Emissões poluentes das indústrias subiram em 2011

Pouco mais de metade das emissões verificam-se no sector da energia. (Foto: Sérgio Azenha)

As emissões de dióxido de carbono das instalações industriais obrigadas a autorização para emitir subiram no ano passado, mas mantiveram-se abaixo das licenças atribuídas, não chegando aos 80%, segundo dados da Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente (APA).

O regime do Comércio Europeu de Licenças de Emissão (CELE) abrangia 217 instalações, das quais 187 estavam obrigadas a submeter o relatório de emissões de gases com efeito de estufa à APA. Respondendo a questões da agência Lusa, a APA esclareceu ter recebido 186 relatórios até meados de Abril.

Em 2011, registaram-se 25 milhões de toneladas de emissões de dióxido de carbono daquelas unidades, correspondendo a 76% do total de 32,9 milhões atribuídas. No entanto, aquele valor representa um ligeiro aumento face às emissões de 2010, que foram de 24,2 milhões de toneladas.

Nos últimos anos tem sido comum a situação de emissões abaixo da atribuição em Portugal.

Em 2008, as emissões de dióxido de carbono representaram 98,5% das autorizações, no ano seguinte 91,9%, passando em 2010 para 74,8%.

A APA explicou que a subida de emissões face a 2010, de cerca de 0,8 milhões de toneladas, “deve-se, essencialmente, ao sector da produção de energia, mas também a um ligeiro aumento nos sectores dos metais ferrosos, vidro e cogeração”.

O acréscimo “é ligeiramente compensado” por uma diminuição das emissões dos sectores de produção de cimentos e cal, refinação, instalações de combustão, pasta de papel e cerâmica.

Pouco mais de metade (53%) das emissões verificam-se no sector da energia. No extremo oposto encontra-se a cerâmica, responsável por 1% do total.

As emissões de gases com efeito de estufa, relacionados com as alterações climáticas, encontram-se distribuídas por nove sectores de actividade. Entre 2008 e 2012, as licenças de emissão são atribuídas gratuitamente, mas a partir de Janeiro de 2013 as regras mudam e inicia-se um processo gradual de distribuição de licenças até serem todas totalmente pagas em 2027.

Fonte: LUSA / Ecosfera-Público
Original: http://bit.ly/JP1Kog

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2011 was ninth-warmest year since 1880: NASA

Smoke rises from burning grass at a village near Bangkok March 31, 2008. (Credit: Reuters/Sukree Sukplang)

The global average temperature last year was the ninth-warmest in the modern meteorological record, continuing a trend linked to greenhouse gases that saw nine of the 10 hottest years occurring since the year 2000, NASA scientists said on Thursday.

A separate report from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said the average temperature for the United States in 2011 as the 23rd warmest year on record.

The global average surface temperature for 2011 was 0.92 degrees F (0.51 degrees C) warmer than the mid-20th century baseline temperature, researchers at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies said in a statement. The institute’s temperature record began in 1880.

The first 11 years of the new century were notably hotter than the middle and late 20th century, according to institute director James Hansen. The only year from the 20th century that was among the top 10 warmest years was 1998.

These high global temperatures come even with the cooling effects of a strong La Nina ocean temperature pattern and low solar activity for the past several years, said Hansen, who has long campaigned against human-spurred climate change.

The NASA statement said the current higher temperatures are largely sustained by increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, especially carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is emitted by various human activities, from coal-fired power plants to fossil-fueled vehicles to human breath.

Current levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere exceed 390 parts per million, compared with 285 ppm in 1880 and 315 by 1960, NASA said.

Last year was also a year of record-breaking climate extremes in the United States, which contributed to 14 weather and climate disasters with economic impact of $1 billion or more each, according to NOAA . This number does not count a pre-Halloween snowstorm in the Northeast, which is still being analyzed.

NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center said the average 2011 temperature for 2011 for the contiguous United States was 53.8 degrees F, which is 1 degree above the 20th-century average. Average precipitation across the country was near normal, but this masks record-breaking extremes of drought and precipitation, the agency said.

