Planet enters 'ecological debt'

Rising consumption of natural resources means that humans began "eating the planet" on 9 October, a study suggests. The date symbolised the day of the year when people's demands exceeded the Earth's ability to supply resources and absorb the demands placed upon it. The figures' authors said the world first "ecological debt day" fell on 19 December 1987, but economic growth had seen it fall earlier each year. The data was produced by a US-based think-tank, Global Footprint Network.

The authors said this year's global ecological debt day meant that it would take the Earth 15 months to regenerate what was consumed this year. The findings are based on the concept of "ecological footprints", a system of measuring how much land and water a human population needs to produce the resources it consumes and absorb the resulting waste. Global Footprint Network's executive director, Mathis Wackernagel, said humanity was living off its "ecological credit card" and was "liquidating the planet's natural resources".

(2006-10-12 13:11:30 SGT) [Env] Permalink

Brazilian ethanol sustainable, has very positive energy balance : IEA

peakoil.com -> biopact.com :

The International Energy Agency's Bioenergy Task 40 recently published its long-awaited report on the sustainability of Brazilian ethanol. Its conclusions are that the production of sugarcane-based ethanol as it is currently practised in Brazil, is 'environmentally sustainable'. The study also concludes that the energy balance of Brazilian ethanol ranges between 8.3 (average) and 10.2 (best case). This is a very positive balance, compared to, for example, corn ethanol (slightly higher than 1) or rapeseed biodiesel (slightly lower than 2).

Even though current production methods are sustainable, for the future and the whole of Brazil, too many uncertainties remain to determine whether additional criteria from 2011 onwards can be met. First of all, it is as yet unclear how additional land use for sugar cane may cause indirect/induced land-use, and how large the actual impacts will be on land use and biodiversity.

(2006-10-12 13:00:21 SGT) [Energy] Permalink

Marine scientists report massive "dead zones"

peakoil.com -> commondreams.org :

Rising tides of untreated sewage and plastic debris are seriously threatening marine life and habitat around the globe, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) warned in a report. The number of ocean "dead zones" has grown from 150 in 2004 to about 200 today, said Nick Nuttall, a UNEP spokesperson. Dead zones can encompass areas of ocean 100,000 square kms in size where little can live because there is no oxygen left in the water. Nitrogen pollution, mainly from farm fertilisers and sewage, produces blooms of algae that absorb all of the oxygen in the water.

In many developing countries, between 80-90% of sewage entering the coastal zones is estimated to be raw and untreated. These wastes contain bacteria and viruses that can contaminate marine species such as shellfish that are consumed by people. Some cities in the developed world also dump their sewage directly into waterways. More than one half of wastewater entering the Mediterranean Sea is untreated, as is 60% of the wastewater discharged into the Caspian Sea. Montreal dumps billions of litres of untreated sewage into the St. Lawrence River, while the postcard-perfect tourist city of Victoria, British Columbia dumps all of its waste directly into the Pacific Ocean.

(2006-10-12 12:56:17 SGT) [Env] Permalink

Free public wireless broadband in Singapore for 2 years

channelnewsasia.com :

From January 2007, Singaporeans will get to enjoy free wireless broadband Internet, called Wireless@SG, in all public areas for free, for the first two years. Premium and higher access speeds will also be immediately available - but this will come at a fee.

Three operators - iCELL network, QMax Communications and SingTel - have been appointed to do this. They will carve out the island into three areas, and complete their deployment by end-September next year. The government hopes this will grow the broadband market from the current 50,000 users to about 250,000 users in two years.

(2006-10-12 12:51:27 SGT) [Tech] Permalink

Singapore and Qatar sign 2 MOUs

channelnewsasia.com :

Singapore and Qatar continue to foster closer relations with the signing of two memorandums of understanding. One is to establish the high level joint committee to promote and develop relations in all sectors. The other is between the Singapore's Home Affairs Ministry and the Qatari Interior Ministry.

Both sides are also likely to sign an avoidance of the double taxation bill in the future. A wide range of issues of cooperation were also discussed, including increasing Singapore's participation in Qatar's development, the promotion of managing healthcare systems and the implementation of high-tech collaboration. Singapore and Qatar have already completed negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement and are looking forward to formalising the agreement.

- Funny how "natural gas" and LNG have not been mentioned at all.

(2006-10-12 12:47:12 SGT) [Biz] Permalink

'Out of control' Alitalia heading to bankruptcy

channelnewsasia.com :

Alitalia will go bankrupt unless a rescue plan is put in place within three months, Prime Minister Romano Prodi said, describing the finances of Italy's flag-carrier airline as "completely out of control." Unable to stanch its losses - 167 million euros in 2005 - Alitalia did not even try to balance its books this year, with red ink expected to approach 300 million euros, according to an internal document quoted by the press.

Alitalia, which is 49% controlled by the Italian government, has failed to turn itself around barely more than a year after raising one billion euros, covered by a group of banks and the state, to launch an ambitious restructuring plan. What is more, relations with the unions began to nosedive with the plan, which called for 3,700 job cuts from the company's 20,000-strong workforce.

(2006-10-12 12:36:45 SGT) [Biz] Permalink

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