ACT NOW

http://www.piccoli-gesti.ch/

2009-10-26T12:10:00.003+01:00

A brand new (almost) page with different suggestions on how to save energy and CO2 emissions in our daily life: the page is Swiss and available in German, French, Italian.

Learn how! CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE PAGE!

Wish you a great day,

Josephine

Rapid ice loss found in survey supports trend to summer ice free Arctic within decade

2009-10-26T09:23:00.002+01:00

London, UK - New data, released today by the Catlin Arctic Survey and WWF, provides further evidence of thinning Arctic Ocean sea ice, supporting the emerging thinking that the Ocean will be largely ice-free in summer within a decade.

The Catlin Arctic Survey, completed earlier this year, provides the latest ice thickness record, drawn from the only survey capturing surface measurements in the last winter and spring.

The data collected by manual drilling and observations on a 450 kilometre route across the northern part of the Beaufort Sea suggests the survey area is comprised almost exclusively of first year ice.

© Martin Hartley / WWF-Canon

This is a significant finding because the region has traditionally contained older, thicker multi-year ice.

The average thickness of the ice-floes measured 1.8 metres, a depth considered too thin to survive the next summer’s ice melt. The findings were analysed by the Polar Ocean Physics Group at the University of Cambridge, led by Professor Peter Wadhams, one of the world’s leading experts on sea ice cover in the North Pole region.

“With a larger part of the region now first year ice, it is clearly more vulnerable,” said Professor Wadhams. “The area is now more likely to become open water each summer, bringing forward the potential date when the summer sea ice will be completely gone.“

The Catlin Arctic Survey data supports the new consensus view, based on seasonal variation of ice extent and thickness, changes in temperatures, winds and especially ice composition, that the Arctic will be ice-free in summer within about 20 years, and that much of the decrease will be happening within 10 years.

“That means you’ll be able to treat the Arctic as if it were essentially an open sea in the summer and have transport across the Arctic Ocean.” According to the scientists who have studied the data, the technique used by the explorers to take measurements on the surface of the ice has the potential to help ice modellers to refine predictions about the future survival or decline of the ice.“This is the kind of scientific work we always wanted to support by getting to places in the Arctic which are otherwise nearly impossible to reach for research purposes,” said Expedition leader Pen Hadow. “It’s what modern exploration should be doing. Our on-the-ice techniques are helping scientists to understand better what is going on in this fragile ecosystem.”

The results of the analysis of more than 6000 measurements and observations collected by the survey in 73 days on the ice were unveiled today in London with warnings that rapid climate change in the Arctic risked the release of vast quantities of carbon stored in hydrates on the Arctic seabed or in frozen tundra soils.

“The arctic sea ice holds a central position in our Earth’s climate system. Take it out of the equation and we are left with a dramatically warmer world,” said Dr. Martin Sommerkorn from the WWF International Arctic Programme, which was a partner in the survey.

“Such a loss of Arctic sea ice cover has recently been assessed to set in motion powerful climate feedbacks which will have an impact far beyond the Arctic itself – self perpetuating cycles, amplifying and accelerating the consequences of global warming. This could lead to flooding affecting one quarter of the world’s population, substantial increases in greenhouse gas emissions from massive carbon pools, and extreme global weather changes."

“Today’s findings provide yet another urgent call for action to world leaders ahead of the UN climate summit in Copenhagen this December to rapidly and effectively curb global greenhouse gas emissions, with rich countries committing to reduce emissions by 40% by 2020.”

Source: © WWF PAGE (click here)

Test your ecological footprint

2009-05-29T09:19:00.003+02:00

Worried about your impact on the environment? (if not, this is a good chance to realize we all should....).

Our ecological footprint — the impact of humanity on the earth – has increased two and half fold since 1961.

The way we use the planet's resources makes up our ecological footprint.

Use WWF's global footprint calculator and learn how small steps can make a BIG difference! It takes just 5 minutes and could set you on a life-changing journey...

CLICK HERE TO START!

© WWF - Panda.org

Riciclaggio del PET di vitale importanza: sapevi che...?

2009-05-04T13:53:00.002+02:00

Con la diffusione - a livello universale - il PET ha acquisito un grande significato nell'industria degli imballaggi ed è diventato una materia prima rara e costosa.
Per questo motivo c'è una grande richiesta per il PET riciclato.
Il PET fa parte delle materie sintetiche con un impatto ambientale ridotto sia durante la lavorazione sia durante lo smaltimento. Per il PET riciclato sussistono molte possibilità d'applicazione: nel settore tessile quale materiale di imbottitura di cuscini, quali fibre per giacche sport e in fleece, sacchi da montagna, scarpe sportive, rivestimenti per tappeti ecc.
Nel settore dell'imballaggio quali bicchieri per yogurt, vaschette per margarina e biscotti ecc. È preferibile riportare al negozio le bottiglie in PET.

Cos'è il PET (polietilene tereftalato)?
Il PET viene prodotto al 100% con petrolio grezzo o gas naturale. Con 1,9 kg di petrolio grezzo si ottiene 1 kg di PET. Questo necessita di un consumo energetico di ben 84 MJ (23 kwh). Il PET è riciclabile al 100%. Con la separazione del PET è possibile risparmiare - nei confronti di una nuova produzione - il 60% di energia. Sul mercato svizzero il PET è apparso, come bottiglia, nel 1984. Da allora la bottiglia di PET ha riscontrato un forte aumento della richiesta.

Cosa avviene con le bottiglie di bibite in PET raccolte?
Tutte le bottiglie di bibite in PET vengono lavorate per ottenere un granulato.
Questo viene utilizzato per la fabbricazione di nuove bottiglie per bibite in PET o trova applicazione nella produzione di fibre e fogli.

Perchè le bottiglie di olio e di aceto non vanno messe nei contenitori per la raccolta dal PET?
I residui delle bottiglie di olio e aceto provocano un forte insudiciamento e pregiudicano il riciclaggio delle bottiglie per bibite in PET.

Dove posso smaltire le bottiglie vuote in PET?
Le bottiglie vuote in PET si possono smaltire presso i negozi e nei punti di raccolta dei comuni. Onde poter tenere bassi i costi e proteggere l'ambiente, le bottiglie dovrebbero essere consegnate in primo luogo nei negozi.

Perchè le bottiglie vuote in PET dovrebbero essere riportate in primo luogo nei punti di vendita?
In passato, si è a più riprese dimostrato che i punti di raccolta per il PET su suolo pubblico sono stati utilizzati - inadeguatamente - dagli utenti per lo smaltimento di rifiuti di ogni genere e che, solo con punti di raccolta controllati, è possibile ottenere un risultato soddisfacente. Le bottiglie in PET provenienti da punti di raccolta pubblici vanno ancora assortite (separate dai rifiuti). Questo causa notevoli costi supplementari per i comuni. Per questo motivo dovrebbero essere privilegiati punti di raccolta sorvegliati presso il negozio al dettaglio. In aggiunta può essere utilizzata la significativa ed ecologica retrologistica (consegna del vuoto al momento della nuova fornitura) "dalla filiale alla centrale di distribuzione" del commercio al dettaglio. Questo evita spese di trasporto supplementari.

Cosa posso fare quando si accumula molto PET?
Gli alberghi/ristoranti, i proprietari di appertamenti di vacanza, i campeggi, le scuole, gli ospedali, le infrastutture sportive e di svago, le cantine ecc. presso i quali viene raccolto molto PET, possono farsi registrare presso PET-Schweiz quale punto di raccolta. I punti di raccolta possono ritirare sacchi di raccolta per il PET. Se vengono riempiti almeno 5 sacchi di questo tipo, si può avvertire il servizio di raccolta regionale affinché i sacchi vengano ritirati.

Come viene finanziato il PET-Recycling?
Dal 1991 la società "PET-Recycling Schweiz" preleva, sulle bottiglie in PET a perdere senza deposito, un contributo per il riciclaggio. Con questo finanzia la rimessa in circolo delle bottiglie a perdere per bibite in PET nel giro economico.

Per maggiori informazioni, curiosità, contatti e dettagli visitare PETRECYCLING.CH.

Ne vale davvero la pena!

Source:
http://www.abvo.ch/
http://www.petrecycling.ch/

Help save the Western gray whale

2009-04-26T12:35:00.004+02:00

Continuously threatened by oil and gas developments,entanglement in fishing gear, collisions with ships and occasional whaling by Japanese fishermen, the Western gray whale is on the verge of extinction.These special creatures were thought to be extinct in the 1970s, but a small number - around 130 - are now known to survive. But their main feeding habitat in summer time, the waters off Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East, is a region now being developed by the oil and gas industry.

