Erik van Erne aka Milieunet is working on awareness and change of behaviour by means of communication about energy, sustainability, renewable energy, climate change, environment, waste, recycling, re-use, cradle to cradle, human rights, animal rights and international development cooperation.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
TEDxSalzburg: Create Your Own Change by Dietmar Dahmen
Climate Change Politics: Why Right-Wing Doesn't Act
TEDxCAPU: The Canadian Internet Story by Cybele Negris
TEDxCAPU: On the road to creativity by "HootSuite" David Olson
Monday, January 30, 2012
Amazon Watch Spring 2012 Green-Bag Series
The Brazilian Congress is pushing through a bill that will recklessly rewrite the country's forest protection laws and this past month President Dilma Rousseff signed legislation that severely weakened the IBAMA, the Brazilian Federal Environmental Protection Agency.
Although Brazil has made great gains in fighting deforestation this past decade, the government is removing important pillars of forest protection, putting Brazil's international commitments on the Amazon and sustainability into question.
This session will discuss the new forest code bill, the recent weakening of IBAMA, and the state of the Brazilian Amazon today as Brazil prepares to host the Rio +20 Earth Summit.
Chevron's Worst Excuse Ever
As you can see, even Chevron's PR hacks have struggled to come up with valid excuses for why they refuse to do the right thing in Ecuador. Please share it to shine a light on Chevron's refusal to take responsibility for its environmental and human rights catastrophe in Ecuador.
20% renewable energy by 2020 in the Eurepeon Union
Where Energy Comes From Animation
A Solar Water Pump in Soon Valley Pakistan
Mithos ElectroMagnetic Sports-car Concept by Tiago Inacio
Food for Fuel: An 'answer' for world hunger & high prices
It's growth has been largely due to a policy by the U.S. government- a federal subsidy paid to oil companies to incentivize them to use corn ethanol in their gasoline that is then sold to consumers at gas stations across the country. It lasted 33 years and cost more than 20 billion dollars.
Panda Bears Enjoying Delicious Cakes in Panda Center Chengdu, China
Cakes contain cornflour, soybean, wheat flour, oats and some selected nutrients. The cakes weigh some 200 grams each. A female panda can eat three per day, while the males eat four to five pieces a day.
Occupy Oakland video: Police use flashbangs & tear-gas against protesters
The demonstrators had attempted to take over vacant buildings to use as their headquarters, they also broke into City Hall and tried to occupy a YMCA. Police spokesman Jeff Thomason told media most of the arrests came around 8 pm local time. Police took many protesters into custody as they marched through the city's downtown area, with some entering a YMCA building.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
This Bulb Can Help to Save The Planet Video
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Wind and Water Turbine Design: The Horizontal axis logarithic spiral fluid turbine
Friday, January 27, 2012
Extreme Auroras Fueled by Sun Storm: Time lapse Video
The Great Energy Challenge Video by National Geographic
Source: Great Energy Challenge
President Barack Obama Bans Grand Canyon Uranium Mining for 20 Years
Read more at: The Guardian
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Clean Energy Investments Hit Record $260 Billion: United States Leads Before China
Read more at: Bloomberg
HS2 High-Speed Rail Link in The United Kingdom Gets The Green Light
Read more at: BBC News
350 Days in the Life of a Retreating Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska: Time Lapse Video
Read more at: Extreme Ice Survey
Apple's Reuse and Recycling Programme for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and even for old PCs
With the Reuse and Recycling Programme, you could turn your old equipment into a brand-new Mac, iPod, iPhone or iPad. Whether it’s an iPhone, iPad, Mac or PC computer, working or not, Apple will take it and determine if it qualifies for reuse and has a monetary value. If it does, the amount will be credited directly into your bank account. If it doesn’t, you can recycle it responsibly through one of Apple's free recycling programmes.
Read more at: Apple
Dubai launches Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park
This is the first utility-scale production capacity park of its kind in the region and a prelude to the introduction of promising projects to use renewable energy in electricity production in Dubai. This project will use solar radiations that are available all year-round to produce electricity using the latest technology available in international markets. This will, in turn, play an important role in supporting sustainable development plans and preserve natural resources while protecting the environment from pollution.