Author: Deborah Zabarenko
Editing: Xavier Briand
Source: REUTERS
Original: http://reut.rs/xhG3kF

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Environment Engineering Annual Report 2011 / Relatório Anual 2011 Engenharia do Ambiente

ENGLISH VERSION

This group aims sharing opportunities between Environmental Engineers (students, professionals or researchers). (languages accepted: Portuguese and/or English)

We started 2011 with 382 members and move up to 901 members by the end of the year. Our prime focus for 2011, was to make available new Jobs Opportunities all over the world, now you can find about 25 new job opportunities every week. We also jumped out to Facebook with 60 followers and Twitter with 79 followers by the end of 2011. The 15th September we launched our Blog, we had 414 post about different subjects related to the environment and about 7400 visits.

This year 2012 we ask for your help to make this group the reference for Environment Engineers all over.

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VERSÃO EM PORTUGUÊS

Este grupo tem como objectivo partilhar oportunidades entre Eng. do Ambiente (estudantes, profissionais, investigadores). (idiomas aceites: português e/ou inglês)

Iniciamos 2011 com 382 membros e fomos crescendo até aos 901 membros no final do ano. O nosso principal objectivo para 2011 foi apresentar novas oportunidades de emprego pelo mundo fora, hoje pode encontrar perto de 25 novas oportunidades todas as semanas. Fomos para o Facebook onde tínhamos 60 seguidores no final do ano, bem como para o Twitter onde terminamos com 79 seguidores. No dia 15 de setembro lançamos o nosso Blog, colocamos 414 temas relacionados com o ambiente e tivemos 7400 visitas.

Este ano 2012 pedimos a sua ajuda para tornar este grupo na referência para Engenheiros do Ambiente em todo o lado.

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208 novas espécies foram descobertas em 2011 na região de Mekong, na Ásia

Segundo o WWF, cerca de 1.000 novas espécies foram descobertas entre 1997 e 2007 na região

HANÓI – Um macaco com topete ao estilo Elvis Presley e uma salamandra psicodélica são algumas das 208 novas espécies descobertas no ano passado pelos cientistas na região asiática do Grande Mekong, segundo um estudo divulgado nesta segunda-feira.

O Fundo Mundial para a Natureza (WWF) informou em comunicado que as descobertas ilustram a rica diversidade da região, mas também apontou os perigos de sobrevivência das espécies pelo desmatamento e caça furtiva.

“Enquanto estas espécies são novas para a ciência, muitas estão já sendo servidas como jantar, lutando para sobreviver em um habitat cada vez mais reduzido ou à beira da extinção”, advertiu Stuart Chapman, diretor do WWF para o Grande Mekong.

O macaco “Elvis” (Rhinopithecus strikeri), localizado na selva birmanesa, é conhecido pelos habitantes do estado Kachin por seus espirros quando chove, já que não tem nariz e a água entra pelas fossas nasais.

Ainda não foi fotografado, embora sua existência tenha sido documentada amplamente pelos cientistas.

Entre os 28 novos répteis catalogados estão a salamandra psicodélica (Cnemaspis psychedelica), chamada assim por suas cores chamativas, e os lagartos Leiolepis ngovantrii, compostos só por exemplares femininos que se reproduzem por clonagem.

O relatório do WWF também inclui cinco tipos de plantas carnívoras na Tailândia e Camboja capazes de engolir ratos, lagartos e até aves menores.

Chapman lamentou a extinção documentada este ano do rinoceronte de Java no Vietnã como um dos “trágicos” indicadores da degradação da biodiversidade do Mekong devido ao desenvolvimento insustentável e à mudança climática.

Segundo a ONG, cerca de 1.000 novas espécies foram descobertas entre 1997 e 2007 na região.

O Grande Mekong abrange todo o leito do rio que sulca o Sudeste Asiático peninsular e passa por Mianmar, Camboja, China, Laos, Tailândia e Vietnã, onde habitam várias espécies em perigo de extinção.

