With June, the traditional bridal month, fast approaching, ClimateYou is pleased to provide some examples and some tips for a green wedding, courtesy of the Christian Science Monitor.
Archive for May, 2009
Weddings go green
Saturday, May 30th, 2009Report: Climate change crisis ‘catastrophic’
Friday, May 29th, 2009A new UN publication, “Human Impact Report: Climate Change — The Anatomy of a Silent Crisis” says that 300 million people are already seriously affected by climate change, and 300,000 die every year from its effects. These numbers will double by 2030. According to ex-Secretary General Kofi Annan, climate change is a pervasive security issue that threatens health, food production, migration, and political tension. The report estimates the yearly cost of climate change at $125 billion.
Powering our way out of poverty
Tuesday, May 26th, 2009Almost 130 years since the electric light bulb was invented, over 2 billion people on the planet have no access to electricity. In order to survive, people living in the developing world must use traditional fuel sources (wood, kerosene), which are extremely detrimental to the environment and contribute to global warming. Providing the poor with cleaner, renewable energy will not only enable development, but will also aid tremendously in the fight against climate change. Yet, this solution is often ignored by world leaders.
Harish Hande argues that providing renewable energy, such as solar electricity, to the developing world is possible. According to him, tying renewable energy to microfinance programs can break people out of poverty and improve environmental quality. Programs must directly target the poor, as providing them with clean energy is vital not only for their survival, but for tackling climate change.
Keeping the cold in
Tuesday, May 26th, 2009How do you minimize your refrigerator’s carbon footprint, short of buying a new, efficient one? Keep the cooling section full, but allow air to circulate. Pack the freezer tightly. Add ice trays if it’s not quite full. Let food cool before refrigerating it. Open the door as little as possible.
Bill Clinton to cities: Act on climate
Friday, May 22nd, 2009Bill Clinton urged the mayors attending the C40 Large Cities Climate Summit in Seoul to take the lead in fighting climate change. Don’t wait for nations to take the lead, echoed David Miller, the mayor of Toronto. Cities more than countries can act and cooperate to counter climate change. Examples include Toronto’s tower renewal project, new building projects in London, creation of a new city in Florida, and ambitious environmental plans for Seoul. Cities’ efforts need money and solidarity.
Report warns against Coral Triangle collapse
Monday, May 18th, 2009Rising seas and warmer, more acidic oceans threaten the Coral Triangle surrounding southeast Asia. If the coral around Indonesia, the Phiippines, and Malaysia is detroyed, coastal economies supporting 100 million people would also collapse, pressuring the cities of Australia and New Zealand. Effective global action on climate change and better management of coastal resources can mitigate the consequences of coral collapse. The WWF-commissioned study was given at the World Ocean Conference
Study says warming poses peril to Asia
Wednesday, May 6th, 2009A new report released by the Asian Development Bank highlights impacts climate change may have on Southeast Asia, one of the most vulnerable regions in the world due to the high number of impoverished people living near the coast. Projected impacts included rising sea levels that threaten to submerge small islands, salt water intrusion into aquifers used for drinking water, and diminished rice harvests. Although there are already signs of these changes starting occur in the region, which includes Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam, the authors of the report believe that there is still time for adaptation strategies to be implemented. The report urges governments to take greater action and not use the current economic crisis as an excuse for delay, “as climate change adaptation can serve as an effective fiscal stimulus.”