Sea level has increased more in the last 100 years than in the previous 6,000

The sea level rise over the last century has no comparison with any period of the last 6,000 years, having risen about 20 centimeters, reveals a study published in the scientific journal "Proceddings of the National Academy of Sciences".

The research analyzed the sea fluctuations over the past 35 thousand years based on changes in the volume of ice on Earth. The main conclusion is the historical record, unusual, of the last 100 years, with the rise of 20 inches since the early 20th century. For the same period, scientists have identified a rising temperatures, which caused the melting of the ice caps and ocean thermal expansion, as the main cause of the rise in global sea level.

To study the fluctuations of the sea in the last 35 thousand years were collected over a thousand samples of sediments in the United Kingdom, North America, Seychelles and Greenland. He was chosen a period of 35 thousand years once comprising a interglaciar period. The ice formed during this period began to melt for 16,000 years and complete defrosting finished only 8,000 years. However, the slowdown in sea level changes did not occur before the last 6,000 thousand years, writes the Guardian.

During the past six millennia, the sea level was fairly stable, to start increasing in the modern age. According to Kurt Lambeck, Australian National University, which carried out the study, during these six millennia not found evidence of 30 centimeters to 25 swings in periods of 100 years, but that trend changed from the industrialization process. "In the last 150 years have witnessed an increase in the level of the water at a speed of several millimeters per year and our oldest records didn't find a similar behavior," said the investigator, linking the phenomenon to global warming.

Foto: Stefan Schinning / Creative Commons

Read More

Climate change may reduce number of birth of children

The number of male babies born around the world, is superior to the female, but a Japanese study shows that, with the most extreme fluctuations of temperature in the country since the ' 70, more male fetuses die in relation to female foetuses â€" resulting, of course, in the decrease in the birth of boys.

This means that the climate can help balance this proportion or even change it completely in favour of women, according to CBS News.

Published in the September issue of Fertility and Sterility, the study compared records of births and miscarriages the monthly temperatures between 1968 and 2012, stating that male fetuses were more likely to die during the extreme weather.

The phenomenon happened both in extremely hot as cold. After a summer with very high temperatures, in 2010, fewer babies the sixth male were born nine months later. And the same thing happened after a very cold winter, in 2011.

"The conception of male babies seem to be more vulnerable to stressors including climate changes," says the study. The causes are unclear, but this is not limited to humans. Sea turtles are more likely to produce female child in warmer temperatures. And chimpanzees have more male children during rainy seasons.

The study, led by Misao Fukuda, of the Institute of Health M&K in Ako, in Japan, you can't prove the influence of climate change, but it is known that other factors such as pollution and toxins affect the proportion of births.

No Related Articles

Read More

The British who prefers the bitch to her son

Your child or your dog, who do you like better? The question may seem easy for many, but not for Kelly Rose, a British who confesses to spread love for both, but there are days when the feelings for Matilda, his four-year-old terrier, are higher than those for William, his son of 11 years.

Kelly's theory is simple: while your child is growing healthily and become more independent, Matilda will always need you â€" and be with her I will pass your days more fun and grow old.

"I admit freely that I like Matilda as like William. In fact, on some occasions, I like her more than him. And don't feel guilty about admitting it, "explained Kelly.

According to the British mother, William spreads confusion around the House, you have to be reminded of your homework and you have to get the clothes. "My dear, sweet Matilda is always obedient and have great affection", he adds.

And Kelly insists: "everything I do for Matilda results [in] of love and gratitude [her]. On the other hand, no matter how many meals ready to William or the number of clothes to wash or how many times leads to swimming, I barely have a word of recognition or a thank you, "he continued.

According to the Daily Mail, which publishes the story of Rose in the first person, a recent study revealed that having a dog frees the same fatherly instincts in adults than children. Several mothers who have dogs have reacted with the same feelings of love and compassion to images of your pets as if they were their children.

"My time with Matilda is borrowed. I have 12 or more years with her and we did half that time, so I have to turn all moments in the most cheerful of all time, "concluded Rose.

.fancybox-wrap { position: absolute; top:0; left: 0; z-index: 8020; } .fancybox-skin { position: relative; /*margin-top:20px !important;*/ background: #222222; color: #74b32e; text-shadow: none; -webkit-border-radius: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 2px; border-radius: 2px; } .fancybox-opened { z-index: 8030; } .fancybox-opened .fancybox-skin { -webkit-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); -moz-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); } .fancybox-outer, .fancybox-inner { position: relative; } .fancybox-inner { overflow: hidden; } .fancybox-type-iframe .fancybox-inner { -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch; } .fancybox-close{ background: url('wp-content/themes/codistage/styles/fancybox/exit.png') no-repeat; width:25px; height:25px; float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-right:5px; } /*.ngg-gallery-image img{width:565px; height:393px;}*/

Read More

How can humans avoid deadly shocks of birds with glass

Millions of lives of birds are lost each year by collisions with Windows and glass. The large glass and mirrored buildings can be beautiful, but for birds are a hazard, because they fail to detect the barriers and ultimately fatally collide with them.

To avoid this situation, two Swedish biologists have studied how a special glass which reflects ultraviolet light can prevent the birds hatch against the buildings. The scientists concluded that a glass containing 50% of absorsoras brands of ultraviolet light can stop birds like parrots and gulls, without obstructing the view from the window.

