Watermelonism

China’s Spending on Renewable Energy May Total 1.8 Trillion Yuan

"China may invest another 2.3 trillion yuan in key energy-saving and emission-reducing projects, Xie Zhenhua, vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, said today at a conference in Beijing. The government aims to have 100 gigawatts of wind-power installed capacity and more than 35 gigawatts of solar power by 2015, Xie reiterated today. China’s targets have encouraged companies including China Petrochemical Corp., also known as Sinopec Group, to strengthen their commitment to protect the environment." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingChina’s Spending on Renewable Energy May Total 1.8 Trillion Yuan

Overpicking threatens Greek herbs

"Forestry officials on the Greek island of Crete have slapped a five-year ban on the collection of a variety of wild herbs snipped to near-extinction, the state-run ANA agency said. The forestry department of Hania, one of the island’s main towns, placed restrictions on picking sage, marjoram, oregano and sideritis, better known as Cretan mountain tea, in protected areas. Special permission is required for commercial collection, and an allowance of up to 500 grammes is made 'for personal use'. And Cretan dittany, a therapeutic plant prized since antiquity that is exclusive to the island, is off the table altogether." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOverpicking threatens Greek herbs

Federal appeals court rejects Texas, Wyoming challenge to EPA ‘greenhouse gas’ regulations

"A federal appeals court on Friday rejected a legal challenge by Texas and Wyoming to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s efforts to implement greenhouse gas regulations. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, split 2-1, said that the states did not have standing to sue, while rejecting related claims made by industry groups." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFederal appeals court rejects Texas, Wyoming challenge to EPA ‘greenhouse gas’ regulations

Army plans switch to ‘green’ bullets containing copper

"The Army has been looking to 'green' small caliber ammo for some time now. In 2010, the Army switched to the greener 5.56 mm M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round. 'The EPR replaces the lead slug with a copper slug,' said Lt. Col. Phil Clark, product manager for small caliber ammunition in the Program Executive Officer Ammunition. 'This makes the projectile environmentally-friendly, while still giving soldiers the performance capabilities they need on the battlefield. So far we have eliminated 1,994 metric tons of lead from 5.56 ammunition production.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingArmy plans switch to ‘green’ bullets containing copper

Imagine the ‘outrage’ from environmentalists if it had been an oil derrick

"Dozens of birdwatchers who traveled to a Scottish island to see an extremely fast and rare swift have been left distraught after it was killed by a wind turbine. There had been only eight recorded sightings of the white-throated needletail in the UK since 1846. So when one popped up again on British shores this week, bird watchers were understandably excited. A group of 40 enthusiasts dashed to the Hebrides to catch a glimpse of the brown, black and blue bird, which breeds in Asia and winters in Australasia. But instead of being treated to a wildlife spectacle they were left with a horror show when it flew into a wind turbine and was killed." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingImagine the ‘outrage’ from environmentalists if it had been an oil derrick

Wind Energy Encounters Problems and Resistance in Germany

"Germany plans to build 60,000 new wind turbines -- in forests, in the foothills of the Alps and even in protected environmental areas. But local residents are up in arms, costs are skyrocketing and Germany's determination to phase out nuclear power is in danger. Even valuable tourist regions -- such as the Moselle valley, the Allgäu and the foothills of the Alps -- are to be sacrificed. On one side stand environmentalists and animal rights activists passionate about protecting the tranquility of nature. On the other are progressively minded champions of renewable energy and climate activists determined to secure the long-term survival of the planet." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWind Energy Encounters Problems and Resistance in Germany

Safety Statistics Are Not to Be Ignored, Especially Not in Oil Transport

"An oil spill is 34 times more likely with a railway accident compared to just the aging pipeline infrastructure. So why then are we relying more and more on rail transports? The answer is simple: there is simply too much uninformed opposition to building new pipelines and replace the aging infrastructure criss-crossing North America. But the fact of the matter is this: for every day that we delay implementing a 'Casey Sensible Solution,' we are in fact putting rural communities such as Lac Mégantic at risk from either rail disasters or spills from pipelines that have been around since the Eisenhower administration." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSafety Statistics Are Not to Be Ignored, Especially Not in Oil Transport

Obama’s ‘green’ procurement plan creating ‘de facto ban’ on ammunition

"At the same time federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security are buying up ammunition stockpiles around the country, the Obama administration is now pushing states to mandate 'green ammunition' that is free of lead. Sources say health-care advocates are arguing that lead bullet fragments, especially in game such as venison, are neurotoxins that can harm children and developing fetuses. The federal government and some states are looking at alternative metals that include copper and tungsten materials, but they are so hard that technically they could violate federal regulations barring armor-piercing ammunition.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama’s ‘green’ procurement plan creating ‘de facto ban’ on ammunition

DOE Green Energy Loans: $11.45 million per job and a rounding error’s worth of averted carbon emissions.

"Green energy jobs and DOE loans are tallied under programs 1703 and 1705 on this list. Permanent jobs created: 2,298; Taxpayer financed loan guarantees: $26.33 billion. 19 of the projects cost more than $10 million per permanent job. Even if you use the Obama maldaministration’s accounting methods and include temporary employment, the totally idiotic 'jobs created/saved' category and include the 33,000 Ford Motor Company jobs 'saved', you get ~60,000 jobs at a cost of $34.5 billion –> $580,000 per job." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDOE Green Energy Loans: $11.45 million per job and a rounding error’s worth of averted carbon emissions.

Germany stops Icelandic whale meat shipment to Japan in environmentalist victory

"Six containers of whale meat are on their way back to Iceland after German authorities removed the controversial cargo from a ship bound for Japan, Icelandic media reported on Friday. The batch was first stopped by German customs in Hamburg, where the containers were unloaded and then sent back via Rotterdam in the Netherlands. 'Transportation of products between Iceland and Japan is in accordance with international law,' Foreign Minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson told RUV. Iceland 'will now consider how to react to the transport of whale products being stopped and will stand firmly on Icelandic interests in this matter,' he added." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGermany stops Icelandic whale meat shipment to Japan in environmentalist victory