Day: 17 August 2001

Simpler system of air quality forecasts will benefit asthmatics

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) says that the system will make it easier for people with asthma and other lung diseases to take precautions when air quality is poor, as well as encouraging the public to work towards improving air quality.

UK launches world’s first national emissions trading programme

The Government has launched its £215 million UK Emissions Trading Scheme, which could cut up to two million tonnes of carbon a year from the atmosphere by 2010 and generate new job and investment opportunities for industry.

World Bank praises China’s environmental efforts but says new development strategy needed

A new report on China’s environment by the World Bank has found that despite the “serious environmental toll” that two decades of phenomenal growth has extracted, the government’s ability to make significant inroads in battling a range of environmental problems indicates that real progress can be made in assuring an environmentally-sustainable future, but only if there is a significant change in development strategy.

EPA launches consultation on a strategy for controlling waterborne microbial disease

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched a draft strategy on the mitigation of the effects of waterborne microbial infection.

Pre-cooling of office buildings could save money, especially in energy crisis areas

A technique of keeping office buildings cool in the summer by using air conditioning at night when energy is cheaper could save money, and will assist the electricity utilities in areas facing energy shortages, say US researchers who have developed a computer simulation tool that can identify a building’s optimum cooling strategy.

Cost of water goes up worldwide, with larger increases expected

The average price for water in the world increased by 3.8% over the past year, according to a survey conducted by an international energy and telecommunication consulting firm.

By 2025, one-third of the world’s population will face water shortages

Currently, 450 million people in 29 countries face water shortages, but by 2025, the figure will have risen to 2.7 billion, one third of the predicted human population, according to delegates at the Stockholm World Water Week.

US EPA delays review of polluting facilities air standard rules

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it has delayed its review of Clinton-era tough legislation governing power plants and refineries until September, but vows to “vigorously” enforce lawsuits already instigated against utilities.

California sues US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over fuel additive requirement

California Governor Gray Davis has announced that the state is suing the EPA to force it to drop a requirement to add oxygenates to 70% of California gasoline, saying that it will increase air pollution and petrol costs.

Montenegro to get assistance for poor water quality

Montenegro, the smaller of the two remaining republics in Yugoslavia, is to benefit from significant World Bank help in improving its poor water and sanitation system.

Use of life-cycle analysis is resulting in discriminatory packaging legislation

Legislation in European countries designed to cut down on the use of one-use-only packaging for beverages has no legal or scientific basis and limits the market opportunities for materials such as steel, aluminium and glass as drinks packaging, says a packaging industry association.

Drought and flooding alleviation needs forward planning

The alleviation of flooding across Europe requires co-ordination between administrations, and the impact of drought can be lessened by identifying and acting on the problem in advance, although it should be remembered that both events are natural, with flooding, in particular, being important in the geomorphological and ecosystem development of rivers, says a new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA).

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