However, other species of birds, like pigeons, ducks and birds of prey cannot see ultraviolet marks, do you have the same type of ocular structure that the gulls or parrots, referred to the Dodo.

This does not mean, however, that the builders should reject this type of glass that holds seagulls and passerines, but there will be other birds will continue to hit the glass, because they can't see the marks.

Change the type of glass is not the only way to prevent the birds from colliding with buildings. Wind chimes, blinds and light screens are other ways to avoid the collision of the birds.

Foto: binaryCoco / Creative Commons

Read More

10 species baptized with names of famous

With so many new species are being discovered every year, many researchers have turned to presenters, actors or singers when it comes time to give them a name. Is a form of the honor but also, in the case of musicians, a recognition of who, with his work, makes them company during many hours of loneliness research.

1.Scapatia Beyoncea

The name of fly found in Queensland, Australia, is an homage to the diva Beyonce â€" a kind of tribute. For researchers, the gilded ass remember QueenB in the music video for "Bootylicious" by Destiny's Child.

2.Aleiodes Shakirae

Beyonce is not the only pop diva being honored by the scientists. This WaSP discovered in Ecuador was christened in allusion to the singer Shakira, why shake it like there's no tomorrow, just like the Colombian.

3. Johnnyi, Joeyi, Deedeei and Ceejayi

The four members of the punk band Ramones inspired the discoverers of four species of prehistoric atropódes, whose generic name is Mackenziurus.

4. anti-Aleoides

The same researcher who discovered a WaSP version of Shakira also paid tribute to the American presenter Ellen Degeneres, LGBT pride icon.

5. the Predatoroonops Schwarzenegger

This spider is among the 17 species discovered by the Instituto Butantan and named in honor of the movie "the Predator." Its name is due to muscular biceps, as the Austrian actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who stars in the blockbuster

6. Dendropsophus Sting

The singer Sting was honored for his services to the preservation of the Amazon rainforest, giving name to this Toad from Colombia

7. Spielberg Coloborhynchus

The filmmaker Steven Spielberg was honored by the paleontologists who discovered this species in northeastern Brazil.

8.Tympanoctomys Kirchnerorum

This Argentine Messi unbaptized rat-maybe a bug is â€" in honor of former President Nestor Kirchner, who died in 2010, and the widow and today President, Cristina Kirchner. The researchers said it is an appreciation for public incentive to research. But it's not that seems more a hint to so many cases of corruption to the era Kirchner?

9.Apistogramma Mendezi

The fish that inhabits the waters of the rio Negro was named to honor the Brazilian environmentalist Chico Mendes.

10. Jaggermeryx of hate

In summer, the fossil of a new species of an animal similar to a small Hippo with labia majora was discovered in the desert of Egypt. This time, the star being sponsored by discovery was his Mick Jagger lookalike.

.fancybox-wrap { position: absolute; top:0; left: 0; z-index: 8020; } .fancybox-skin { position: relative; /*margin-top:20px !important;*/ background: #222222; color: #74b32e; text-shadow: none; -webkit-border-radius: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 2px; border-radius: 2px; } .fancybox-opened { z-index: 8030; } .fancybox-opened .fancybox-skin { -webkit-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); -moz-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); } .fancybox-outer, .fancybox-inner { position: relative; } .fancybox-inner { overflow: hidden; } .fancybox-type-iframe .fancybox-inner { -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch; } .fancybox-close{ background: url('wp-content/themes/codistage/styles/fancybox/exit.png') no-repeat; width:25px; height:25px; float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-right:5px; } /*.ngg-gallery-image img{width:565px; height:393px;}*/

Read More

Building SPP: the project created tools for ecological purchasing in public organizations (with video)

Public organisations should opt for purchases based on sustainable environmental and social criteria. Is the conclusion reached by the researchers of the project Building SPP, which aims to make public authorities adopt a purchasing system that is more ecological and sustainable.

As such, through the draft tools have been created to allow public authorities to do this type of shopping.  "The ecological shopping have to do with the introduction of environmental criteria in acquisitions and in 1st place in the buying public, therefore, public procurement procedures, taking into account not only the price but also other issues such as the environment," explains Paula Trinity, researcher at the engineering and geology national laboratory who led the project for the past four yearsthe green economy.

Portugal and Greece were the countries chosen to implement the project, since the ecological public procurement are part of the list of priorities of the European Union. In the case of Portugal participated in three public entities: the municipalities of Torres Vedras and Loures and the waste management company, Lipor.

"We developed firstly a tool that allows to implement a strategy of sustainable shopping and after we developed this tool. What we did was apply it after these three organizations ", indicates Paula Trinity.

In Loures, the main strategic changes took place in three areas: vigilante service, school bus with less polluting vehicles and urban pest control. "The launch of the contest in which introduced environmental sustainability criteria for companies to undertake and can minimize the impact of all its activities have on the environment," says Ana cages, public services and environmental technique of Câmara Municipal de Loures.

For the municipality of Loures this is also a way to encourage innovation and most environmentally correct responses on the part of suppliers.

The State and public entities by the large volume of purchases that can boost a greener economy. Public contracts represent almost 3.5% of the GDP of the European Union, which amounts to €425 billion.

The green economy is knowledge Building spp. see episode 321 here.



