Japan plans to seek to expand the environment business market to 100 trillion yen by 2015, about 1.4 times the 2006 level, to increase jobs in the area by 800,000 to 2.2 million, government sources said Monday. Prime Minister Taro Aso is expected to order Environment Minister Tetsuo Saito on Tuesday to compile the project, under which Japan seeks to prop up the economy by promoting measures to curb global warming, they said.
The project is aimed at curbing carbon dioxide emissions by the use of energy-saving products and investment in environment-related industries, they said. Among measures under consideration are interest-free loans for companies investing in environment-related fields and systems to encourage the purchase of energy-saving electric appliances and electric cars, they said. Promotion of energy-saving housing units, the use of renewable energy for street lights, support for car sharing and the launch of solar power generation at local government halls are also under consideration, they said.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Wake up! Find ways to help the environment
How can you participate in the transition to a sustainable society? The answer will vary for each person, and I cannot and would not suggest your course of action. However, I can tell you that the answers are both within you and all around you, and I can offer a strategy for finding them.
Either by yourself or, better, with family, friends or any group you choose, conduct one or more brainstorming sessions to explore what you can do for the environment - at home, at work and in your community and the public realm.
Brainstorming works best when there are no restrictions placed on the original creative session. "Environment" can be interpreted as widely or narrowly as you'd like, and outcomes can range from conventional environmental activities such as planting trees or making your home more energy efficient to reading nature stories to children.
Either by yourself or, better, with family, friends or any group you choose, conduct one or more brainstorming sessions to explore what you can do for the environment - at home, at work and in your community and the public realm.
Brainstorming works best when there are no restrictions placed on the original creative session. "Environment" can be interpreted as widely or narrowly as you'd like, and outcomes can range from conventional environmental activities such as planting trees or making your home more energy efficient to reading nature stories to children.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Green groups take on clean coal claim with new website
THE war of words over "clean coal" technology has escalated with the launch of a new website by US environmentalists proclaiming: "In reality, there is no such thing as clean coal." The site, www.thisisreality.org, is sponsored by prominent US conservation organisations, including the National Wildlife Federation, the Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
The website links to a spoof video on clean coal showing an engineer walking through a door to a "clean coal facility". It opens onto a windswept empty landscape as he says: "Take a good long look. This is today's clean coal technology."
The Rudd Government is heavily promoting clean coal technology as the answer to the industry's problems with high greenhouse gas emissions. It launched it biggest clean coal initiative last month, setting up a new research institute in Australia at a cost of $100 million a year for the next four years. It is also strongly lobbying the UN to allow countries such as Australia and Japan to offset their greenhouse gas emissions with investments in "clean coal" technology.
The website links to a spoof video on clean coal showing an engineer walking through a door to a "clean coal facility". It opens onto a windswept empty landscape as he says: "Take a good long look. This is today's clean coal technology."
The Rudd Government is heavily promoting clean coal technology as the answer to the industry's problems with high greenhouse gas emissions. It launched it biggest clean coal initiative last month, setting up a new research institute in Australia at a cost of $100 million a year for the next four years. It is also strongly lobbying the UN to allow countries such as Australia and Japan to offset their greenhouse gas emissions with investments in "clean coal" technology.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
American Biologist Honored With China Environment Prize
Schaller is a senior conservationist with the Wildlife Conservation Society's Asia Programs and has worked with the Bronx Zoo-based organization for more than 50 years. He has worked in China for much of the last 28 years.
The $70,000 prize was established in 2000 by the China Environmental Protection Foundation to honor and encourage individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the cause of environmental protection in China. The foundation was the first nonprofit organization in China dedicated to environmental protection.
"George Schaller has been and continues to be a role model and driving force for conservation," said Dr. Steven Sanderson, president and CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Society. "After more than 50 years of groundbreaking field research on some of the world's best-known wildlife, George continues to define the field of conservation biology and works tirelessly to preserve our natural heritage."
The $70,000 prize was established in 2000 by the China Environmental Protection Foundation to honor and encourage individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the cause of environmental protection in China. The foundation was the first nonprofit organization in China dedicated to environmental protection.
"George Schaller has been and continues to be a role model and driving force for conservation," said Dr. Steven Sanderson, president and CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Society. "After more than 50 years of groundbreaking field research on some of the world's best-known wildlife, George continues to define the field of conservation biology and works tirelessly to preserve our natural heritage."
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Cut chemicals in products, California panel recommends
SACRAMENTO — A panel appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says California should immediately start reducing the toxic substances in products and manufacturing in the state.
A report from the panel on Tuesday said the state should expand its pollution prevention, include science classes that focus on protecting the environment in school curriculum and give consumers easy access to information about the chemicals in the products they buy.
It's part of a plan by the state Environmental Protection Agency to eventually eliminate many toxic materials.
Schwarzenegger set up the panel of scientists, policy makers and industry officials in 2007 to come up with broad recommendations on how to deal with chemicals, rather than through piecemeal legislation.
A report from the panel on Tuesday said the state should expand its pollution prevention, include science classes that focus on protecting the environment in school curriculum and give consumers easy access to information about the chemicals in the products they buy.
It's part of a plan by the state Environmental Protection Agency to eventually eliminate many toxic materials.
Schwarzenegger set up the panel of scientists, policy makers and industry officials in 2007 to come up with broad recommendations on how to deal with chemicals, rather than through piecemeal legislation.
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