Last year the number of whales counted was lower than normal. According to experts, this may be related to underwater noise produced by oil and gas development in the area. This is a cause for major concern as the population has only 25-35 breeding females remaining.

WWF is urging the companies involved in Sakhalin - Exxon, Shell, Gazprom, BP and Rosneft - to postpone any development until a commission of experts have assessed the impact on Western gray whales and made recommendations about further development in the area. WWF is also demanding that the companies avoid any future activities inside the proposed new Sakhalin Marine Federal Wildlife Reserve.

Thanks for taking action @ www.panda.org!

Source: http://www.panda.org/

RICICLA!

2009-03-06T10:07:00.003+01:00

Stop the madness of wasteful paper consumption

2008-12-23T12:03:00.007+01:00

Dear Friends, I am extemely sorry I didn't update this blog for several months. Job and activities took 120% of my time, so here I am now on holidays taking you some material to think about, as usual.

Paper is a thing that nobody could think living without. It's everywhere in our daily use, work, private life, shopping, business. Everything has something to do with paper.

Around the world we use around 1 million tonnes of paper every day, with half of the trees cut down commercially ending up in paper products. Yet much of this paper use is wasteful and unnecessary.

1. It's Christmas Time, presents time. You know of course that making a great present to those you love, means a lot, I know it as well and I am maybe one of the people who love most preparing presents and making them beautiful and putting lot of care in them. But you surely also now, that after opening those shiny boxes, the paper wrapping them will be thrown away, in the best case, in the fireplace. So, please! don't use plastic, or polish paper! there are also very beautiful recicled gift paper. Even package paper can be very elegant and sober if you decorate it with some writings and paper stars or small Christmas trees. This way, paper can be recicled and if it still ends up into your family's fireplace will release consistently less CO2 emissions. Think about it!

2. Re-use printed papers you would throw away (drafts, projects); as for handwritten notes, as for a second printing, simply turn back the papers and replace them into your printer. You'll easily see in just one week or even one day, how quick it is to save a pack of white chlorine paper.

3. As at your workplace (but I know sometimes it depends on the company's ecology policy), as at home, be very careful printing out things you know you don't need to, and most important pay attention differentiating your waste!! Paper, plastics, metal waste and vegetables have their own category to be disposed.

4. Placing a sticker "no advertising" on your mailbox will avoid you to throw away unuseful tons of paper you don't even read! Anyway, surfing on the web or going to the shops, you'll always find the same publicity and offers showed, so you don't really need to have them brought to you.

Remember, paper is an extremely valuable product with many important uses for society.

But despite advances in digital technology we have become careless in our use of paper and too often take it for granted. Europeans and North Americans, only 10% of the world's population, use half of the world's paperproducts, 6 times the world average.

Expanding production and harvesting of pulp wood for paper threatens some of the last remaining natural forests, and the people and wildlife that depend on them.

Paper production and consumption also create significant climate change emissions.

But there is a lot you can do as an individual to reduce your paper consumption. From taking simple actions such as printing double sided to buying recycled paper you can make a real difference. And not only will this help save the planet, but it will also save you money at the same time! Take action now changing your habits in using and wasting paper, you can also "save trees" by using more sensitively the paper you have at your disposal. Get to the WWF site and subscribe to take action, now! http://passport.panda.org/campaigns/campaign.cfm?uNC=12444549&uCampaignId=1861

Thanks for attention and Merry Christmas, my dear readers!

Arctic sea ice at lowest level ever

2008-09-15T21:45:00.005+02:00

“There are already signs that species such as polar bears are experiencing negative effects as climate change erodes the ice platform on which they rely."

Dr Martin Sommerkorn, WWF International Arctic Programme’s Senior Climate Change Advisor

Arctic sea ice may well have reached its lowest volumes ever, as summer ice coverage of the Arctic Sea looks set to be close to last year’s record lows, with thinner ice overall.

Final figures on minimum ice coverage for 2008 are expected in a matter of days, but they are already flirting with last year’s record low of 1.59 million square miles, or 4.13 million square kilometres.

“If you take reduced ice thickness into account, there is probably less ice overall in the Arctic this year than in any other year since monitoring began,” said Martin Sommerkorn, WWF International Arctic Programme’s Senior Climate Change Advisor. “This is also the first year that the Northwest Passage over the top of North America, and the Northeast Passage over the top of Russia are both free of ice.”

Dr. Sommerkorn said the continuing loss of older, thicker ice means that the Arctic ice cover is following a trend of becoming younger and thinner each year.

The area of ice that is at least five years old has decreased by 56 per cent between 1985 and 2007. The oldest ice types have essentially disappeared.

Taken together, the new figures clearly show the Arctic is experiencing the continuation of an accelerated declining trend. “We are expecting confirmation of 2008 being either the lowest or the second-lowest year in terms of summer ice coverage,” Dr. Sommerkorn said. “This means two years in a row of record lows since we started recording Arctic sea ice coverage, and a continuing catastrophic downward trend."

There are already signs that species such as polar bears are experiencing negative effects as climate change erodes the ice platform on which they rely. These changes are also affecting the peoples of the Arctic whose traditional livelihoods depend on healthy ecosystems. The trend of melting Arctic ice is also alarming for the rest of the world. “The Arctic is a key factor in stabilising the global climate,” Dr Sommerkorn said.
“Arctic ice is like a mirror, reflecting the sun’s heat back into space. As that ice goes, Arctic waters absorb more heat, adding to global warming. “The local warming of the Arctic will also soon release more greenhouse gases from the Arctic that were previously locked in permanently frozen ground.
This means there will be two powerful feedbacks from the Arctic affecting the global environment. This is not just an Arctic problem, it is a global problem, and it demands a global response.”

The governments of the world are currently negotiating a new climate agreement to come into force from 2013 when the first phase of the Kyoto Protocol has ended.

“Governments must speed up these talks and ensure to agree the new climate deal at the UN Summit in Copenhagen in December 2009, just fifteen months from now", Dr Sommerkorn said.

source: http://www.panda.org/

Darkness world: On September 17, 2008 from 21:50 to 22:00 hours.

2008-09-15T09:47:00.009+02:00

This day proposes to switch off all lights and if possible all electrical appliances,
to our planet can 'breathe'.

If the answer is massive, energy saving can be brutal.

Only 10 minutes, and see what happens.

Only 10 minutes in the dark, we light a candle and simply be looking at it, we breathe and our planet. Only 10 minutes, if you think of it, they're not so many, thinking how much time we spend working, walking, talking, eating... for 10 minutes we could just stop and respect our planet.

Remember that the union is strength and the Internet can be very power and can even do something big.

Moves the news, if you have friends to live in other countries send to them.

Be part of it, and turn off all the light you have, in addition, staying into candlelight can be very romantic :)

So save this date in your calendar: September 17, 2008!

Wish you all a nice day, keep on saving energy!

Josephine

An undemanding post with alien suggestions!

2008-07-11T14:09:00.004+02:00

Do you remember Alf? I'm sure you do.
I found an episode (that I remember actually!), in which Alf was already worried about the Climate matter.
This is of course an undemanding post, but I found interesting and funny the way a funny TV series (of the 80’s – 90’s) took a kind of position on the matter. It is just a TV serie episode, funny to watch and easy to understand. Be careful about the suggestions Alf’s making at the end of the episode (end of the 2nd video).

The episode is called "Staying Alive" and was posted on youtube by the user Gummoboy, whom I thank from the bottom of my heart for finding all those Alf episodes!
It's divided in two parts, that's why two videos.

Enjoy and as usual….. think! :)
Thanks for your attention,
Josephine

Declaration of Leaders Meeting of Major Economies on Energy Security and Climate Change

2008-07-09T13:40:00.002+02:00

As you all well know, in Hokkaido (Japan) there is in these days the G8 Summit. One of the largest and most important meetings, that should reunite all the highest leaders of this planet to solve major matters and difficult problems regarding all the Planet and involving different resources.
In my opinion, it's every time kind of ridiculous, seeing it's (for most of them, at least) just a formality, an appointment on the calendar. But, to the most important matter, the Climate Crisis, these Sirs dedicated quite a a long time to find solutions.
Here the official document published today on the official website (http://www.g8summit.go.jp/):

(after having read it: do you trust them?)

