Richest countries pollute, poorest countries suffer

Poorest countries suffer more than richest countries because of emissions of carbon, although they are less guilty. These emissions cause global warming and, in these countries, increase the risk of diseases like malaria and dengue, a severe fever of viral origin. The geographer Jonathan Patz (University of Wisconsin) quantified the problem: he compared CO2 emissions per capita with the increase of these diseases because of global warming. The result is merciless: Americans, for example, have an output of carbon dioxide six times above normal, but their risk is lower.

Nature loves differentiated waste disposal!

People produce every day many waste that harm environment!
The solution to this problem is to produce few waste, reusing materials that can be recycled.
So everyone must do differentiated waste disposal!
All our actions produce pollutions, but with simple rules we can avoid serious damages!
For example:

- We produce every year 30 kg of plastic. Its recycling can save 10.000 tons of petroleum and coal in a city of 100.000 inhabitants.
- To produce 1 kg of aluminium we need 15 Kwh, but to produce 1 Kg of recycled aluminium we need only 0,8 kwh.
- To produce one ton of paper we need 15 trees. 440.000 litres of water and 7.600 kwh of electrical energy. To produce one ton of recycled paper we need only 1.800 litres of water and 2.700 kwh of electrical energy.
- Recycling of glass can save every year in Italy 400.000 tons of oil.

Line changes between Italy and Swiss

Thee line between Italy and Swiss is moving because of "natural reasons". It´s not a fantasy story: this is the hard reality. According to a study of Swisstopo, the swiss federal agency for cartography, and the Geographic Institute of Florence, global warming and climate changes caused ice killing despite of the last cold winter. The change is too much evident now, therefore Italian Foreign Minister, Franco Frattini, is working to modify the map. The landline, established in 1861 when the Italian nation was born, will be reshaped on three highest mountains: Monte Cervino, Monte Rosa and Pizzo Bernina.

The importance of ecological detergents

One of the main causes of pollution and animals’ death are detergents for housework and washing. For this reason it needs to follow some simple rules to choice natural and ethic products:
- Buy detergents without phosphates, phosphorous, enzymes, oxidants, EDTA, etc.;
- Choice detergents not tested on animals;
- Read carefully the product label to buy responsibly;
- Choice detergents derived from petroleum;
- Pay attention to aggressive crockery detergents: a remarkable quantity of them remains on dishes or glasses and can be absorbed by human organism.
- Prefer detergents without synthetic parfums: the best are those with natural essential oils.
- For wood surfaces and furniture, use products with linseed oil or beeswax;
- Remember that many eco-friendly detergents do not contain allergenics.
- Pay attention to quantity!

Mickey Mouse's trees

Disney will plant 2,7 millions of trees in the forest of Atlantic Brazil thanks to the great success of "Earth"(this is the trailer). The docu-film, dedicated to our planet and its fragile nature, gained in its first seven days on cinemas more than 16millions of dollars. It´s a record for a documentary about nature. And Disney respects his promise: one tree for each ticket sold in the first week.

“Electric” ink is coming

A new kind of ink for materials, able to capture sun energy in order to produce electricity, has been made in Danish laboratories.
Also the University of Perugia worked with an Italian factory, Calamai, to apply a photovoltaic film to the sails of a boat.
In the future, this photovoltaic ink will be used by stylists to make clothes.

G8 Environment defends children and climate

It’s ended the G8 Environment that took place in Siracusa (Sicily, Italy) from 22 to 24 April 2009 chaired by Stefania Prestigiacomo, the Italian Minister of Environment. The G8 stressed the importance of the protection of climate and children’s health. These are, in fact, the most important issues in a document that has been prepared and will be presented at G8 of July. Many solutions to these problems were found: elimination of lead from paint and gasoline, studies about children's health and environment, initiatives to improve understanding of these issues.
At G8 Environment participated the Ministers of Environment of Italy, France, Germany, UK, USA, Japan, Canada and Russia, together with those of China, India, Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia, South Africa, Australia, Republic of Korea and Egypt.

