http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/sustainability/ Sustainable development. Read current events articles on sustainable agriculture and sustainable living. How can sustainability be achieved? en-us Sat, 26 Jul 2008 16:05:01 EDT Sat, 26 Jul 2008 16:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/sustainability/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080725114548.htm Citizens of poorer nations are just as concerned about environmental quality as their counterparts in rich nations, new research shows. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080725114548.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080722143702.htm Volunteering for environmental protection activities can be physically and mentally sustaining for older people. In fact, this demographic group is in a unique position to have a noticeable impact on its surroundings. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080722143702.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080721173757.htm Mangrove destruction not only comes with ecological cost, but monetary as well: $37,500 per hectare each year, researchers say. Mexican mangroves, trees that form forest ecosystems at the land-sea interface, demonstrably boost fishery yields in the Gulf of California. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080721173757.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080714162600.htm The forests of the future may need to be managed as much for a sustainable supply of clean water as any other goal, researchers say in a new federal report -- but even so, forest resources will offer no "quick fix" to the insatiable, often conflicting demands for this precious resource. Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080714162600.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080714111419.htm Water-wasting and uncaring about gels, shampoos and soap going down the plughole: that's how the British emerge from a survey on showering habits of western Europeans. The Royal Society of Chemistry says that showering for longer than 2 minutes is unnecessary and wasteful. Thu, 17 Jul 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080714111419.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080715105734.htm Though many policymakers have argued that environmental regulations can negatively impact on an organization's bottom line, a new study shows that companies that develop green production processes can not only offset the costs of regulations, but can also reap further benefits. The study looked at more than 2,600 manufacturing facilities in seven different countries. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080715105734.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080714112956.htm Use of biosolids (treated municipal sewage sludge) on crops is a common practice because biosolids are a rich source of plant nutrients and organic matter. However, these biosolids can contain dangerous dioxins. Scientists investigated the effects of continuous and long-term application of biosolids on the levels of dioxins in soil and corn tissues. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080714112956.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080715165441.htm Rock Port Missouri, with a population of just over 1,300 residents, has announced that it is the first 100% wind powered community in the United States. Four wind turbines supply all the electricity for the small town. Rock Port's 100% wind power status is due to four wind turbines located on agricultural lands within the city limits of Rock Port (Atchison County). The city of Rock Port uses approximately 13 million kilowatt hours of electricity each year. It is predicted that these four turbines will produce 16 million kilowatt hours each year. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080715165441.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080714092746.htm Escalating global demand for fuel, food and wood fiber will destroy the world's forests, if efforts to address climate change and poverty fail to empower the billion-plus forest-dependent poor, according to two reports just released by the US-based Rights and Resources Initiative, an international coalition comprising the world's foremost organizations on forest governance and conservation. Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080714092746.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080710103907.htm This year, the world has been hit by both food and energy crises. However, few commentators specifically mention the declining availability of water needed to grow crops. Unless we change the way we use water and increase water productivity, we will not have enough water to feed a growing population, experts warn. Current global water usage for food production is 7,500 cubic kilometers per year. By 2030 over 2000 more cubic kilometers of fresh water will be needed to feed the world. Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080710103907.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080710125527.htm As the 21st century progresses, major cities in heavily air-conditioned California can expect more frequent extreme-heat events because of climate change. This could mean increased electricity demand for the densely populated state, raising the risk of power shortages during heat waves, according to an earth scientist and a climate researcher. Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080710125527.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080713183039.htm Climate change is happening, and we must develop ways for all life to be able to cope, environmental advocates urge. WWF Vietnam Programme is looking at this through the development of resilient multifunctional landscapes that also work as forest corridors, assisting with species dispersal and adaptation, by changes in land-use practices. Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080713183039.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080708111144.htm Three plant biologists at Rutgers' Waksman Institute of Microbiology are obsessed with duckweed, a tiny aquatic plant with an unassuming name. Now they have convinced the federal government to focus its attention on duckweed's tremendous potential for cleaning up pollution, combating global warming and feeding the world. The Department of Energy's national laboratories will sequence the duckweed genome. Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080708111144.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080710094033.htm Microorganisms once reigned supreme on the Earth, thriving by filling every nook and cranny of the environment billions of years before humans first arrived on the scene. Now, this ability of microorganisms to grow from an almost infinite variety of food sources may play a significant role in bailing out society from its current energy crisis. Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080710094033.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080711090731.htm A report on how Australia can best respond to the environmental and economic challenges arising from its dependence on fossil fuels for transport has just been released. Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080711090731.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080703140706.htm Countering a perception that establishing nature reserves in developing nations drives away local communities, a new study finds that human settlements are actually drawn to protected areas in Africa and Latin America. Unfortunately, the researchers also found a link between high rates of human population growth and illegal harvesting of timber, bushmeat hunting and species extinction. Mon, 07 Jul 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080703140706.