Month: June 2000

Clean bill of health for biodiesel

It was announced on Capitol Hill last week that biodiesel – an alternative fuel made from renewable resources, such as soya bean oil – has become the first and only alternative fuel to have successfully completed the health effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.

Petroleum spills cleaned up by plants

The Environmental Protection Agency and industry researchers are using plants to clean up at petroleum spills at sites across the US. The techniques, developed by research team at Purdue University, Indiana are proving efficient and cost effective in breaking down soil pollutants.

Meacher cracks down on poor waste sites

Poorly managed waste sites will get more inspections under a new risk-based system, according to UK environment minister Michael Meacher. In future, poor performers will also pay higher charges until they improve. Better managed sites will get fewer inspections, a minimum of four a year, and lower charges.

UNEP opens Global Biodiversity Information and Assessment Centre in UK

The World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) in Cambridge, UK, joins the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as its global biodiversity information and assessment centre on 3 July.

Fish farms threaten world’s supply of fish

Growing consumption has contributed to a sharp reduction in ocean fish populations. Throughout the world, a growing number of commercial boats are returning with empty nets - unable to find enough catch to keep pace with the international demand for seafood.

Iceland invests £9 million in organics

Iceland has announced it is investing £1 million in a partnership with the National Trust, and a further £8 million to move entire ranges of produce to organic status at no extra cost.

Canada and Chile step up environmental co-operation

The Council of the Canada-Chile Commission for Environmental Co-operation meeting in Ottawa announced on 27 June agreement to broaden the scope of joint projects. This will build on initiatives that the two countries have been collaborating on over the past two years.

More than a Third of US Waterways Polluted

Around 40% of the US waterways remain too polluted for fishing and swimming, according to a survey by the US EPA.

Prescott announces new water regulator

Metropolitan Police receiver Philip Fletcher will be the new director general of Ofwat, the deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has announced.

Gore backs incentives for reducing oil dependence

Vice president Al Gore has proposed tax breaks and other incentives for both reducing America’s dependence on oil and cleaning up the environment.

Highland Laird Al Fayed to sue MAFF over GM rape seed contamination blunder

Mohamed El Fayed is taking legal action against MAFF for ‘deliberate criminal negligence’ over its delay in announcing that batches of conventional oilseed rape marketed for planting in the UK contained GM. The multi-millionaire owns Balnagown, a Highland estate where 55 acres were unwittingly planted with contaminated oil seed rape at the beginning of May.

Electroscrap directive split into three

The draft EU legislation on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has finally been proposed, with Member States expected to collect a minimum of four kilograms of waste per person per year, whilst manufacturers will be expected to pay for 50-80% of waste to be recycled or reused.

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