TckTckTck

Kevin Knobloch: Living in a glass house in the Heartland

TckTckTck — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:36:15 +0000

The Heartland Institute, the libertarian organization that has rarely discovered a peer-reviewed climate change science study that it finds credible, has become a victim of a possible crime. By its telling, someone “fraudulently” assumed the identity of a Heartland Board member and fooled a staff member into “re-sending” a number of internal documents about their climate change projects. These projects are designed to undermine public confidence in the overwhelming scientific consensus that human activity is driving disruptive changes in our climate. The alleged con-man or woman then launched the documents into the blogosphere. The Institute’s angry response has been to note that identify theft and computer fraud are criminal offenses subject to imprisonment, and to say, “We intend to find this person and see him or her put in prison for these crimes.” I find myself agreeing with their conclusion: if a crime has been committed, it should be investigated and prosecuted within the full scope of the law. The contradiction here is that Heartland had the opportunity to take a similar position of integrity when unknown individuals hacked into the hard drives of climate scientists at the University of East Anglia in England in 2009 and released scores of email exchanges between scientists in the U.S. and England. As UCS’s Michael Halpern observed in a blog last December 19, shortly after the same hacker (or hackers) released a second batch of emails stolen from those climate scientists, “the immediate question that sprang to my mind was, ‘Why haven’t we found them yet?’.”

Business leaders demand sustainable action at Rio +20

TckTckTck — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:36:33 +0000

Policymakers and the business community should ramp up collaboration and demonstrate renewed leadership in order to achieve sustainable and equitable growth objectives, according to recommendations released today from KPMG's "Business Perspective on Sustainable Growth: Preparing for Rio+20" global summit. Summit attendees agreed to the recommendations as part of the meeting's goal of providing business input to Rio+20, the upcoming global policy summit in June. Yvo de Boer, KPMG's Special Global Advisor on Climate Change and Sustainability said: "Today's leaders are struggling with complexity. Until now, we found global trends on energy, water security and food scarcity complex enough. The convergence of other forces such as population growth, deforestation and a surging middle class is impacting business and the world around us. Leaders are overwhelmed by the sheer scale of these problems and struggling to act. There are ways to solve these problems, and that includes harnessing the capacity of business." "I am encouraged by the exchange of ideas at this Summit from business leaders who are not going to wait. In fact, they are already moving ahead with sustainable solutions. That said, even active leaders with sustainable business practices will run into problems if the policy framework does not create the right investment conditions."

Read more: Marketwatch >>

Chevron oil rig catches fire off Nigeria coast

TckTckTck — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:30:42 +0000

An offshore rig exploring possible oil and gas fields off Nigeria's coast for Chevron caught fire Monday, and the oil company said officials were still trying to account for all those working there. Chevron said two workers were missing and 152 others found, but gave no further detail on the missing persons. The company said it was still investigating the fire, which occurred near its North Apoi oil platform, and which forced it to shut down. "We immediately flew out people to the nearby North Apoi platform, and have been helping those needing any medical assistance," the Chevron spokesman Scott Walker said in a statement. Chevron did not immediately say what caused the fire. However, Nigeria's government believes a "gas kick" a major build up of gas pressure from drilling was responsible, said Levi Ajuonoma, a spokesman for the state-run Nigerian National Petroleum Corp.

Read More: The Guardian >>

New electric car runs on renewables

TckTckTck — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:36:52 +0000

The new version of the Volt, which has been on sale in Canada since September, will require buyers to pay $198 to get Bullfrog to inject enough electricity from renewable sources into the grid to power the vehicle for two years. The optional Bullfrog edition will come with a special badge, so drivers can show off that they not only drive an electric car, but also that the power for it is not coming from coal or oil-fired power plants. In the past six years, Bullfrog Power has signed up thousands of households and businesses across the country; they pay higher prices than the going rate for electricity to support green energy generation. While those customers continue to use power from their local energy grid, Bullfrog supplies utilities with an equivalent amount of power it buys from sources such as wind and hydro. Each year it releases an independent audit assuring customers it has acquired enough green electricity to meet its sales commitments.

Read more: The Globe and Mail >>

Top 10 states for LEED buildings

TckTckTck — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:37:20 +0000

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit, has released their 2011 list of the top 10 states that have implemented their LEED building certification program.

LEED, which stands for "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design," is a system that "provides building owners and operators with a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions," according to the USGBC.

Below, the USGBC ranks the top LEED states by the amount of LEED-certified square footage added in 2011, per capita:

10. Minnesota

9. New York

8. California

7. Texas

6. Massachusetts

5. Maryland

4. Washington

3. Virginia

2. Illinois

1. Colorado

80% of Americans impacted by extreme weather: Study

TckTckTck — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:31:26 +0000

Last year was particularly awful for weather in the USA, with at least 14 weather and climate disasters across the nation that each inflicted more than $1 billion in damage. They included a series of devastating tornado outbreaks in the central and southern USA, the ongoing drought in the southern Plains, massive river flooding along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, and batterings from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Environment America's report looks broadly at county-level weather-related disaster declarations from FEMA for 2006 through 2011 to find out how many Americans live in counties hit by recent weather disasters. The report focused on weather and climate events, and did not include geological events such as earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. "I think their analysis of the FEMA data is correct," said meteorologist Jeff Masters of the Weather Underground, who was not part of the report. Whether directly tied to climate change or not, The number of Americans impacted by weather calamities in recent years is sobering:

From 2006 to 2011, federally declared weather-related disasters have occurred in 2,466 of the 3,068 counties, parishes or boroughs across the USA.
During that time, weather-related disasters have been declared in every U.S. state except South Carolina.
Also during this period, weather-related disasters affected every county in 18 states.

Read more: Statesman Journal >>

Eight Nobel laureates join forces to urge EU to vote for the planet

TckTckTck — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:14:20 +0000

Eight Nobel Peace Prize laureates have written to European Heads of State and Ministers of the Environment urging them to tackle the most climate polluting sources of transport fuel, notably tar sands.

Oil produced from highly polluting sources, such as tar sands and coal-to-liquids, causes far more climate damaging emissions than conventional oil. Tar sand extraction in Canada has destroyed pristine wilderness areas and has had devastating impacts on local communities and aboriginal groups. Commenting on the letter, Darek Urbaniak, extractive industries campaigner for Friends of the Earth Europe said: “Tar sands oil is the dirtiest of all, it emits 23% more greenhouse gas emissions than conventional oil. Tar sands also do untold damage to the environment and wildlife and threaten indigenous communities around the globe. If the EU doesn't put the proper policies in place it will be equally responsible for the damage caused by tar sands.” EU government representatives will vote next week (23 February) whether to force fuels such as tar sands to clean up or face an effective ban from the EU market under the bloc’s Fuel Quality Directive.

