Even after 100 years have passed a restored wetland may not reach the state of its former glory. A new study in the open access journal PLoS Biology finds that restored wetlands may take centuries to recover the biodiversity and carbon sequestration of original wetlands, if they ever do. The study questions laws, such as in the U.S., which allow the destruction of an original wetland so long as a similar wetland is restored elsewhere.
The speed of light is considered to be the limit at which no object can go faster. But here on Earth, nature has its own speed limit which affects its fastest creatures every day. The speed at which an animal can go, and human aircraft for that matter, is directly dependent upon how far that animal can see. Using complex mathematical equations, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have effectively quantified nature’s speed limit. They found that given a certain density of obstacles, there exists a speed at which a bird can reasonably fly without collision.
Posted by admin | Posted in Renewable Energy | Posted on 23-01-2012
Dominic, and John, from Fafco Solar in Southwest Florida, review the new Hybrid Solar Air Conditioning solution which is available now! With energy savings of 40%, to as high as 85%, the Solar Air Conditioning solution is a great way to reduce your electric bill by powering your home from the sun! For more information visit Fafco Solar at www.FafcoSolar.com, or by calling (239) 574-1500.
Italy risks its worst environmental disaster in more than two decades if the 2,400 tonnes of thick fuel in the capsized Costa Concordia pollutes one of the Mediterranean’s most prized and pristine maritime reserves.
Seven days after the 114,500 tonne liner capsized off the Tuscan coast, its vast wreck is shifting precariously on an undersea ledge, threatening to slide further and undermining plans to pump the oil out safely.
The ship keeled over after striking a rock and is now lying on its side on a shelf in about 20 meters of water off the little island of Giglio. Eleven people were killed and 21 are still unaccounted for.
One of the highlights of this year’s World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi was a tour of Planet Solar’s incredible solar powered yacht – the Turanor. The largest solar powered boat ever to set sail, the Turanor is on the final leg of a round-the-world tour, the first time anyone has managed to sail around the world powered entirely by solar energy. The massive 8.5 ton boat comfortably carries a crew of a half dozen or so with plenty of room to host a dockside party for 100. It cruises comfortably at 5 knots but is capable of double that speed on particularly good days as it cuts through the waves with its knife-like design. Most impressive – the boat can can store as much as 3 days worth of sailing power in a huge rack of lithium ion batteries – thus allowing it to sail in the dark of night without a hitch.
Posted by admin | Posted in Renewable Energy | Posted on 19-01-2012
Iveco presented the innovation concept Iveco Glider as a world premiere during the Hannover Motor Show in September 2010. It is a concept truck on Productivity, which is addressed in terms of Energy Efficiency and Liveability. The results are: energy demand reduction by 40% , fuel saving of 28.000€/year, CO2 emissions reduction by 56tCO2/year and finally an unprecedented life on-board. What do you think about it?
Posted by admin | Posted in Renewable Energy | Posted on 19-01-2012
Solar power saves lives. The Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) and Partners In Health (PIH) are working together to bring solar energy to 40 remote PIH clinics in Haiti, Rwanda, Lesotho and Malawi.
China is starting to get on board with the international push to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Last week, China’s authoritarian government ordered five cities and two provinces to institute limits on GHG emissions. These areas will now have to submit proposals to the national government’s National Development and Reform Commission on how they plan to achieve it.
Posted by admin | Posted in Renewable Energy | Posted on 17-01-2012
Excerpts from a Residential Renewable Energy workshop offered through CU Boulder’s Sustainable Practices Certificate Program. This course was taught by green building expert and author Dan Chiras. For more information about this and other Sustainable Practices courses visit www.cugreenbuilding.com