Photo: 365 Days that Calmed the world/Creative Commons

No Related Articles

Read More

A fully sustainable city for a polluted China

One of the aspects for which China is known, among others, is due to their extremely polluted cities. However, the new ecological models of development can help these cities to become more sustainable. An example is the Binhai Eco City Master Plan, a case study designed by Holm Architecture Office, which explores the possibility of a total green development.

This Green City is a project created with the support of the Governments of China and Singapore. Surrounded by a green belt, the space includes a new financial district and five cultural spaces that are home to sports facilities and educational centers. Cultural buildings are located in specific plateaus project out of green space to the North. A green corridor and a tram line connecting the financial centre cultural buildings.

Designed to be a green oasis pedestrian, Eco City is located on a high plateau, getting the services and bus zone on a lower level. All the buildings were designed with efficient and sustainable energy technologies and renewable energy sources, referred to Inhabitat.

The Binhai Eco City was selected as one of the finalists of the WAF Awards 2014 and is designed to be located in the vicinity of Tianjin, in northern China.

.fancybox-wrap { position: absolute; top:0; left: 0; z-index: 8020; } .fancybox-skin { position: relative; /*margin-top:20px !important;*/ background: #222222; color: #74b32e; text-shadow: none; -webkit-border-radius: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 2px; border-radius: 2px; } .fancybox-opened { z-index: 8030; } .fancybox-opened .fancybox-skin { -webkit-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); -moz-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); } .fancybox-outer, .fancybox-inner { position: relative; } .fancybox-inner { overflow: hidden; } .fancybox-type-iframe .fancybox-inner { -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch; } .fancybox-close{ background: url('wp-content/themes/codistage/styles/fancybox/exit.png') no-repeat; width:25px; height:25px; float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-right:5px; } /*.ngg-gallery-image img{width:565px; height:393px;}*/

Read More

As one of the most important archaeological sites of the United Kingdom was saved in extremis

The time when all discoveries were preserved and millenary encompassed a circuit of historical tourism is gone. Otherwise, what happened this month in the archaeological site of Binchester, in the United Kingdom, would not have happened.

According to the British press, the location, called Pompei of the North, has just been bought by a charity fund, for € 2,5 million ($ 7.7 million). Otherwise, it would be sold to those who probably would use for other purposes.

The site includes a Roman Fort with 1,800 years and a bathhouse with walls of 2.1 meters, which was once completely covered with paintings. There are also several artefacts and objects scattered.

Considered one of the most important Roman archaeological sites in the United Kingdom, he was eventually purchased by Auckland Castle Trust. The Fort commanded the main road going to the barracks of the Legion of York to Hadrian's wall.

According to several historians, this fort was one of the key elements of the complex system of existing borders on both sides of the wall and that marked the area further north of the Roman Empire for 400 years.

Originally, the Fort was built with wood, but was quickly renovated with stone, from the moment the infrastructure became permanent.

When the site was put up for sale by the Church Commissioners, which belongs to the Church of England, about 4,000 people signed a petition to stop the process. The idea of the Church passed through Comnissioners divide the site into two, which could destroy. However, this solution makes all parties happy â€" until you see.

"That is great news and we are thrilled that Binchester is now protected for future generations," explained Chris Ferguson, Chief Curator of Auckland Castle.

.fancybox-wrap { position: absolute; top:0; left: 0; z-index: 8020; } .fancybox-skin { position: relative; /*margin-top:20px !important;*/ background: #222222; color: #74b32e; text-shadow: none; -webkit-border-radius: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 2px; border-radius: 2px; } .fancybox-opened { z-index: 8030; } .fancybox-opened .fancybox-skin { -webkit-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); -moz-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); } .fancybox-outer, .fancybox-inner { position: relative; } .fancybox-inner { overflow: hidden; } .fancybox-type-iframe .fancybox-inner { -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch; } .fancybox-close{ background: url('wp-content/themes/codistage/styles/fancybox/exit.png') no-repeat; width:25px; height:25px; float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-right:5px; } /*.ngg-gallery-image img{width:565px; height:393px;}*/

Read More

An Amish community that goes beyond organic farming

"In the second world war, my ancestors were conscientious objectors because they don't believe in fighting," says Samuel Zook, an Amish farmer. "If you really think about it, when we spray our crops with agro-tóxicos is that really what we're doing [the fight]. Is chemical warfare ".

Samuel Zook is part of an Amish community in the u.s. State of Pennsylvania. The Amish are an Anabaptist Christian religious group that is distributed by the United States and Canada. Are known to live in communities and by their conservative mores, as the restricted use of electronic equipment or the clothes they use.

Eight years ago, Zook was about to lose the battle for fungi and pathogens that ate their crops and pesticides appeared to have little or no effect. Disillusioned with the conventional farming methods, Zook searched feverishly for a way to save their crops. Was in a farmer's Amish articles of 18 years from Ohio, called John Kempf, that Zook found the solution you've been looking for.

Kempf is the unlikely founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture, an agricultural consultant established in 2006 to promote intensive organic farming with a scientific basis. The story of Kempf is similar to Zook. A series of crops destroyed took the young, with only the eighth year of schooling, the focus on the sciences. For two years the young studied biology, chemistry and Agronomy in order to save their crops. The solution came from the study of the immune system of the plants, which in the case of healthy specimens, produces a wide range of compounds that are toxic to the invading agents.

