Negative Impact

Cross-Posted from EcoGeek.org <http://www.ecogeek.org/component/content/article/3026-fossil-fuel-free-cargo-ship>

By: Phillip Proefrock 1 Apr. 10

Cargo ships are a very efficient means of shipping cargo in terms of cost and energy per ton of freight moved. But the ships use some of the dirtiest fuel, and global shipping is responsible for 3-4% of all greenhouse gas emissions. So, while cleaning up ocean freight isn’t the sole solution to atmospheric greenhouse gasses, it’s an area that could stand some improvement.

(continue reading…)

Cross-Posted from MediaClub South Africa <http://www.mediaclubsouthafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1332:nedbank-carbon-neutral-170909&catid=45:economy_news&Itemid=114>

By: Janine Erasmus, 17 Sept. 09

South African banking group Nedbank, already a leader in environmentally responsible practices, is to become carbon neutral by continuing to cut its greenhouse gas emissions and buying up carbon credits.

Nedbank is the first South African bank, as well as the first large corporation in the country, to take this step.

The development was announced on 15 September 2009 by the bank’s CEO Tom Boardman. He said the decision to go for carbon neutral status was the culmination of a long road travelled by Nedbank, which has been at the forefront of environmental issues for many years.

(continue reading…)

Cross-Posted from The Daily Green <http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/blogs/republican/renewable-energy-investments-0329>

By: Jim DiPeso, 29 Mar. 10

Those who oppose U.S. action to limit carbon pollution often say that it wouldn’t do any good because China’s emissions growth would overwhelm any emissions reductions that we make.

They say we should not do anything unless and until China acts. We should let China take the lead. It certainly is puzzling to hear self-proclaimed conservatives saying that America should forsake global leadership on a critical issue and defer to the world’s largest communist country.

In any event, here’s a news flash: China is not waiting for the U.S. to make up its collective mind about reducing carbon emissions. Chinese investments in low-carbon energy technologies are outpacing America’s. As Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) told the Bipartisan Policy Center last week (yes, there is such a thing in hyper-polarized Dee Cee), the U.S. is in danger of falling behind. “We are at risk of losing the race to develop alternative energy and new technologies to China,” said Collins, who, together with Washington Democrat Maria Cantwell, is backing a cap-and-dividend bill to put a price on carbon, auction emissions allowances, and return 75 percent of the proceeds to the taxpayers.

(continue reading…)

Cross-Posted from Mother Nature Network <http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/research-innovations/blogs/the-island-of-samso-goes-carbon-negative>

By: Karl Burkart, 30 Dec 08

Photo: Samso Energy Academy Island

The tiny island of Samso, population 4,000, which will be featured at the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference meeting (COP15) has proven to the world the feasibility of attaining a zero-carbon footprint.  Just 10 years ago, this island had one of Europe’s largest carbon footprints at 11 tons per person (for comparison according to the CDIAC, Switzerland and Sweden produce about 5.5 tons per person while the US produces 22 tons per person).

Now the average carbon footprint is 140% less, a startling negative 4.4 tons of CO2 per person per year!  What is perhaps most interesting of all, is that the residents have benefitted financially from new found energy exports.  The man who started it all is farmer and teacher Soren Hermansen.  As he says, “It has made my bank manager very happy. But none of us is in it just for the money. We are doing it because it is fun and it makes us feel good.”

(continue reading…)

Cross-posted from Media Global <http://www.mediaglobal.org/article/2009-07-21/costa-rican-airline-nature-air-is-role-model-for-responsible-tourism>

Since 2004, the Costa Rican airline Nature Air has stood as the world’s first certified carbon-neutral airline. The airline has committed itself to limiting the negative effects of air travel on the environment through a variety of programs and initiatives that promote responsible tourism.

Air travel produces carbon dioxide emissions that intensify the greenhouse effect and consequently aggravate climate change. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Aviation and the Global Atmosphere, “Although it is less than 100 years since the first powered flight, the aviation industry has undergone rapid growth and has become an integral and vital part of modern society. In the absence of policy intervention, the growth is likely to continue. It is therefore highly relevant to consider the current and possible future effects of aircraft engine emissions on the atmosphere.”

(continue reading…)