Small Hydro World: Unido World

Small Hydro World: Unido World:



'via Blog this'

Scientists vindicate 1972 'Limits to Growth' – urge investment in 'circular economy' | Nafeez Ahmed | Environment | theguardian.com

Scientists vindicate 1972 'Limits to Growth' – urge investment in 'circular economy' | Nafeez Ahmed | Environment | theguardian.com



Although widely ridiculed, recent scientific reviews confirm that the
original report's projections in its 'base scenario' remain robust. In
2008, Australia's federal government scientific research agency CSIRO
concluded that The Limits to Growth forecast of potential "global
ecological and economic collapse coming up in the middle of the 21st
Century" due to convergence of "peak oil, climate change,
and food and water security", is "on-track." Actual current trends in
these areas "resonate strongly with the overshoot and collapse displayed
in the book's 'business-as-usual scenario.'" 

The Limits to Growth

The Limits to Growth

"Limits to Growth, a study of the patterns and dynamics of human presence on earth, pointed toward environmental and economic collapse within a century if "business as usual" continued. In 1972, the book's findings sparked a worldwide controversy about the earth's capacity to withstand constant human and economic expansion. More than 40 years later, with more than 10 million copies sold in 28 languages, this "little book with powerful ideas" endures as a touchstone for anyone seeking to understand the complex relationships underlying today's global environmental and economic trends."

Analysis & Projections - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

Analysis & Projections - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

"The successful investment of capital and diffusion of shale oil and shale gas technologies has continued into Canadian shales. Canada's tight oil production averaged 291,498 barrels per day in 2012⁴ and its shale gas production was 0.7 trillion cubic feet in 2012.⁵ There has been interest expressed or exploration activities begun in shale formations in a number of other countries, including Algeria, Argentina, Australia, China, India, Mexico, Poland, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom."

The world according to Itskov: Futurists convene at GF2045 (Part 1)

The world according to Itskov: Futurists convene at GF2045 (Part 1)

Dr. Martin made it disturbingly clear that population growth, resource consumption, water depletion, desertification, deforestation, ocean pollution and fish depopulation, atmospheric carbon dioxide, what he termed gigafamine (the death of more than a billion people as a consequence of food shortage by mid-century), and other factors are ominously close to their tipping points – after which their effects will be irreversible. (For example, he points out that in 20 years we'll be consuming an obviously unsustainable 200 percent of then-available resources.) Taken together, he cautioned, these developments will constitute a "perfect storm" that will cause a Darwinian survival of the fittest in which "the Earth could be like a lifeboat that's too small to save everyone."

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-08-world-itskov-futurists-convene-gf2045.html#jCp

Dr. Martin made it disturbingly clear that population growth, resource consumption, water depletion, desertification, deforestation, ocean pollution and fish depopulation, atmospheric carbon dioxide, what he termed gigafamine (the death of more than a billion people as a consequence of food shortage by mid-century), and other factors are ominously close to their tipping points – after which their effects will be irreversible. (For example, he points out that in 20 years we'll be consuming an obviously unsustainable 200 percent of then-available resources.) Taken together, he cautioned, these developments will constitute a "perfect storm" that will cause a Darwinian survival of the fittest in which "the Earth could be like a lifeboat that's too small to save everyone."

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-08-world-itskov-futurists-convene-gf2045.html#jCp

Scientists discover what’s killing the bees and it’s worse than you thought – Quartz

Scientists discover what’s killing the bees and it’s worse than you thought – Quartz

“The pesticide issue in itself is much more complex than we have led to be believe,” he says. “It’s a lot more complicated than just one product, which means of course the solution does not lie in just banning one class of product.”

The Crop That Can Feed the World? | Food Tank

The Crop That Can Feed the World? | Food Tank

"Research from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) suggests that enset fields are far more sustainable in the long run than the fields of annual crops in Ethiopia, and, because of their ability to improve soil quality, enset fields can have be continuously productive for decades, if not centuries. "

Graph of the Day: How green is your country?

Graph of the Day: How green is your country?

Many small green businesses thriving even in rough economy

Many small green businesses thriving even in rough economy

"In a report presenting the survey findings, the three groups note that, over the past 10 years, the market for green products and services has expanded dramatically. For example, the green building market has increased by 1,700 percent while the conventional building market has contracted by 17 percent. The organic food market has increased by 238 percent in comparison to the non-organic food market's expansion of only 33 percent."

OECD suggests to put Green Growth at the Heart of Development

OECD suggests to put Green Growth at the Heart of Development

“Putting green growth at the heart of the development agenda requires real political leadership to instill change at international, national and local levels. Our report shows that green growth can offer new opportunities for developing countries. We are looking forward to working with governments and the development co-operation community to reap the benefits of a greener growth path for the well-being of the people in our partner countries.”

Developing Countries React to UN Climate Talks - Need Leadership Now

"Successful 2020 Climate Deal depends on:
developed country leadership before 2020"
- Developing Countries

Bonn, Germany - June 4, 2013 - The Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) on climate change group today reminded developed countries at the opening of the climate talks that the key to having a successful climate agreement after 2020 is for developed countries to show leadership and ambition before 2020. The current climate talks have two work streams.  The first work stream is tasked to negotiate a post 2020 climate agreement.  The second work stream is tasked to talk about increasing developed country ambition before 2020. In its opening statement read by Nagmeldin G. Elhassan, head of the Sudanese delegation, the LMDC stressed that developed countries should take the lead immediately by increasing their 2020 greenhouse gas reduction targets, ratify the second round of commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, increase levels and certainty of financial support for developing countries through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and increase ease of access to climate technologies for developing countries.  "Urgent action is needed now to address the climate change crisis and to protect the integrity of Mother Earth under the Convention. Our developing countries of theLMDC are well aware of the urgency and, in our own national contexts, are doing a large number of climate change mitigation and adaptation actions to implement the Convention." Nagmeldin G. Elhassan, head of the Sudanese delegation, said on behalf of the LMDC in the climate talks opening plenary.  "We would like to remind developed countries that leadership is about taking responsibility and not making excuses or conditions.  Had developed countries shown leadership consistent with their historical responsibility in the past, the negotiations to a future agreement won't be this difficult."  Elhassan added. "The EU, for instance, is a good example of a developed country that has the potential to lead.  It is, however, difficult for us to understand why the EU does not increase its 2020 emissions reductions plan when they've now achieved their 2020 target.  In fact, it only makes more sense for them to make their greenhouse gas emissions target more ambitious.  This would help build trust and goodwill in the talks,[1]" added Ramiro Ramirez, Venezuela head of delegation.   "This would also differentiate the EU from other developed countries that consistently refused that step towards more ambitious climate action." Ramirez added. "Despite development and poverty alleviation challenges, developing countries are already doing more than their fair share on climate action. The only missing ingredient for the world to avoid irreversible climate disaster is leadership from developed countries.  However, it's not too late for developed country leadership.  If they do this, then the world would be well on its way to solving the climate change problem." Elhassan concluded.  Contact: Jasper Inventor,  mobile: +639173009567, email: lmdc.comms@gmail.com

The Group of Like-Minded Developing Countries on Climate Change (LMDC) includes: Bolivia, China, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, India, Iran, Iraq,  Malaysia, Mali, Nicaragua, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Venezuela.

BAAAD News!!! Desertec abandons Sahara solar power export dream | EurActiv

Desertec abandons Sahara solar power export dream | EurActiv

“Frankly, four years ago Desertec was all about bringing energy from North Africa. We abandoned that one-dimensional thinking. It’s now more about creating integrated markets in which renewable energy will bring its advantages … That’s the main objective,” he said.