Science academies ask G8 to tackle global environmental challenges

May 11th, 2012 by US National Academy of Sciences

National science academies from 15 countries issued joint statements on 10 May 2012 calling on world leaders who are about to meet at the upcoming G8 Summit and other international gatherings this year to give greater consideration to the vital role science and technology could play in addressing some of the planet’s most pressing challenges.

The “G-Science” statements recommend that governments engage the international research community in developing systematic, innovative solutions to three global dilemmas:

• how to simultaneously meet water and energy needs;
• how to build resilience to natural and technological disasters;
• and how to more accurately gauge countries’ greenhouse gas emissions to verify progress toward national goals or international commitments. Continue reading

A personal journey to reduce waste

May 3rd, 2012 by Andrew David Thaler

We tend towards waste.

As a nation, as a community, and in our personal lives, waste is ubiquitous and often imperceptible.

That we can afford to discard is an unfortunate side effect of having a high quality of life.

Waste is not always a bad thing, either.

We’re comforted by the fact that our doctors use disposable needles, that food can be packaged and preserved, that soiled diapers can be discarded.

Disposability is freedom from the tedious chores of our grandparents and great-grandparents. It is access to time that can be spent with our loved ones or engaged in more fruitful pursuits. But there is still plenty of unnecessary waste that exists purely for convenience.

Those of us who consider ourselves environmentalist, good stewards of the earth, are often just as guilty of waste, myself included. Continue reading

Royal Society report frames global challenge facing humanity

May 2nd, 2012 by The Royal Society

(Please click report cover to go to download page)

Consumption levels between developed and developing nations must be rebalanced alongside a stabilisation of the world’s population by voluntary methods, according to a new report from The Royal Society.

The most developed and the emerging economies must stabilise consumption levels, then reduce them, to help the poorest 1.3 billion people to escape absolute poverty through increased consumption.

Alongside this, education and voluntary family planning programmes must be supported internationally to stabilise global population.

The new report, People and the Planet, is the result of a 21 month study by the Royal Society, the UK’s 350 year-old national academy of science, on the issues around global population. Continue reading

Fire resistant straw bale buildings and zero waste restaurants

May 2nd, 2012 by Richard Lord

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO),  Australia’s National Science Agency, tested the fire resistance of a building with magnesium oxide board cladding and straw bale insulation.

The building, which withstood temperatures of 1000° Celsius, was designed by Joost Bakker who said that straw is the biggest waste product on Earth. Continue reading

University of Exeter helps Guernsey develop renewable energy strategy

May 1st, 2012 by States of Guernsey Commerce and Employment Department

Academics and students from the University of Exeter are coming to Guernsey on a field visit to make a high level strategic assessment of the renewable energy potential for Guernsey.

This initiative is part of Commerce and Employment’s Renewable Energy Team’s (RET) long term strategic alliance with leading UK Universities to progress local macro marine renewable energy.

Twenty-six undergraduate students studying for a BSc in Renewable Energy and four academics will visit the island at the end of May 2012 and form different groups to act as renewable energy consultants to study various aspects of Guernsey’s renewable potential. Continue reading

WorldWatch Institute’s State of the World 2012 outlines what is needed for global sustainable prosperity

April 30th, 2012 by Worldwatch Institute

(click on book cover to go to publisher's website)

Over the last 50 years, the world’s middle and upper classes have more than doubled their consumption levels, and an additional one to two billion people globally aspire to join the consumer class.

The planet cannot maintain such increases in resource demand without serious consequences for both people and ecosystems, concludes the Worldwatch Institute in State of the World 2012: Moving Toward Sustainable Prosperity.

The book, the 29th in a series that Worldwatch began in 1984, stresses that we must act quickly to redefine our understanding of the “good life” and redouble our efforts to make that life sustainable. Continue reading

Sign petition against termination of engineering course at Guernsey College of Further Education

April 11th, 2012 by Channel Island Group of Professional Engineers

CIGPE has learned that the Guernsey College of Further education may no longer offer the Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Engineering.

CIGPE, as the representative body for professional engineering in the Channel Islands, has concerns regarding the skills gap this will leave in Guernsey’s engineering sector.

At a time when Guernsey is looking to diversify its economy, it is difficult to understand why there are plans to terminate a course which provides a vocational alternative to A Levels.

This news is particularly disappointing considering the high percentage of BTEC students who continue their studies onto higher education. Continue reading

Planet under Pressure Conference on-line from 26 to 29 March 2012

March 23rd, 2012 by Events

(click image to go to Planet under Pressure 2012 website)

While 2,500 specialists gather in London from the Planet under Press Conference from 26 to 29 March 2012 to present the latest scientific knowledge on the state of the planet and potential solutions for a sustainable world, science centers and museums worldwide will hold 150 public events relating to the Planet Under Pressure conference and the Rio+20 Summit in June.

Events will take place in North and South America, Asia, Australia, Africa and Europe and will give the public a snapshot of the state of the planet and scientific concern in advance of the UN Rio+20 Summit.

What’s more, via live web streaming, email and twitter, participants will be able to follow the conference live from all over the world and can interact with the speakers in London in real time. Continue reading

Sustainabilitylive! at Birmingham’s NEC from 22 to 24 May 2012

March 22nd, 2012 by Events

Sustainabilitylive! – the UK’s leading energy, water, land and sustainable business exhibition – takes place at the NEC, Birmingham from 22 to 24 May 2012.

Sustainabilitylive! comprises the National Energy Management Exhibition (NEMEX), the International Water and Effluent Exhibition (IWEX), Brownfield Expo (BEX), and Sustainable Business – The Event (SB).

The three-day event attracts hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of buyers and suppliers from the energy, water, land and sustainable business sectors, providing an ideal opportunity to explore current industry issues and share best practice.

Running alongside Sustainabilitylive! is the Smart Low Carbon Cities, Communities and Infrastructure conference. Continue reading

US Intelligence expresses concern for future global water security

March 22nd, 2012 by Office of the Director of National Intelligence

(click on cover image to go to report download page)

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (USA) has published a report on Global Water Security.

According to a US intelligence assessment, during the next 10 years, many regions will experience water challenges – shortages, poor water quality, or floods – that will increase the risk of instability and state failure, and increase regional tensions.

Between now and 2040, fresh water availability is unlikely to be able to keep up with demand unless there is more effective management of water resources.

As a result of demographic and economic development pressures, North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia will face major challenges coping with water problems.

Water problems will hinder the ability of key countries to produce food and generate energy, posing a risk to global food markets and hobbling economic growth. Continue reading