Read More: Transport & Environment >>

IKEA works towards 100% renewable energy

TckTckTck — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:31:24 +0000

Swedish furniture manufacturer IKEA has released its 2011 Sustainability Report, which reaffirms the company's status as a global leader in the increasingly important area of corporate sustainability. The annual report further reveals the company's commitment to its goal of eventually using 100% renewable energy to power its stores and offices. From September 2010 to August 2011 IKEA set aside approximately $670 million to invest in renewable energy which includes installations that have both been brought into operation or will be completed in the next 1.5 years. This will increase the company's current renewable energy portfolio which boasts 69 wind turbines and 124 photovoltaic (PV) projects (40 operational and 84 approved). Over the course of 2011, IKEA made improvements to store equipment which resulted storewide energy efficiency increases of 4% saving, the company approximately $8.1 million. The report's other highlights include the completion of the company's first geothermal project at a new store located in Denver, Colorado, and the installation of Electric Vehicle charging stations at eight store locations in the Western United States. However, the most significant highlight is the agressive growth of the company's solar energy generation. As part of a $150 million investment to cover 85% of IKEA US rooftops with PV solar systems, the company added 11 projects in 2011. When these projects are complete they will combine to generate 6,800 KW of electricity.

Read more: EnergyBoom >>

Tackling black carbon should not replace real carbon action: WWF

TckTckTck — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:10:59 +0000

WWF welcomes a “black carbon” initiative announced by the US, Canada, Mexico, Ghana, Sweden and Bangladesh – but warned that the primary effort in reducing dangerous climate changing emissions has to remain on achieving rapid and deep cuts to carbon dioxide emissions. The substances highlighted in the initiative – black carbon or soot, methane and hydrofluorocarbons – are known as short-lived climate forcers since they do not stay in the atmosphere as long as CO2. Major sources of black carbon include burning of biomass in traditional cookstoves and fires in some developing countries, as well as diesel exhaust.

‘The fact is that the big emitters like the US and Canada that are advancing this initiative have done very little to reduce CO2 emissions, the primary cause of global warming. Now they have developed a plan that shifts the focus to others - developing countries in particular. While support for poorer countries is important, their primary responsibility should be to cut their own emissions and address the global challenges posed by climate change. Cutting black carbon emissions by ensuring adequate access to energy and cleaner cookstoves is in principle good, but we should not assume that this new initiative will deliver quick results. There are many practical challenges to this and the other measures in the initiative, including the very large number of sources of pollution, financing, and cultural barriers to adoption of new cooking methods. Success will depend on good mechanisms for finance, accounting and delivery.” - Samantha Smith, Leader of the WWF Climate and Energy Initiative

In short, while short-lived forcers provide a window of opportunity it should not distract us from addressing the biggest cause of climate change: CO2 emissions.

Read more: WWF International >>

Kelly Rigg: Forget logic, it’s climate schizophrenia

TckTckTck — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:32:18 +0000

"When our political leaders can't agree on whether climate change is a threat, the majority of people can't either. The public is divided because our political leaders are polarized." This is the upshot of a recent study on U.S. public attitudes towards climate change according to one of its lead authors, J. Craig Jenkins of Ohio State University. The research suggests it was no coincidence that Americans were most concerned about the threat of climate change at a time when at least some leaders in both parties strongly advocated action. I suspect that if the same study were done in other countries, the findings would be similar. But I can't help wondering if polarization between political parties is the only determining factor -- what about the inconsistent behaviour of climate champions themselves? Countless leaders recognize the threat of climate change and call for action to reverse it, yet continue to implement policies which do the opposite. Take the EU Fuel Quality Directive for example. In a few days' time, Europe will vote on a law which would formally designate (and thus penalize) tar sands oil as excessively carbon-intensive in comparison with other fuels. The UK, Netherlands and France -- often considered climate leaders within Europe -- are under pressure from petro-lobby interests and are thought likely to block the decision. If tar sands interests win out, it will be a significant setback for the fight against climate change.

Read more: Huffington Post >>

Coastal BC suburb faces extreme flood risk from rising seas

TckTckTck — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 04:36:16 +0000

South Delta will be vulnerable to disastrous flooding in the coming decades without wholesale adaptation to rising sea levels. Speakers at a science symposium in Vancouver on Sunday said projections of a one-metre rise in sea level are too conservative – and that continuing international failure to deal with global warming likely means a “multi-metre” rise in ocean height by the end of this century. For 21,000 residents of Ladner, a low-lying suburban community that fronts onto the south arm of the Fraser River near its confluence with the Strait of Georgia, that means an urgent need to protect the community from flooding. Waterfront homes, inland suburban developments, roads and farmland are all vulnerable to a sea level rise of 1.2 metres, according to research presented by David Flanders of the University of B.C. Flanders, along with Simon Fraser University professor of geology John Clague, were featured local speakers at a symposium for the annual convention of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which continues through today at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The South Delta situation will be particularly acute in the event of a so-called perfect storm involving high tide, a major storm surge, and a sea level rise of 1.2 metres. Inaction would leave about 90 per cent of South Delta vulnerable to floods.

Read more: Times-Colonist >>

EU challenges opponents for alternatives on airline fuel tax

TckTckTck — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:24:04 +0000

EU climate commissioner Connie Hedegaard on Monday called on countries fighting an airlines carbon emissions fee to propose concrete action to fight climate change. "We know what you don't like, but what's your constructive proposal for a global agreement on aviation?" the Commissioner for Climate Action asked the countries in a message posted on her Twitter account. Hedegaard also warned that Brussels would not suspend the rule requiring all airlines to buy pollution permits to fly to Europe, despite stiff opposition led by the United States, China and India. Countries opposing the scheme that entered into force January 1 are meeting in Moscow on Tuesday to draw up retaliation measures against the Emissions Trading Scheme. The China Air Transport Association, which represents the country's airlines, has warned that Chinese carriers would not pay the charge. Meanwhile, US and Canadian airlines had filed a complaint against the scheme at the EU's top court, although the challenge was thrown out by the court. Under the EU scheme, airlines would have to pay for 15 percent of the polluting rights accorded to them in 2012, the figure then rising to 18 percent between 2013 and 2020. It also calls for fines of 100 euros per tonne of CO2 against companies that refuse to comply, or a flight ban as a last resort.