"The plant immune response depends on a balanced nutrition, as our own immune system", measuring Kempf to Atlantic. Modern agriculture relies on fertilizers to make plants more resistant but with scant knowledge of the nutritional needs of other bodily functions. Through analysis of the SAP from plants, Kempf has managed to find out shortcomings of certain minerals which can then enter into the soil. Once the plants are able to defend themselves and their immune system is fully functioning, pesticides can be avoided.

The Advancing Eco Agriculture produces then nutritional supplements for the plants in order to increase the health and income without the use of harmful agricultural chemicals. Among the ingredients of supplements are algae, humic substances, minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium â€" which aim to stimulate plant growth and improve soil quality.

It is with these supplements that Zook spent working on plantations, which already do not receive any type of pesticides. "You can do nothing to plantations and receive a certificate of organic farming. By contrast, we focus on restoring the balance found in natural systems, "says Zook. Although it plants of this Amish farmer are not completely free of diseases, crops have been quality and Zook likes the way practice their agriculture.

Foto: Mike O’C / Creative Commons

Read More

CGD promotes Sustainability in the future Conference

Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD) will organise in the next few days 29 and 30 October, a Conference on the theme "Bridges for a more sustainable future", which aims to put civil society and the business world to "talk about Sustainability and act in harmony". The Culturgest in Lisbon, will be the stage of the event, which is part of the BCSD Portugal 2014 annual Conference.

At the Conference are confirmed names like Jo I confine, executive editor of the British newspaper The Guardian; Isabel Jonet, Self-help Association; Paula Viegas, Director of CGD's sustainability; Francisco Viana, director of communications and brand of CDG or Cláudia Coelho, Director of sustainable business solutions of PwC Portugal.

Among the main themes of the program are subject to debate panels schedule for a more sustainable Country, Environmental Reporting and Entrepreneurship and Social Entrepreneurship.

During the Conference will be also presented the results of the annual Carbon Disclosure Project Iberia and awarded prizes to Portuguese companies. The participation is free of charge, subject to prior registration. Registration can be done here and the program can be consulted in detail here.

Read More

The London offices of Google are planted vegetables

Google has made great efforts to make their offices more fun for every employee, but are employees of the London offices who have the best of all.

The space has about 14,864 square meters and is equipped with furniture that was retrofitted to recreate the comforts of a home. On the roof of the ninth floor there is a terrace with garden and small lots that allow employees to grow vegetables and aromatic herbs.

Located in Covent Garden, the new offices have several indoor and outdoor leisure spaces, a gym, a Dance Studio, several cafes and restaurants and lounge areas. All these spaces are associated with a theme and equipped with recycled furniture, resulting in lower costs and reuse materials. In the construction of space were not used any toxic materials and wood used in finishes has a eco-statement, referred to in Inhabitat.

As for allotments which cultivation is necessary to fill in a registration form and wait until some is free, because demand is high, and the officials who neglect their plantations are them removed lots of cultivation.

.fancybox-wrap { position: absolute; top:0; left: 0; z-index: 8020; } .fancybox-skin { position: relative; /*margin-top:20px !important;*/ background: #222222; color: #74b32e; text-shadow: none; -webkit-border-radius: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 2px; border-radius: 2px; } .fancybox-opened { z-index: 8030; } .fancybox-opened .fancybox-skin { -webkit-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); -moz-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); } .fancybox-outer, .fancybox-inner { position: relative; } .fancybox-inner { overflow: hidden; } .fancybox-type-iframe .fancybox-inner { -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch; } .fancybox-close{ background: url('wp-content/themes/codistage/styles/fancybox/exit.png') no-repeat; width:25px; height:25px; float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-right:5px; } /*.ngg-gallery-image img{width:565px; height:393px;}*/

No Related Articles

Read More

New toast of French gastronomy is a species of bird facing extinction

The somber, a rare bird that exists, among other countries, in Portugal, is the new conqueluche of French chefs. According to The New York Times (NYT), the French are to revive the tradition of capturing the bird, sobrealimentá-la in complete darkness for 21 days, drown her with Armagnac, toast it and eat it all at once â€" just with one bite.

According to some gourmet chefs interviewed by NYT, the tradition is complete with the Act of hiding the bird under the dinner napkin. But the tradition isn't what it used to be, conservationists argue, and should stop immediately, under penalty of the rare bird become extinct.

In fact, the bird is protected in the European Union since 1979, although around 30 thousand somber being captured a year in France. The search for this tidbit led to population of the bird, which has only 15 centimeters, falling 40 percent in the last decade.

"The chefs and food lovers who believe they need to kill a bird in danger to keep its interesting gastronomic creations have little creativity," explained the President of Farm Sanctuary, Gene Baur.

The Organization BirdLife Europe has begun a petition to call the Ministry of the Interior to the question of illegal hunting of bleak in France. And, when you think that illegal hunting is an African and Asian phenomenon, it's hard to believe that, in a country with France's past, all just whistle for the side to protect this rare bird.

