DETROIT, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Imagination, the global brand communications agency, has created an unprecedented array of hands-on, virtual, and digital experiences to greet visitors to the expansive Ford environment at the North American International Auto Show when it opens to the public on Saturday, January 16.
Visitors who opt to enjoy all of the experiences at the Ford exhibit will find they can spend over three hours learning about the company's outstanding range of vehicles. The experience will continue at home, where visitors can log on to a website to download unique souvenirs they create on the show floor. With the exception of the vehicles, everything visitors see, hear, and experience has been created by Imagination, Ford's global auto show experience partner.
Among the highlights at the show:
* Choreographed assembly line robots will bring Ford's green and innovation stories to life, demonstrating to visitors the precision engineering that ensures Ford EcoBoost engines deliver greater power and consume less gas.
* Visitors can try Ford's "self-parking cars" in person, experiencing how Active Park Assist™ offers faultless parallel parking without a human hand touching the steering wheel.
* The Next-Generation Ford Focus will have its world premiere, and visitors can interact with a range of experiences that demonstrate the new vehicle's outstanding driving dynamics, and animate its techno-talented nature.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
DNR chief to lead new state environmental department
Department of Natural Resources director Rebecca Humphries has been picked to lead the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment — the new department slated to form next week when the DNR and Department of Environmental Quality merge.
The combination of the departments, described as a streamlining measure, was ordered last October in an executive order from Gov. Granholm.
The appointment of Humphries drew praise from environmental groups.
In a statement released before the governor’s formal announcement Chris Kolb, president of the Michigan Environmental Council called Humphries “… a proven leader with a strong commitment to the protection and sound management of the state’s natural resources,” but added, “… the real challenge is to find stable, secure funding sources to ensure that these ‘Pure Michigan’ resources continue to be the foundation of a strong economy and high quality of life.”
In a special report to the Kalamazoo Gazette earlier this week Chris Killian reported that some of the 3,700 workers in these departments are uneasy about the transition which may involve cuts to programs and jobs
The combination of the departments, described as a streamlining measure, was ordered last October in an executive order from Gov. Granholm.
The appointment of Humphries drew praise from environmental groups.
In a statement released before the governor’s formal announcement Chris Kolb, president of the Michigan Environmental Council called Humphries “… a proven leader with a strong commitment to the protection and sound management of the state’s natural resources,” but added, “… the real challenge is to find stable, secure funding sources to ensure that these ‘Pure Michigan’ resources continue to be the foundation of a strong economy and high quality of life.”
In a special report to the Kalamazoo Gazette earlier this week Chris Killian reported that some of the 3,700 workers in these departments are uneasy about the transition which may involve cuts to programs and jobs
Dying for the environment
The Obama administration has restarted a controversial intelligence program designed to monitor the purported effects of global warming. According to the New York Times, the program operated throughout the Clinton years but was suspended by the George W. Bush administration. It has been restarted recently with backing from senior Obama administration officials, including CIA Director Leon Panetta. Little is known publicly about the program, called MEDEA (Measurements of Earth Data for Environmental Analysis). However, the New York Times portrays it as innocuous.
In an article earlier this month, the Old Grey Lady's readers were assured that the program "has little or no impact on regular intelligence gathering," as it will re-purpose existing "secret information" (mainly satellite photos of the Earth's poles) or make use of underused resources. This information is supposed to help scientists monitor, for example, icebergs floating far away from human reach so they can gauge the impact of climate change. Ralph J. Cicerone, president of the National Academy of Sciences and also a member of MEDEA, was quoted as saying the program is "basically free."
In an article earlier this month, the Old Grey Lady's readers were assured that the program "has little or no impact on regular intelligence gathering," as it will re-purpose existing "secret information" (mainly satellite photos of the Earth's poles) or make use of underused resources. This information is supposed to help scientists monitor, for example, icebergs floating far away from human reach so they can gauge the impact of climate change. Ralph J. Cicerone, president of the National Academy of Sciences and also a member of MEDEA, was quoted as saying the program is "basically free."
Monday, January 11, 2010
Lebanon’s Environment Inaction May Affect Entire Region
The year 2009 was bleak for Lebanon’s environmental track record, according to the country’s Daily Star.
Despite the impressive action of IndyACT, Lebanon’s delegation brought little effect at December’s COP 15 climate change summit; they were not able to accomplish much of anything insofar as solving the many serious environmental issues that now plague the country.
These issues include ones like serious forest fires, the destruction of Lebanon’s remaining cedar groves and forests, some of which date back to biblical times; and serious damage to Lebanon’s coastline due to pollution and eroding beaches which could become worse if a planned Dubai-type island project is undertaken Pollution to the country’s fresh water supplies.
Despite the impressive action of IndyACT, Lebanon’s delegation brought little effect at December’s COP 15 climate change summit; they were not able to accomplish much of anything insofar as solving the many serious environmental issues that now plague the country.