Read more: Associated Foreign Press >>

Phil Radford: 2012 is make or break for dirty Duke Energy

TckTckTck — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:11:26 +0000

North Carolina ratepayers don’t have a choice about where they get their energy. Despite a committed local movement opposing the most recent rate hike, they’re seeing a 7.2% increase on their electricity bills in March, not to pay for an investment in renewable energy, but to invest more in new coal projects like the Cliffside plant. Enough is enough–Duke ratepayers have said loudly and clearly that they don’t want to pay for more investments in dirty energy. And Duke Energy also holds a unique position in energy politics right now. It is currently the third largest emitter of CO2 in the US–and that’s before it takes on Progress Energy’s dirty fleet. CEO Jim Rogers has spoken openly about the threat of climate change and pollution controls for coal plants, and yet Duke holds a membership in the industry group ERCC (Electric Reliability Coordinating Council), a group that was aggressively lobbying against the recently passed Mercury Rule. It’s no secret that Duke’s money and influence–$6.5 million in lobbying dollars in 2010– could have a significant impact in US energy policy. To top it all off, this year, Rogers has been the lead fundraiser for the Democratic National Convention, to be held in Charlotte where Duke Energy is based, lending the Democrats $10 million dollars to pay for the convention. On 60 Minutes in 2009, Jim Rogers said, “I remember the first time I took a helicopter to look down at a power plant like this, I was 41 years old, and I said, ‘Oh my goodness, I’m responsible for that?’” He is.

Read more: Greenpeace Blogs >>

Today’s climate heroes: Youth sue state to spur climate action

TckTckTck — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:04:00 +0000

On May 4, 2011, seven young plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against the State of Washington, No. 11-2-16008-4 SEA, to compel the State to develop a comprehensive plan to prevent further increases in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and to compel government action in reducing CO2 emissions. Though the plaintiffs are young, they have been fighting to protect the environment for many years. Some, like 14-year-old Jacob, spear-headed recycling and green building initiatives at their schools and others, like 16-year-old Anna, became leaders in environmental organizations, such as the Evergreen Chapter of the National Honor Society. Their drive in entering the lawsuit also comes from the alarming research of our nation's top scientists. According to leading climate scientist Dr. James Hansen, "the science is crystal clear—we must rapidly reduce fossil fuel carbon dioxide emissions if we are to have a chance of protecting Earth’s natural systems for these young people." The Washington lawsuit is part of a larger, innovative climate litigation strategy—the international iMatter Trust Campaign. As part of this campaign, youth plaintiffs launched legal actions in 49 states and the District of Columbia, in addition to a federal lawsuit.

Read more: San Juan Islander >>

Environment Action Association

TckTckTck — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 23:03:59 +0000

The Environment Action Association’s mission is to empower, unite people and communities to protect and conserve the environment for our planet. In 2001, EAA was founded on the premise that all people have a moral right to a healthy, sustainable environment. EAA firmly believes that it is not our choice but our responsibility to protect and preserve the environment for the next generation. The goal of Environment AA is to bring attention to the present and future environmental issues facing the health of our planet and the people it supports. Follow: Environment AA >> ...............

Justin Gerdes: Cap and Trade curbed acid rain, and it can curb climate change

TckTckTck — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:25:03 +0000

A candidate for president emphasizes the environment on the campaign trail. He promises to update the Clean Air Act to address a grave and growing pollution threat. He wins. Three weeks after taking office, he addresses a joint session of Congress. “The time for study alone has passed, and the time for action is now,” he declares. If you guessed climate change was the threat and Bill Clinton or Barack Obama the speaker, guess again. The new president was George H.W. Bush, and the grave and growing threat was acid rain. Five months after uttering those words, the Bush administration sent Congress a bill that amended the Clean Air Act (CAA). Included was the architecture for the world’s first large-scale application of cap and trade to control pollution, an allowance-trading system for sulfur dioxide (SO₂), the major contributor to acid rain. Bush signed the bill into law in November 1990. A new report [“The SO₂Allowance Trading System and the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990: Reflections on Twenty Years of Policy Innovation”; full report (PDF)] from the Harvard Environmental Economics Program, recounts this remarkable story. More important for climate policy, the report distills what policy-makers have learned 20 years after launching a market for SO₂.

Read more: Forbes >>

In India, reducing pollution will raise human rights

Heather Libby — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:57:46 +0000

Outside a village called Mau, in Uttar Pradesh, half a dozen chimneys rise from kilns into a colourless sky. These ovens, six among the 100,000 which turn out the 200 billion bricks made each year in India, are worked by dalits—members of castes once regarded as Untouchable. India’s brick kilns are noxious sources of pollution, particularly soot, and working them means a life that is always nasty, frequently brutish and often short. But on top of this social evil is an environmental one. The exhaust from the kilns mixes with diesel emissions and other fumes to form a vast brown smog, known as an atmospheric brown cloud, which is up to 3km thick and thousands of kilometres long. Two of its main ingredients, the small carbon particles which the soot is composed of, and ozone, a triatomic form of oxygen, are important contributors to the greenhouse effect, and thus to climate change. Among other negative effects, the cloud is therefore thought to be accelerating the retreat of Himalayan glaciers, which are found at a similar altitiude. A way of curbing pollution from India’s kilns would thus ameliorate the lives of those who work them, help make Asia a cleaner continent, and slow down global warming. Burning the coal that fires the kilns in a more efficient and less polluting way would also save money for the kiln’s owners—an alignment of interest that might encourage the change to happen. Unfortunately, the recommended change of design (at least, the change recommended by the United Nations’ Environment Programme) is an expensive one.

Read more: The Economist >>

How fossil fuel reserves match UN climate negotiating positions

TckTckTck — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:06:26 +0000

Want to understand why we're not solving climate change? Then follow the money – which in this case means following the carbon. I've spent much of the past 24 hours crunching data and it turns out there's a very striking – and oddly overlooked – correlation between fossil fuel reserves and national negotiating position on climate change. First, though, some background. Last year I wrote about the emerging concept of a "carbon bubble" and the risks for investors of putting money into companies that hold fossil fuel reserves. After all, if the world is to meet its stated 2C target for limiting global warming, most of those fuels will need to be left in the ground. Months later, during the Durban climate talks, I found myself wondering how all that unburnable fuel was distributed globally – and how this might be affecting the negotiations. When I finally got around to looking, I was surprised that there didn't seem to be a good dataset of the potential emissions of each country's fossil fuel reserves. So I decided to make my own. I took the fossil fuel data from most recent BP Statistical Review of World Energy and converted the oil, coal and gas reserves listed for each country into the approximate amount of CO2 that would be released if they were burned.

