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May 26, 2011
As power shortages loom across Japan this summer because of the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident, people are turning to a tested-and-true method of cooling down rooms by blocking the sun's rays--"green curtains."
According to a guideline on urban greenery, the Tokyo metropolitan government, which has started distributing seeds at parks and other public facilities, green curtains can lower indoor temperatures by up to 1.7 degrees.
Toilet manufacturer TOTO Ltd., meanwhile, has announced the results of an experiment it conducted at its Oita factory last year.
TOTO grew a green curtain of goya, "hechima" (sponge cucumber) and morning glories that was 10 meters tall and 200 meters long outside its Oita plant walls. The company reported the curtain lowered temperatures inside the plant by an average 2 degrees, and a maximum 5 degrees, during the hot summer months.
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May 18, 2011
LED lamps are expected to revolutionize the lighting industry because of their sharply reduced power consumption and their long life compared with standard incandescents.
The bulb, the EnduraLED A21, will retail for about $40, last 25,000 hours and produce 1100 lumens of light by consuming just 17 watts of electricity. (A standard 75-watt lamp from GE produces 1170 lumens.) Over the life of the lamp, consumers will save $160, the company says.
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May 18, 2011
The UK Green Film Festival, a not-for-profit showcase of eco-conscious movies, including several premieres, runs for the first time May 20- 22.
The event aims to raise awareness of the environmental issues facing today's world through the screening of a large number of both domestically (UK) and internationally produced 'green' films.
More information about the event, including the timetable, can be found via the official website at: www.ukgreenfilmfestival.org/ or via Twitter @UKgreenfilms.
A video overview of the event is available on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxPouqCj_NQ
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May 6, 2011
Scientists warn that farming practices must be adapted to a warmer world and rises in global population.
Food prices have risen 20%, say scientists, as warmer temperatures cause dehydration and prevent pollination in crop plants.
Global warming has already harmed the world's food production and has driven up food prices by as much as 20% over recent decades, new research has revealed.
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