These issues include ones like serious forest fires, the destruction of Lebanon’s remaining cedar groves and forests, some of which date back to biblical times; and serious damage to Lebanon’s coastline due to pollution and eroding beaches which could become worse if a planned Dubai-type island project is undertaken Pollution to the country’s fresh water supplies.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Mountaintop mining causing irreparable harm to environment: Scientists
New York, January 8 -- With the growing amount of evidence regarding the threats being posed to the environment by mountaintop mining, environmentalists have urged that the activity should be halted immediately.
In a paper presented in the journal Science, group of scientists headed by Margaret Palmer, a University of Maryland researcher, has stated that mountaintop mining is doing irreparable harm to the environment.
Mountaintop coal mining, common in the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern part of the nation, is a form of mining where mountains peaks are removed to access the coal seams below them.
The process involves stripping off forests from top of the mountain. The top is then blasted with explosives to remove up to 400 vertical feet (120 m) of mountain to expose underlying coal seams.
The excess rock and soil is dumped in what is called "holler fills" or "valley fills”.
Hazardous impacts of mountaintop mining
Strengthening the previous studies done in this area, the scientists have stated that the impact of mountaintop mining on the environment and humans is “strong and irrefutable".
In a paper presented in the journal Science, group of scientists headed by Margaret Palmer, a University of Maryland researcher, has stated that mountaintop mining is doing irreparable harm to the environment.
Mountaintop coal mining, common in the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern part of the nation, is a form of mining where mountains peaks are removed to access the coal seams below them.
The process involves stripping off forests from top of the mountain. The top is then blasted with explosives to remove up to 400 vertical feet (120 m) of mountain to expose underlying coal seams.
The excess rock and soil is dumped in what is called "holler fills" or "valley fills”.
Hazardous impacts of mountaintop mining
Strengthening the previous studies done in this area, the scientists have stated that the impact of mountaintop mining on the environment and humans is “strong and irrefutable".
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Obama environment officials to visit Fla.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Officials from the Obama Administration plan a visit to Florida this week for events related to ongoing Everglades restoration.
Nancy Sutley, chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, and Sam Hamilton, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, among others, will attend a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for a crucial restoration project in South Florida.
Sutley is then set to speak Friday at the 25th Everglades Coalition Conference in Palm Beach Gardens.
The four-day conference begins Thursday, and will focus on discussion of critical issues related to Everglades restoration.
The state and federal government are entrenched in a decades-long plan to help restore more natural flow and clean polluted water throughout the ecosystem.
Nancy Sutley, chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, and Sam Hamilton, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, among others, will attend a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for a crucial restoration project in South Florida.
Sutley is then set to speak Friday at the 25th Everglades Coalition Conference in Palm Beach Gardens.
The four-day conference begins Thursday, and will focus on discussion of critical issues related to Everglades restoration.
The state and federal government are entrenched in a decades-long plan to help restore more natural flow and clean polluted water throughout the ecosystem.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Presidential Proclamation -- 40th Anniversary of the National Environmental Policy Act
Forty years ago, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was signed into law with overwhelming bipartisan support, ushering in a new era of environmental awareness and citizen participation in government. NEPA elevated the role of environmental considerations in proposed Federal agency actions, and it remains the cornerstone of our Nation's modern environmental protections. On this anniversary, we celebrate this milestone in our Nation's rich history of conservation, and we renew our commitment to preserve our environment for the next generation.
NEPA was enacted to "prevent or eliminate damage to the environment and biosphere and stimulate the health and welfare of man." It established concrete objectives for Federal agencies to enforce these principles, while emphasizing public involvement to give all Americans a role in protecting our environment. It also created the Council on Environmental Quality to lead our Government's conservation efforts and serve as the President's environmental advisor.
NEPA was enacted to "prevent or eliminate damage to the environment and biosphere and stimulate the health and welfare of man." It established concrete objectives for Federal agencies to enforce these principles, while emphasizing public involvement to give all Americans a role in protecting our environment. It also created the Council on Environmental Quality to lead our Government's conservation efforts and serve as the President's environmental advisor.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
No compromise on environment
Dhaka, Jan 3 (bdnews24.com)--Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has said that her government will not compromise over conservation of the environment, warning real estate developers in particular against unplanned construction in the capital.
Speaking at the inauguration of International Conference on Bangladesh Environment 2010 on Sunday, Hasina warned that the government would not approve any more housing projects in the capital that violated the relevant environmental laws.
"We must protect the land, water bodies and rivers from the land-grabbers. The government will not accept such violations any more."
She said not a single [housing] plan would be approved if it did not include a water body, despite threats to one of her cabinet members.
"The minister is in a tight spot for that decision. Some people are even threatening him. But some things cannot be bought by money."
She said the government would remain steadfast in its resolve and not a single housing project would be approved without the requirements.
Speaking at the inauguration of International Conference on Bangladesh Environment 2010 on Sunday, Hasina warned that the government would not approve any more housing projects in the capital that violated the relevant environmental laws.
"We must protect the land, water bodies and rivers from the land-grabbers. The government will not accept such violations any more."
She said not a single [housing] plan would be approved if it did not include a water body, despite threats to one of her cabinet members.
"The minister is in a tight spot for that decision. Some people are even threatening him. But some things cannot be bought by money."
She said the government would remain steadfast in its resolve and not a single housing project would be approved without the requirements.
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