Read more: Guardian UK >>

Traditional Argentinian maize varieties may help farmers adapt to climate change

TckTckTck — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:06:21 +0000

Scientists in Argentina are working side by side with small farmers to recover traditional maize varieties that could help them adapt to climate change but have been largely displaced by modern hybrids. Maize is not just a staple food in this South American nation, but a major export. Argentina’s annual output of 22 million tonnes makes it the world’s fifth largest producer of the crop, and its second largest exporter. But volume does not equate with diversity. The country’s more than 40 indigenous corn varieties have been jettisoned for hybrids – cross-bred plants that combine desirable characteristics - which now account for almost 99 percent of maize production. And that makes output vulnerable to changing climatic conditions. “Native cultivars have been replaced by hybrid crops because (hybrids) have better yield, performance, stability and are more resistant to certain diseases,” explains Guillermo Eyherabide, coordinator of the grain programme at the National Agricultural Technology Institute (INTA).

Read More: Alternet >>

Canadian government muzzling climate scientists: whistleblower

TckTckTck — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:31:20 +0000

The Canadian government has been accused of "muzzling" its scientists. Speakers at a major science meeting being held in Canada said communication of vital research on health and environment issues is being suppressed. But one Canadian government department approached by the BBC said it held the communication of science as a priority. Prof Thomas Pedersen, a senior scientist at the University of Victoria, said he believed there was a political motive in some cases. "The Prime Minister (Stephen Harper) is keen to keep control of the message, I think to ensure that the government won't be embarrassed by scientific findings of its scientists that run counter to sound environmental stewardship," he said. "I suspect the federal government would prefer that its scientists don't discuss research that points out just how serious the climate change challenge is." The Canadian government recently withdrew from the Kyoto protocol to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Read more: BBC News >>

Climate change in Haiti

TckTckTck — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:00:24 +0000

Of the many countries at risk from the effects of climate change, small island states are widely considered to be among the most vulnerable. Not only are these countries exposed to direct impacts of climate change, particularly sea level rise, they are also highly sensitive to existing environmental stresses that will be exacerbated by climate change. Overlapping factors such as high population densities, fragile ecosystems, overstressed water resources, and limited institutional capacity mean that small island states face serious challenges to their development in a changing climate. Haiti is a striking example of how this combination of physical exposure and socioeconomic conditions could lead to extreme climate change vulnerability. Already prone to a wide array of environmental stressors, including flooding, droughts, hurricanes, earthquakes, and landslides, Haiti has also experienced declining GDP since 1982, and has seen serious political turmoil throughout the past few decades. Indeed, Haiti was recently ranked as the most vulnerable country in the world to climate change on an index developed by Maplecroft, a global risk management firm. This index, which takes into account government capacity, population growth and density, agricultural dependency, poverty, and history of armed conflict, underscores the importance of socioeconomic contributors to climate change vulnerability.

Read More: The Earth Institute >>

Our favourite climate videos this week

Leslie Dickout — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:00:18 +0000

Every Friday we select our favourite videos from the climate movement to feature on TckTckTck. This week our videos focus on resources. Take a look at our picks, and let us know if you agree with our rankings in the comments below. If you’d like to suggest videos for next week, send it to us on Twitter at @tcktcktck or post it to our Facebook wall.

#1: Taking a Stand Against Coal

Our #1 pick this week was produced by our partners at Greenpeace USA and includes some powerful messages from Americans asking Duke Energy to quit coal.

#2: Himalayan Glaciers - "no melt in 10 years"

A new report was published this week in Nature, revealing new rates of ice melt in the world's non-polar regions. Although it caused a media furore, the coverage was rather misleading. To bring some clarity to the glacier story, watch this important video:

#3: There's no tomorrow (2012)

Although it's a bit longer than our usual selections, we liked it so much it made our list. This animated documentary from our partners at the Post Carbon Institute draws together the integral issues of resource depletion, infinite growth and our finite planet. It's definitely worth a watch.

Great Bear Rainforest key to climate but still at risk

TckTckTck — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:30:51 +0000

British Columbia is home to some of the most spectacular forest landscapes on the planet, above all the temperate rainforest along the Pacific Coast. These forests – including the Great Bear Rainforest – are not only globally rare and home to species that exist nowhere else, like the rare white spirit bear; they also contain some of the largest carbon stores per hectare of any ecosystem in the world. How does this work? In really simple terms, plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Some of that carbon ends up in the soil while much of it is stored in trees. On the most productive sites, old-growth forests store over 1,000 tonnes of carbon per hectare and, on average, sequester another two tonnes of carbon annually. Old-growth forests can only store this much carbon, though, if they’re still standing. Logging old-growth forests releases large amounts of its stored carbon into the atmosphere. Clearcuts continue to emit carbon from exposed soils and logging residue for decades before the carbon uptake of second-growth forest begins to offset the loss. The critical role the Great Bear Rainforest plays in helping slow climate change is one of the reasons Sierra Club BC, ForestEthics and Greenpeace are calling on the provincial government to speed up the outstanding steps of the Great Bear Rainforest Agreementsannounced on February 7, 2006.

Read More: Rainforest Solutions Project >>

How to reduce your pet’s carbon pawprint

TckTckTck — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:48:58 +0000

In recent years, many of us have become increasingly focused on reducing our environmental impact and boosting conservation efforts. But in trying to reduce our own carbon footprint, we often forget about our pets. ABC News reported a few years ago that two New Zealand scientists wrote a book alleging "pets have a carbon footprint that is about twice the size of ... gas guzzling [SUVs]." Check out this selection of green dog products.

Water levels sinking in ports of Tanzania’s Lake Victoria

TckTckTck — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:13:46 +0000

The sound of the MV Nyehunge’s horn signals the ferry’s arrival at the port of Nansio on Lake Victoria. Veronica Mayola disembarks and tries to get out of the pouring rain. But Mayola, who is returning to her home town here on the island of Ukerewe, cannot take shelter in the passenger lounge built by the Tanzania Ports Authority. It was constructed to serve the original Nansio pier – but the water is now too shallow for the Nyehunge to berth there. Instead, the ferry must dock at a new landing site, far from the lounge. The water level at the original Nansio pier has gradually been dropping since seasonal rainfalls began to lessen in the early 1990s, and it is now below the required minimum anchorage depth, explains Port officer Bulenga Ndaro. “To date the quays have conceded two metres of waters,” Ndaro says in frustration. Climate experts believe that changing rain patterns at the world’s second largest lake, consistent with expected climate impacts, are contributing to the problem, and that further changes are possible.