July 9, 2008
Declaration of Leaders Meeting of Major Economies on Energy Security and Climate Change

We, the leaders of Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States met as the world's major economies in Toyako, Hokkaido, Japan, on 9 July, 2008, and declare as follows:

1. Climate change is one of the great global challenges of our time. Conscious of our leadership role in meeting such challenges, we, the leaders of the world's major economies, both developed and developing, commit to combat climate change in accordance with our common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities and confront the interlinked challenges of sustainable development, including energy and food security, and human health. We have come together to contribute to efforts under the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, the global forum for climate negotiations. Our contribution and cooperation are rooted in the objective, provisions, and principles of the Convention.

2. We welcome decisions taken by the international community in Bali, including to launch a comprehensive process to enable the full, effective, and sustained implementation of the Convention through long-term cooperative action, now, up to, and beyond 2012, in order to reach an agreed outcome in December 2009. Recognizing the scale and urgency of the challenge, we will continue working together to strengthen implementation of the Convention and to ensure that the agreed outcome maximizes the efforts of all nations and contributes to achieving the ultimate objective in Article 2 of the Convention, which should be achieved within a time frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not threatened, and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner.

3. The Major Economies Meetings constructively contribute to the Bali process in several ways:

* First, our dialogue at political, policy, and technical levels has built confidence among our nations and deepened mutual understanding of the many challenges confronting the world community as we consider next steps under the Convention and continue to mobilize political will to combat global climate change.

* Second, without prejudging outcomes or the views of other nations, we believe that the common understandings in this Declaration will help advance the work of the international community so it is possible to reach an agreed outcome by the end of 2009.

* Third, recognizing the need for urgent action and the Bali Action Plan's directive for enhanced implementation of the Convention between now and 2012, we commit to taking the actions in paragraph 10 without delay.

4. We support a shared vision for long-term cooperative action, including a long-term global goal for emission reductions, that assures growth, prosperity, and other aspects of sustainable development, including major efforts towards sustainable consumption and production, all aimed at achieving a low carbon society. Taking account of the science, we recognize that deep cuts in global emissions will be necessary to achieve the Convention's ultimate objective, and that adaptation will play a correspondingly vital role. We believe that it would be desirable for the Parties to adopt in the negotiations under the Convention a long-term global goal for reducing global emissions, taking into account the principle of equity. We urge that serious consideration be given in particular to ambitious IPCC scenarios. Significant progress toward a long-term global goal will be made by increasing financing of the broad deployment of existing technologies and best practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build climate resilience. However, our ability ultimately to achieve a long-term global goal will also depend on affordable, new, more advanced, and innovative technologies, infrastructure, and practices that transform the way we live, produce and use energy, and manage land.

5. Taking into account assessments of science, technology, and economics, we recognize the essential importance of enhanced greenhouse gas mitigation that is ambitious, realistic, and achievable. We will do more ? we will continue to improve our policies and our performance while meeting other priority objectives ? in keeping with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. Achieving our long-term global goal requires respective mid-term goals, commitments and actions, to be reflected in the agreed outcome of the Bali Action Plan, taking into account differences in social and economic conditions, energy mix, demographics, and infrastructure among other factors, and the above IPCC scenarios. In this regard, the developed major economies will implement, consistent with international obligations, economy-wide mid-term goals and take corresponding actions in order to achieve absolute emission reductions and, where applicable, first stop the growth of emissions as soon as possible, reflecting comparable efforts among them. At the same time, the developing major economies will pursue, in the context of sustainable development, nationally appropriate mitigation actions, supported and enabled by technology, financing and capacity-building, with a view to achieving a deviation from business as usual emissions.

6. We recognize that actions to reduce emissions, including from deforestation and forest degradation, and to increase removals by sinks in the land use, land use change, and forestry sector, including cooperation on tackling forest fires, can make a contribution to stabilizing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These actions also reduce climate change impacts and can have significant co-benefits by maintaining multiple economic goods and ecological services. Our nations will continue to cooperate on capacity-building and demonstration activities; on innovative solutions, including financing, to reduce emissions and increase removals by sinks; and on methodological issues. We also stress the need to improve forest-related governance and cooperative actions at all levels.

7. We recognize that adaptation is vital to addressing the effects of inevitable climate change and that the adverse impacts of climate change are likely to affect developing countries disproportionately. We will work together in accordance with our Convention commitments to strengthen the ability of developing countries, particularly the most vulnerable ones, to adapt to climate change. This includes the development and dissemination of tools and methodologies to improve vulnerability and adaptation assessments, the integration of climate change adaptation into overall development strategies, increased implementation of adaptation strategies, increased emphasis on adaptation technologies, strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability, and consideration of means to stimulate investment and increased availability of financial and technical assistance.

8. We affirm the critical role of technology and the need for technological breakthroughs in meeting the interlinked global challenges of energy security and climate change. In the near term, broader deployment of many existing technologies will be vital for both mitigation and adaptation. In particular, energy conservation, energy efficiency, disaster reduction, and water and natural resource management technologies are important. We will promote the uptake and use of such technologies including renewables, cleaner and low-carbon technologies, and, for those of us interested, nuclear power. Technology cooperation with and transfer to developing countries are also vital in this effort, as is promoting capacity building. For the longer term, research, development, demonstration, deployment, and transfer of innovative technologies will be crucial, and we acknowledge the need to enhance our investment and collaboration in these areas. Mindful of the important role of a range of alternative energy technologies, we recognize, in particular, the need for research, development, and large-scale demonstration of and cooperation on carbon capture and storage. We also note the value of technology roadmaps as tools to promote continuous investment and cooperation in clean energy research, development, demonstration, and deployment.

9. We recognize that tackling climate change will require greater mobilization of financial resources, both domestically and internationally. There is an urgent need to scale up financial flows, particularly financial support to developing countries; to create positive incentives for actions; to finance the incremental costs of cleaner and low-carbon technologies; to make more efficient use of funds directed toward climate change; to realize the full potential of appropriate market mechanisms that can provide pricing signals and economic incentives to the private sector; to promote public sector investment; to create enabling environments that promote private investment that is commercially viable; to develop innovative approaches; and to lower costs by creating appropriate incentives for and reducing and eliminating obstacles to technology transfer relevant to both mitigation and adaptation.

10. To enable the full, effective, and sustained implementation of the Convention between now and 2012, we will:

* Work together on mitigation-related technology cooperation strategies in specific economic sectors, promote the exchange of mitigation information and analysis on sectoral efficiency, the identification of national technology needs and voluntary, action-oriented international cooperation, and consider the role of cooperative sectoral approaches and sector-specific actions, consistent with the Convention;

* Direct our trade officials responsible for WTO issues to advance with a sense of urgency their discussions on issues relevant to promoting our cooperation on climate change;

* Accelerate enhanced action on technology development, transfer, financing, and capacity building to support mitigation and adaptation efforts;

* Support implementation of the Nairobi Work Programme on impacts, vulnerability, and adaptation to climate change;

* Improve significantly energy efficiency, a low-cost way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy security;

* Continue to promote actions under the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer for the benefit of the global climate system; and

* Intensify our efforts without delay within existing fora to improve effective greenhouse gas measurement.

11. Our nations will continue to work constructively together to promote the success of the Copenhagen climate change conference in 2009.

Ecospeed.ch

2008-06-16T19:19:00.004+02:00

Surfing a bit I found the website of this Swiss Company which helps calculating your energy consumption, such as for private and companies. After having taken the tests, there are suggestions on how you can ameliorate your situation.

From their homepage: "Ecospeed SA is specialised on developing internet-based software tools for calculating energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions on both the personal as well as the regional level. Ecospeed also consults enterprises, non-profit organisations and public authorities in energy planning and information campaigns aimed at rising public awareness and inducing behavioural change."

Visit!

Connect2Earth

2008-04-17T20:52:00.004+02:00

Just a quick note to post about the brand new project by WWF is called Connect2Earth.

It is a new online community from WWF where you can upload videos, pictures and comments about the environment.

A community that cares about what is happening to this planet. One that shares your concerns. That you can hook up with, link to, support, champion, vote and talk back to.

After all, at its core essence this is about planet saving. It is about doing something. It is about shouting loud.

By taking part you're becoming part of the solution that we are so badly missing.

So you could be there, telling the world why you care about the planet!

So let's connect to Earth! Click here to sign up and be part of it!

Don't give up acting for our planet, it's worth it and we must keep on believing in this: we can do a big change!

A big hug, Josephine

One more reason to buy @ MIGROS (Switzerland)

2008-02-28T10:01:00.003+01:00

Another good, awesome news from the company Migros: soon most of the product will be available in the version approved by the label Climatop (see http://www.climatop.ch/), which will be guarantee for quality and highly-climate sparing products.

