California air pollutants decreased 35 to 47 percent. So did childhood lung problems.

August 29, 2015 Staff Leave a comment

chart courtesy of NEJM, read story for explanation

Southern California’s air quality improved from the mid 90s to 2010 and during that period so did the lungs of the region’s children. The four-year average of NO₂ and PM_2.5 air pollution in five Southern California cities decreased 35 percent and 47 percent respectively from 1994 to 2010. During the corresponding period, the percentage of 11 to 15 year olds living in those cities that had worse than normal lung function also decreased significantly. Continue reading California air pollutants decreased 35 to 47 percent. So did childhood lung problems. →

Grocery store aims for 99.7% less waste – and it’s not located where you might expect

August 27, 2015 Staff 2 Comments

There’s been lots of buzz on the internet about zero-waste, or perhaps more accurately almost-zero-waste, grocery stores opening in Europe. One over-enthusiastic webzine even proclaimed Germany’s Unverpackt as “the first Zero Waste Grocery store in the World“. But there is at least one older zero-waste grocery. That just goes to show that even for well-intentioned sustainability reporting, maybe you shouldn’t believe everything you read. Continue reading Grocery store aims for 99.7% less waste – and it’s not located where you might expect →

Dutch Princess Bicycles to School – 30% of Hollanders Cycle-Commute.

August 25, 2015 Staff Leave a comment

Eleven year old Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange and heir apparent to the throne of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, helps the environment by cycling to school, at least on the first day. Her father, King Willem-Alexander, filmed the start of the ride and like proud parents everywhere on August 24 posted the video on Facebook. Continue reading Dutch Princess Bicycles to School – 30% of Hollanders Cycle-Commute. →

Muslims join Pope and Evangelicals in calling for Climate Action

August 22, 2015 Staff Leave a comment

An Islamic Declaration on Global Climate Change was recently issued by the International Islamic Climate Change Symposium. Citing the authority of scientific research and of passages from the Qur’an, the Declaration urges world nations to “Aim to phase out greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible . . .” Continue reading Muslims join Pope and Evangelicals in calling for Climate Action →

Renewables Supplied 49.8% of Scotland’s 2014 Electric Demand

August 20, 2015 Staff 4 Comments

Scotland’s love of renewables reinforces the country’s image as a bastion of thrift. Despite having 60% of EU oil reserves, renewable sources met essentially 50% of Scotland’s 2014 total electricity demand according to Energy Statistics for Scotland’s preliminary data. Looking only at household consumption, renewable generation was enough to supply the power for every home in the nation. Continue reading Renewables Supplied 49.8% of Scotland’s 2014 Electric Demand →