Source: Go Green
NASA Finds 2011 Ninth-Warmest Year on Record: Video
Statement by President Barack Obama on the Keystone XL Pipeline
This announcement is not a judgment on the merits of the pipeline, but the arbitrary nature of a deadline that prevented the State Department from gathering the information necessary to approve the project and protect the American people. I’m disappointed that Republicans in Congress forced this decision, but it does not change my Administration’s commitment to American-made energy that creates jobs and reduces our dependence on oil. Under my Administration, domestic oil and natural gas production is up, while imports of foreign oil are down. In the months ahead, we will continue to look for new ways to partner with the oil and gas industry to increase our energy security –including the potential development of an oil pipeline from Cushing, Oklahoma to the Gulf of Mexico – even as we set higher efficiency standards for cars and trucks and invest in alternatives like biofuels and natural gas. And we will do so in a way that benefits American workers and businesses without risking the health and safety of the American people and the environment.
Source: The White House
ecoATM Pays Cash For Your Gadgets
Read more at: ecoATM
World Future Energy Summit 2013: Powering Sustainable Innovation in Abu Dhabi
Read more at: Anders Bekeken
World Renewable Energy Forum 2012 in Denver, Colorado: EmPowering the World with Renewable Energy
The conference will be held May 13-17, 2012, at the Colorado Convention Center. This will be the first time that the American Solar Energy Society annual conference and the bi-annual World Renewable Energy Congress have been combined, providing a unique opportunity for renewable energy enthusiasts from around the world to share experiences.
Read more at: World Renewable Energy Forum
World Energy Forum 2012 in Dubai: A Forum for World Leaders
This global event is expected to be attended by over 2,000 delegates including government dignitaries, energy ministers, and executives from energy companies from all over the world to discuss issues relating to energy, environment, climate change and sustainable development. The event will take place from 22 to 24 October 2012 at the Dubai International Convention Center.
Read more at: World Energy Forum
Utah Doctors Join the Occupy Movement
Air pollution causes between 1,000 and 2,000 premature deaths every year in Utah.
Source: Truthout
NASA Video: Strongest Solar Storm In Years Captured
An active region on the Sun unleashed two blasts in quick succession (Jan. 19, 2012), which have sent particle clouds headed towards Earth. The images combine the wider field of view from SOHO's C2 coronagraph with the Sun itself as seen in extreme UV light by Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). The initial burst above the Sun is from the sar side of the Sun and not headed our way. The next two bursts, one quickly following the other, are from the bright active region seen near the 10 o'clock position. A series of coronal loops rise up above the active region after these events. The impact on the geomagnetic storm Earth may cause some bright auroras. The video covers about 24 hours of activity.
Hiriko: The Very First Folding Car
The new vehicle, which has been dubbed as a 'capsule-like city car' is to be unveiled in Brussels by Jose Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Commission and it is reported that it is powered by four in-wheel motors. Each wheel is said to be independently driven and steers by 'robot' in-wheel electric motors to increase manoeuvrability. The conventional steering wheel has been replaced by a 'joystick' which tugs on the driver's fingers when ordered by a navigation system. Source: Go Green Hiriko: The Very First Folding Car is Launched
Happy Australia Day: Let's Celebrate Australia by James Trotter
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Happy Australia Day in the City 2012
Happy Australia Day: The 2012 Australia Day Address by Charlie Teo
Since its inception in 1997 and in a fitting build up to Australia Day, the Australia Day Address has become one of the nation’s most important and successful Australia Day initiatives. The Address taps into the essence of what the 26 January is all about – celebrating and reflecting on our national spirit. The 2012 Australia Day Address will be delivered by Associate Professor Charles Teo AM.
Read more at: Australia Day
2012 State Of The Union Address by President Barack Obama
Monday, January 23, 2012
Tapped Trailer
Verification code PPXHZ98P2JXA
The Windmill Project Vail Colorado by Patrick Marold
The WINDMILL PROJECT involves placing a mass of light generating windmills in specific outdoor locations. The wind forces each windmill to produce a relevant amount of light, in a sense digitizing the wind. This work of art converts the energy of wind into a responsive visual choreography, exhibiting the rhythm of a mechanical process that is collaborating with the harmony and chaos of wind. Source: Patrick Marold
Monday, January 16, 2012
Martin Luther King's Last Speech: "I Have Been To The Mountaintop"
Martin Luther King: "We Shall Overcome"
Ethanol fuel to blame for worldwide food shortage?
