NewsMadagascar’s Carbon Credit Sold to Microsoft to Help Conservation Efforts
- Details
- Hits: 1675
Photo Credit: Mongabay.comMicrosoft has purchased the first carbon credit of a rainforest conservation project in Madagascar. The sales of carbon credit will help support biodiversity conservation efforts in Makira Natural Park. Microsoft claimed that apart from contributing to carbon offsets, the project may help to protect biodiversity value of the Makira Natural Park that has been threatened by illegal anthropogenic activities.
Link: http://news.mongabay.com/2014/0215-madagascar-redd-microsoft.html
Date & Source: February 15,2014; Mongabay.com
Bogota’s Car-Free Week: An Example for Developed Countries?
- Details
- Hits: 1755
Photo Credit: Treehugger
Bogota has launched their first car free week on the 6th of February 2014. Bogota’s initiatives have proven that economic vibrancy does not have to be compromised with the implementation of sustainability practices. Time spent on the road has been reduced as a direct effect of the initiative. Locals have also benefitted from improved quality of life with better air quality, less noise pollution, adequate exercise and happier lifestyle.
Link: http://www.treehugger.com/bikes/bogota-changes-car-free-day-car-free-week.html
Date and Source: February 14, 2014, Treehugger
75% of Electricity from Renewable Energy in the Caribbean
- Details
- Hits: 110
Photo Credit: Blue and Green TomorrowSeven Caribbean islands have pledged to collaborate with Carbon War Room and Rocky Mountain Institute energy group to generate at least 75% of their electricity production from renewable sources. In addition, Aruba Island has pledged to generate 100% of their electricity production from renewable energies by 2020. Since 2009, the Aruba government has already reduced 25% of electricity prices by installing a 30MW wind farm and updating some of its infrastructures.
Links: http://blueandgreentomorrow.com/2014/02/13/caribbean-islands-commit-to-renewable-energy-targets/
Date & Source: February 13, 2014; Blue and Green Tomorrow
Harvesting Energy from Vibrations in Miniature Electronic Devices
- Details
- Hits: 125
Photo Credit: AsianScientistResearchers from Singapore’s Institute of Microelectronics (IME) have developed a technology for miniature electronic devices to convert vibrations into electricity in various environments and frequency range. In a 10-year period, the energy harvester is capable of generating electricity equivalent to 3 commercial implantable batteries. The energy may be harvested from vibrations ranging from frequencies of 10Hz to 100Hz. This technology breakthrough will provide a cost effective, efficient and sustainable solution to a wide range of mobile applications in the future.
Link: http://www.asianscientist.com/in-the-lab/harvesting-vibrations-power-microelectornics-2014/
Date & Source: February 12,2014; AsianScientist
Kuala Selangor Nature Park will be Malaysia’s 8th Ramsar Site
- Details
- Hits: 307
Photo Credit: The Star Online The Kuala Selangor Nature Park (KNSP) is proposed as Malaysia’s eighth Ramsar site. The park is a 600ha of wetland area consisting of riverine mangrove forest, lake and secondary forest. KNSP is intended to be a site of global importance in two years and so it is crucial to conserve the park from further environmental degradation. Currently, the park has fulfilled 5 out of 9 Ramsar criteria and the locals welcome and support the project.
Note: Ramsar Convention is an inter-governmental treaty that binds member countries to maintain the ecology and develop sustainable use of all wetlands.
Links: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/02/12/KSNP-aiming-for-Ramsar-recognition-Approval-will-make-park-countrys-eighth-certified-site/
Daet & Source: February 12,2014; The Star Online
Polystyrene Containers Banned in Sibu, Sarawak
- Details
- Hits: 662
Photo Credit: The Star Online
Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) has recently initiated a ban on the use of polystyrene or Styrofoam containers in Sibu, Sarawak to support the Local Agenda 21. This pioneering initiative shows the commitment of the local community for the environment and the improvement of the community’s well-being. Despite being a cheap packaging material, polystyrene containers are made from hazardous material that releases toxic chemicals into food and may clog the digestive systems of wildlife when they are ingested.