This label has the aim to mark those products that are far less harmful to the climate than comparable products.
At the beginning of March, Migros will be the first enterprise in Switzerland to sell the first two products with a CO2 label in its stores. Further products in their assortment will follow.

To know more about this and to support this project, simply choose to buy those products instead of others.

Of course, it is hopeful that this label will be available in much more stores, but this is a great step forward.

Visit http://www.migros.ch/ and http://www.climatop.ch/ to stay up to date!

Eco-Star of the year: be one!

2008-02-27T12:40:00.003+01:00

The new test to take, in order to see what's your approach to ecology (and what you do in fact to help Earth):

http://www.footprint.ch/

take the test and think about your result. (my result: planet using: 1,8)

Is there anything you can change to get your life better? Surely.

Here you can take part to the challenge of becoming the Ecostar of 2008:

http://www.sf.tv/var/formular.php?sendungid=lebenlive&formulartype=oekostar

... good luck! do your best.

Hugs,
Josephine

Initiative

2008-02-26T17:32:00.000+01:00

http://www.menschenfreundlicher.ch/

be part of it!

Autostrada A2 - polveri fini - comunicato odierno

2008-02-25T13:03:00.004+01:00

Questa misura di limitazione dell’inquinamento veniva normalmente introdotta “solo” nei mesi estivi: il dibattito per cui sia stato introdotto già a GENNAIO può dilungarsi per settimane, intanto firmate le iniziative che trovate qui a fianco, possono già aiutare!!!!

Se a gennaio siamo già a questo livello di polveri fini e inquinamento, sperando comunque in un pronto intervento della pioggia che già aiuterebbe, dove credete arriveremo ora di luglio e agosto, nei centri molto abitati, con i livelli di traffico che si hanno adesso?
Certo potremmo sempre recarci al lavoro con la mascherina protettiva, ma non credo sia la soluzione.

Qui non si tratta più di anni o “lungo termine”, si tratta di oggi, dobbiamo fare qualcosa.

A partire dalle 14.00 sull'autostrada A2 tra Chiasso e il dosso di Taverne e sulla semiautostrada A394 Mendrisio Gaggiolo, entrerà in vigore il limite di velocità di 80 chilometri orari.

La misura, decisa dal Dipartimento del territorio e dalla divisione dell'ambiente, è stata adottata in seguito alle elevate concentrazioni di polveri sottili, PM10, presenti nell'aria negli ultimi giorni, soprattutto nel Sottoceneri, e per le previsioni meteo stabili per i prossimi giorni.

Considerata la circostanza, è stato revocato temporaneamente pure il permesso di accendere fuochi all'aperto.

fonte: http://it.bluewin.ch/news/index.php/svizzeraitaliana/article/257220

LINKS UTILI:
http://www3.ti.ch//CAN/comunicati/25-02-2008-comunicato-stampa-87661781873.pdf
http://www3.ti.ch/DT/sw/struttura/dt/
http://www.greenpeaceticino.ch/content.php?id=42
http://www.greenpeaceticino.ch/content.php?id=18&idn=56

Earth Hour

2008-02-01T09:23:00.000+01:00

The next Earth Hour is scheduled on March 29th, at 8pm.

This simple act has captured the hearts and minds of people all over the world. As a result, millions of people in some of the world’s major capital cities, including Copenhagen, Toronto, Chicago, Melbourne, Brisbane, Tel Aviv and Manila will unite and switch off for Earth Hour.

As usual, I've already signed up, do the same, and discover on the official website, all what you CAN and MUST do!!!

http://www.earthhour.org/

Images to remember how precious our Sea is

2008-01-18T17:18:00.002+01:00

...imagine we had to give up such an amazing world because of our interests and comforts!

Wish you a great weekend!

hugs,

Josephine

Humpbacks to be spared the harpoon -- for now

2008-01-09T11:08:00.000+01:00

PREMISE

Like other large whales, the Humpback was and is a target for the whaling industry.

Due to over-hunting its population fell by an estimated 90% before a whaling moratorium was introduced in 1966.

Stocks of the species have since partially recovered; however, entanglement in fishing gear, collisions with ships, and noise pollution also remain concerns.
There are at least 70,000 humpback whales worldwide.

Once hunted to the brink of extinction, Humpbacks are now sought out by whale-watchers, particularly off parts of Australia and the United States.

From Greenpeace:

The Japanese government has confirmed a rumour first reported at the Greenpeace weblog, that they have abandoned plans to kill humpback whales in the Southern Ocean this season.

That no humpback whales will be hunted down and killed in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary is good news indeed, and a victory for Greenpeace supporters the world over who have joined with us in demanding acction from their governments, participated in promoting non-lethal alternatives to whale research through our Great Whale Trail, and questioned the Japanese government directly about plans to expand the whale hunt thourhg the building of a new whaling ship.

But even better news would be that no fin whales or minke whales are to be slaughtered either.
That not a single harpoon will breach the Whale Sanctuary at all is the news that the world is waiting for. But whaling has not ended.

Japan still plans to kill fin and minke whales this year. Saving one species is not enough. We all need to do more NOW to stop the hunt forever.

Scandal: the entire so-called scientific whaling programme is a two decades old scandal, and by backing down today on the humpback hunt, Japan has acknowledged that it fears further scrutiny of a hoax that has nothing to do with science.

Japan's whaling program is in deep trouble.

Japan has backed down in the face of public outrage over killing the favourite whale of whale-watchers.
Japan has also realised that the humpback whalemeat that would result from the hunt was going to be legally challenged under the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species.

The Japanese Fisheries Agency was clearly alarmed at the mounting attention being paid to a "research program" which yields no useful science, and which adds to a stockpile of unsold whalemeat which hardly anyone buys.

They are worried about the attention the humpbacks have drawn to their plans to kill 935 minkes and 50 endangered fins.

But most of all, they are worried about attention being drawn to the plans of a few bureaucrats within Japan who are planning a massive expansion of the whale hunt, by constructing a new whaling factory ship at a cost of some US$125 million to US$188 million, at the expense of Japanese taxpayers.

The future of whaling could well depend upon whether a new factory ship gets built or not.
Greenpeace believes the Japanese taxpayer has a right to ask whether billions of Yen should be invested in this industry -- espectially given that it generates no useful science, adds to a mountain of unsold whalemeat, poses a diplomatic liability to Japan, and in the end profits only a very few bureuatcrats.

For nations that support whale conservation, now is the time to press Japan to abandon the whale hunt entirely, and to stop the build of a new Nisshin Maru.

Merry Christmas

2007-12-23T19:11:00.000+01:00

Dear Friends, readers and Strangers passing by,

I wish to you and all your families and friends a very joyful and peaceful Christmas!

With Love,

Josephine

Food labels: buy and don't buy

2007-11-09T14:04:00.000+01:00

WWF Switzerland, in association with the Animal-protection Organization „VIER PFOTEN“ and the Foundation for Consumer’s Protection, tested the most important and known food labels, by the criteria of “Ecology”, “Animal well-being”, “Control”, as well as social criteria such as working-time, salary, and healthprotection.

As fifth criteria came the processing, with particular attention on the E-numbers.

Most imporant result was that Biolabels are clearly on top!

Here are the classifications resulted from the test, so people, pay attention to these brands when you go shopping, especially in this time of dinners and parties before Christmas and New Year’s Eve!
Try not to buy anything from those marked with no stars!! We might succed in changing the company’s policy in matter ecological production!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

RECOMMENDED

ACCEPTABLE

NOT ACCEPTABLE AT ALL

Source: http://wwf.ch

Test your contribution to climate change...

2007-11-06T15:42:00.000+01:00

Dear Friends,
here I am with a new initiative brought on by WWF Switzerland.

By clicking on this link, you will be introduced into a homepage where you can take different tests checking your lifestyle now and in future, and, the effect that your choices will have in 100 years on our landscape and air quality.

It has a very original layout and it is very explicit when you see your result.

You have four possibilities of checking your contribution in stopping climate change: nutrition, electricity, house, mobility.

You have to go through every chapter to understand clearly and entirely the real meaning of an ecological life.
On the right side of your screen, you'll see how the CO2 level increases and the costs you will have to take, always referring to your choices. In the end, you'll have the prediction of the landscape you would have, consequent to your matches.

I must say, I tried all the possibilities in order to see the changings on the background, and, my dear friend, it is SCARY to see what damages we are doing and we will keep on doing to Earth, if we don't change our lifestyle.