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080701221431.htm The potential market for tiger products in China is enormous, but a vast majority of the Chinese public would rather have wild tigers than tiger-bone wine, according to new research. Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080701221431.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080701103606.htm Would shrinking your carbon footprint, recycling more, and going green be easier if you could monitor your household's environmental impact? Researchers recorded and compared heating fuel, electricity, water, vehicle fuel costs and waste generation for each household and on the basis of this data recommended cost-effective measures to reduce consumption. The team found that, on average, just over 25% of the recommended measures were implemented, which resulted in an estimated greenhouse gas reduction of about two tonnes for each household. Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080701103606.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080630173934.htm Milk goes green: Cows that receive recombinant Bovine Somatotropin make more milk, all the while easing natural resource pressure and substantially reducing environmental impact, according to new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080630173934.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080626145543.htm New research could help with the large-scale cultivation and manufacturing of oil-rich algae in oceans for biofuel. Algae are a diverse and simple group of organisms that live in or near water. Certain algal species are high in oil content that could be converted into such fuels as biodiesel, according researchers. Algae also have several environmentally-friendly advantages over corn or other plants used for biofuels, including not needing soil or fresh water to grow. Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080626145543.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080623113722.htm Biofuels can be a sustainable part of the world's energy future, especially if bioenergy agriculture is developed on currently abandoned or degraded agricultural lands. Using these lands for energy crops, instead of converting existing croplands or clearing new land, avoids competition with food production and preserves carbon-storing forests needed to mitigate climate change. Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080623113722.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080618091707.htm Scientists are on the brink of a discovery which will facilitate the development of new, safe, more sustainable ways of controlling the world's worst agricultural insect pest -- the moth, Helicoverpa armigera. Mon, 23 Jun 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080618091707.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080617114723.htm Expert in the integration of solar cell technology in architecture are creating designs for flexible photovoltaic materials that may change the way buildings receive and distribute energy. Sat, 21 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080617114723.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080610182856.htm A new study has examined the effect of staggering urban growth on nature and people that finds if we don't improve urban planning now, we may lose some animals, plants and natural resources for good. Tue, 17 Jun 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080610182856.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080610122111.htm A professor on sabbatical in China has created a prototype of a sturdy, quick-to-build bamboo house designed to help the vast number of people made homeless by the May 12 Sichuan earthquake. Mon, 16 Jun 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080610122111.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080612170515.htm The largest debt-for-nature swap agreement in Madagascar's history was just signed between the Government of Madagascar and the Government of France, allocating roughly $20 million (13 million Euros) to preserve Madagascar's rich biodiversity, WWF has announced. Nearly 98 percent of Madagascar's land mammals, 92 percent of its reptiles, and 80 percent of its plants are found nowhere else on earth. Sat, 14 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080612170515.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080611181214.htm Biomass energy--energy generated from agricultural waste or specially grown energy crops--has been widely touted as a clean, renewable alternative to fossil fuels. Research is booming to improve energy crops and methods of converting crops to fuel. Already, Brazil gets 30% of its automotive fuel from ethanol distilled from sugar cane. But critics warn that "energy farming" will gobble up land needed to grow food or will impinge on natural ecosystems, possibly even worsening the climate crisis. Sat, 14 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080611181214.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080613164445.htm Belize is an unforgettable mix of tropical waterfalls, ancient Mayan ruins and deep limestone caves, making it one of the world's most popular destinations for ecotourists. Researchers are working with the government of Belize to limit the environmental impact of ecotourism on these sensitive natural wonders. Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080613164445.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080603102752.htm The threat of global warming may also present a significant opportunity for innovation and fresh solutions to today's energy challenges. According to some researchers,there is a vast untapped potential in using microbes in service to society to meet our energy challenges. Sat, 07 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080603102752.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080605113012.htm A Dutch engineer has devised a simple solution to the growing amounts of waste society generates. He suggests solidifying waste in a concrete-type material and using the resulting slabs to build pyramids that not only deal with waste disposal but could become tourist traps and major landmarks for our cities. Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080605113012.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080604141014.htm The answer to the looming fuel crisis in the 21st century may be found by thinking small, microscopic in fact. Microscopic organisms from bacteria and cyanobacteria, to fungi to microalgae, are biological factories that are proving to efficient sources of inexpensive, environmentally friendly biofuels that can serve as alternatives to oil. Thu, 05 Jun 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080604141014.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080527130056.htm Biofuels based on renewable sources are increasingly popular as a way to reduce fossil fuel dependence and limit greenhouse gas emissions, but new research shows that some of the most popular current biofuel stocks might have exactly the opposite impacts than intended. Thu, 29 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080527130056.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080522093333.htm A geographer has produced for the first time a map of the scorched Earth for every year since the turn of the millennium. The map reveals that between 3.5 and 4.5 million square kilometers of vegetation burns on an annual basis. This is an area larger than the country of India that is burnt every year. The information is vital for scientists and agencies involved in monitoring global warming, measuring and understanding pollutants in the atmosphere, managing forests and controlling fire and even for predicting future fire occurrence. Tue, 27 May 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080522093333.