BPA Problems

Fred Vom Saal researches the adverse effects of plastic additives

Melvin Wylie

Feacal Attraction

From water to water - If there are humans, there will be excreta.

Melvin Wylie

15th Episode of GreenNews4U

Welcome to the 15th Episode of GreenNews4U In this Episode I interview Craig Busch the Founder and CEO of Busch Group of Companies. We focus on Bush Systems, the Leader of Recycling Container  and go over how containers are made, the trend in recycling, composting and so much more! Busch Systems has the world's largest, most complete line of recycling, waste and compost containers. As the industry leader for over 25 years, their innovative products have revolutionized the marketplace with unique, customized bins that maximize participation rates without sacrificing durability, function, economy and style. Busch Systems specializes in providing waste diversion solutions for home, office, government, educational, commercial and industrial settings. If you would like to contact or find more information on Busch Systems go here. I hope you enjoy the 15th Episode of GreenNews4U http://www.archive.org/download/15thEpisodeofGreenNews4U/15thepisodeofgreennews4u.mp3 To download or embed this episode to your web page please go here or follow the Podcast Media links on the side bar.

Melvin Wylie

Corn-Based Ethanol's - Main Cause of Rising Meat & Poultry Prices

The connection between rising food prices and federal support for corn-based ethanol is explained in a new website launched today by organizations whose members produce and process the majority of meat and poultry in the United States. Food prices are up – meat and poultry prices specifically are up 8.5 percent from a year ago – and many consumers are asking why. According to the new website, the government's federal subsidies for corn-based ethanol are key contributors. About 40 percent of the U.S. corn crop is now devoted to ethanol production, because nearly all ethanol produced in this country is derived from corn. This increase in corn demand drives its cost higher, putting tremendous pressure on the livestock and poultry industries that traditionally have been major users of corn as feed. Corn prices have roughly tripled since the government in 2006 mandated ethanol be blended into gasoline and the Consumer Price Index for meat and poultry has risen steadily with it. The new website outlines for consumers how these rising corn prices have contributed to increased meat and poultry costs at the grocery store and asks them for their help in ending federal support of the corn-based ethanol industry, by signing a petition that states: "Federal energy policies need to move beyond corn-based ethanol and look for the next generation of alternative fuels that don't pit food, feed and fuel needs against each other." The site is sponsored by the American Meat Institute (AMI), National Chicken Council (NCC), National Meat Association (NMA) and National Turkey Federation (NTF). "When consumers see the 'Contains Ethanol' sticker at the gas pump, many don't realize the connection between the sticker and their grocery bills," said AMI President and CEO J. Patrick Boyle. "This new website aims to provide the facts and allow consumers to raise objections to this policy in an online petition. It also offers tips on stretching your meat and poultry dollar." "The policies and rules of the game for corn-based ethanol must be re-balanced and the playing field must be leveled to permit chicken producers and other animal agriculture producers to more fairly compete for the very limited supplies of corn this year and most likely for the next few years," noted NCC President Mike Brown. "Chicken companies and all of animal agriculture are bearing the burden and feeling the disastrous effects of competing for corn on a field that is heavily tilted toward the ethanol industry," he said, adding that some companies have been forced to limit production and lay off workers due to the high cost of corn. "The facts on this site show that food prices are in an escalating competition with ethanol due to its tariffs and subsidies," added NMA CEO Barry Carpenter. "These short-sighted policies have done too little to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and too much to pull feed ingredients off the market, which is radically increasing food costs without benefit." "Consumers will be able to use this website as an informative resource on food-to-fuel policies," said NTF President Joel Brandenberger. "It also will help them urge their elected officials to make better decisions to balance food and energy needs. There is also a section to help families cope with rising grocery prices by making a few modifications to their food purchasing and cooking techniques."

Melvin Wylie

Largetooth Sawfish an Endangered Species

Shark Advocates International is applauding the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) decision to list largetooth sawfish (Pristisperotteti)under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). Largetooth sawfish occur in coastal waters and rivers in Mexico, Central and South America, as well as West Africa. In the U.S., the species has been found in the Gulf of Mexico, primarily off Texas, but not since the 1960s. "Sawfish are among the most endangered fish in the world," said Shark Advocates International President, Sonja Fordham. "By adding largetooth sawfish to the Endangered Species List, the U.S. government is taking an important step toward preventing extinction of this remarkable animal and raising awareness about the plight of all sawfish species." Sawfish are rays characterized by long, tooth-studded snouts. They are exceptionally vulnerable to overexploitation due to slow growth, late maturity, and small number of young. All species are classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as Critically Endangered. The only other sawfish species native to the U.S., smalltooth sawfish (Pristispectinata), was listed under the ESA in 2003 and is now the subject of a recovery plan. The biggest threats to sawfish are incidental take (or "bycatch") in fishing gear, particularly shrimp trawls, and degradation of near-shore habitats. Sawfish "saws" are sold as curios; their fins are prized for shark fin soup. In 2007, a U.S. proposal led to the listing of all sawfish species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES); international trade is essentially banned for all but one species. Beginning August 11, largetooth sawfish will receive federal protection; the U.S. will also encourage other range countries to take similar steps. Shark Advocates International supports ESA listing of largetooth sawfish as well as:

• National protection for all species of sawfish in all range countries
• Better monitoring of South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico shrimp fisheries
• Fishing measures to minimize sawfish bycatch
• Research to inform sawfish conservation, and
• Development of an IUCN Shark Specialist Group global strategy for sawfish conservation.