Take the test, and if you have children, take the test together with them, explaining the consequences of every possibility.
Talk to them and teach them how to respect nature and animals, and show them how to shop cleverly and environmental-friendly.
Be a model and an example for them, be sincere and answer their questions, but be careful not to foget anything, they need a proper education about this matter.
They are the future, they are the ones that will find the result of our today's choices!!!!

Think about it, maybe it's not that late yet.

http://www.wwf.ch/it/fare/consiglipratici/improntaecologica/klimacheck/
(page available in German, French, Italian)

Australia's ‘Serengeti of the Sea’

2007-10-29T13:09:00.000+01:00

Covering a massive 800,000 square kilometres - more than twice the size of the neighbouring Great Barrier Reef - the Coral Sea comprises a series of spectacular coral reefs, made up by underwater mountains, rising thousands of metres from the sea floor.

The Coral Sea is a rare example of a marine environment that is blooming.

Bountiful fish populations including grey and white tip reef sharks, hammerheads, manta rays, tuna, barracuda, turtles and rare sea creatures such as the nautilus inhabit the waters, alongside an incredibly diverse range of corals.

But, this is kind of chaning, and some alarming signals are already clear to our eyes.

Coral reefs are disappearing at a rate 5 times faster than rainforests, and the populations of large marine species - such as sharks and tuna - are estimated to have declined by up to 90% in many areas.

Due to its remoteness, the Coral Sea has largely managed to avoid this terrible fate. But the area is largely unprotected, leaving it vulnerable to the same impacts that have devastated other marine regions, including sea level rises caused by global warming, illegal fishing and the potential for large-scale oil and gas exploration in the region.

We have to change this trend and try to save animals and the environment of the Coral Sea, and you can also do your part by signing the WWF Action:

Declare the entire Coral Sea region a Marine Protected Area!!

http://passport.panda.org/campaigns/action_epetition.cfm?uCampaignId=1641&uActionId=2421)

Remember, alway put your attention when enjoying nature on holidays on the sea, it's our right to live great moments of relaxing in these incredilbe places looking like paradise on Earth, but we also have the DUTY of respecting the environmnent and its inhabitants!

Truly yours,

-Josephine-

(source: WWF
http://passport.panda.org/campaigns/index.cfm?uNC=44987419)

Give your favourite name to a Humpback whale!

2007-10-24T09:56:00.000+02:00

Greenpeace is giving everybody the chance to name a Humpback whale the way we want: the program of tracking these whales in order to see if they're ok, is giving some problems of recognizing, and, just to avoid of calling these incredible animals only with a tracking number, we can find names for them.

Just click on the link below and enter your favourite name!!! I already did enter my choice for a name to give to these beautiful creatures, so.. do the same!

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/oceans/whaling/great-whale-trail/profiles/namethewhale?utm_source=gpi-whale-mail&utm_medium=email

hugs,
-Josephine-

"Per l'unico pianeta che abbiamo" (COOP's engagement)

2007-10-16T12:25:00.001+02:00

Lately you might have seen on the 3 Swiss Television Channels, a rapper (named STRESS) singing and appearantly advertising for some company.

The company is the shop COOP, known in Switzerland for its very Swiss products (some) and for its constant engagement in matter Nature Protection (product such as CoopNaturaPlan, MaxHavelaar initiative, BIO products, ...).

It is really worth it, dedicating some minutes of your day watching this video, original language is French and subtitles are obviously in Italian. For those who don't understand nor French, nor Italian, I will then publish a translation of the verses.

Enjoy and, as I always recommend... THINK! (and, if you listen carefully, you'll hear that time is scanned by a drop dripping into water...... fact that already should make everybody think, deeply).

hugs,
-Josephine-

http://www.cooperazione.ch/index.cfm?id=27910

Focus on Glaciers (http://www.greenpeace.ch/)

2007-10-16T11:16:00.000+02:00

This picture talks by itself, I guess.

Switzerland is one of the most lucky countries who can count important and famous glaciers on its surface, but this is kind of changing.

I tend to take examples from Switzerland because it is my country and it is particularly important to me.

Not accidentally this is a very important period for Switzerland, in matter of politics. This Sunday, it is actually Elections Day, politicians from every Swiss Canton are trying to convince everyone of us of being the RIGHT ONE, but, is there any one who is REALLY the right one? I personally have no idea.

In matter of Environment we had very few concrete discussions, as in television or in any other kind of media. I personally think, that, just like any politician, they’re just making promises and illusions that, once elected, no one will ever maintain.

On this problem, I would like you to put your attention on this selection of Swiss politicians, made by Greenpeace Switzerland, in order to clear up some doubts. By clicking this link you will find a Greenpeace animation where, after having choosen your Canton, you will see at what “Enironment friendly” level every politician is: http://www.greenpeace.ch/de/themen/klima/klimapolitik/klimarating/

By clicking this other link, you will find the official Swiss website about Environment Skills of the politicians appearantly wanting to lead our Switzerland during the next years: http://www.umweltrating.ch/

I don’t want to talk about any politics preferences (I am so young that I don’t know yet, what’s my defined politic preference!), my intention is simply to get your attention on this matter, and make you think about the environmental consequences if we should choose “the wrong one” who maybe doesn’t give a damn about the always faster melting of glaciers in the Arctic as in Switzerland, about the imminent extinction (already in progress…) of important and different species of animals, about the impossibility of keeping this life-style if we want to assure a livable planet and future to our children.

So friends, think about it, next Sunday, October 21st!

The future is in our hands.

Umwelt-freundlich-yours,
-Josephine-

P.S.:
Here you can dowload the document about the glacier’s situation and degradation through the years (in German language – published by Greenpeace Switzerland):

http://www.greenpeace.ch/fileadmin/user_upload/Downloads/de/Klima/2006_Bro_AlarmGletscher.pdf

Blog Action Day 2

2007-10-10T09:58:00.000+02:00

Well, after seeing the increasing of visitors in the last week, I might reconsider closing down this page, and try to bring more detailed stuff, such as stats and direct and clear information.

This might help in making this matter less heavy (allthough, my friends, this is an heavy matter, I can't make much more easier something that is difficult already from its name....!), and so I hope you will understand how much engagement it takes in bringin' on this project.

It looks like it's going to be slightly frustrating because you know, it's not always easy to keep on believing in something, and nobody seems to care. Being alone is not helpful, but I see someone started to read carefully what's written in here.

So friends, here the second video for the Blog Action Day:

BLOG ACTION DAY: we're part of it!

2007-09-27T12:43:00.001+02:00

I'm glad to introduce you to this very special day:

... and this blog, ACT NOW, is now part of this incredible project.

Get involved, we've come along the way and we still can do (and we still have to do!) a lot: the road is long, but keep it up, we will do it!

yours
very-involved-and-environment-loving
-nirvy-

Save the dugongs!

2007-09-13T14:06:00.000+02:00

Here are the nice and friendly animals called "dugongs"...:

....aren't they sweet?

Well, they're in danger, as many species endagered by human pollution.

But, you can do something!!

Call on the Japanese government to save the feeding grounds of Okinawa's last dugongs from plans to expand the U.S. military base into the sea!

it's easily done: click, sign, confirm!

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/gmaps/take-action-save-the-dugongs

.....as I always say, everyone can do even a little thing, but we just have to DO IT!

animals-friendly-yours
-nirvy-

little dedication:
(and by the way, dugongs where some of my best friend's favourite animals, she is not on this Earth anymore, but she was full-time engaged in fighting against animal testing, trying to save species and she did everything in her power stop pollution
Some people have a big big heart, and even after their departure from this life, their action still keeps doing great things for their ideals.
Dear G., WE WILL save Dugongs, I promise!)

What is Biodiversity?

2007-09-12T09:28:00.000+02:00

We hear every day and more and more often talking about Biodiversity.

But, do we really know, what is it all about?

Being a member of the 2010 Countdown site (source for this article, visit and sign up: http://www.countdown2010.net).

Well, Biodiversity is an all encompassing term to describe the variety of all life and natural processes on Earth.

The Convention on Biological Diversity defines it as “the variability among living organisms from all sources [...] this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems”.

So we can understand, that this is terribily IMPORTANT to keep, because, loosing Biodiversity means loosing many species of animals, plants and types of living forms.

Facts ....!
- The abundance of species has declined by 40% between 1970 and 2000.