Fonte: EFE / Estadão
Original: http://bit.ly/vLR5FT

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Green Innovations And Advances Of 2011 (10 of 12)

2011 was an important year for green innovations and technological advances.

In the world of fuels, a number of strides were made. President Obama announced increased fuel standards for both big and small vehicles in the coming years.

Alternative fuels also made headlines. The use of biofuel for aviation is becoming a reality, after the U.S. military announced it would begin using it, and a joint U.S.-Chinese venture tested biofuel in civilian aircraft.

Solar technology also grew in 2011. Researchers at Notre Dame have invented a house paint that could one day be used to collect solar energy. Elsewhere in the midwest, scientists at the University of Michigan invented an “optical battery” that might eventually eliminate the need for semi-conductors in solar cells.

For more of 2011’s best green technology innovations, vist EarthTechling for their “2011 Green Technology Year In Review.”

National Plug In Day

(Photography: Plug In America)

2011 saw the first annual National Plug In Day for electric vehicles in the United States. The nationwide event took place in October with lectures, parades and “tailpipe-free” tailgate parties in 21 U.S. cities to raise awareness about electric vehicles.

The event was sponsored by Plug In America, the Sierra Club and the Electric Auto Association.

Source: HuffPost Green
Original: http://huff.to/Aa4oUA

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Green Innovations And Advances Of 2011 (9 of 12)

2011 was an important year for green innovations and technological advances.

In the world of fuels, a number of strides were made. President Obama announced increased fuel standards for both big and small vehicles in the coming years.

Alternative fuels also made headlines. The use of biofuel for aviation is becoming a reality, after the U.S. military announced it would begin using it, and a joint U.S.-Chinese venture tested biofuel in civilian aircraft.

Solar technology also grew in 2011. Researchers at Notre Dame have invented a house paint that could one day be used to collect solar energy. Elsewhere in the midwest, scientists at the University of Michigan invented an “optical battery” that might eventually eliminate the need for semi-conductors in solar cells.

For more of 2011’s best green technology innovations, vist EarthTechling for their “2011 Green Technology Year In Review.”

Bike Sharing Programs

(Photography: Getty)

While bike sharing programs may be nothing new for some cities, 2011 was a big year for them. Both New York City and San Francisco announced that they would be rolling out a bike sharing program for the summer of 2012. Chicago also announced that it hopes to bring 3,000 bikes and 300 kiosks to the city by next summer.

These cities hope to repeat the success of Washington, D.C.’s bike sharing program, which celebrated its one-year anniversary in September with its one-millionth trip. The D.C. program has 1,100 bikes and 114 docking stations in the District of Columbia and Arlington County, Virginia.

Source: HuffPost Green
Original: http://huff.to/y1gzEZ

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Green Innovations And Advances Of 2011 (8 of 12)

2011 was an important year for green innovations and technological advances.

In the world of fuels, a number of strides were made. President Obama announced increased fuel standards for both big and small vehicles in the coming years.

Alternative fuels also made headlines. The use of biofuel for aviation is becoming a reality, after the U.S. military announced it would begin using it, and a joint U.S.-Chinese venture tested biofuel in civilian aircraft.

Solar technology also grew in 2011. Researchers at Notre Dame have invented a house paint that could one day be used to collect solar energy. Elsewhere in the midwest, scientists at the University of Michigan invented an “optical battery” that might eventually eliminate the need for semi-conductors in solar cells.

For more of 2011’s best green technology innovations, vist EarthTechling for their “2011 Green Technology Year In Review.”

Youth Innovationss

Amazing innovations aren’t limited to adults or older people. Early in 2011, two New York University graduate students showed off their line of sweatshirts that change color when exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide.

A middle schooler from Rhode Island has started a community biodiesel program from used cooking grease that is donated by local businesses and residents. Cassandra Lin’s project was even recognized by the UN.

We can’t wait to see what the youth of the world comes up with next year!