Melvin Wylie

Nissan's 'Drive Electric Tour' Headed to 26 U.S. Cities

Nissan North America Inc. is bringing test drives of the all-electric Nissan LEAF to 26 cities across the United States, as part of Nissan's "Drive Electric Tour." The second phase tour kicks off in Long Island, N.Y., on the heels of the Nissan LEAF achieving the milestone of 4,000 U.S. deliveries. Nissan is resuming the tour, which began last fall, with a combination of new cities and return stops, due to the growing, nationwide enthusiasm for the Nissan LEAF – the first and only 100-percent electric, zero-emission vehicle available to the mass market. Since its launch in December 2010, Nissan has delivered more than 4,000 Nissan LEAF electric vehicles in the United States. The Nissan LEAF currently is available in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Tennessee, Texas, Oregon and Washington, with additional markets launching later this year. To date, more than 350,000 people have expressed interest in the Nissan LEAF by signing up for updates, including information on how to purchase and reserve a vehicle, at www.NissanUSA.com. "As the Nissan LEAF gains momentum in its U.S. rollout, more consumers have expressed the desire to get behind the wheel and experience gas-free driving for themselves," said Jon Brancheau, vice president, Marketing, NNA. "We're thrilled to bring the 'Drive Electric Tour' to new cities across the country, as well as revisit several key markets where consumer interest continues to grow." The Drive Electric Tour, a one-of-a-kind consumer driving experience, began in October 2010 and by March 27 had provided approximately 50,000 Nissan LEAF test drives in key markets across the country. The tour provides prospective Nissan LEAF owners the opportunity to learn about the car, its technology and features, and take it for a test drive. Current Nissan LEAF owners also are invited to participate and share their ownership experiences with others interested in electric-vehicle technology. Interested drivers can learn more about the tour, including specific locations, and register to drive the Nissan LEAF at www.drivenissanleaf.com. Tour stops include:

July 8-10: Long Island, N.Y.	Oct. 7-9: Los Angeles
July 15-17: Jersey City, N.J.	Oct. 14-16: Houston
July 22-24: Hartford, Conn.	Oct. 21-23: Dallas
July 29-31: Boston	Oct. 28-30: Phoenix
Aug. 5-7: Washington, D.C.	Nov. 4-6: Las Vegas
Aug. 12-14: Philadelphia	Nov. 11-13: San Diego
Aug. 19-21: Detroit	Nov. 18-27: San Francisco
Aug. 26-28: Chicago	Dec. 2-4: Portland, Ore.
Sept. 2-4: Indianapolis	Dec. 9-11: Seattle
Sept. 9-11: Memphis, Tenn.	Jan. 6-8, 2012: Austin, Texas
Sept. 16-18: Columbus, Ohio	Jan. 13-15, 2012: Atlanta
Sept. 23-25: Denver	Jan. 20-22, 2012, Orlando, Fla.
Sept. 30-Oct. 2: Santa Monica, Calif.	Jan. 27-20, 2012: Miami

 

Melvin Wylie

World's First Wave Power Plant

On July 8th, 2011, the Basque seaport of Mutriku, located between Bilbao and San Sebastian witnessed a historical day in energy generation history. Utility Ente Vasco de la Energ a (EVE) officially inaugurated the Mutriku wave power plant - the first worldwide in commercial operation. Voith Hydro supplied the equipment for Mutriku's 16 power units that will provide an output of 300 kilowatts in total - electricity sufficient for around 250 homes. "The rising global demand for green energy proves to be a strong catalyst for the implementations of innovative forms of renewable energy. The Mutriku project shows: Our wave power technology is commercially viable and ready for wide deployment on the global markets," says Dr. Roland Muench, Chief Executive Officer of Voith Hydro Holding. "To further this development, adequate feed-in-tariffs for wave power, as they already exist for a number of renewables, can now set the right legal framework." Voith Hydro's wave power technology can be deployed in new and existing breakwaters, and in purpose-built structures. Building on its long-term proven reliability, continuous design improvement have allowed for developing the technology to its leading-edge performance. The worldwide potential of the ocean energies is at an estimated 1.8 terawatts and still remains largely untapped.

Melvin Wylie