The Food vs. Fuel Battle Continues
What We Can Do To End World Hunger by EVOLVE! Campaigns
One acre of land can yield 30,000 pounds of carrots, 40,000 pounds of potatoes or 50,000 pounds of tomatoes. However, one acre of land can yield only 250 pounds of meat. Why? Because depending on the animal in question, it takes from three to twenty pounds of vegetable protein to create just one pound of animal protein.
Friendly Aquaponics
The 7th International Conference on Urban Regeneration and Sustainabilit
Source: Sustainable Cities
Google, and KKR Plan To Invest $189M in US Solar Projects
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Wikileaks Arctic Oil: Governments Pro-Global Warming
Solar-powered pumps in Gambia
She's Alive... Beautiful... Finite... Hurting... Worth Dying for.
Go Clean Waterless Car Wash : Spray, Wipe, and Shine
No need for Car washers, hoses, pressure washers, waxes, and quick detailers. Goclean waterless car wash gives a bright long lasting shine and one bottle of Goclean can save up to 5000 litres of water. goclean waterless car wash gives a long lasting, bright shine without leaving annoying water spots and soap residue. Goclean is not only saving water and stopping pollution, but by also being biodegradable and Voc compliant.
What can you built in 360 hours? A 30-story building construction time lapse video
You may ask why in a hurry, and is it safe? The statistics in the video can put you in good faith. Prefabricated modular buildings has many advantages over conventional buildings. The building was built over last Christmas time and finished before New Years Eve of 2012.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
International Year of Cooperatives 2012: Cooperative Enterprises Build a Better World
With the theme of “Cooperative Enterprises Build a Better World”, the Year seeks to encourage the growth and establishment of cooperatives all over the world. It also encourages individuals, communities and governments to recognize the agency of cooperatives in helping to achieve internationally agreed upon development goals, such as the Millennium Development Goals.
The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives, highlighting the contribution of cooperatives to socio-economic development, particularly their impact on poverty reduction, employment generation and social integration.
So what exactly are cooperatives? What differentiates them from other forms of business? What are the advantages of cooperatives for members and communities in general? Cooperatives are business enterprises owned and controlled by the very members that they serve. Their member-driven nature is one of the most clearly differentiating factors of cooperative enterprises. This fact means that decisions made in cooperatives are balanced by the pursuit of profit, and the needs and interests of members and their communities. Cooperatives take many forms and operate in all sectors of society. Most share a unique set of principles which keep them attuned with their member-driven characterization.
Zayed Future Energy Prize 2012: Total Prize Fund Now $4 Million
Submissions will be judged on four main criteria: Impact; Long-Term Vision; Leadership and Innovation, and in each specific category, on the following criteria: SMEs and NGOs will be awarded three prizes: $1.5m to the overall winner; $1m to the first runner-up; and $500,000 to the second runner-up, for making a clear impact in the field, either through disseminating a particular solution, or through furthering knowledge, awareness, policy development or technology. Large Corporations will receive a special recognition award for a clear vision for the long-term future of energy, and a coherent, sustainable strategy for its own role in this future.
The Lifetime Achievement prize of $500,000 will honour an individual for an outstanding record of achievement from academic, political, technological, business or other fields in renewable energy and sustainability. Nominations for the Zayed Future Energy Prize 2012 will be accepted through August 22. Submissions through September 19. Winners will be announced January 17, 2012, in an Award ceremony in Abu Dhabi during the World Future Energy Summit (WFES).
Read more at: Anders Bekeken
World Future Energy Summit 2012: Powering Sustainable Innovation in Abu Dhabi #WFES
The fifth edition of WFES 2012 will be held from 16-19 January 2012 in Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), United Arab Emirates. Hosted by Masdar, WFES promotes innovation and investment opportunities surrounding renewable energy and environment. Under the Patronage of H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Read more at: Anders Bekeken
2012 International Year of Sustainable Energy for All
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon made sustainable energy one of his five priorities that will guide his second 5-year term. Specifically, he will direct the United Nations to extend energy’s reach in order to combat endemic poverty. Universal access to energy, improved efficiency and enhanced deployment of renewable sources are ambitious goals, and the Secretary-General is leading a Sustainable Energy for All initiative to make them achievable.
This initiative will call for private sector and national commitments and attract global attention to the importance of energy for development and poverty alleviation. The goal is to meet three objectives by 2030: Ensuring universal access to modern energy services. Doubling the rate of improvement in energy efficiency. Doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
In recognition of the importance of energy access for sustainable economic development and supporting achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, the United Nations General Assembly has designated 2012 as the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All.