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080522094652.htm The first study to determine the global threat status of 21 species of wide-ranging oceanic pelagic sharks and rays reveals serious overfishing and recommends key steps that governments can take to safeguard populations. Sharks and rays are particularly vulnerable to overfishing due to their tendency to take many years to become sexually mature and have relatively few offspring. These findings are published in Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. Sun, 25 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080522094652.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080519122526.htm Pioneering research recommends a full government environmental audit of British restaurants. The report — 'The Environmental Sustainability of the British Restaurant Industry: A London Case Study' — has revealed that the environmental cost of getting food to the restaurant plate is far higher than previously thought. Thu, 22 May 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080519122526.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080516112715.htm Future generations face hunger, thirst, disease and disaster if we carry on losing biodiversity. And as biodiversity plummets our use of resources soars. WWF now estimates that biodiversity has declined by more than a quarter in the last 35 years. Tue, 20 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080516112715.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512094438.htm It's a tough job, but somebody, or at least some dogs, have to do it. In the Cerrado region of Brazil, four dogs trained to detect animal feces by scent are helping researchers monitor rare and threatened wildlife such as jaguar, tapir, giant anteater and maned wolf in and around Emas National Park, a protected area with the largest concentration of threatened species in Brazil. Tue, 13 May 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512094438.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508172939.htm In the Ebro River delta, the fishing of elver (an eel, Anguilla anguilla) leads to the accidental capture of other fish species, with the capture of one ton of elver possibly resulting in the capture of up to 8.2 tons of accompanying species. Researchers who have assessed the effects of this method of fishing and identified the most fragile species, propose improvements in current methodologies. Sun, 11 May 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508172939.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508144332.htm In a study of the molecular mechanisms by which plants protect themselves from oxidation damage should they absorb too much sunlight during photosynthesis, researchers have discovered a molecular "dimmer switch" that helps control the flow of solar energy moving through the system of light harvesting proteins. This discovery holds important implications for the future design of artificial photosynthesis systems that could provide the world with a sustainable and secure source of energy. Fri, 09 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508144332.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508142552.htm Great hopes are being placed on undeveloped technology. Capturing and storing carbon dioxide is predicted to be one of the most important measures to counter the threats to our climate. But the technology still hasn't been tested in full scale, and the complications and risks it entails may have been grossly underestimated. Fri, 09 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508142552.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508091947.htm Researchers investigated whether yield, weed suppression, and profit characteristics of low-external-input farming systems could match or exceed those of conventional farming systems. Yields and profits were similar or higher in the LEI systems as in the conventional system, and lower herbicide inputs did not lead to increased weed problems. The results suggest that large reductions in agrichemical use can be compatible with high crop yields and profits. Thu, 08 May 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508091947.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080507133314.htm National Geographic and the international polling firm GlobeScan will unveil results of a new mechanism for measuring and comparing consumer behavior concerning the environment. Fourteen thousand consumers in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, India, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Spain and the United States were polled in this first-ever study of environmentally sustainable consumption and behavior. The study will be conducted annually and will assess progress people are making to protect the environment. Thu, 08 May 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080507133314.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080506100322.htm It is a great shame that the most creative professional group in the building trade, the architects, rarely apply themselves to existing housing, researchers assert. A large proportion of the Netherlands' climate targets will need to be achieved through modifications to existing housing. Wed, 07 May 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080506100322.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080502120306.htm Officials declared a commercial fishery failure for the West Coast salmon fishery due to historically low salmon returns. Hundreds of thousands of fall Chinook salmon typically return to the Sacramento River every year to spawn. This year, scientists estimate that fewer than 60,000 adult Chinook will make it back to the Sacramento River. Fri, 02 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080502120306.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080424113456.htm Recent advances in technology have made removing salt from seawater and groundwater a realistic option for increasing water supplies in some parts of the US, and desalination will likely have a niche in meeting the nation's future water needs, says a new report. Mon, 28 Apr 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080424113456.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080422103930.htm The 1930s semi-detached house: three million of them were built in the United Kingdom, they stimulated a boom in employment, and they turned a nation of shop keepers into a nation of home owners. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080422103930.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080421143836.htm Improved management of crops and perennials could go a long way toward alleviating the problem of hypoxia, which claims thousands of fish, shrimp and shellfish in the Gulf of Mexico each spring. The problem is caused in part by fertilizer run-off from agricultural activities in the Mississippi basin, which drains about 48 percent of the U.S. land. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080421143836.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080420111817.htm A system that turns irrigation water on and off automatically based on leaf temperature is being developed by Agricultural Research Service soil scientists. They are developing time-temperature threshold technology that is based in part on the discovery that plants grow best at certain narrow temperature ranges that vary by crop species. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080420111817.htm