An initiative launched 16 years ago to promote sustainable tourism and stop ordinary people being ripped off by 'greenwash' has been named the “most credible” certification program in the world. An investigation into the ethics and expertise of 158 schemes used by businesses to boost their environmentally-friendly credentials has named the Perth-based Green Tourism Business Scheme as the global leader in the fight against misleading marketing in … [Read more...]
Action For Nature, 2013 International Young Eco-Hero Awards
Action For Nature is proud to announce their 2013 International Young Eco-Hero Awards, which recognize young people 8 to 16 years old for their environmental achievements. They hope the accomplishments of these outstanding young people will inspire many others to preserve and protect the Earth upon which all life depends. We hope so too! The winner of the aged 8-12 group was a young man by the name of Milo Cress, age 11, Colorado, USA. Here is … [Read more...]
Study Takes Holistic Approach to Mood Disorders in Kids
Researchers are investigating a variety of new approaches to help children with mood disorders. Ongoing studies suggest that using a mix of omega-3 fatty acid supplements and psychotherapy may be helpful for children with depression and a variation of bipolar disorder. “These are two very promising treatments for children with mood disorders. Previous research has shown both have positive impacts and few side effects, which is an issue with … [Read more...]
Make Your Own Compost
Humans have been composting for thousands of years to improve the health of our soil, food, and planet. Composting is basically nature’s own waste management process, in which nutrients are recycled back into an ecosystem. When organic materials (such as leaves, logs, fruits, and dead animals — basically, anything that was once living) are combined and left to sit for a while, they decompose into rich, fertile soil (aka “compost”). When we want … [Read more...]
Low Methane Producing Cows Could Be Created Through Breeding and Diet Change
When looking into the big, docile eyes of the domestic cow, it is hard to imagine that something sinister lurks beneath the surface. That is, until they burp. Cows are prolific producers of methane, a greenhouse gas that is 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide at the same volume. In an effort to help curb global warming, a team of researchers at the University of Aberdeen in the UK, is looking to see whether changing the diet or genetic … [Read more...]
Is Milan’s Bosco Verticale the Future of Sustainable Architecture?
The Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest) is the world’s tallest example of living architecture, with two towers lifting hundreds of trees above Milan’s streets. One of the architects Stefano Boeri describes the two buildings, due to be opened this year, as a ‘model of vertical densification of nature within the city’. Measuring at 110 and 76 meters high respectively, the two structures will hold 900 trees between them. That is equivalent to 10,000 … [Read more...]
Achieving the ‘Collective Dream’ of Future Sustainable Cities
Social equality will drive forward a sustainable ecological community, writes environmental scientist Paul Francis Bright as he describes his vision of a sustainable world. Sustainable cities of the future- I thought I knew exactly how these urban islands would be. However I am a country boy, so I decided that it might be prudent to do some initial research, just to confirm my theories and to see what city dwelling experts were thinking. To my … [Read more...]
Boosting The Bottom Line With Carbon Management
New operational, financial and regulatory risks, partnered with rising energy costs and increased customer demand, mean that environmental sustainability and carbon management are moving away from the corporate social responsibility (CSR) realm and into the sphere of business and finance. Contrary to traditionally-held beliefs amongst many finance professionals, strategic carbon management can in fact have a substantial positive impact on the … [Read more...]
US and China Agree To Deal To Cut HFC Greenhouse Gases
The US and China have announced plans to cooperate on phasing out a set of potent greenhouse gases known as hydrofluorocarbons. The agreement was made during a US-China summit held in California this weekend. It is understood that climate change was high on the agenda following the establishment of a working group earlier this year to explore areas for cooperation on climate and energy. “The United States and China agreed to work together and … [Read more...]
New Block Copolymer Solar Cells Shows Promising Results
A small team of researchers at the Rice and Pennsylvania State universities has developed a new solar cell that is based on organic block copolymers. The research and the new solar cell have led to the possibility of an entirely new class of solar panels. The organic block copolymers are compounds that self-arrange into certain layers that are effective at absorbing sunlight, and are significantly better at doing so than other substances that … [Read more...]