- Since 2000, 36 million hectares of primary forest have been lost each year

- In the Caribbean region, hard coral cover has declined by 80%, 35% of mangroves have been lost in just 20 years

- Global ecosystem services are estimated at $16-$64 trillion

Why care?
As noted by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) released in March 2005, human activities have taken the planet to the edge of a massive wave of species extinctions, further threatening our own well-being. For instance, current rates of loss are estimated at 100 to 1,000 times natural background levels.

These findings are confirmed by the statistics from the IUCN Red List of over 15,500 threatened species, which show that 23% of mammals, 12% of birds and 31% of amphibians globally are threatened.

The Millennium Assessment puts a special emphasis on how ecosystem services contribute to human well-being and concludes that humanity’s future depends on healthy ecosystems.
Have you ever considered that the glass of clear, cold, clean water drawn from your faucet may have been purified for you by a wetland or perhaps the root system of an entire forest? If we follow the chain of production for many products back to the source, more often than not we arrive back at biodiversity.

The 2010 Biodiversity Target
The goal of halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010 is the subject of several key international agreements.
Each recognises the rapid degradation of ecosystems and habitats, the increasing threat to many species populations and the urgent need to take action that will halt the decline in irreplaceable natural resources.

In political terms, these commitments represent a radical departure from previous approaches.

For the first time, an overall conservation target has been adopted rather than generally formulated objectives or specific measures that may or may not have the desired conservation effect. In that sense, the significance of these agreements cannot be overstated.

However, given the current rapid decline in biodiversity, both in Europe and worldwide, and the ever-increasing extent and intensity of many human activities, the objective of halting the decline in biodiversity by 2010 will require unprecedented efforts in adapting our activities to the needs of natural systems.

Countdown 2010 focal points in many regions worldwide assess the specific threats to biodiversity and possible approaches to alleviate them, and work with stakeholders to increase the level of action towards the 2010 biodiversity target. Currently, Countdown 2010 Hubs are active here:

And you can also be part of this incredible project!!

Concluding, sing the declaration of saving Biodaversity by 2010 by downloading the file here: http://www.countdown2010.net/index.php?s=file_download&id=2 and visit regularly the website http://www.countdown2010.net/, to keep updated about what you can do to save the world!

an-ecological-and-nature-friendly-hug

-nirvy-

Greenpace & climate change: SIGN UP!

2007-07-28T13:38:00.000+02:00

http://www.pro-igel.ch

2007-07-20T09:11:00.001+02:00

A swiss homepage taking action in order to save and protect these small and innocent creatures: dangers are uncountable for such little animals, they're withouth defense against humans!

Please pay attention to them, and visit this homepage (available only in German), there are a lots of things still to learn about them.

I saved one from the street just some weeks ago, and the feeling I had seeing him safe and free really is uncomparable.

Be nice to nature and animals!

Our future

2007-07-12T12:14:00.000+02:00

These are some graphics found on www.admin.ch, illustrating the situation of temperature, water.

Look at them carefully, and tell me: isnt' this enough yet, to make us move into a new and healthier climate future???

TEMPERATURE TRENDS OVER THE PAST 1000 YEARS:

PROJECTED RISE IN SEA LEVEL: 1990-2100:

TEMPERATURE TRENDS 1900-2100:

Climate and CO2 in Switzerland

2007-07-12T12:10:00.000+02:00

While people in developing countries are the hardest hit by an increased incidence of droughts, flooding and tropical storms, the effects of climate change will also be felt in Switzerland.

There is a risk of more frequent extreme events such as flooding or heatwaves, and snowfall will become increasingly rare at lower altitudes.

In 1992, the international community concluded the Framework Convention on Climate Change, followed in 1997 by the Kyoto Protocol. Now, the agreed strategy is to be implemented. The wide range of commitments undertaken includes research, education and communication, specific measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support for developing countries.

An overview of Switzerland's climate policy activities (as of 2005) is provided by the 4th National Communication under the UNFCCC (Swiss National Communications under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change).

An illustrated overview of the state of scientific knowledge on climate change, expected impacts in Switzerland, and the policy response at the international and national level.

SOURCE:
Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) Climate Unit CH
3003 Bern
Switzerland
climate@bafu.admin.ch
Specialist staff: climate@bafu.admin.ch
Last updated on: 28.06.2007

"Humans for Animals" by TBWA

2007-07-06T13:50:00.001+02:00

These pictures created by an agency called TBWA, are part of the campaign called “Humans for Animals”. It's surely a provocatory and schocking communicative source.

We could think this has gone too far, but personally, I don't think so: this is just the picture of what some people do to innocent creatures, just the characters exchanged their places.

On the bottom of both picture we can read "don't treat others the way you don't want to be treated".

Might sound terrible, but this is how it is: people showing glad how they kill baby seals, in my opinion DESERVE a the same treatment the inflict to innocent creatures. But that's just my thought.

Think about it.

Household energy use

2007-06-15T19:47:00.000+02:00

Efficiency how to: Some clever ways to save lots of electricity and money (and by the way: also the planet).

'The clever way: better with less' Heating and cooling.

It should, however, be noted that in moderate and cold climate zones, space heating takes up at least half of the overall energy use. Therefore, proper insulation and ventilation is the first and most important energy saving measure. It can reduce heating needs to one-third (about 50 kWh heat/m2/y) or even one tenth (less than 15 kWh heat/m2/y) of what an average house would need.
Remarkably, a properly insulated house, which only needs a third of the heat to keep you warm, will not be more expensive to build. The extra investments in insulation, ventilation and high-efficiency glazing, can be offset by a smaller and cheaper heating system.
An efficient house will also be healthier and more comfortable to live in - it avoids 'cold radiation' (as from windows), the differences of temperature between heated and non-heated rooms is less, and it can be more efficiently ventilated.In hot regions, energy use for active cooling (air conditioning) can be minimised or even avoided if the construction is well-thought out. In a moderated climate, active cooling can always be avoided.

Electricity consumption in households differs immensely throughout the world. Even within the OECD (industrialised countries), an average European household consumes 4,667 kWh, whereas a household in the US consumes 11,209 kWh and in Japan 5,945kWh per year.

A US household uses three times more electricity for lighting, and twice as much in refrigerators than in the EU. This does not necessarily reflect a difference in comfort. As we will explain, there are high efficiency appliances that consume two to 10 times less electricity for an equal functionality, and that are most often also of higher quality.
Using only highly efficient and money saving appliances can reduce the electricity consumption of an average household to as low as 1,300 kWh/y, without any loss of comfort. This is almost 10 times less than the US average.

Try to minimise electricity use: its generation needs a lot of energy, mostly heat produced in coal, gas or nuclear plants.
Using electric hot water heaters or space heating is extremely inefficient. At the power plant, some 60 percent of the energy is lost as waste heat.
Another 10 percent is lost in electricity lines and transformers before the electricity even reaches your home.

1. Use efficient lighting
Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents (CFLs). Compact fluorescents use four times less energy, and last eight times longer (8,000h instead of 1,000h) than incandescent light bulbs.
For example, a typical 75W incandescent bulb will be replaced by an 18W compact fluorescent.
The compact fluorescent will be more expensive to buy, but you will need to replace it eight times less often and it will use less electricity, which often makes it the biggest electricity saver in your house. At a minimum, we recommend replacing the bulbs in all lamps that are used for 30min/day or more.Fluorescent tubes are even more efficient than compact fluorescent lamps, and last even longer (10,000-20,000h). Only use tubes with a modern ballast starter that avoids flickering and lights immediately - good ones add another 20 percent efficiency.
Another option is a CFL with a dedicated fixture. The electronic ballast which is part of the fixture lasts 40,000 hours and bulbs can be replaced separately at lower cost. Both CFLs and fluorescent tubes are available in a dimmable fixtures. This can increase comfort, save even more energy and extend the lifetime of the bulb.Especially avoid halogen floor lamps, which typically have a power of 300W or more, produce lots of heat and are actually so hot (some 500° Celsius) that they can cause serious burns and start fires. Besides, on hot summer days they are very uncomfortable to be around. A CFL floor lamp only uses 50-80W at 40° Celsius.
They can save loads of energy and even your life.Also pay attention to the light fixtures. Clever use of reflectors, and directional lamps to get the light where you need it can save you another 50 percent energy cost and improve your comfort!
Well thought out use of efficient lights can thus reduce electricity needs up to 8 times.CFLs at the end of their operating life should be disposed of properly so the mercury inside can be recycled. To be clear, even if not recycled, CFLs are still the better choice, since the inefficiency of incandescent and halogen lights causes far greater environmental damage - including mercury emissions from coal fired power plants. (But please do recycle the CFLs.)