Source: HuffPost Green
Original: http://huff.to/yba36K

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Green Innovations And Advances Of 2011 (7 of 12)

2011 was an important year for green innovations and technological advances.

In the world of fuels, a number of strides were made. President Obama announced increased fuel standards for both big and small vehicles in the coming years.

Alternative fuels also made headlines. The use of biofuel for aviation is becoming a reality, after the U.S. military announced it would begin using it, and a joint U.S.-Chinese venture tested biofuel in civilian aircraft.

Solar technology also grew in 2011. Researchers at Notre Dame have invented a house paint that could one day be used to collect solar energy. Elsewhere in the midwest, scientists at the University of Michigan invented an “optical battery” that might eventually eliminate the need for semi-conductors in solar cells.

For more of 2011’s best green technology innovations, vist EarthTechling for their “2011 Green Technology Year In Review.”

Battery And Solar Technology Improvements

(Photography: MIT)

In June, researchers at MIT announced that they had developed a “significant advance in battery architecture” that could mean big improvements for electric vehicles and electric grid storage.

The design separates “the two functions of the battery — storing energy until it is needed, and discharging that energy when it needs to be used — into separate physical structures.”

Researchers at University of Michigan found a way to create an “optical battery” that harnesses the “magnetic attributes in light.” The researchers believe this breakthrough “could lead to a solar cell that requires no semi-conductor.”

Source: HuffPost Green
Original: http://huff.to/vQRCNp

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Green Innovations And Advances Of 2011 (6 of 12)

2011 was an important year for green innovations and technological advances.

In the world of fuels, a number of strides were made. President Obama announced increased fuel standards for both big and small vehicles in the coming years.

Alternative fuels also made headlines. The use of biofuel for aviation is becoming a reality, after the U.S. military announced it would begin using it, and a joint U.S.-Chinese venture tested biofuel in civilian aircraft.

Solar technology also grew in 2011. Researchers at Notre Dame have invented a house paint that could one day be used to collect solar energy. Elsewhere in the midwest, scientists at the University of Michigan invented an “optical battery” that might eventually eliminate the need for semi-conductors in solar cells.

For more of 2011’s best green technology innovations, vist EarthTechling for their “2011 Green Technology Year In Review.”

“Sunbelievable” Solar Paint

(Photography: Flickr/savageblackout)

A new paint from developers at the University of Notre Dame could one day reduce the need for solar panels. The paint, which looks like normal house paint, has light-activated “semiconducting particles” that produce small amounts of electricity, which “researchers hope they can magnify in great enough amounts to power home appliances.”

Unfortunately, the product is not yet ready for sale. The lead researcher said, “The best light-to-energy conversion efficiency we’ve reached so far is 1 percent, which is well behind the usual 10 to 15 percent efficiency of commercial silicon solar cells.”

Source: HuffPost Green
Original: http://huff.to/tyPbSW

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Green Innovations And Advances Of 2011 (5 of 12)

2011 was an important year for green innovations and technological advances.

In the world of fuels, a number of strides were made. President Obama announced increased fuel standards for both big and small vehicles in the coming years.

Alternative fuels also made headlines. The use of biofuel for aviation is becoming a reality, after the U.S. military announced it would begin using it, and a joint U.S.-Chinese venture tested biofuel in civilian aircraft.

Solar technology also grew in 2011. Researchers at Notre Dame have invented a house paint that could one day be used to collect solar energy. Elsewhere in the midwest, scientists at the University of Michigan invented an “optical battery” that might eventually eliminate the need for semi-conductors in solar cells.

For more of 2011’s best green technology innovations, vist EarthTechling for their “2011 Green Technology Year In Review.”

Vehicle Fuel Standards Improvements

(Photography: Getty)

In August, President Obama announced improved mandatory fuel standards for large vehicles beginning with model year 2014.

The Obama administration also introduced a plan, which could take effect in 2017, to raise vehicle efficiency standards to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. The Associated Press reported that in 2009, U.S. automakers agreed to increased standards of 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016.

Source: HuffPost Green
Original: http://huff.to/syk1PH

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