.fancybox-wrap { position: absolute; top:0; left: 0; z-index: 8020; } .fancybox-skin { position: relative; /*margin-top:20px !important;*/ background: #222222; color: #74b32e; text-shadow: none; -webkit-border-radius: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 2px; border-radius: 2px; } .fancybox-opened { z-index: 8030; } .fancybox-opened .fancybox-skin { -webkit-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); -moz-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); } .fancybox-outer, .fancybox-inner { position: relative; } .fancybox-inner { overflow: hidden; } .fancybox-type-iframe .fancybox-inner { -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch; } .fancybox-close{ background: url('wp-content/themes/codistage/styles/fancybox/exit.png') no-repeat; width:25px; height:25px; float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-right:5px; } /*.ngg-gallery-image img{width:565px; height:393px;}*/

Fotos: Vitalii Khustochka / Åsa Berndtsson / Ron Knight / Andrej Chudý / Biodiversity Heritage Librar

Read More

Korean artist transforms the Crystal Palace of Madrid in Kaleidoscope

The Korean artist Kimsooja media is known for creating installations using the existing architecture, light and sound. In his latest work, entitled "To Breathe: the Mirror Woman", Kimsooja transformed Crystal Palace del Retiro de Madrid in a kaleidoscope, whose visual effect is accompanied by a soundscape created by the artist.

The greenhouse that now hosts the exhibition is usually a collection of exotic plants from the Philippines. Kimsooja turned this space into a sensory experience, covering the Windows of the greenhouse with a translucent diffraction film. This material diffracts more the Sun's rays, which are reflected in the mirrored surface that covers the entire floor, referred to Inhabitat.

Kimsooja presented a similar project at the Venice Biennale, in 2013, which also used translucent film to color the inside of the Korean Pavilion during the event.

.fancybox-wrap { position: absolute; top:0; left: 0; z-index: 8020; } .fancybox-skin { position: relative; /*margin-top:20px !important;*/ background: #222222; color: #74b32e; text-shadow: none; -webkit-border-radius: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 2px; border-radius: 2px; } .fancybox-opened { z-index: 8030; } .fancybox-opened .fancybox-skin { -webkit-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); -moz-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); } .fancybox-outer, .fancybox-inner { position: relative; } .fancybox-inner { overflow: hidden; } .fancybox-type-iframe .fancybox-inner { -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch; } .fancybox-close{ background: url('wp-content/themes/codistage/styles/fancybox/exit.png') no-repeat; width:25px; height:25px; float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-right:5px; } /*.ngg-gallery-image img{width:565px; height:393px;}*/

No Related Articles

Read More

Latvian cyclists show the space that bikes can save on the road

To celebrate the World Day Without Cars last month, a group of Latvian organisation cyclists Let's Bike It disguised their car bikes and took to the streets of Riga. The aim was to show to the users of the rent the space their vehicles occupy on the public highway.

For such structures were built, with colored materials, which were attached to bicycles, transforming them in a vehicle about the size of a normal car, showing drivers how absurd is a single person use road space to move.

Bicycles reduce traffic congestion by reducing the space occupied on public roads but also are environmentally friendly because it does not emit greenhouse gases nor produce noise pollution. Besides, they are a form of physical exercise.

.fancybox-wrap { position: absolute; top:0; left: 0; z-index: 8020; } .fancybox-skin { position: relative; /*margin-top:20px !important;*/ background: #222222; color: #74b32e; text-shadow: none; -webkit-border-radius: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 2px; border-radius: 2px; } .fancybox-opened { z-index: 8030; } .fancybox-opened .fancybox-skin { -webkit-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); -moz-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); } .fancybox-outer, .fancybox-inner { position: relative; } .fancybox-inner { overflow: hidden; } .fancybox-type-iframe .fancybox-inner { -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch; } .fancybox-close{ background: url('wp-content/themes/codistage/styles/fancybox/exit.png') no-repeat; width:25px; height:25px; float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-right:5px; } /*.ngg-gallery-image img{width:565px; height:393px;}*/

No Related Articles

Read More

Old mills of Graciosa Island are used for rural tourism (with video)

In Graciosa, Azores, there are dozens of mills, remnants of the period in which there was a strong agricultural production on the island. Over the years, agriculture was losing power and windmills were left abandoned.

In recent years, there have been some recovery projects of these ancient spaces for rural tourism. The stone mill â€" built in the 1940, like most of the mills on the island â€" is one of the ten buildings were reused.

The space was acquired in 2002 by João Luís Silva, a native of Graciosa. For John, this stone mill is the realization of a project conceived long ago. "I've always liked mills and rustic stuff. A few years ago to work for this mill, "said João Luís Silva to the green economy.

After the purchase, the area went through a period of restoration, where it managed to preserve many of the artifacts that were inside the building at the time of purchase. Were restored utensils and built some pieces of furniture according to the lines of space decoration.

Currently, there are just over 4,000 inhabitants on the island of Graciosa, and 80% of the mill occupation of João Luís Silva is foreign.

For now, the stone mill is a supplementary source of income for João Luís Silva, who is a civil servant. However, in the near future, this Azorean hopes to leave the job to dedicate himself full-time to the project of rural tourism.

Meet the space in episode 317 of the green economy.



Photo: Paulo Vítor Martins/Creative Commons

Read More

Switzerland: reserve surplus animals serves local restaurant

The animals in the Langenberg Wildlife Park, near Zurich, aren't just for views. An investigation revealed that the animals are to serve another purpose â€" are being served on plates in the restaurant of the Park to visitors.

The press Switzerland writes that employees of the recently admitted killing dozens of animals "more" â€" including deer and wild boars â€" to be served in the restaurant, as well as for sale for consumption. "Every year, hundreds of piglets and calves are born. For lack of space, are slaughtered and end up on the plate of the visitors, "says Park spokesman, Martin Kilchenmann, cites the Dodo.

