Torbjorn's Blog

In line with its strong commitment towards preserving the environment, the philanthropic arm of GE, the GE Volunteers India launched a tree plantation drive "Green Environment" in partnership with the Defense Services.

Hong Kong will soon introduce one-off and accelerated tax cuts for environment-friendly machinery and installations, a 100-percent deduction under profits tax will be provided in the year of purchase for the capital expenditure incurred on the provision of eligible machinery.

The amendments will be made to the tax law upon the passing of a Revenue Bill by the Legislative Council, the HKSAR government said in a statement.

The Indian Government considers proper management of plant and animal genetic resources integral to sustainable development of agriculture. A number of steps have been taken to conserve the country’s rich genetic diversity and many more are in the offing.

This came out in the discussions in the Indian Parliamentary Consultative Committee meeting held earlier this week. Parliamentarians and Government officials discussed the issues relating to genetic resource management in the changing global context.

Introducing the subject to the Members of Parliament, Agriculture Minister, Shri Sharad Pawar emphaised that it was imperative to conserve the vast genetic diversity available in the country for sustainable development of crop production and animal husbandry, phyto-pharmaceuticals and overall human well being.

On the importance of genetic resources in addressing ecological issues, Shri Pawar said: ‘Today, global climate change and loss of natural habitats through human activities have become solemn issues world wide. Ecological implications of climate change and of agricultural intensification are major constraints to sustainable development of agriculture-based systems. So far, there is little awareness among professionals of the close relationship between climate change and food security and the role genetic resource has to play. It is imperative to manage these resources in a sustainable way. Climate change-induced environmental stress may in fact go beyond the reach of adaptation and in situ approach of genetic resource conservation offers a great chance to shape a future worth living.’

Shri Pawar also highlighted the role of traditional farming practices in conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources in India. He advocated a judicious mix of traditional wisdom and modern technologies to harness the genetic wealth. He elaborated: ‘Deployment of greater genetic diversity in traditional production systems is expected to take care of both their sustainable use and conservation. Conservation of traditional crops and animal breeds could succeed when these are linked with the economic development of farmers/rural poor. Pragmatic multi-disciplinary research and policy support are needed to evolve farming systems which can provide enough quality food and economic security to the local people. In situ conservation on-farm and crop and breed improvement can complement one another in traditional production systems. Breeding programmes that evaluate farmers’ landraces and breeds and use them in local improvement efforts are expected to produce material of direct value for marginal agroclimatic zones as well as achieve significant local conservation. By including decentralized breeding as part of an in situ programme, farmers and scientists can become partners in local improvement efforts. This ‘grassroot breeding’ can build upon existing knowledge and skills of farmers and link farmers from different regions through the exchange of information and genetic resources.

‘Further, a blend of modern science and indigenous knowledge will be required to face the challenges of increasing agricultural production in decades ahead. We should be especially concerned with incorporating greater diversity within agricultural production systems. New approaches to agricultural research and development are being tried in various places around the world, and virtually all of them emphasize a much better harnessing and management of biological resources than has prevailed in the past.’

India is one of the twelve world mega-biodiversity centers. Three of the 34 hot-spots of biodiversity are present in India. Of the world’s total known species, 8.25% belong to India. Interestingly, over 10% of the world’s microbial bio-diversity exists in this country.

India has set up four Bureaus for conservation of genetic resources relating to plants, animals, fish and micro-organisms. The national seed gene bank has over 3.6 lakh accessions. Besides other things, the Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources maintains frozen semen, somatic cells and DNA samples of indigenous animal breeds. ICAR is establishing a Genomic Resource Centre to conserve DNA of indigenous life forms, especially the rare and endangered species. A Bureau for Conservation of Genetic Resources of Agriculturally Important Insects is also being established.

The Crown Estate has signed an agreement to purchase Clipper Windpower’s prototype of the world's largest offshore wind turbine, http://www.clipperwind.com/pdf/MBE_Size.pdf Clipper’s 7.5MW MBE turbine, also referred to as the Britannia project.

This investment will allow The Crown Estate to gain firsthand knowledge of the challenges facing the development of wind turbines specialised for deep water marine deployment as the process of engaging industry to develop the next phase of offshore wind farms begins. If the industry is to reach the current delivery target of a total capacity of up to 33GW by 2020, this kind of support and research will be invaluable.

In addition to a unique and diverse property portfolio, encompassing urban and rural estates, the marine interests of The Crown Estate include almost the entire UK territorial seabed out to 12 nautical miles and around 55 per cent of the UK’s coastal foreshore. In addition, The Crown Estate has the rights to lease seabed for the generation of renewable energy on the continental shelf within the Renewable Energy Zone which extends out to approximately 200 nautical miles.

Speaking in London, Rob Hastings, Director of the Marine Estates at The Crown Estate, said: “It is widely recognised that offshore wind energy will provide the majority of the required contribution needed to ensure that the UK meets its demanding renewable energy target to supply 15 per cent of our consumed energy from renewable sources by 2020.

Wind turbines, such as the Clipper 7.5MW MBE offshore turbine, will advance industry technology in line with the forecasted upsurge in European offshore wind development in 2011 – 2012. The MBE prototype turbine will be assembled and tested at Clipper’s Centre of Excellence for Offshore Wind in Blyth in the North East of England, strategically located to serve the offshore turbine development zones and their related load centres.

The Britannia project has recently received the support of One NorthEast, the Regional Development Agency for the North East of England.

Clipper Windpower is working closely with One NorthEast's Blyth-based New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC), which will provide the project with engineering and test facilities for blades, generators and drivetrains. Funding provided by One NorthEast also will support the development of Clipper's turbine supply chain and related manufacturing facilities.

Playtex Infant Care, a division of Energizer Personal Care, the leader in infant care, continues to address growing public confusion about plastics used in baby bottles containing bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used to manufacture polycarbonate plastic products, by announcing that the balance of the product line will be converted to BPA-free material by year end. In addition, the company will immediately suspend distribution to its Canadian retail partners of all Avance and Cherubs infant feeding bottles and the sip & discover 9 oz Spill-Proof "character" cup.

Elected officials, environmental organizations as well as ordinary Canadians of all political backgrounds should take note of the lifetime achievements of recently-deceased U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, the founder of Earth Day. Nelson's work prompted the head of the Washington-based Wilderness Society to describe Nelson as "the founding father of the modern environmental community". Earth Day, which he initiated in 1970, is now celebrated all over the globe.

To understand carbon offsetting, one must first have at least a general understanding of carbon emissions, also commonly known as "greenhouse gases".

 

If you're reusing bath, kitchen, or laundry water, consider hooking up a system that directs gently used water (called gray water) to your garden. Huge cerebrum not required.

TD Canada Trust is increasing the cash rebate on its Green Mortgage and Green Home Equity Line of Credit for qualified purchasers who apply between April 25th to July 31st, 2008.

Ever-increasing demand for organic foods has prompted the third major expansion of Planet Organic's flagship store in Edmonton, Alberta.