Also, as part of the Sustainable Energy for All Initiative, the United Nations Foundation has launched a new global Energy Access Practitioner Network. This group will bring together practitioners from the private sector and civil society working on the delivery of energy services and solutions related to electrification in a range of developing country contexts to develop a more integrated approach to energy access planning and execution in support of the Sustainable Energy for All Target to achieve universal energy access by 2030. The Network will focus on both household and community level electrification for productive purposes, incorporating specific market-based applications for health, agriculture, education, small business, communities and household solutions.
Read more at: 2012 International Year of Sustainable Energy for All
Climate change by Rajendra Pachauri
Climate Change Solutions from Africa: Spekboom
Climate Solutions from Africa: The Kaza
Climate Change brews trouble for Bangladesh tea plantations
Climate Change Solutions from Africa: Forests
Climate Change Solutions from Africa
ShelterBox USA Short-Form Documentary by Salt & Light Productions
Water: Challenges and Solutions
Bangladesh is one of the world's most densely populated nations on Earth. And the capital Dhaka is one of Asia's fastest growing cities. News and documentary producer Stephen Sapienza reports on an innovative program that has found ways to provide clean water and sewage services to Dhaka's urban slum dwellers.
Over a billion people in the world don't have access to clean water. Dr. Greg Allgood is helping change all that. He is providing millions of people with clean water using water purification packets developed by Proctor and Gamble and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Allgood heads the Children's Safe Drinking Water Program and tells Earth Focus correspondent Miles Benson how this simple solution is saving lives.
Acid mine drainage is one of mining's most serious threats to water. A mine draining acid can devastate rivers and streams, and affect aquatic live for hundreds of years. Filmmaker Mike Shubbuck looks at how acid mine drainage affects waters in Pennsylvania.
Exactly how difficult it is to go home for the Spring Festival?
It is predicted that during the 40-day long transport season, there will be over 3.15 billion passenger flow, breaking another historical record set by 2011 with 2.85 billion(sina). To help you get a better picture of the situation, according to Netease, it is like the whole population of China moves twice.
Source: ChinaHush
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Kraft Foods Sets New Sustainability Targets and EPA Gives Smart Growth Award to Five Citie
The EPA has recognized five communities with the 2011 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement. The award is for the use of innovative policies and strategies that strengthen economies while providing sustainable housing and transportation choices. Selected from 68 applicants from 27 states, the winners are St. Louis; Albuquerque; El Paso; Howard, South Dakota; and Normal, Illinois.
Counting the Cost: The cost of climate change
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stresses 'people power' and partnerships at start of second term as UN chief
In an interview today with the UN News Centre and UN Radio to mark the start of his second term, Mr. Ban, 67, stressed the need for unity, particularly among Member States and their citizens.
Hybrid Sharks and Climate Change
Cradle to Cradle Silver Certification at AGC Glass Europe
Global Small Wind Summit 2012
The United Nations has defined 2012 as the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All. Small wind will play a significant role in providing energy access for all. The small wind sector in the United States, Europe, and China is developing at a fast growth rate. The small wind potential is over 10,0000MW in China. Other countries are also considering the use of small wind to improve energy access. To promote worldwide development of small wind and increase international partnerships, ATKEPP, an international consulting firm with small wind as one of its focused areas, Shenyang Aerospace University, a famous Chinese university in aerospace, and ARE will organize the 2012 Global Small Wind Summit + Expo (GSW2012) themed by Small Wind for All in Shenyang, China on 29 March-1 April 2012.
Read more at: ATKEEP
Green Building China 2012 #GBC
Green Building China(GBC) was founded in 1993. It is the oldest and a major construction event in China. During the past 20 years, as an organizer, VNU Exhibitions Shanghai Co., Ltd. has always considered itself a member of the construction industry. In 2012, we will lead the green revolution and make this event a future-oriented China Sustainable Building Conference and Green Building Exhibition.
The Expo, March 27-29, 2012, includes three world-class themed activities and over a hundred round-tables, technical seminars, salons, forums among others, which will attract 5000 first-tier real estate developers, 3,000 architects, and over 10,000 projects contractors and government departments involved in public buildings.
Read more at: Green Building China
The Third World Renewable Energy Technology Congress & Expo 2012 #WRETC
Speakers, delegates and Exhibitor from Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA apart from national renewable energy companies, key executives have confirmed their participation in the congress.