According to the news website Der Landbote, park staff killed and cooked approximately 59 calves and piglets in 2012. Although the origin of the meat served at the restaurant of the Park is indicated in the menu, the information is written in small letters, by that most visitors never see.

The animal reserve spokesman defends the practice as a way to show visitors the "natural cycle". In turn, the animal rights organisations claim that the Park while allowing the deer and boars are reproducing in excess-and serve this "excess" visitors â€" is an attitude "reprehensible".

This case is not unique, since many zoos do not control playback of your animals, which ultimately create an amount of animals that can't handle spaces. The solution is to cull these animals, even if they're perfectly healthy.

Photo: Frank l./Creative Commons

Read More

The Greenland ice sheet is less stable than thought

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a new model that shows that, despite his apparent stability, the massive ice sheet that covers most of Greenland is more sensitive to climate change than estimated earlier studies. If it is true, it could speed up sea level rise, which threatens coastal communities around the world.

In addition to assessing the increasing levels of water created by melting and dumped in the ocean with the heating, the model takes into account also the role that soft and spongy ground beneath the ice layer holds in changing their dynamics.

According to the study, which was published yesterday in Nature, the Greenland ice sheet is the second largest in the world and covers 1.7 million square miles, containing enough ice to raise sea levels by more than seven metres if all melt.

Currently, only with surface melting, the ice loss takes place at an annual rate of 200 gigatons, equivalent to a rise of 0.6 mm annually. Globally, the level rises to 3 mm per year, today's data.

"Be due to seasonal change or climate warming, the layer does not melt like an ice cube," said Marion Bougamont, Polar Research Institute in Cambridge, to Red Orbit. "Instead, there are two sources of loss of ice melt on the surface ice flow himself, and there is a link between these two mechanisms we don't understand fully and that is not taken into account in default templates."

See what the world's most vulnerable cities and its gallery.

.fancybox-wrap { position: absolute; top:0; left: 0; z-index: 8020; } .fancybox-skin { position: relative; /*margin-top:20px !important;*/ background: #222222; color: #74b32e; text-shadow: none; -webkit-border-radius: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 2px; border-radius: 2px; } .fancybox-opened { z-index: 8030; } .fancybox-opened .fancybox-skin { -webkit-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); -moz-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); } .fancybox-outer, .fancybox-inner { position: relative; } .fancybox-inner { overflow: hidden; } .fancybox-type-iframe .fancybox-inner { -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch; } .fancybox-close{ background: url('wp-content/themes/codistage/styles/fancybox/exit.png') no-repeat; width:25px; height:25px; float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-right:5px; } /*.ngg-gallery-image img{width:565px; height:393px;}*/ As cidades mais vulneráveis do mundo 1 of 10 jQuery(document).ready(function($) { var thumbContainerWidth = 0, thumbs = Array(), selectedIndex = 1, thumbIndex = 1, imageOffset = 7; $('.ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box').each(function() { thumbs.push($(this)); }); /*thumbnail navigation */ $('.ngg-greensavers-thumb-next').unbind().bind('click', function(e) { e.preventDefault(); if(thumbIndex <= (thumbs.length-imageOffset)) { $('.ngg-thumbnails-container').stop().animate({ left : -$(thumbs[thumbIndex]).position().left }); thumbIndex++; } }); $('.ngg-greensavers-thumb-prev').unbind().bind('click', function(e) { e.preventDefault(); if(thumbIndex > 1) { $('.ngg-thumbnails-container').stop().animate({ left : $('.ngg-thumbnails-container').position().left + ( $(thumbs[thumbIndex-1]).position().left - $(thumbs[thumbIndex-2]).position().left ) }); thumbIndex--; } }); $(window).load(function() { /* set thumbnail container width */ $('.ngg-gallery-thumbnail').each(function() { thumbContainerWidth = thumbContainerWidth + $(this).width() + 10; }); $('.ngg-thumbnails-container').width(thumbContainerWidth); }); });

Foto: Christine Zenino / Creative Commons

Read More

8 of the smallest villages of Portugal

Are small, almost sensitive, but have an incredible beauty that saves on time and fills them with tourists from time to time. We're talking about some of the smallest villages of Portugal, who were identified in 2012 by Top blog now Rural recovered for you, dear readers.

Explains the blog that these seven locations give us a chance to shut down the city everyday. See if you know any of these villages and also read a brief summary of each.

1. Village of Shame â€" 6 km

Located 325 kilometres from Lisbon and 20 kilometers of São Pedro do Sul, the village of pen is the typical village of shale. Is considered a compulsory passage point for those who love nature due to its location â€" bottom of a valley in the hills of St. Macarius â€" and has only 10 houses and six inhabitants.

Pitchers - 4 people 2.Aldeia

This village, located in Vila Pouca de Aguiar, Trás-os-Montes, counted in 2012 with only four people â€" two elderly couples. It is the second least populated village of all seven we give to know and, among other things, has a magnificent 12-kilometre pedestrian pathway, which stretches over endless landscapes.

3. new village-33 km

With a conventional name and located in the municipality of Almeida in Freixo da Serra, the new village has 33 km â€" almost 75% than in 1900. So, the main production of this village was rye, but the inhabitants were "fleeing" to France as times get harder.

