Sustainability Momentum Sdn Bhd

At the UN Climate Talks being held in Qatar, researchers from the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) have launched a set of “Big Facts” which highlight the complex relationship between agriculture and climate change. The “Big Facts” also underline agriculture's sizeable contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. For the complete “Big Facts” go to http://ccafs.cgiar.org/bigfacts/

Link: http://www.enn.com/ecosystems/article/45286

Date and Source: November 30, 2012, Environmental News Network

What would you do if you had a perfectly functional car sitting at your house, unused? You could do what Brian Scates did – he rented his car out to strangers via Getaround, a peer-to-peer (P2P) car sharing network in San Francisco, USA. Currently, there are 30 P2P car sharing networks globally. The advent of car sharing means fewer cars on the road which would result in less carbon emissions. And for the renter, the opportunity to maximize value out of the vehicle. Sounds like a win-win.

Link: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2012/11/121126-peer-to-peer-car-sharing/

Date and Source: November 26, 2012, National Geographic News

Over the next two weeks, from 26th November to 7th December 2012, the 18th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will be held in Doha, Qatar. This gathering of environmental leaders will see the details of the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action resolved, in particular ‘the legals’ and ‘the parties’ involved. This is a an important step for global climate action, as previous talks have broken down due to big emitters staying out of any legally-binding agreements. COP18 will also see agreements on the Green Climate Fund and a strategy for the establishment of ‘green centres of excellence’ to build capacity of developing nations for sustainable development.

Link: http://mg.co.za/article/2012-11-26-cop-18-critical-but-not-spectacular

Date and Source: November 26, 2012, Mail and Guardian

Stony Brook University engineers have invented a new technology to produce energy from train track vibrations. The Mechanical Motion Rectifier (MMR) based Railroad Energy Harvester converts irregular train-induced track oscillations into regular unidirectional motion. The energy produced could power up railroad trackside electronic equipment. Given that train tracks around the world are kilometres long and often in remote areas, this invention could potentially save millions of dollars and bring significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Link: http://www.energymanagertoday.com/energy-from-train-vibrations-could-power-track-side-electronic-equipment-087211/

Date and Source: November 20, 2012, Energy Manager Today

The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) has recently launched a fundraising cum recycling program called Recycle for Nature (RfN). Funds generated from recycling processes will be used to support MNS’s environmental conservation activities, in particular for the Belum Temenggor Conservation Initiative. The program also aims to encourage more Malaysians to recycle. For more information on the program or the conservation efforts of MNS, visit the links below.

Link: http://www.mns.my/article.php?aid=1990, www.facebook.com/RecycleforNature 

Date and Source: November 23, 2012, Malaysian Nature Society

McGraw-Hill Construction’s recent study on ‘New & Retrofit Green Schools’ shows improving indoor air quality and enhancing health and well-being as key drivers for education sector with more than 75% cites. Lower operating costs and reduced energy use are also cited with nearly the same percentage.

From December 1, 2012, the Penang State Government enforced a ban on the use of polystyrene containers in all food and beverage outlets as well as in all supermarkets and hypermarkets. The awareness campaign against polystyrene containers started in 2009, and in 2010 the State Government encouraged the public to switch to recyclable containers. The ban is part of the State’s ‘Cleaner, Greener Penang Initiative’ to live sustainably.

Link: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/penang-bans-polystyrene-containers-from-dec-1

Date & source: November 19, 2012, The Malaysian Insider
Author: Opalyn Mok

M&S will use BCI cotton, which is grown using less fertilizer, less water and less chemicals, for all its pure cotton and cotton rich school uniforms beginning June 2013. The shopping recycling initiative by M&S also has diverted over 865 metric tons of clothing from landfills. M&S also has adopted stricter rules on the use of chemicals in its supply chain and worked with Greenpeace to strengthen its Environmental & Chemical Policy.

A giant tortoise named Lonesome George, believed to be the last of its kind, died in June 2012. Found on Pinta Island, the tortoise population decreased since the last century due to its meat harvesting and habitat destruction. However, researchers have found hybrid descendants of Lonesome George 30 miles away from Pinta Island.

Companies, manufacturers and any operations that emit more than 25,000 metric tons of carbon annually placed their bids for 62 million permits that give them the right to pollute. This group of companies include not only energy companies, but glass and cement makers, fruit and vegetable canners, large scale breweries, etc.

Link: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2012/11/121116-california-cap-and-trade/

Date & source: November 16, 2012, National Geographic News

Author: Daniel Stone