Green

BP agrees to pay record sums to settle worst oil disaster in the Gulf

In early November 2012, the oil giant British Petroleum (BP) has agreed to admit charges and to pay a record $4.5 billion including a $1.26 billion criminal fine over a five year period to the U.S. Department of Justice to settle charges stemming from the April 2010 oil platform disaster that killed 11 employees and released estimated 4.9 million barrels of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico.  Even with a record fine this may not be the end of the story.  More claims and civil fines for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act and other statutes costing many more billions are yet to be settled.  Court trials against individuals of BP scheduled for February 2013.

Of the total amount, $2.39 billion will go to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for environmental cleanup.  Another $350 million will go to the National Academy of Sciences to conduct research environmental damage to the Gulf.  These amounts are in addition to already spent $14 billion for cleanup and $9 billion for civil payouts to individuals.  BP has set aside $42 billion to cover claims stemming from the disaster and already paid out $36 billion.

The meaning of sustainable development

The sustainable development is defined as economic development where resource use is aimed at meeting human need while preserving the environment for now and for generations to come, according to Wikipedia. The concept originated with the Brundtland Commission that was appointed by the United Nation in 1983 and completed a report in 1987. The sustainable development contains three parts: environmental sustainability, economic sustainability and sociopolitical sustainability.

The environmental sustainability calls for activities to meet human needs while preserving the life support system indefinitely. An example will be harvesting wood while preserving biomass and biodiversity. The economic sustainability identifies the economy and the environment to be single interlinked system. The sociopolitical sustainability includes human capital, knowledge capital and natural capital.

Whatever the way you define sustainable development, it is our common future that we are dealing with. It contains the concept of needs and idea of limitations. The governments throughout the world are taking steps to implement the concept of sustainable development. The ever increasing number of Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) especially from those wealthy nations are stepping into fill any gaps created by government programs. In 1970, worlds rich governments agreed to give 0.7 percent of their gross national income as official international aid.

The U.S. Governments efforts to promote gas powered vehicles

The current U.S. Administration, more especially President Obama, is promoting natural gas powered cars and trucks since 2011. When he spoke in front of an enthusiastic crowd of Georgetown University in March 2011, gas prices went higher. Since that time, the current administration has ordered the entire U.S. Federal government fleet to be hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles by 2015. Additionally, the current administration requires cars and light trucks to deliver 54.5 miles to the gallon (MPG) by 2025. This is intended to promote use of alternative fuel vehicles. The Department of Energy allocated a $30 million grant program in July 2012 to fund continued research on natural gas powered vehicles.

The road ahead is not easy. Diesel and gasoline-powered vehicles especially cars remain more economical compared to natural gas powered vehicles. The U.S. has about two million 18-wheelers on the road and converting those to alternative fuel is not an easy task. On the other hand recent legislative efforts to promote natural gas vehicles have failed in the Congress. One such effort, the “Boone Pickens” Bill, which aimed at providing $5 billion in subsidies for buyers of natural gas trucks approved by the House but failed in the Senate.

Consumers are looking for better fuel economy vehicles

During an era of high gas prices consumers are looking for cars that deliver better mileage. According to a study conducted by the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental group, auto dealers sold more fuel efficient vehicles than other vehicles during the first six months of the year in the U.S. Another study indicates that the fuel economy in the U.S. reached 23.8 miles per gallon, an increase of 1.1 miles per gallon over the same period in 2011. Better technology and smaller cars have been identified as contributing to the national trend.

New vehicles are delivering better gas mileage. The 2013 Nissan Altima delivers 31 miles per gallon compared to its 2012 predecessor which produced only 27 miles per gallon. On the other hand Ford F150 “EcoBoost” with a six-cylinder engine produce the same power as the predecessor eight-cylinder model vehicle. It is a one mile per gallon improvement to save the planet. Overall 60 models provide better gas mileage compared to only 28 three years ago.

Earlier the U.S. Government announced that it is requiring car manufacturers to come up with models to deliver 54.5 miles per gallon in 2017 to 2025. Final rules to guide manufacturers are expected soon.

The Queen Elizabeth II’s contribution to green energy

In 1760, the British monarchy surrendered its real estate to a government run establishment known as the Crown Estate in exchange for annual payments from the British government. The monarchy received £36 million ($56 million) for 2012. Its fiscal year runs from April to March of the following year.

The monarchy’s surrender of real estate to the Crown Estate includes 12 nautical miles of offshore seabed property around Britain, several parks, a shopping center district known as the Regent Street (majority owner), many shopping centers and golf courses across the U.K. Ascot Racecourse and many farms. The Crown Estate earned a profit of £240.2 million for fiscal 2012. The Queen receives 15 percent of the profit generated by the Crown Estate for her duty as the ceremonial head of the state.

The Crown Estate leases its offshore seabed since 2000 to wind farm operators including Centrica, Dong Energy and Siemens. The wind farm revenue has doubled in recent years.