Read More: Alternet >>

CO2 causing risky behavior in clownfish

TckTckTck — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:43:49 +0000

Carbon dioxide in the ocean acts like alcohol on fish, leaving them less able to judge risks and prone to losing their senses. The intoxication adds to the threats that global warming and ocean acidification pose to marine ecosystems. Around 2.3 billion tonnes of human-caused CO₂ emissions dissolve into the world's oceans every year, turning the water more acidic. Philip Munday and colleagues at James Cook University in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, have previously found that if you put reef fish into water with more CO₂ than normal in it – similar to the levels expected in oceans by the end of the century – they become bolder and attracted to odours they would normally avoid, including those of predators and unfavourable habitats.

Can solar power help the shipping industry go green?

TckTckTck — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:50:12 +0000

From a distance, the yellow-and-blue ferry docking at the pier resembles the scores of other vessels that hop between Hong Kong's outlying islands and the peninsula every day.

But a closer look as passengers disembark, reveals a grid of gleaming solar panels on the ferry's roof and, instead of the usual throbbing engine noise, there is a barely audible buzz.

The Solar Eagle and three similar vessels shuttle golfers to tee off on an 18-hole island course. Together they form the world's first hybrid powered ferry fleet and a commercial proving ground for technology that could transform the future of marine travel. The technology, similar to that used in hybrid cars, has been developed by an Australian company called Solar Sailor. Electricity created by the solar panels and stored in a battery powers the engine while the vessel comes in and out of the harbour. Once out in the open ocean and a faster clip is required, the diesel kicks in.

Read More: BBC >>

Pollution damaging crop yields across continents

TckTckTck — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:40:29 +0000

In a paper published in Biogeosciences, researchers show how ozone pollution generated in each of the Northern Hemisphere's major industrialised regions (Europe, North America and South East Asia) damages six important agricultural crops (wheat, maize, soybean, cotton, potato and rice) not only locally, but also by traveling many thousands of kilometers downwind. Of the yield losses to Europe caused by ozone, pollution originating from North America is responsible for a 1.2 million ton annual loss of wheat. This is the biggest intercontinental ozone-related impact on any food crop. The scale of the impact of North American pollution on European wheat has previously been unknown. The study also found: -- In terms of global crop losses, Asian pollution dominates worldwide losses of wheat (50-60%) and rice (more than 90%). -- North American pollution contributes the most to worldwide losses of maize (60-70%) and soybean (75-85%). -- The impact of Europe's pollution on other continents is minor due to fewer low pressure systems and weather fronts, which are responsible for transporting pollution across continents.

And Action! How Tck partners are changing the world this week

Heather Libby — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:18:36 +0000

“We’ve been to jail. We’ve marched on Washington. This week it’s pixels and keystrokes. ” - Bill McKibben

Say what you will about an online movement, sometimes it gets the job done. This week we’re celebrating the digital achievements of our amazing network as they’ve used technology to protect the planet we love. Read on:

A massive online outcry to stop the Keystone XL pipeline

It was just a few weeks ago when we celebrated the courage of US President Obama for standing his ground and killing the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline permit. But, like so many zombies before it, this pipeline just won’t stay dead. After finding out that Republican leaders in Congress were trying to force the pipeline’s approval by attaching it to the payroll tax bill and other unrelated legislation, our partners took a stand. On Monday, February 13 more than 35 of the most respected environmental and social groups in the United States came together in an online petition to remind senators that this pipeline is not in the interests of US citizens. They include TckTckTck partners 350.org, Natural Resources Defense Council, League of Conservation Voters, Center for Biological Diversity, Oil Change, Rainforest Action Network, US Climate Action Network, Indigenous Environmental Network and the Sierra Club, among others. They launched the petition at noon EST yesterday and reached their goal of half a million signatures within 7 hours. Will Senators back the will of the public and vote against the pipeline? Stay tuned. In the interim, if you haven’t signed the petition yet - please do.

Earth Hour dares the world to save the planet

Earlier today WWF’s Earth Hour launched its 2012 campaign “I Will If You Will” to showcase how everyone has the power to change the world they live in. Earth Hour began as a one-city initiative in 2007 when it encouraged the residents of Sydney, Australia to switch off their lights for one hour to conserve energy. In the past five years it has grown to be a 5,251 city strong global movement, reaching 1.8 billion people in 135 countries across all seven continents. The Earth Hour event will run as always from 8:30pm - 9:30pm local time on March 31. But in addition to encouraging locals and landmarks to conserve power, the 2012 campaign takes things one step further, using a custom YouTube platform to empower people to share a personal dare with the world by asking, “What are you willing to do to save the planet?” Each video shared will be included in a global library of ‘I will if you will’ dares. Promises can be as specific as switching to energy efficient light bulbs or as broad as pledging to go car-free for a month. Find out more: www.youtube.com/earthhour

Encouraging local meteorologists to ‘Forecast the Facts’

For many people the closest relationship they have to an expert on climate is through their local meteorologist. As extreme weather from climate change begins to take hold of our planet, meteorologists face a defining question: will they forecast the facts and help Americans understand the science and impacts of climate change, or will they stand on the side of denial, promoting the ignorance and inaction that threatens the future of our country and our world? Our partners at 350.org have teamed up with the League of Conservation Voters and the Citizen Engagement Lab for a new campaign to hold meteorologists accountable on climate change and its effects on our communities. The first step of the campaign is to build a groundswell of support encouraging the American Meteorological Society to issue a strong statement on climate change. Find out more about the campaign and add your name. The weather report never mattered so much.

