Humans reap benefits from natural areas through “ecosystem services” August 8, 2008
Posted by bruce mcgranahan in land use, nature protection.Tags: conservation, ecosystem services
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Environmental conservation efforts have traditionally focused on protecting individual species or natural resources. Scientists are discovering, however, that preserving the benefits that whole ecosystems provide to people is more economically and environmentally valuable.
Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans reap from natural areas where living and non-living things function in concert with each other. These services include a range of human essentials, such as food production, clean water and clean air. For example, grasslands and forests support pollinators, which promote healthy crops, while wetlands filter and purify our water supply.
Why is Germany “world’s greenest country”? June 23, 2008
Posted by bruce mcgranahan in energy, environmental regulation.Tags: conservation, energy
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According to the Telegraph.co.uk …
“Germany has been labelled the world’s greenest country after it cut its energy use by more than any other state in 2007.”
German use of oil, gas and coal in 2007 fell by 5.6 per cent compared with 2006, according to a new report from BP. Global energy consumption, driven by China, America and India, rose by 2.4 per cent in the same year.
The report emerged as the German government passed a new round of environmental laws designed to ensure the country meets ambitious carbon dioxide reduction targets.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel described the laws as “crucial for climate protection” and said they would help Germany reduce its 1990 level of emissions by 40 per cent come 2020.
The laws, which target high polluting lorries and make energy saving designs compulsory for homes built after 2009, should allow Germany to shave 35 per cent off 1990 emissions.