Earth Day Live Concert: Ben Harper to Rome

Next 22 april Rome will be the protagonist of the Earth Day, the global event organized by National Geographic since 1970 with the aim of promoting environment’s preservation. The manifestation consists of a “zero impact” concert that will take place in Piazza del Popolo. On the stage there will be Ben Harper, who presents his new album, and many other artists such as the italian Subsonica.
Why is this a “Zero Impact” concert? Because it contributes to the creation of a park in the Valle dell’Aniene’s reserve, and also of 99.500 mq of forests in Costa Rica. So, let’s sing!

Similar news:

http://viverecologico.blogspot.com/2009/04/tiziano-ferro-and-enel-together-for.html

The importance of knowing bio-cosmetics

The beauty care can be an opportunity for those who love and respect nature thanks to products with a low environment impact. There are eco-friendly cosmetics for all kind of use: for skin, hair, facial and body treatments, make up, oils and parfums. Biologic cosmetics are based on several rules concerning the whole manufacture’s process: from the raw material to the packaging. Every biologic product has a label (AIAB, ICEA, LAV, BDIH e CCPB) that certificates its quality. Particular importance is given to the choice of ingredients: not much aggressive or chemically processed; devoid of OGM, radiations and bad or allergenic materials.

WWF, april means Oasis’ care

WWF dedicates the whole month of april to the Oasis’ care. The marathon is the biggest Italian project in theme of nature’s safeguard: in these years, the WWF has been able to protect more than 100 natural areas and almost 30.000 hectares of Italian territory, including rivers, beaches, mountains, woods and lagoons.
“Il mese delle Oasi” is a great event joined every year by thousand of people who want to immerse themselves in the uncontaminated nature and spend a little part of their time among protected animal’s species.
The main manifestation (The Oasis’ Day) will take place on 19th april with the admission free to the protected areas. In Abruzzo, thanks to the Italian Red Cross, the Oasis will give hospitality to some children and families victims of the recent earthquake. Moreover, for the first time, the presidential estate of Castelporziano on the south coast of Rome will be accessible to visitors.

"Energetic" bags

Now it is possible to recharge mobile phone, iPod, camera or blackberry with a photovoltaic pret-à-porter system. This invention, made by Voltaic, is installed on bags in order to capture solar energy and convert it in electricity. The photovoltaic system is very light and waterproof; it is able to generate 4 watt of power and have 11 electric adaptors.
The light model (10 kg) is available starting from 185 euro.

Sunglasses with energetic surprise

Their name is SIG, Self-Energy Converting Sunglasses: photovoltaic glasses to protect eyes from sun, but also able to recharge MP3 players.These lenses (a prototype) are covered with an organic colouring that transforms light in electricity and then stores it in the frame. Only one flaw: efficiency of the solar cells depends on time spent staring at sun!

Battery chargers love environment

We waste two thirds of energy used by mobile phones and MP3 players when we do not remove the battery charger from the socket. For this reason Motorola, LG, Nokia, Samsung and Sony are working to a new generation of battery chargers.
For example, LG and Samsung have recently presented to the market two new models of mobile phones whose energy is made by mini photovoltaic panel.
Samsung Blue Earth is a touch screen phone realized with recycled plastic, able to save energy and devoid of toxic substances. The Eco-Walk function counts the daily steps and calculates the CO2 saving of walking by feet rather than by vehicles. Blue Earth has a battery charger with 5 stars efficiency.
The new LG model, instead, will be in recycled plastic and the integrated solar panels will allow three minutes of conversation autonomy for each ten minutes of solar recharge. Last but not least, the chinese Zte is working to a mobile phone that saves energy and money! Its name is Coral 200, it works thanks to small solar panels and is addressed to poor nations. Cost: only 32 euro.

