Day: 11 June 1999

Swiss end nuclear reprocessing, as Dutch police impound nuclear effluent “being returned” to Switzerland

The Swiss Government announced on Monday that it is to stop sending spent fuel rods from its nuclear power stations for reprocessing. On the same day, Dutch police seized a consignment of radioactive effluent which was "being returned" to Switzerland by Greenpeace.

Tanzanian utility accused of illegal installation of incinerators

A Malaysian-owned power generation utility, Independent Power Tanzania, has been accused of installing two petroleum waste-burning incinerators without the necessary catalytic exhaust filters at its plant in Tegeta, north of Dar es Salaam. The exhaust from such an installation can contain mercury, lead and other poisonous heavy metals in great quantities. Independent Power Tanzania is both the first national and regional independent power plant in Africa and has been contracted to produce power for sale to the state-owned Tanzania Electrical Supply Company (TANESCO). The company has built ten 100 MW capacity generators at Tegeta as part of its electricity supply project, eventually to be connected to the national grid.

Aviation making growing contribution to global warming

Fuel consumption by civil aviation is expected to reach 300 million tonnes in 2015 and 450 million tonnes in 2050, compared to 130 million tonnes in 1992, with corresponding high emissions of greenhouse gases, a report has found.

Forests could be buffer against climate change

Forests may be a potential buffer against global warming by absorbing a portion of projected increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide, say researchers from West Virginia University.

US company signs $50 million water and solar power deal with Pakistan

US company WorldWater is to supply Pakistan with up to US $50 million-worth of solar powered pumping and electrical systems.

Massive pollution cloud observed over Indian Ocean

A cloud of pollution covering about 100 million square kilometres of the tropical Indian Ocean - roughly the same area as the continental United States - has been observed by scientists.

Global warming caused by man, report shows

Recent global warming is not merely an effect of naturally occurring climate cycles, but is caused mainly by increases in greenhouse gases, a report published in the 10 June issue of Nature has concluded.

World pump market growth claim criticised

A claim that the world pump market will reach US$38Bn by 2002 has been criticised by Vivian Woodward of European Industrial Forecasting.

Canada to reduce sulphur in gasoline by 90 percent

Sulphur in gasoline will be reduced by more than 90 per cent by 2005, the Canadian Government has announced.

Global warming wreaks havoc on oceans

Rising global temperatures are affecting ocean ecosystems to a far greater extent than previously acknowledged according to a new report by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Marine Conservation Biology Institute (MCBI).

US Refiners say EPA sulphur proposal goes too far too fast

US EPA's proposal to reduce the level of sulphur in gasoline could lead to gasoline supply problems and refinery closures if necessary changes are not made, the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA) has warned.

Better conservation could solve water shortages in western US

Better conservation, water transfers from agriculture to urban areas, and groundwater storage, could prevent water shortages in the western US, according to US Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt. Babbitt says the natural needs of watersheds should be placed on a par with human needs and proposed setting baseline limits for stream flows to maintain watersheds in a healthy state.

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