WRETC-2012 at New Delhi, India attempts to supplement the efforts of the government by providing a platform to showcase opportunities in the Indian market for global players. The 3 days agenda setting Green Congress is a must attend for all those who want to be a part or contribute to the exponential growth of renewable energy sector in India.
Read more at: WRETC
SIM-LEI Electric Vehicle to run 300km
The basic concept of the design of this vehicle is to achieve a cruising range of over 300km while maintaining a constant 100km/h speed. By operating the vehicle with a high efficiency, 65kW, 700 newton meter motor, battery load is suppressed. A drag coefficient of 0.19 has been achieved by minimizing air resistance. The car is fitted with Bridgestone Ecopia tires that have lower rolling resistance than regular tires.
Creating Exhaust Emission-free EVs From Petrol Powered Vehicles
Monday, January 9, 2012
Solar Decathlon Europe 2012: Ekó House by team Brasil
Solar Decathlon Europe 2012: SUMBIOSI by Aquitaine Bordeaux Campus, France
Wind turbine catches fire during storms in Scotland
Solar Decathlon Europe 2012: PRISPA by team Romania
Lovechock: We love our earth, but is the foil really 100% home compostable? Tested by Cradle to Cradle Specialist
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Solar Decathlon Europe 2012: ECO TEAM
The experience in SDE 2010 edition and its prototype called LOW3, (Low Energy, Low Impact and Low Cost), turns to (e)co, a new concept that defines not only the new prototype design, but also the process behind it, reevaluating the meaning attributed to "eco" nowadays. Eco = Oykos = House
(e) + co altogether involves the existing social context. (e) "green-at" re-interprets the symbol of our time, it represents the equilibrium among systems as well as spiral self-generative. -Co means putting together, to include new research, development and diffusion areas, all based on cooperation. As a result, (e)co is an alternative to the way to relate technology, resources and users in order to achieve a sustainable progress focused on the development of architecture.
Its objective is to obtain a self-sufficient dwelling based on the principles of zero ecological footprint and zero economical footprint. This intention reflects the changing context we are living in. One mechanism to get this objective is to offer more efficiency, more services and more comfort using less materials, less energy and less money. Another characteristic the defines this new (e)co prototype is its value relative to life, a house where the material organization of the building systems is created according to the life cycles of those materials.
Nowadays, dwelling has to be economic, efficient and comfortable without jeopardizing the environment. But (e)co is more than a dwelling, it's a network of projects of social awareness, dissemination of a life model based on cooperation, a model for all scales, for all users, a model which will reestablish the dialog between people and resources (natural / economic), true meaning of ecology.
Solar Decathlon Europe 2012: Team Rhône-Alpes, France
Solar Decathlon Europe 2012: SunBloc United Kingdom
Solar Decathlon Europe 2012: ReVolt House by TU Delft's The Netherlands
Solar Decathlon Europe 2012: SLIDE-S Made in Egypt
Japan says 30-40 years to scrap Fukushima nuclear power plant
In the next cleanup "road map" removal of spent fuel from the facility will begin within the next two years, the government said, with removal of melted fuel debris from the damaged reactors starting within 10 years. It said all kinds of technologies must still be developed before the plant can be scrapped in 30 to 40 years.
Source: Reuters
Japan's Tsunami Aftermath: Marine Debris
Smartphone-connectible car display developed by Toyota
Touched by a Troop of Wild Mountain Gorillas Bwindi National Park, Uganda
Eco-friendly plane to fly for eco-friendly mission around the world
Highest Temperature Ever Recorded at South Pole
SourceSpace Science & Engineering Center
Lost world uncovered on ocean floor near Antarctica
Japanese whalers clash with Sea Shepherd activists
New Zealand cargo ship Rena splits in two
Mount Etna erupts
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Meet Henry: The Cradle to Cradle Office Chair of the Future
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
WakaWaka Super Efficient Solar Lamp
The Blue Economy
Visualisation of the Installation of 500,000 PV Systems in Germany
AES Energy Generation Demo Video by Kurepronn
AES systems utilise the natural tendency of warm air to rise to generate power, the systems are scalable to diferent
Google made another clean energy investment
Google already committed to providing funding this year to help more than 10,000 homeowners install solar PV panels on their rooftops. But this investment represents their first investment in the U.S. in larger scale solar PV power plants that generate energy for the grid—instead of on individual rooftops. These projects have a total capacity of 88 MW, equivalent to the electricity consumed by more than 13,000 homes
Source: Google Blog