Tiziano Ferro and Enel together for environment

Next 18th april Tiziano Ferro, one of the most popular Italian singers, will start his new eco-friendly tour “Alla mia età”. Thanks to Enel, the Italian Energy company, Ferro’s concerts will be characterized by good music and respect for environment.
Enel and Tiziano Ferro will plant 2.621 new trees in some Italian urban areas to compensate CO2 emissions of the concerts. The project, realized with AzzeroCO2, wants to re-cover an area of 3,5 hectares, like 115 tennis fields or 30 swimming pool, or also 5 San Siro stadiums.
The Tour “Alla mia età” represents a new way of make music for fans: they can enjoy and reflect on environment’s cause. Moreover, Enel offers 30 ticket gratis for every date of the summer tour.

For more info about the tour, please visit "RDS radio" web site: http://www.rds.it/?%2fnews%2f6406296.

Earth Hour '09: millions joined the cause

For one hour on Saturday evening, 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., monuments, turistic landmarks and homes went out: from the Sydney Opera House (Australia) to Colosseum in Rome and Las Vegas, where the global marathon finished, lights were switched off in the name of climate.
Millions of people in 88 countries joined Earth Hour 2009, designed in sight of the next G8 summit. In fact, their action wanted to force governments in working out a strong new U.N. deal to fight global warming by the end of year, even though the global economic crisis has raised worries about the costs. In Italy several personalities supported the campaign: from the Italian soccer team to the fashion genius Giorgio Armani; from the Nobel Rita Levi Montalcini to the scientist Margherita Hack and the astronaut Roberto Vittori... but also many business companies and associations. All together to highlight the importance of this cause.

Italian town and energy: small but renewable

Rome. Last 27th March, Enel Green Power, the new eco-friendly Enel society, presented the results of the “Comuni Rinnovabili 2009 Report” about renewable energy use in 5.991 Italian small town. The report, written by Legambiente, affirms that there are systems for the renewable energy production in the 72% of these town. Renewable energy is the main tool to fight global warming and climatic changes. In this “war” Enel Green Power is the first maker of renewable energy in the world using water, sun, wind and ground heat.

Now biodegradable chewing-gum

Do you hate chewing-gum under your shoes? There’s a solution: Chicza Rainforest Gum, a biologic product made in Messico by the Consorcio Chiclero. This new kind of chewing-gum, unlike the traditional one, does not stick to clothes or sidewalk. Moreover, it’s biodegradable in six weeks thanks to water and ground. Consorcio Chiclero is a consortium of 56 cooperatives where 2.000 farmers make chewing-gum. Chizca Rainforest Gum’s packet costs 1, 39 pounds.

For a correct use of domestic appliances

Refrigerator
- Set the refrigerator in the coldest place of your kitchen, far from heat.
- Keep almost 10 cm between the back of the refrigerator and the wall to ensure ventilation.
- Set the temperature according to the owner’s manual (Remember: too much low temperature provoke high energy consumption).
- Do not store in the refrigerator hot food.
- Close quickly the refrigerator’s door.
- Clean from dust and ice.

Washing Machine
- Select the correct temperature, between 40° and 60° C.
- Use 90° C only to disinfect.
- Use full weight and keep clean the filter.

Dishwasher
- Set the intensive program only for very dirty dishes.
- Use recommended detergent quantity.
- Pay attention to the filter’s maintenance and use salt to prevent limestone.

Eco-friendly IKEA opens in Italy (Rimini)

IKEA company is going to open a new eco-friendly store in Rimini (Italy). The inauguration will take place in June 2009. The new shopping center will have a low environmental impact: actually, IKEA has developed specific policies as regards the generation of waste by customers and employees. The company has set the goal of using only energy from renewable sources. As regards waste sorting, the goal is to reuse or recuperate over 90% of waste. Biologic food for children and adults will be offered in the IKEA’s restaurant: a great area with 430 seats and more than 1900 car spaces. IKEA has also focused on the issues of water and energy consumption and sensitizing customers and visitors about this problems.