I Commit to Green Blog

Mysterious anteater birth is ripe for an anteater-themed soap opera

MoreRecycling — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:57:00 +0000

Armani has some explaining to do. But she is, of course, an anteater, and they’re notoriously tight-lipped.

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Maps: Growth of cycling and bike infrastructure in Portland since 1990

MoreRecycling — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:45:19 +0000

We often forget that great bike cities were not always so. They all had to start somewhere, work hard at it, and build up the infrastructure and bike culture, sometimes from a very low base.

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New approach to improving treatment for MS and other conditions

MoreRecycling — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:24:24 +0000

Working with lab mice models of multiple sclerosis (MS), scientists have detected a novel molecular target for the design of drugs that could be safer and more effective than current FDA-approved medications against MS.

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Explosive poop foam is killing hogs, destroying barns and stumping scientists

MoreRecycling — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:04:06 +0000

I’m no expert on hog farming, but it seems to me that when whatever you’re doing is creating explosive poop foam that has destroyed barns and killed thousands of hogs you might be doing something wrong.

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Why Environmental “Hypocrisy” Is Irrelevant and Inevitable

MoreRecycling — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:02:03 +0000

Accusations of hypocrisy against environmentalists because they too use fossil fuels are a dangerous and counterproductive distraction.

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America’s first hemp crop in 60 years was planted this week in Colorado

MoreRecycling — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:00:23 +0000

Hemp, the THC-free cousin of cannabis, has recently been made legal in Colorado, but the feds still don’t approve.

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Palletso: Recycled rustic pallet furniture charms and opens your beer

MoreRecycling — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:53:51 +0000

These recycled pallet pieces from a Los Angeles-based company are simple yet fun.

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Honda extracts rare earth metals from used hybrid batteries, turns them into new batteries

MoreRecycling — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:25:48 +0000

Despite their name, rare earth metals aren’t actually that rare, but they are important for a variety of green technologies.

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Student designed Solar Garage produces energy, grows food too

MoreRecycling — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:33:29 +0000

This smart redesign of the common garage uses solar power to optimize the charging of electric vehicles and the germination of food crops.

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Nanoscale artificial leaf can extract hydrogen from water with just sunlight

MoreRecycling — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:29:07 +0000

Researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has shown what they call the “first fully integrated nanosystem for artificial photosynthesis”.

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Latin America Green News: new energy efficiency initiative in Chile, environmental regulation changes proposed in Costa Rica, and mining controversy in Mexico

Denée Reaves — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:27:44 +0000

Denée Reaves, Program Assistant, International, Washington, D.C.

Latin America Green News is a selection of weekly news highlights about environmental and energy issues in Latin America.

May 13-May 17

Chile

According to the Minister of the Presidency, Cristian Larroulet, one of the government’s priorities will be securing the approval of pending energy bills . The proposed bills would streamline electric concessions, allow the construction of an electric transmission “highway”, and establish a 20% goal for non-conventional renewable energies. Another government goal will be the approval of bills proposed under the Competitive Stimulus Plan, a plan announced two years ago. (La Tercera, 5/16/2013).

Sergio del Campo, Vice Minister of Energy launched Chile’s new Energy Efficiency Seal initiative that aims to promote responsible energy use among companies. The initiative will identify and reward companies that are implementing efficiency measures that help reduce energy costs, boost competitiveness and reduce emissions. Forty companies can apply for the seal this year. (La Tercera 5/16/2013)

Costa Rica

Four Costa Rican environmental groups have formed the Environmental Network Alliance and will present an environmental agenda to presidential candidates. The agenda will be the outcome of a series of workshops with communities around the country focused on seven central issues: water, coastal & marine, food sovereignty, climate change, extractive industries, biodiversity and urban environment. (El Financiero, 05/13/2013)

The National Technical Environmental Secretariat has launched a public consultation a on a draft modification to the environmental impact assessment regulations. One of the proposed changes is to extend the duration of environmental permits to five years from the current two years. Another proposal is to create a category of projects that do not need to submit an environmental impact evaluation. (El País, 05/13/2013)

Mexico

The second meeting of the Advisory Board for the Mesoamerican Strategy of Environmental Sustainability will commence on May 20th in Mexico to discuss the implementation of the master plan around the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor. In the Mexican capital, representatives from Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panamá, the Dominican Republic and the host country will be in attendance. (Terra, 05/15/2013)

The Movement against Mining Concessions of Morelos has asked the Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Juan José Guerra Abud to reject the Canadian company Silver Hope’s mining project in Tetlama, Morelos due to its egregious effects on the environment. The movement’s spokesperson, Ignacio Suárez stated in an interview that this project will contaminate the surrounding areas with mercury and cyanide, as well as damage the archeological site of Xochicalco. Suárez has requested an interview with Guerra Abud to discuss these harmful effects. (La Jornada, 5/15/2013)

For more news on the issues we care about visit our Latin America News archive or read our other International blogs.

This week’s news was compiled by Denée Reaves.

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Nine-year-old Mars rover passes 40-year-old record

MoreRecycling — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:09:09 +0000

While Apollo 17 astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt visited Earth’s moon for three days in December 1972, they drove their mission’s Lunar Roving Vehicle 19.3 nautical miles (22.210 statute miles or 35.744 kilometers). That was the farthest total distance for any NASA vehicle driving on a world other than Earth until yesterday.

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Out of 11,944 peer-reviewed climate papers, 97.2% agree on man-made global warming

MoreRecycling — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:56:21 +0000

Like in Groundhog Day, we have to relive the same day over and over again, not to become a better person and get the girl, but to break through the public perception that somehow there’s still a scientific debate on global warming.

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Reuse Design Challenge: Transform a Phone Book

Recycling — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:38:08 +0000

The Challenge We reached out to five of our favorite DIY/Craft bloggers and tasked them with a challenge: Create something new out of an old phone book. Where You Come In: Take a look at the inspiring and beautifully functional …

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Buycott app helps keep your money out of the hands of Monsanto, Koch Bros., and more

MoreRecycling — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:14:37 +0000

This app helps you put your money where your mouth is by only buying products from companies that reflect your principles.

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New malaria test kit gives a boost to elimination efforts worldwide

MoreRecycling — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:27:27 +0000

A new, highly sensitive blood test that quickly detects even the lowest levels of malaria parasites in the body could make a dramatic difference in efforts to tackle the disease.

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Genome sequence of Tibetan antelope sheds new light on high-altitude adaptation

MoreRecycling — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:27:27 +0000

How can the Tibetan antelope live at elevations of 4,000-5,000m on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau? Investigators now provide evidence of genetic factors that may be associated with the species’ adaption to harsh highland environments.

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New era of fisheries policy needed to secure nutrition for millions

MoreRecycling — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:26:26 +0000

A new study argues that for fisheries policies to be effective they must take in to account not just fish stock conservation and environmental issues, but also research data on the patterns and dynamics of fish trade, markets and user consumption.

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Cats are going extinct: 12 most endangered feline species

MoreRecycling — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:57:00 +0000

It is Endangered Species Day and we are acknowledging it by bringing attention to these feline species that are on the verge of disappearing.

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Electric and magnetic characteristics of a material which could be used in spintronics: Promising doped zirconia

MoreRecycling — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:46:46 +0000

Materials belonging to the family of dilute magnetic oxides (DMOs) – an oxide-based variant of the dilute magnetic semiconductors – are good candidates for spintronics applications.

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