Turn Your Desktop Green
Download EcoWidgetFeatured Affiliate
Environmental Health News
Muesli
Muesli can help keep hunger pangs at bay until lunchtime.
Top Stories
Pesticide DDT shows up in Antarctic penguins
May 9, 2008 10:42 PM - Reuters
The pesticide DDT, banned decades ago in much of the world, still shows up in penguins in Antarctica, probably due to the chemical's accumulation in melting glaciers, a sea bird expert said on Friday. Adelie penguins, known for their waddling gait and a habit of nesting on stones, have long shown evidence of DDT in their fatty tissues, although not in enough concentration to hurt the birds, according to Heidi Geisz of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.
An Eco-Friendly Gift Guide for Mother's Day
May 9, 2008 09:35 AM - , Organic Consumers Association
Now that Earth Day has come and gone, it's that time of year when "love your mother" can be taken literally again. But here's a bonus: green Mother's Day festivities allow you to be kind to Mother Earth and the woman who pushed you out her cervix. Of course, the best gifts are stuff-free (and even free free -- carefully planted smooch, anyone?), but here are some ideas if you feel the need to drop some dough.
Koalas Under Threat From Climate Change
May 9, 2008 09:26 AM - Australian Academy of Science
New research shows increased temperatures and carbon dioxide levels are a threat to the Australian national icon, the koala. Professor Ian Hume, Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, and his students from the University of Sydney have been researching the effects of CO2 increases and temperature rises on eucalypts.
Dying bats in the Northeast remain a mystery
May 9, 2008 09:22 AM - United States Geological Survey
Investigations continue into the cause of a mysterious illness that has resulted in the deaths of thousands of bats since March 2008. At more than 25 caves and mines in the northeastern U.S, bats exhibiting a condition now referred to as “white-nosed syndrome”¯ have been dying. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently issued a Wildlife Health Bulletin, advising wildlife and conservation officials throughout the U.S. to be on the lookout for the condition known as “white-nose syndrome”¯ and to report suspected cases of the disease.
1.5 Million Chinese Children Take Part in Painting Competition on Climate Change
May 9, 2008 09:19 AM - United Nations Environment Programme
An unprecedented 1.5 million Chinese children have participated in a painting competition on the topic of climate change, in a sign of the country's growing awareness of environmental issues. The competition, held in China for the first time, saw the children collectively submit 200,000 paintings on the theme of climate change. Some 620 paintings were selected for prizes by the jury, which was made up of renowned Chinese artists, UNEP officials and Ms Elizabeth Rihoy of Resource Africa.
Hello Kitty Harnesses the Power of the Sun
May 9, 2008 09:16 AM - , Triple Pundit
The tech blogosphere has been aflutter this week with the next, biggest thing to change our lives. Well, perhaps the lives of millions of pre-teens across the world. The Hello Kitty Solar Charger. Fresh after last year’s release of the Hello Kitty space heater, this nearly 6”¯x 6”¯x 3”¯ contraption can recharge your iPod, Blackberry, or any other portable electronic device with a USB plug. The charger also has a DC battery for those unfortunate moments when sunlight just isn’t cutting it (a typical solar charge takes 6 hours while a DC charge takes 1).
American Apparel Finally Comes Clean(er)
May 9, 2008 09:05 AM - , Greenloop Fashions
American Apparel, a company well known for sexual harassment suits, scandalous barely legal marketing imagery, and de rigeur retro basics, is quietly known among environmentalists for something different”¦setting the bar for fair wages in manufacturing and incorporating solid steps towards environmental sustainability. Now clearly, a manufacturing behemoth is going to have a tough time calling itself “sustainable,”¯ but American Apparel doesn’t even try. They do. Since 2006, 20% of their electricity for their factory in downtown LA is produced by solar energy, there’s recycled content in their shopping bags, and a majority of their manufacturing scraps get reclaimed for the making of their smaller items, like thongs and such.
Are Myanmar’s Storm Victims Suffering Needlessly?
May 9, 2008 09:02 AM - , Worldwatch Institute
As the floodwaters of Cyclone Nargis began to recede from Myanmar's low-lying Irrawaddy Delta this week, at least one regional leader was quick to note that this devastating disaster could have been partially prevented through coastal preservation. Surin Pitsuwan, secretary-general of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), mentioned in an address in Singapore that expanding coastal populations and widespread mangrove degradation played key roles in worsening the cyclone's impact.
Voluntary Carbon market is fast becoming big business
May 9, 2008 08:57 AM - , The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
If anyone had doubts about the importance of the voluntary carbon market they would certainly have been overcome by the announcement last month by Merrill Lynch of a new carbon offset service to assist businesses to reduce emissions through voluntary offsets.
Kick the oil habit and make your own ethanol
May 9, 2008 07:00 AM - Reuters
A new company hopes drivers will kick the oil habit by brewing ethanol at home that won't spike food prices. E-Fuel Corp unveiled on Thursday the "MicroFueler" touting it as the world's first machine that allows homeowners to make their own ethanol and pump the brew directly into their cars.