The Crown Estate owned parks are also used by wind generators and they contribute 1.5 percent of the U.K.’s electricity production. More sites are under contract for wind farm development that will increase the renewable power supply in the U.K.

Los Angeles to team up to ban the use of plastic bags at supermarkets

One of the largest cities in the U.S., the City of Los Angeles, recently adopted a resolution authorizing the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on the proposed ordinance banning the use of plastic bags at supermarkets. If adopted the City of Los Angeles will be the largest city in the U.S. to ban use of plastic bags at supermarkets. Los Angeles is home to over 7,500 such supermarkets and therefore, the proposed ordinance will have a huge impact. Implementation of the ordinace will be phased.

The proposed ordinance is a direct result of the efforts of clean water advocates who are fighting to reduce plastic waste in landfills, water ways and the ocean. Various estimates indicate that Los Angeles use approximately 2.7 billion plastic bags a year and less than 5 percent are recycled. The opponents of the ordinance blocked an earlier attempt indicating that a ban will lead to killing jobs in the City. These activists were successful in 2010 stalling an effort for a statewide ban in California.

Statewide cities of San Jose, San Francisco, Santa Monica, Long Beach and others are currently bans the use of plastic bags.

Why you should consider green when you remodel

If older homes are remodeled to improve energy efficiency, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that it could save $20 billion on energy per year. Simple steps such as upgrade to energy efficient thermostats and appliances could lead to enormous energy savings for the nation. Here are some things you should know.

Indoor air quality
Air quality inside your home may have been compromised due to tobacco smoke, toxic fumes from cleaners you use and burning wood for pleasure or to heat the house. Approximately 15 million Americans are suffering from asthma and 26 million suffer from hay fever and other allergies due to poor air quality.

Energy conservation
Appliances based on new technology consume less energy than those were built many years ago. Upgrades will give you a new look and will be easy on your valet. The Sustainable Building Industry Council (SBIC) estimates that 20% of U.S. energy is consumed by housing. Remodeling will lower the energy consumption by 30 to 50%. Forests produce 40% of earth’s oxygen and building industry use 25% earth’s forest resources.

Resource conservation
Use recycled material and sustainable species.

Additionally, consider ways to reduce material waste and environment friendly products.

Impact of plastic bags on the environment

They are convenient for shopping, cheap and easy to carry and millions are used daily. It was once considered a good alternative to using paper bags, as paper meant the cutting of more trees. But these bags are creating an ecological nightmare and have resulted in certain states and countries like Australia and South Africa even banning or taxing the use of them.

According to the data of the Environmental Protection Agency the most dangerous carcinogens and toxic emissions are produced by plastic manufacturing plants. The production of plastic bags require the use of dangerous chemicals such as Bisphenol-A among many others.

Plastic takes a very long time to biodegrade. This means we have landfill that is filled with plastic bags that will remain as such for long periods of time. These bags are mostly used once and get thrown away.

When plastic does breakdown it emits dangerous toxins such as mercury, BHT, Irganox, lead, cadmium, and diethyl hexyphosphate to the environment which damages health and the environment.

Is the convenience of using plastic bags worth all the destruction it causes? When you go shopping take a re-usable bag or a basket and say no to plastic.

How you can go green at the office

In a world that is more and more concerned about conserving the environment it is no surprise to see many businesses implementing eco friendly concepts in their offices. If your office does not have any such policies you can start the practice and encourage others to follow. Here are some ways you can get started:

1. Electricity: make sure you switch off lights when you are not using the room. Shut down computers completely in the evening and do not use screen savers that use a lot of energy. Switch off all office appliances without leaving them on stand by mode. Same with the microwave and kettles in the pantry.

2. Reduce the use of paper: print on both sides of the paper and use email messages with a request not to print. Use paper printed on one side only for other purposes such as taking notes. Encourage the purchase of recycled paper. Using less paper means less trees will be cut.

3. Have recycling facilities throughout the office and encourage staff to sort the waste. Have separate bins for plastics, paper and cans.

4. Refill the printer cartridges instead of throwing the old one and buying a new one.

ENRERGY CONSERVATION AT HOME

With global warming becoming more and more of a concern globally people are becoming more aware of the importance of energy conservation. You will be saving money and at the same time contributing to conserve the environment as well. Here are some things you do:

1. Switch off lights when no one is in the room.

2. Use energy efficient CFL light bulbs instead of the normal ones.

3. Switch off all electrical appliances when not in use, standby mode wastes a lot of electricity.

4. Insulate the house and keep the windows and doors closed when heating or air conditioning is turned on.

5. Line dry your clothes in summer instead of using the dryer.

6. Invest in appliance that are more energy efficient, especially high electricity usage items like hot water systems, dryers and refrigerators, you will be saving in the long run.

7. Consider installing solar panels on the roof, it can be used to heat water and if you have excess you can sell it back to the electricity company.

8. Conserve water by installing a sprinkler system for the garden, reduce shower time, turn off the water when brushing your teeth.

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