Sustainability Momentum Sdn Bhd

A type of slow loris, Nycticebus Kayan, was discovered in Borneo recently. This new species has unique as it has striking patches that go below the chin that distinguishes it from other species in Borneo. However, a bite from this animal can cause a potentially fatal anaphylactic shock. It is indicated that this slow loris might use their poison to catch prey or even protect their babies.

Link: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/venomous-primate-discovered-in-borneo/ source=hp_dl1_news_new_primate_found_20121215

Date & source: December 14, 2012, National Geographic News
Author: Christine Dell'Amore

With the development of a LED gravity-powered light, developing countries can now enjoy access to reliable lighting. This LED lamp works by using the gravitational pull of a weight hanging from the lamp. The lamp does not require any batteries or fuel for generating energy, which makes it clean and is potentially affordable for those with low income.

Link: http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/how-a-5-gravity-powered-led-could-revolutionize-cheap-lighting/7924

Date & source: December 12, 2012, Smartplanet
Author: Charlie Osborne

Two shipping containers with a combined estimated weight of between 20 tonnes to 24 tonnes was discovered by the customs department at Port Klang terminal. It was filled with sawn timber and 1,500 elephant tusks were found hidden in the secret compartments within the containers. The ship’s route was originally from Togo, West Africa and was heading for China. Due to the high demand in China, experts estimate that between 20,000 and 30,000 elephants are being illegally killed each year.

Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/dec/12/malaysia-seizes-elephant-tusks

Date & source: December 12, 2012, The Guardian
Author: Adam Vaughan

The Greensky Project, a partnership project between British Airways and Solena Fuels, an American biofuel company will fully operate in 2015. The project is to produce jet fuel using the company’s proprietary integrated biomass gasification to liquid process (IBGTL). From this project, 500,000 tonnes of waste will be diverted from landfills annually and instead will become a feedstock for British Airways’ new stream of jet fuel.

A recent climate talk in Doha has revealed the 61 top polluters globally, and disappointingly Malaysia has ranked 55th out of 61 on the list. The research, known as the Climate Change Performance Index 2013, conducted by Germanwatch and Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, encapsulates five main categories – emission levels, development of emissions, renewable energies, efficiency and climate policy respectively. Malaysia scored 47.53 out of 100 and this poor rating is due to rapid industrialization and uncontrolled emissions of toxic waste products and extensive deforestation.

Link: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/12/05/msia-among-the-worst-global-polluters/

Date & source: December 5, 2012, Free Malaysia Today
Author: Jared Pereira & G. Lavendran

Although at a local level fluctuations in ambient temperature may seem common, on a global scale however, an increase of 4 – 6^oC could be catastrophic. The Global Carbon Project, an annual report card on mankind’s CO₂ pollution, attributes this global temperature increase to emissions growth. According to the study conducted by the Global Carbon Project, carbon dioxide emissions from industry rose an estimated 2.6% in 2012. Authors of the study also report while it was technically still possible to limit warming to below 2 ^oC, emissions growth would have to rapidly come to a halt now and then fall quickly.

Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/dec/03/co2-emissions-climate-change-certain?intcmp=122

Date and Source: December 3, 2012, The Guardian

Inventors from a university in Dublin have designed and developed a more energy efficient lighting option than the LED named the FIPEL - the Field-Induced Polymer Electroluminescent Light source. The FIPEL is made from plastic and its light is warmer than fluorescents. It requires less energy than a fluorescent bulb, making it more energy efficient.

Link: http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/goodbye-leds-hello-plastic-bulbs/7167

Date and Source: December 3, 2012, Smart Planet

 Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) has launched the Iskandar Malaysia Low-Carbon Society (LCS) Blueprint at a side-event at the COP 18 in Qatar. The Blueprint is focused on reducing the economic corridor’s carbon intensity emissions by 50% in 2025. The Blueprint consisting of 12 actions and 300 programmes will be implemented in Iskandar Malaysia beginning 2013.

Link: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/newsbusiness.php?id=713359  

Date and Source: December 2, 2012, Bernama

Officers in the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water are currently working on a plan to convert all existing light bulbs in government buildings to LED bulbs. The Ministry has approached the Treasury Department, suppliers and manufacturers to work out the mechanism to implement the plan without having to invest too much money upfront. Preliminary results of a pilot project to reduce energy costs at 12 Government buildings in Putrajaya showed an average savings of 10.3% or RM3.5mil from January to October 2012.

Link: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/12/1/nation/12396098&sec=nation

Date & source: December 1, 2012, The Star
Author: Joseph Sipalan

We may not be aware of it but around 7 grams of tin goes into every mobile phone. This tin is mined in what used to be beautiful environments such as the Bangka Island in Indonesia, where tin mining is now damaging forests and farmland, killing its coral reefs and polluting the very waters the village fishermen depend on. Mining provides the much needed income to this poor community but at a considerable cost. Our purchasing choices do matter – but they can't change things quick enough or at the scale that is needed. Read more on what you can do as part of the Make it Better Campaign by Friends of the Earth.

Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/blog/friends-of-the-earth-smartphones-indonesia

Date and Source: November 26, 2012, The Guardian