80% less snowfall, creating water shortages.
- A little better harvests in Canada and Russia.
- Greenland ice melts rapidly, as the Antarctic ice. It can create an “Atlantic circulation,” which can temporarily cool Western Europe and lead to severe storms.
- Permafrost in Siberia melts; large amounts of methane are released. Since methane is 23 times stronger than carbon dioxide, this could at a stroke increase greenhouse gas emissions by 700%.
Reading can become a Climate Change leader with your support,
– What are you waiting for?