4.Goujoim - 58 people

With only 58 inhabitants, Goujoim is now considered a "Village Museum", for being one of the oldest in Portugal. Located in the municipality of Armamar, district of Viseu. His name should derive from the name Aben or Uvim, and changed throughout history: from Gomjoym to Gojoim and Gojim, until you reach the current designation. In Goujoim lived in the production of olive oil, wine and wheat, rye, and many of these traditions can still be observed.

5.Asnela - 10 inhabitants

For 50 years, the village of Asnela had 250 people, but there is currently no more than ten. One of the attractions of this village transmontada are the granite houses. Known for the self-sufficiency of its inhabitants, who sow potatoes, beans, onions and create animals, Asnela remains separated from the 21st century â€" no bakeries or cafes nearby.

6.Monte high - 70 inhabitants

The village of Monte Alto is the exception that proves the rule of abandonment of these locales, all over Portugal. In 1993, the village possessed 11 inhabitants. Today, she's 70, due to the construction of the social centre of Monte Alto, which reversed the trend of desertification. Located in Mértola, near the border with Spain, the village has cottages for rent, which also contributes to the local economy.

7.Cortecega - 11 inhabitants

The village of Cortecega, near de GOIs, has so much online presence and even videos on YouTube that would be far to guess who has just â€" or had, in 2012-11 inhabitants. This traditional village, like many across the country, is near extinction.

8.Adagoi - 0 inhabitants

Until recently, Adagoi had an inhabitant, which eventually moved to the nearby village to combat loneliness. With plenty of rural accommodation in the vicinity, this village in the municipality of Valpaços, Trás-os-Montes, is a good opportunity for anyone who wants to meet a secular location which is abandoned. Or for those who want to buy and retrieve.

.fancybox-wrap { position: absolute; top:0; left: 0; z-index: 8020; } .fancybox-skin { position: relative; /*margin-top:20px !important;*/ background: #222222; color: #74b32e; text-shadow: none; -webkit-border-radius: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 2px; border-radius: 2px; } .fancybox-opened { z-index: 8030; } .fancybox-opened .fancybox-skin { -webkit-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); -moz-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); } .fancybox-outer, .fancybox-inner { position: relative; } .fancybox-inner { overflow: hidden; } .fancybox-type-iframe .fancybox-inner { -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch; } .fancybox-close{ background: url('wp-content/themes/codistage/styles/fancybox/exit.png') no-repeat; width:25px; height:25px; float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-right:5px; } /*.ngg-gallery-image img{width:565px; height:393px;}*/

Read More

Street performer joins PETA to remember the suffering animals

The New York street artist Dan Witz, a specialist in urban architecture, is putting pieces of bodies of chickens and chickens throughout Greater London. The project is being developed in partnership with the Organization PETA pró-animal and is related to a program against the slaughter of animals, which has the catchy name "Empty the Cages" ["Empty cages" in Portuguese].

"The reputed street performer Dan Witz has created these pieces to connect us to the millions of animals who suffer and die every year to transform into food," explained to PETA.

The project "Empty the Cages" intends to relocate these animals in the eyes of the public and remind Londoners what happens every day in farms and slaughterhouses. "We also want to remind you that your fate is in our hands and we have the power to save them, to choose not to consume their flesh," continued the PETA.

See some of the pieces of Witz and map of their locations. Also record the recent appeal of Morrissey, in its passage through the Coliseu dos Recreios in Lisbon.

.fancybox-wrap { position: absolute; top:0; left: 0; z-index: 8020; } .fancybox-skin { position: relative; /*margin-top:20px !important;*/ background: #222222; color: #74b32e; text-shadow: none; -webkit-border-radius: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 2px; border-radius: 2px; } .fancybox-opened { z-index: 8030; } .fancybox-opened .fancybox-skin { -webkit-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); -moz-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); } .fancybox-outer, .fancybox-inner { position: relative; } .fancybox-inner { overflow: hidden; } .fancybox-type-iframe .fancybox-inner { -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch; } .fancybox-close{ background: url('wp-content/themes/codistage/styles/fancybox/exit.png') no-repeat; width:25px; height:25px; float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-right:5px; } /*.ngg-gallery-image img{width:565px; height:393px;}*/

Read More

Dog saves cat through rare blood transfusion between species

Buttercup, an Orange Cat, arrived last month at Marathon Veterinary Hospital in Florida, between life and death. Blood tests determined that the red blood cell count was too low and the feline would be unlikely to survive without an immediate blood transfusion.

The only problem is that the cat had blood type B, while most cats in the United States have type A blood. "it's pretty hard to get blood type B," said vet of Buttercup, Sean Perry, the Dodo. "Sometimes it is cats with type B blood but the problem is that if we have blood type B to a cat with blood type A, the result is an anaphylactic reaction and death in a few minutes," he explains.

So, with the hope of saving the cat, the vet performed a transfusion with blood from another species â€" with the blood of a donor dog. The blood belonged to a greyhound that was donated to a local blood bank to animals.

"In these cases it is safer to give dog blood of the same type than give different type cat blood. The dog's blood allows the cat to survive some time until you can get suitable blood or the body of the animal start to function normally, "says the vet.