Partner Spotlight: Kathleen Rogers, Earth Day Network

Heather Libby — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:18:20 +0000

Every two weeks the TckTckTck team proudly recognizes one of the 325+ partner organizations making up our global climate movement. As the 42nd anniversary of Earth Day nears, we are pleased to share an interview with Kathleen Rogers, President of the Earth Day Network. In this interview Kathleen shares her vision for this year’s Earth Day actions; how close the world is to its ‘billionth act of green’; and why Kuwait hosted her favourite Earth Day event last year. Read on: TCK: Earth Day has been running for over 40 years and takes place annually on 22nd April 2012. What are some of your primary objectives with this year's Earth Day? What will be different compared to previous years? KATHLEEN ROGERS: The theme of this year’s Earth Day is Mobilize the Earth™. Environmental issues have taken a backseat for world leaders, but the world can’t wait. So this year, Earth Day is a platform to make noise – for everyone to come together, refocus our energy, and demand that something be done. Rally. March. Vote. Petition. Do something. All these actions count, and if we do enough of them, if we make enough noise, we’ll not only be making a real impact on the environment and the popular consciousness about the environment, the powers that be will be forced to pay attention. Mobilize. Earth Day is a powerful tool; it happens every year, and it’s celebrated by a billion people and in virtually every country on the planet – the largest civic observance in the world. This year, we’ll harness that power. Earth Day is forum for all these concerns to coalesce and the platform to propel the movement forward. And this year, it couldn’t come at a more perfect time, as the momentum for change that swept from Cairo to New York is still inspiring people everywhere to action. TCK: Earth Day 2012 takes place just 2 months before the Earth Summit in Rio. Do Earth Day Network have a list of outcomes they hope to see achieved at the Summit? What message would you send to world leaders in advance of the Summit? KATHLEEN ROGERS: Earth Day could not fall at a more opportune time in relation to Rio+20. Earth Day is one of the last major platforms for individuals, organizations, and governments around the world to mobilize and make their voice heard ahead of the summit. We hope the two months in between Earth Day and the summit will be a time of immense action as we work to engage world leaders in a dialogue on sustainability. Specifically, Earth Day Network hopes to see some aggressive action taken to promote green investment. We also hope to bring all of the environmental commitments from A Billion Acts of Green to the conference, and they’ll represent the decisive results of a global referendum on the environment. It’s hard to ignore a billion actions. As you mentioned earlier, Earth Day Network is working with TckTckTck on the Renewable Energy for All campaign. And we’ll be asking political leaders at Rio+20 to abide by four pillars that will get us closer to the goal of ensuring Renewable Energy for All:

30% energy use from renewables by 2020
40% decrease in energy intensity by 2020
Universal access to modern energy services that end energy poverty:
AND immediate action that will put countries on a pathway to sustainability, including putting an end to all fossil fuel subsidies

TCK: If people have not previously participated in Earth Day what can they do to get involved this year? KATHLEEN ROGERS: First, they can go to www.earthday.org to learn about the issues at stake and about what other people and organizations are doing all over the world. Then, they need to act. If there’s an Earth Day event in their hometown, they need to go and bring the Mobilize the Earth message – or better yet, contact the local organizers and see how they can become an organizer themselves or how else they can help. If there isn’t an event, they should organize one, and we can help give them the resources to do that. This is a grassroots movement, built from the ground up; so it’s what we all make it. Make it something powerful that shows you care about the environment. Then take a picture, video or otherwise document it and send it to us. We’ll aggregate and amplify all these local actions into a unified, global call for action – to stop climate change, clean up our air, clean up our water, demand renewable energy and a sustainable future for all. And that will give us the momentum for the next steps to make sure something gets done about it. TCK: I recently read about your campaign 'A Billion Acts of Green' which seems like an ambitious target but looking at your website you are almost half way there, congratulations! What do you plan to do once you reach the Billionth act? KATHLEEN ROGERS: A Billion Acts of Green® (http://act.earthday.org/) is the world’s largest environmental service campaign. It’s moving because it highlights what individuals, businesses, churches, schools, civic organizations, etc. do every day to protect the environment. All those little acts add up to something big. There are so many wonderful stories that could be told about this campaign, from the little girl and her mother who started a recycling program in a small Louisiana town…to the guy who said that he broke up with his girlfriend because she wouldn’t recycle! And once we reach a billion acts, we’re going to take them all to world leaders to show them the breadth of support for acting now to protect the environment. We hope to reach a billion acts by the UN Sustainability Conference (“Rio+20”) in June in Rio de Janeiro. That would send a powerful message at a critical time. TCK: TckTckTck and Earth Day Network are working together on the campaign Renewable Energy for All. Given that you travel all over the world what do you believe can be done to ensure clean energy access for everyone on the planet? In your opinion what more can NGO's do who are already working on this issue? KATHLEEN ROGERS: Well, we need a strong international climate treaty. But in the absence of national and international action, city and other local governments all over the world have been stepping up to the plate by implementing renewable energy policies of their own. That kind of local leadership will trickle up, and Earth Day Network wants to encourage even more of it. That’s why, for example, we’re partnering with cities from Grand Rapids to Santa Fe to help them develop and implement renewable energy standards, green government buildings, community education programs, and more. We also need to work with businesses to make them understand that renewable energy is the future and that they need to adapt or get left behind as everyone races to develop and harness these new technologies. It makes economic sense. TCK: Can you name some of your favourite Earth Day events over the years? KATHLEEN ROGERS: Right now, I’d have to say that my favorite Earth Day events are the ones happening in the Middle East. In Iraq, the provincial government in Kurdistan is planting 5 million trees in honor of Earth Day; many young students from the area have been participating in the tree-planting in cities, villages, schools and public parks. In Oman, the Ministry of Education is making Earth Day, and sustainability in general, part of the curriculum in 1,043 schools; 500,000 school children will participate in Earth Day-related activities there this year. In Kuwait, they’ve taken our Billion Acts of Green campaign and ran with it! Last year, civil society groups in Kuwait started “Kuwait Million Acts of Green,” but they quickly exceeded their goal, collecting over 7 million environmental actions. Notably, they picked up 540,000 tons of trash – and the government even jumped in, planting 2 million trees. Community-organized events all over the world really illustrate the power of Earth Day. It’s a point of entry to the environmental movement, and it’s a time to stand up and be counted; it diversifies the movement and provides a tool to educate and mobilize people.

Heat up your Valentines Day with a climate e-card

Heather Libby — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 01:20:25 +0000

Climate change isn’t loveable. But the people who research its effects certainly are. This year we’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with a tribute to the climate experts and scientists working to protect our families, finances and future. In their honour, please share our peer-reviewed Valentine’s Day eCard with someone who warms your heart. Then, head over to the I Heart Climate Scientists Facebook page and share your love for the experts who inspire you. Happy Valentine’s Day from everyone at TckTckTck! [ecard]

Bangladesh expands irrigation using solar powered pumps

TckTckTck — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:39:53 +0000

The government of Bangladesh is planning to install close to 19,000 solar-powered irrigation pumps by 2016, in a bid to expand the country's irrigated land area and boost food production, while limiting its reliance on fossil fuels. The initiative is being promoted as an environmentally friendly approach to improving food security for the country’s fast-growing population of 160 million. The new pumps will run on a combined 150 megawatts (MW) of power generated by solar panels, which is projected to save the government nearly $100 million in fuel-subsidy costs over 20 years. Today Bangladeshi farmers rely on some 266,000 electrically powered water pumps - which consume around 1,300 MW - to irrigate 1.7 million hectares (4.2 million acres) of land.