Also, conversion to efficient lighting often leads to an increase in the use of light. To some degree, this can be a positive effect, as it can increase comfort and your well-being. But it can also lead to wasting light, such as leaving lamps on when there is no need to (e.g. when you leave the room). This is reinforced by the misconception that turning CLFs on and off is expensive. As a general rule, always turn off the lights when you leave the room or the house.

2. Buy efficient electric appliances.
They use two to 10 times less electricity for the same functionality, and are mostly higher quality products that last longer than the less efficient ones. In short, efficient appliances save you lots of energy and money.In many countries, efficiency rating labels are mandatory on most appliances. In the EU, models are labelled A++ for the most efficient, then A+, A, B, C, D for subsequently less efficient models. Look for the A++ or A+ models. In the US, the Energy Star label is used.The label gives you information on the annual electricity consumption. In the paragraphs below, we provide some indication of the consumption of the most efficient appliances to use as a rough guide when shopping. Lists of brands and models and where to find them are country-specific and so cannot be listed here, but check the links on this page for more detailed information.Average consumption of electric appliances in different regions in the world, compared with the high efficient models on the market.

3. Refrigerators
Buy a high efficiency refrigerator that consumes around 100 kWh/y. This is 10 times less than the average in the US, and four times less than the EU average. Remarkably, energy consumption by the most efficient refrigerator models is largely unrelated to their size. The most efficient 400-litre fridge on the market today only consumes 106kWh/y. These efficient refrigerators are about 5-15 percent more expensive to buy, but will save you loads of money and energy in use. In general, they are also high quality products that will last longer, will need less repairing and make less noise.Avoid refrigerators with a built-in frozen food compartment, if you have a separate freezer. These models are less efficient and you loose cooling space.

4. Freezers
For most home consumers it is better to buy a two door refrigerator/freezer combination with separate compartments, than a separate refrigerator and freezer. Refrigerator/freezer combinations where the freezer is at the top or bottom of the unit are generally better than ones with side by side doors. Of course, you should always compare energy consumption ratings, pay attention to energy efficiency labels and look for Greenfreeze technology.
This award-winning two door refrigerator/freezer only consumes 137kWh/year.Chest type models are more efficient than uprights.Unlike refrigerators, with freezers size does matter. Larger freezers do need more electricity. So don't buy a freezer that is larger than you need, especially if you live close to the store. The most efficient models on the market will only use 180 kWh for a 300 litre chest, and 240 kWh/y for a large 450 litre freezer chest. The best upright models range from 170 kWh for a 190 litre model to 220 kWh for a 310 litre model.

5. Clothes washing machines
Buy a high-efficiency model with a power consumption of less than 0.9 kWh/washing cycle. Consider a 'hot fill' model which connects directly to your efficient gas-fired water heater. Using gas to heat the water almost halves electricity consumption.
Installing a hot fill appliance needs to be done correctly, so good advice is required.Check the energy label.
The EU A+/A/A label will guarantee you the best energy efficiency and washing and drying result.If using a clothes dryer, make sure that your washing machine can spin at 1600 or even 1800 rpm.The most efficient washing machines save some 1,500 litres of water per year - a double gain!

6. Clothes dryers
Traditional clothes dryers are very energy intensive. So-called 'condensation' models – without an exhaust tube – use even more energy. Consider drying the natural way (i.e. on a clothes line outdoors) if practical, this will save you 3-4 kWh/washing cycle.If line drying is not an option, first make sure that your washing machine can spin at 1600 or even 1800 rpm. This will almost halve the energy needed for drying.
Drying through spinning is 20 times less energy intensive than with heat.
There are two clothes-drying technologies that use far less energy: the gas-fired clothes dryer and the dryer with an electric heat pump. The gas-fired dryer is the best alternative, especially for more intensive use: it uses 60 percent less energy (including the gas) and dries 40 percent faster. If gas is not available, consider a dryer with a heat pump.
A heat pump dryer will use half the electricity of a traditional dryer.
However, heat pumps can be rather expensive. And in summer, just let the clothes get dry under the sun....!!!!!!

7. Dishwashers
An efficient dishwasher consumes no more than one kWh/washing cycle, compared with 1.4 kWh for an average model.Consider a 'hot fill' model which connects directly to your efficient gas fired hot water heater.
That way, gas is used to heat the water instead of electricity, thereby reducing electricity consumption by 50 percent, or even up to 90 percent for the top models. This is because gas is almost twice as efficient for heating water as electricity. Note that installing a 'hot fill' needs to be done properly so good advice is required.

8. Computers and IT
Buy a laptop instead of a desktop, if practical. It consumes five times less electricity.
If you buy a desktop, get an LCD screen instead of an outdated CRT. Enable the power management function on your computer, the screensaver does not save energy.Check if your computer supports the more advanced Speedstep™ power management.
Switching off a computer extends its lifetime, contrary to some misconceptions. Leaving a computer running the whole year will cost you more than 1,000 kWh/y, or almost as much a the total electricity consumption of a high-efficiency household. Use one large power strip for your computer, broadband modem, scanner, printer, monitor, and speakers. Switch it off when equipment is not in use. This is a practical way to cut 200 kWh/y or more of standby losses (see standby). Minimise printing. Laser printers use more electricity than inkjet printers.

9. Cut off standby losses ("The vicious energy-suckers")
Most modern electric appliances consume electricity even when turned off. For TVs, VCRs, faxes, HiFis, computer screens, cable boxes, and broadband modems this is on average some 40 – 120 kWh/y. In total, household losses can reach several hundreds kWhs/y, all for doing nothing useful.
The best solution is to buy appliances that have a very low standby energy consumption. Standby power consumption is mentioned in the product manual and can be checked before buying.
For most appliances, it should be around 0.5 – 1 watts/hour or 4-8 kWh/year. Keep in mind that the cost of wasted standby energy over a model's lifetime can be higher than the cost of buying it!
A power strip is also the most practical way to switch of VCR, TV and DVD-player stand-by losses (you can cut off all three devices at once).
The multi socket power strip: a practical way to combat stand-by losses. This model costs only 1.8 euro and can save you more than 100kWh/y!In the 15 countries of the EU in 2000, the total energy lost to standby in households was estimated at 94 billion kWh, or the equivalent of 12 large nuclear or coal power plants. The fast growth of inefficient ICT and multimedia applications could nearly double this in 10 years.

10. Do not use an electric boiler (hot water heater) for hot water ("Heat the water, not the sky!")
An electric boiler consumes about 3,200 kWh/y (average OECD).
But producing that electricity in highly inefficient gas, coal or nuclear plants, and then transmitting that electricity down the power line to your home costs some 9,600 kWh in electricity wasted as heat - so roughly 2/3rds of the energy is lost before it even reaches your home.
Using gas or oil directly to heat water reduces energy use to 3,800 kWh.
A solar boiler can further halve that figure to 1,900 kWh in a moderate climate zone (and even less in sunny regions) - for a total energy savings of about five times what the electric boiler uses.
However, do not use a solar boiler combined with an electric heating, as this will be less efficient than a gas boiler alone - the energy cost of the electric heating usually wipes out the savings gained by the solar boiler.

11. Use a water-saving shower head
The water-saving shower head delivers high comfort for only half of the water use (5-7 litres/min. Instead of 10-18 litres/min.). Hot water is the second most important area of energy use in a household, after space heating, and thus needs extra attention. An efficient shower head can save almost 1,500 kWh electricity/y if an electric boiler is used, or 1,900 kWh heat if a gas or oil boiler/geyser is used.
All this for just a few dollars/euros extra when you buy the showerhead.
Over its lifetime of 10 years, a showerhead will also save some 70,000 litres of water.Using a water-saving showerhead, combined with a solar boiler reduces energy needs to some 950 kWh heat (gas or oil), or almost 10 times less than when an electric boiler is used with a traditional shower head!

12. Do not use electric space heating
Same reasons as for the electric boiler. Instead add insulation, and (ideally) heat your house using a renewable energy solution like solar thermal. However, gas heating is still far better than electric heating.

(MAIN SOURCE: http://www.greenpeace.com)

USEFUL LINKS:
(additional info about)
http://www.greencampus.harvard.edu/cerp/takeaction.php
http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/take-action/greentips
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/press/reports/greenfreeze-from-snowball-to

MTV's action

2007-06-15T11:53:00.000+02:00

Dear Readers and Friends,

Yesterday, you may have seen it as well, on MTV Germany was "climate day", a celebration introduced just this year due to the now known problems we are creating to the environment and Earth in general. Climate is changing always faster and everyday we can feel that, comparing to the years in past when we stil used to "have seasons", something is really wrong with weather. This is also because of our most often inconsiderate use of energies given us from Nature.

