As world food and energy demands grow, nations and some corporations increasingly are looking to acquire quality agricultural land for food production. Some nations are gaining land by buying up property - and accompanying water resources - in other, generally less wealthy countries.
Jan 23rd, 2013
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Plastics have transformed modern society, providing attractive benefits but also befouling waterways and aquifers, depleting petroleum supplies and disrupting human health. Rolf Halden, a researcher at Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute has been following the chemical trail of plastics, quantifying their impact on human health and the environment.
Jan 23rd, 2013
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Arizona State University's Global Institute of Sustainability and the Municipality of Haarlemmermeer, The Netherlands, have created an innovative collaboration to solve challenges of sustainability.
Jan 23rd, 2013
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In order to take advantage of high wind speeds on the open seas, the race is on to create wind turbines and wind farms that float on the surface of the water. But, the jury is still out on which is the best method.
Jan 23rd, 2013
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The wind energy industry is likely to regain its lost sheen back in 2013 with the extension of federal tax credit in the US and Japan's recent announcement to invest in offshore wind farms in Fukushima. Despite falling prices and technological advancements, the wind power market growth continues to be fuelled by extensive government support.
Jan 23rd, 2013
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The Industrial Engineering degree student Ferran Garcia Dar�s from the Universitat Jaume I has defended as his final university project a study for the electrical optimization of biogas generated by the anaerobic decomposition of the waste deposited in a landfill.
Jan 23rd, 2013
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Households and industry in the EU each cause approximately a quarter of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The two sectors were largely responsible for the emissions increase in 2010, together leading to an additional 90 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent compared to 2009.
Jan 23rd, 2013
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A recent study of word usage in popular literature documented how the usage of certain words related to climate change has risen and fallen over the past two centuries. Understanding how word usage affects public acceptance of science could lead to better science communication and a more informed public.
Jan 22nd, 2013
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A revolutionary device developed by engineers at The University of Manchester and EPL Composite Solutions Ltd. could dramatically increase the capacity of the UK's electricity network, enabling rapid increases in renewable generation and lower bills for consumers.
Jan 22nd, 2013
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In contrast to climate change, there is no coordinated global system in place for measuring and reporting on biodiversity change or loss. An international team of biologists is now addressing this gap.
Jan 21st, 2013
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The 'Novel E-MObility Grid Model NEMO' project, part of the ERA-NET Plus programme electromobility+, aims on managing the power grid within the key dimension "strategic research on technical dimensions of the recharging, storage and distribution systems".
Jan 21st, 2013
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A Swiss Re report investigates how the global energy mix will take shape and the impact of sustainable energy sources on climate change. The report uses a scenario-based approach to outline possible energy futures and provides a framework for decision-making.
Jan 21st, 2013
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More than 140 countries have agreed on the first global treaty to cut mercury pollution through a blacklist of household items and new controls on power plants and small-scale mines, the United Nations said on Saturday.
Jan 21st, 2013
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Island planned for North Sea, 3 km off Belgian coast.
Jan 20th, 2013
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Willows cultivated for green energy can yield five times more biofuel if they grow diagonally, compared with those that grow naturally straight up.
Jan 20th, 2013
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Planning and design software from Siemens can help manufacturers to automate the production of large-scale batteries.
Jan 18th, 2013
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In a remarkable feat, scientists at Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, have developed thin film solar cells on flexible polymer foils with a new record efficiency of 20.4% for converting sunlight into electricity.
Jan 18th, 2013
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New study shows solar power is not only better in terms of energy efficiency, land use, and greenhouse gas emissions - but cost competitive, too.
Jan 17th, 2013
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