Read More: Alternet >>

Take action

Heather Libby — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:15:07 +0000

Just two weeks after President Obama stood his ground and killed a permit for the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, Republican leaders in Congress are trying to force its approval by attaching it to the payroll tax bill and other unrelated legislation. Our partners in the fight against dirty energy will not let this stand. On Monday, February 13 more than 35 of the most respected environmental and social groups in the United States came together in an online petition to remind senators that this pipeline is not in the interests of US citizens. They include TckTckTck partners 350.org, Natural Resources Defense Council, League of Conservation Voters, Center for Biological Diversity, Oil Change, Rainforest Action Network, US Climate Action Network, Indigenous Environmental Network and the Sierra Club, among others. Together they collected 781,000 signatures against the Keystone XL pipeline. And they're not done yet.

Take Action: Help stop the Keystone XL pipeline for good >>

24 hours to stop the KeystoneXL pipeline for good

Heather Libby — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:13:45 +0000

Just two weeks after President Obama stood his ground and killed a permit for the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, Republican leaders in Congress are trying to force its approval by attaching it to the payroll tax bill and other unrelated legislation. Our partners in the fight against dirty energy will not let this stand. Today more than 35 of the most respected environmental and social groups in the United States are coming together in an online petition to remind senators that this pipeline is not in the interests of US citizens. They include TckTckTck partners 350.org, Natural Resources Defense Council, League of Conservation Voters, Center for Biological Diversity, Oil Change, Rainforest Action Network, US Climate Action Network, Indigenous Environmental Network and the Sierra Club, among others. Together they're trying to collect more than 500,000 signatures in the next 24 hours to help kill this pipeline for good.

What can you do?

In the past six months, thousands of people have protested, gathered, petitioned and even been arrested outside the White House to stop the Keystone XL pipeline. President Obama denied its application. By all rights, this fight should be over. And, hopefully with your help, in 24 hours, it finally will be. There are lots of ways you can show your solidarity today against the interests of big oil:

If you haven't already signed a petition against the Keystone XL, what are you waiting for? Sign the petition from our partners at NRDC.
Share this campaign widely on your social networks. The official Tar Sands Action Facebook page will have all the updates from today, plus you can follow along on Twitter with the hashtag #noKXL.
Read and share at least one of the excellent blogs and letters published today detailing the many reasons why the Keystone XL is not in the national interest of Americans or Canadians.

"This U.S. Senate has to stop looking towards the past and move into the new century. If only some of these politicians showed the same level of passion for creating new markets around cleaner forms of energy, as they're showing for crippling a sitting president with a dirty, potentially highly dangerous, old-school Canadian tar sands pipeline." - Robert Redford in the Huffington Post

"When other huge oil fields or coal mines were opened in the past, we knew much less about the damage that the carbon they contained would do to the earth’s climate and its oceans. Now that we do know, it’s imperative that we move quickly to alternate forms of energy—and that we leave the tar sands in the ground. We can say categorically that this pipeline is not in the nation’s, or the planet’s best interest." - Dr. James Hansen and 19 other climate scientists

"We’re going to war at noon eastern today–non-violent war, but a powerful, unified fight against the heart of right-wing power, the fossil fuel industry. We’re out to collect half a million emails in 24 hours telling the Senate: back up the president and keep this pipeline dead. It’s going to be the most concentrated burst of environmental activism this millennium–and it needs you." - Bill McKibben on DailyKos

Featured campaign: Forecast the Facts

Heather Libby — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:57:23 +0000

According to a recent national survey, more than half of TV weather reporters don’t believe in human-induced climate change. Meanwhile, their viewers are facing unprecedented, climate-change induced heat waves, droughts, and flooding. We need our meteorologists to tell the truth about climate change.

Visit the Forecast the Facts campaign page for updates >>

Intense droughts, fierce storms, increased flooding. Scientists have been predicting for years that global warming would lead to a future of increasingly dangerous extreme weather events. That future is now upon us. But when most Americans tune into their local weather report, they won't hear a peep about human-induced climate change. Why? Because the majority of TV meteorologists don't believe in it. That's right: the professionals most responsible for informing the public about the weather are systematically missing the most important weather story of our lifetime. With over 1,000 TV meteorologists across the country, the level of denial varies widely. Some TV meteorologists spout outright falsehoods on air--like the idea that the earth is actually cooling, or that global warming is caused by sunspots (not CO2 and other greenhouse gasses.) In other cases, they cover increasingly extreme weather events like droughts, wild fires, flooding, and winter storms, without ever mentioning the scientific consensus that climate change is making these events more likely and more intense. It's the equivalent of a news anchor reporting on a string of murders without saying that there is a suspect in custody. Viewers tuning in to their weather report deserve to be told the truth about climate change, and the Forecast the Facts campaign aims to make sure that happens. Our goal is nothing short of changing how the entire profession of meteorology tackles the issue of climate change. We'll empower everyday people to make sure meteorologists understand that their viewers are counting on them to get this story right, and that those who continue to shirk their professional responsibility will be held accountable. TV meteorologists have worked for years to build respectability for their profession. What began as a glorified announcer position has morphed into a true scientific pursuit, with graduate degrees, a professional association, and standards for certification. That profession now faces a defining question: will TV meteorologists forecast the facts and help Americans understand the science and impacts of climate change, or will they stand on the side of denial, promoting the ignorance and inaction that threatens the future of our country and our world? The weather report never mattered so much. Reposted from our partners at Forecast the Facts

Instances of extreme rainfall have almost doubled in India

TckTckTck — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:42:05 +0000

The number of extreme events of rainfall (very heavy rainfall) has almost doubled in the country in the last 50 years. On the other hand, there has been a decrease in low and moderate rainfall over central India, according to scientists of the India Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune. The scientists made these observations after examining data pertaining to the last 50 years, collected from various sources. BN Goswami, director of IITM, Pune, said that the significant rising trends seen in the frequency and intensity of these extreme events can be attributed to global warming. Speaking at the Indo-German workshop on the challenges and opportunities in air pollution and climate change organised by the IITM here on Tuesday, he said that temperature over the Indian continent and Indian Ocean has risen over the last 100 years. This has led to an increase in moisture in the atmosphere, but not in rainfall.