MTV is a channel which addresses to most young people, personally I think it's good that such a channel takes action and has a clear position on this delicate matter (we know that sometimes for powerful people and medias it's easier to go with what the gouvernement says, then to express directly and with no dobut what they really think!!).

Anyway, this migh be just a "small" a step forward, but let's hope it will grow up as fast as possibile.

Young people like me personally, are told to be the so-called future, so realize: we have not only the weight of having the future of demography, economics and politics on our shoulders: we have the future of a well-living on our Earth in our hands. And that's a big deal, and in my opinion, more important than all those other thing we have to carry on. On what we do in these years we are living through, depends our lifestyle in 20, 30, 50 years, or maybe even less than that.

Let's not miss this chance to change the terrible vision of the future that is waiting for us....!!!
Here are some little everyday actions that might help environment get a little bit better every day:

1. Switch to an independent electricity offerer: only with that, you can save up to 1.9 barrels of CO2.

02. Use public transport facilities: if you can go by train, by bus or anything else, but avoid using always your own car (if it's not strictly necessary!). If you know somone working next to you, or goes at same school as yours, organize in order to use a car for more than just one person: that's already a big help. Remember: a car uses something like 800 Kg CO2 every year!

03. Eat less meat: you can save up to 400 Kg CO2.

04. Careful shopping: buy biological stuff from your own region: for bio cultivation only the half of energy is needed, compared to the industry one.

05. Turn down your heating. A lower room temperature, even only of one degree, turns down the CO2 issue of a 4-people housekeeping of about 350 Kg every year.

06. Wash with a lower temperature and with a full washer: don't wash a single t-shirt or just a couple of things, wait until you have enough clothes to fill the washer. Every year, without using prewash and tumble dryer, you can save up to 330 Kg CO2.

07. Think twice before buying electronics: look carefully at the energy efficiency of the object you'd like to buy, you can save up to 50% of the energy use.

08. FORGET the stand-by function!! looks like it's off, but it's not, it's still using precious energy! Turn off your TV when you don't watch it anymore, simply with that, you can save every year, as a single housekeeping, 300 Kg.
Imagine with computers, printers, ......

09. Use energy conservation lamps: a British study has demonstrated, that, if every housekeeping would change from using normal light bulbs, to energy conservation ones, a whole power station can be closed down!!!

Just try.... and tell me!
hugs
yours
-nirvy-

Trying to lead an helping hand

2007-06-14T10:05:00.000+02:00

Dear Friends,
this blog was born as a direct consequence of my previous and first blog, rememberingnirvy.blogspot.com.

On that blog, I tend to write my feelings and moods, but I wanted to do something more engaged.

This is just a try to let everybody know that the climate problem it is a very important question to solve, though politicians don't seem to give a fuck about this!

Let's not forget all the beautiful things we have in this world, existing years and years before we could ever imagine of living on this great planet!

Feel free to post your comments, links, whatever might help anyone to be informed about the problem.

I will try to give any suggestions of how we can try to avoid what's worst, and what's, most eventually will happen anyhow.

Thanks for reading, thanks for paying attention.

First I will begin by publishing this post I previously wrote for my other blog.

With respect,

nirvy

LET'S NOT FORGET: Save Our World!

2007-06-14T09:52:00.000+02:00

(original post previously published on
http://rememberingnirvy.blogspot.com
November 2006)

LET'S NOT FORGET: THIS IS STILL HAPPENING TO US!!!

Nella primavera del 1995, un iceberg all’incirca delle dimensioni del canton Vaud, si staccò dall’Antartide e raggiunse l’Atlantico del Sud.
Questo non fu solamente un chiaro segnale di allarme del surriscaldamento del nostro pianeta, ma la prova che l’uomo sta provocando cambiamenti climatici devastanti per il futuro delle risorse naturali.I più famosi climatologi di tutto il mondo si sono uniti nell'Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Le loro conclusioni sono a dir poco inquietanti:· Dalla fine degli anni '60 a oggi, il manto nevoso si è ridotto in tutto ilmondo del 10%;· Nel XX secolo i ghiacciai sono regrediti in tutto il mondo;· Nel periodo dagli anni '50 a oggi, lo spessore estivo dei ghiacci dell'Artide è diminuito del 40%;· Nel XX secolo, il livello dei mari di tutto il mondo è aumentato di 10-20 cm; nell'emisfero boreale, le precipitazioni sono diminuite dello 0,3% ogni dieci anni; nella seconda metà del XX secolo, sempre nell'emisfero boreale, gli eventi atmosferici di notevole gravità sono aumentati del 2-4%;· Dagli anni '70, ondate di caldo come El Niño sono diventate più frequenti, intense e prolungate.

Negli ultimi decenni, in determinate regioni dell'Asia e dell'Africa, sono aumentate notevolmente l’incidenza e l’intensità dei periodi di siccità.Mentre nel XX secolo abbiamo registrato un aumento medio delle temperature pari a 0,6 °C, la temperatura nella sola Artide è aumentata di ben 5 °C.

Ne consegue che la calotta di ghiaccio della Groenlandia sta iniziando a sciogliersi e che la banchisa al Polo Nord sta scomparendo.Riprese satellitari della NASA evidenziano le dimensioni della perdita: negli ultimi trent’anni nell’Artide si è sciolta una superficie di ghiaccio pari a Francia e Spagna messe insieme.E i meteorologi del Max-Planck-Institut temono che, entro la fine del secolo, dovremo fare i conti, in estate, con il completo scioglimento della banchisa.(…) Il ghiaccio «perenne» raffredda il pianeta, svolgendo un ruolo fondamentale nel sistema climatico. Più si rimpiccioliscono le superfici di ghiaccio, infatti, maggiore è il surriscaldamento: il biancore dei ghiacci restituisce all’atmosfera buona parte dell’energia solare.

Come se non bastasse, la fusione del ghiaccio polare modifica il contenuto salino del mare, ripercuotendosi direttamente sulle correnti degli oceani.
Un rallentamento della corrente del Golfo, ad esempio, provocherebbe inverni molto più rigidi in Europa.La priorità assoluta dell’uomo, oggi, è di arrestare la fusione del ghiaccio polare per evitare stravolgimenti climatici irreversibili.(FONTE: https://www.wwf.ch/)

I nostri ghiacciai come quelli del mondo intero si ritirano davvero a vista d’occhio, le nevi si sciolgono troppo rapidamente provocando scompensi nel normale ciclo vitale di tutti gli esseri viventi, quali piante ed animali.
Come avrete visto dai cartelloni “pubblicitari” di sensibilizzazione dello stesso WWF l'anno scorso (cartoline arrivate anche nelle nostre case), il rinomato ghiacciaio dell’Aletsch, se visto a confronto di 100 anni ca. sembra quasi irriconoscibile.

Nel parco nazionale di Amboseli, in Kenya, l’emergenza climatica è forse più in evidenza che in altre parti del mondo in quanto lo stesso parco giace praticamente ai piedi del Kilimangiaro. Le nevi perenni formatesi nel corso di millenni sopra la celeberrima cima si stanno infatti sciogliendo troppo rapidamente, inondando così le pianure altrimenti irrigate regolarmente.

Le paludi e i fiumi della pianura vengono infatti alimentati dalla neve che si scioglie dal monte, costituendo nutrimento per piante, animali e mandrie delle comunità Maasai (nonchè per le comunità stesse!).

L’eccessivo approvvigionamento di acqua causerà, entro pochi anni, l’esaurimento della risorsa dalla montagna, e la conseguente siccità totale. La conseguenza diretta sarà la mortalità di animali e vegetazione, e per alcune specie potrebbe dover significare l’estinzione.

Le autorità sperano di risolvere questi problemi organizzando i famosi "vertici delle potenze mondiali", ma non faranno mai niente di utile, in quanto gli interessi economici e politici sono ben lungi dal salvare l'ecologia del pianeta. Probabilmente non si rendono conto che secondo studi scientifici il peggio e l'impensabile potrebbe già verificarsi con sintomi e conseguenze concrete entro il 2012.

So che da qui magari si pensa di non poter fare molto, ma per quanto possa valere invito tutti a cliccare il seguente link

http://www.wwf.ch/it/fare/index.cfm

Chissà che non si possa dare una manina, anche piccola.