Link: http://www.wwf.org.my/media_and_information/updates__former_newsroom_main_/?16788/WWF-Malaysia-Applauds-Sibus-No-Styrofoam-Containers-Initiative
Date and Source: 9 February 2014, WWF-Malaysia
New flora and fauna species found on Gunung Kanthan
- Details
- Hits: 372
Photo Credit: The Star Online
Botanists have recently discovered two new plant species and a new species of gecko within undisturbed region of limestone forest on Gunung Kanthan, Perak, Malaysia. According to Dr Ruth Kiew, a plant taxonomist from Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), the new discoveries in Zone C of the mountain proved that the area has critical conservation value. Zone C is also well known for providing habitat to nine species on Malaysia’s Red List of Endangered Plants. The new species found includes a diminutive herb with purple flowers (Gymnostachyum nov) from the Acanthaceae family, a tree (Vatica nov) from the Dipterocarpaceae family and a lizard which is known as the Gua Kanthan bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus guakanthanensis).
Links: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/02/08/New-flora-and-fauna-species-found-Discoveries-made-in-undisturbed-portion-of-limestone-forest-on-Gun/
Date & Source: February 8, 2014, The Star Online
Food Security Competition Launched in Expo Milano 2015
- Details
- Hits: 136
Picture Credit: Sustainable Food Pavilion, Inc.
Expo Milano 2015 has launched the Best Sustainable Development Practices in Food Security (BSDP) competition. The competition is based on awareness raising and exchange of experience to combat food insecurity. Various authorities and organisations are encouraged to develop new approaches to improve quality of life. The expo commemorates the theme of “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”, which focuses on these themes:
• Sustainable management of natural resources
• Quantitative and qualitative enhancement of agricultural products
• Socio-economic dynamics and global markets
• Sustainable development of small rural communities
• Food consumption patterns: diet, environment, society, economy and health
• Sustainable management of natural resources
• Quantitative and qualitative enhancement of agricultural products
• Socio-economic dynamics and global markets
• Sustainable development of small rural communities
• Food consumption patterns: diet, environment, society, economy and health
Link: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/expo_2015_best_sustainable_development_practices_in_food_security_competition/back/9597/#.UvhKA41WHIU
Read more on: https://www.feedingknowledge.net/best-practices for further information.
Date and Source: 7 February 2014, UNESCO Office in Venice
Mysterious Giant Jellyfish Found On Tasmanian Beach
- Details
- Hits: 109
Picture Credit: ABC News
Scientists from Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) are yet to classify and name a new species of giant jellyfish that was found by a family on a Tasmanian beach last month. Dr. Gershwin who has been working with jellyfish for 20 years advised that the species has been seen before but it is still technically unclassified and considered new to science. It is probably the biggest found in the state and could potentially challenge interstate records. The jellyfish is not life-threating but is painful if one touched or came into contact with it.
Link: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-06/giant-jellyfish-found-by-schoolboy-on-tasmanian-beach/5241570
Date & Source: February 6, 2014, ABC News
White Roofs Are 3 Times More Efficient Than Green Roofs?
- Details
- Hits: 156
Picture Credit: Treehugger
A new study from Fast Company states that white roofs can be 3 times more efficient than green roofs. According to Arthur Rosenfield in the Berkely Lab Report, white roofs are more effective in cooling the building and the atmosphere in the city compared to green roofs. The reflective properties of a white roof reflect more sunlight back to the atmosphere thus reducing warming effects from greenhouse gas emissions. However, further research needs to be carried out to compare the efficiency of green plants absorbing the sunlight to the efficiency of white roofs reflecting sunlight.
Link: Http://Www.Treehugger.Com/Green-Architecture/Are-White-Roofs-Three-Times-More-Efficient-Green-Roofs.Html
Date & Source: February 4, 2014, Treehugger.com