Read More: The Times of India >>

Our favourite climate videos this week

Leslie Dickout — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:25:33 +0000

Every Friday we select our favourite videos from the climate movement to feature on TckTckTck. This week we faced some tough choices. Take a look at our picks, and let us know if you agree with our rankings in the comments below. If you'd like to suggest videos for next week, send it to us on Twitter at @tcktcktck or post it to our Facebook wall.

#1: Me and My Bike

The #1 pick this week is the fantastic video from Kenya, Me and My Bike, which won first place in the 13-17 year age group in Connect for Climate's competition to raise awareness about climate change. Check it out:

#2: It's time to move beyond the big six

The growing unrest with the big six energy companies in Britain coupled with the growth of a movement towards a renewable energy future makes this video a pure delight.

#3: Greenhouse gases are the steroids of the climate system

Turns out, there actually is a relationship between steroids, baseball and climate change.

World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts

TckTckTck — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:57:12 +0000

The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) is a worldwide Movement providing non-formal education where girls and young women develop leadership and life skills through self-development, challenge and adventure. Girl Guides and Girl Scouts learn by doing. The World Association brings together Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting Associations in 145 countries across the globe. Follow: World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts >> ............. ......

WiserEarth

TckTckTck — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:52:17 +0000

WiserEarth is a free community based website where people from across the globe can search for jobs, research non-profits, create groups and start discussions. It is a community directory and networking forum that maps and connects non-governmental organizations and individuals addressing the central issues of our day: climate change, poverty, the environment, peace, water, food, social justice, conservation, human rights and more. Follow: WiserEarth >> ............. ......

WE.net

TckTckTck — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:47:44 +0000

The WE experience is a conscious movement from 'I' to 'WE' that embodies a feeling of oneness and connectivity reflected in one’s thoughts and actions. As the experience of WE expands and evolves in our thoughts, visions and behavior, the effect transforms the patterns currently damaging our lives and world. This experience involves a greater awareness and empathy toward the entire human family, all species, organisms and resources that share, enjoy and sustain life on this precious, planet earth. WE.net and the WE Action Campaigns are building a mass movement to create peace, sustainability and transformation. Follow: WE.net >> ............. ......

US Climate Action Network (USCAN)

TckTckTck — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:42:50 +0000

USCAN is the largest US network of organizations focused on climate change. USCAN plays a critical role as the only network connecting organizations working on climate advocacy and policy development at all three levels of the debate: state/regional, federal, and international, all of which are becoming increasingly interdependent. USCAN’s goal is to facilitate a clear understanding and strategic approach to climate policy by a broad and diverse collection of NGOs working with various constituencies and to foster collaborative efforts to share information, develop strategy and coordinate activities. Follow: US Climate Action Network >> ............. ......

This Place ’09

TckTckTck — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:22:23 +0000

Climate change can be big, complex and politically charged. #ThisPlace is a project to give a little reminder to the delegates in Copenhagen to keep the big picture in mind. We hope it helps them remember that they have all of the worlds shared problems, personal anxieties, hopes and dreams about climate change in their hands. We are still working on the best way to get this book to the right people. We have plenty of our own thoughts but if anyone has more ideas or some good contacts to pass on to us we would be very grateful. We’d love to hear from you. Follow: This Place '09 >> ............. ......

The Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy

TckTckTck — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:06:32 +0000

The mission of IMTD is to promote a systems-based approach to peace building and to facilitate the transformation of deep-rooted social conflict. The Institute is based in Arlington, VA, and has more than 1300 members in 31 countries. IMTD is supported by a wide range of key personnel, associates and interns. 265 interns from 56 countries have worked at the Institute. Follow: The Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy>> ............. ......

The Green Initiative

TckTckTck — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:01:21 +0000

Since March of 2009, The Green Initiative (TGI) prospered with a clear vision to raise awareness about climate change through education and innovation. Sponsored by the British Council's Global Changemakers' project, TGI is classified as one of their Community Action Programs. Through a series of events, TGI has successfully reached over 3000 people in its first year alone. The works of the Green Initiative have been featured in many exhibitions, publications, and media. Follow: The Green Initiative >> ............. ......

The Access Initiative

TckTckTck — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:57:50 +0000

The Access Initiative is the world’s largest network of civil society organizations dedicated to ensuring that local communities have the rights and abilities to gain access to information and to participate in decisions that affect their lives and their environment. Members from around the world carry out evidence-based advocacy to encourage collaboration and innovation that advances transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness in decision making at all levels. Follow: The Access Initiative>> ............. ......

Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS)

TckTckTck — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:54:02 +0000

SEEDS is a non-profit organization that seeks to protect the lives and livelihoods of people exposed to natural disasters and living in disaster prone areas. SEEDS primarily engages in shelter reconstruction and adopts locally based approaches to reduce the impact of future disasters on communities at risk. Founded in 1994, SEEDS comprises of young professionals drawn from various development related fields. It is governed and advised by a board of eminent academicians and practitioners from international organizations. Follow: SEEDS >> ............. ......

Solar Generation

TckTckTck — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:45:57 +0000

Follow: Solar Generation>> ............. ......

SERAC-Bangladesh

TckTckTck — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:41:19 +0000

SERAC- Bangladesh is a Non Government, Non Political Law and development organization. It started life in 1991 with the initiation of a group of educated, dedicated social workers with an aim to promote the socioeconomic and cultural status of the rural poor and vulnerable people, emphasizing the women and children through capacity building institution building, capital formation and imparting felt need based problem solving programs by adopting modern scientific technologies. Follow: SERAC-Bangladesh >> ............. ......

RESET For a better world

TckTckTck — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:35:21 +0000

The aim of the charitable foundation RESET society is to raise interest in sustainable development and donations (money, time and materials) as efficiently as possible. RESET is for people, businesses and organizations that want to be actively targeted and progressive methods and projects for environmental protection and strive for more global justice. Follow: RESET for a better world >> ............. ......

Renewables 100 Policy Institute

TckTckTck — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:30:46 +0000

Renewables 100 was founded to accelerate and support the global transition to sustainable 100 percent renewable energy. To date, society has not yet succeeded in implementing renewable energy solutions with a breadth and speed proportional to the problem. One stumbling block is a lack of comprehensive, detailed, expert blueprints covering the most efficient and appropriate technology mixes, the strongest policy solutions, and the precise costs of making the transition to 100 percent renewable energy. No organization is focusing wholly on this task in the United States. Renewables 100 will take on this critical role, working with a team of the best professionals in the field internationally to create such blueprints and distribute the results. Follow: Renewables 100 Policy Institute >> ............ ......