Perry indicates that it is not certain what caused the decrease of red blood cells in Buttercup, but since receiving the transfusion, erythrocytes cat levels returned to normal and the animal is recovering well. The veterinarian indicates that the cat had luck in the transfusion have resulted because the blood exchange between species is effective only once. To receive dog's blood, the Buttercup body created antibodies and if ever receive canine blood your immune system will attack the blood.

Although work only once, the blood transfusion between species does any side effects to the animal receives the blood. Cases like that of Buttercup are the example that like humans, animals must also donate blood whenever possible.

Read More

As green taxation reform benefits future buyers of electric cars and hybrids

Cars with higher emissions of pollutants will be more expensive in 2015, in Portugal, but the call of green taxation reform brings good news for trams and hybrids.

So there will be an increase in vehicle tax (ISV) of the first, while the "green" cars, especially hybrids, see tax rebate increase up to 60%.

But not all hybrids gain, according to the business journal: the plug-in, IE, that carry the batteries connecting to mains, olds get only with a deduction of 25%, when before, there is no differentiation, had 50%.

The State is preparing to invest € 8 million a year in tax incentives for the purchase of electric cars and plug-in hybrids, through new amounts eligible for tax expenditure and autonomous taxation of IRS and IRC.

Meet 11 arguments for buying an electric vehicle.

The scrappage incentive also returns with green taxation, but to get the highest benefit you must buy a tram â€" the incentive could reach € 4,500. The plug-in hybrids will also be covered (maximum of € 3,250 of encouragement), as well as some of the most common models (€ 2,000 incentive) that have reduced emissions of polluting gases.

Finally, the Government provided an alternative for anyone who has an end-of-life vehicle but do not wish to proceed to the purchase of a new one. The solution will pass by the assignment of an allowance for the use of public transport. "It's created an incentive regime and destruction of end-of life vehicles, translated in the allocation of collective public transport vouchers [on the value of money]", reveals the Government

One of the most media-reform proposals of green taxation, recalled, through the inclusion of a €0,08 fee for each plastic bag lightweight, i.e. those that are normally distributed by supermarkets. According to the Government, each Portuguese will reduce your consumption of plastic bags of 466 (number anything exaggeration) to 50 per year.

Read More

Pets are part off the deck in the Ebola outbreak

"Pets are not a significant risk for the Ebola virus in United States", according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Center for disease control and the State Department of agriculture.

According to a statement from the three organizations, cited by The Dodo, the hypothesis of an American contracting Ebola virus through dogs, cats or other animals is very low.

"The risk of an Ebola pandemic affecting many people in the United States is very low. Thus, the risk of a pet being affected is also very low, since he would have to be in contact with blood or bodily fluids of a person with Ebola. Even in areas of Africa where the Ebola virus is present there's been no news of dogs or cats get sick with Ebola, "said the Center for disease control, CDC North.

On the other hand, an act unlikely to a dog or cat find someone with Ebola, it is not clear whether the animal is a risk to humans. A 2005 study, quoted by the Washington Post, found antibodies in dogs gaboneses, after an outbreak of Ebola--that is, the animals were exposed to the disease, but there is no proof that the canines were infected or contagious.

For the pets of employees exposed to Ebola-like for example in the case of Dallas, United States â€" the small animal Veterinary Association advises that they are quarantined, and are not automatically eutanasiados.

Photo: Marina del Castell/Creative Commons

Read More

The rare foray by an icy Cave of volcanic Russia

Very little is known on the Kamchatka peninsula, in Russia, but the photographer Sergey Krasnoshchekov did everything to diminish our thirst for knowledge with their last series of photos that captured the beauty of an ice grotto.

Sergey, of 28 years, waited until the summer to make the expedition the peninsula of us so far off the beaten path, but was concerned at the fact that small parts of the cave, with one kilometre, could collapse.

Still, curiosity got the better of him and Sergey ended up coming home with an unbelievable series of beautiful pictures. "The caves are hard to access and we need special cars to reach the site," explained the Russian photographer.

"I spent a few days near the caves, but didn't stay too long in there. I was afraid that the ceiling colapsasse, once that the cave is very close to an active volcano "continued.

The colors that Sergey found inside the cave are amazing and look like from another world â€" and, in fact, Kamchatka is a new world for Westerners.

The photographer took the expedition to capture some volcanic eruptions in Kamchatka peninsula â€" has more than 100 volcanoes, many of them considered by UNESCO as a world heritage site.

.fancybox-wrap { position: absolute; top:0; left: 0; z-index: 8020; } .fancybox-skin { position: relative; /*margin-top:20px !important;*/ background: #222222; color: #74b32e; text-shadow: none; -webkit-border-radius: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 2px; border-radius: 2px; } .fancybox-opened { z-index: 8030; } .fancybox-opened .fancybox-skin { -webkit-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); -moz-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); } .fancybox-outer, .fancybox-inner { position: relative; } .fancybox-inner { overflow: hidden; } .fancybox-type-iframe .fancybox-inner { -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch; } .fancybox-close{ background: url('wp-content/themes/codistage/styles/fancybox/exit.png') no-repeat; width:25px; height:25px; float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-right:5px; } /*.ngg-gallery-image img{width:565px; height:393px;}*/

Read More

The most creative homes made with Earth

Every year, the Ghana receives a design competition with earth â€" the Mud House Design â€" whose purpose is to design a home for a single family, with a structure that does not exceed the 18 x 18 meters and that doesn't cost more than € 4,700 ($ 14,460) â€" excluding the cost of land.

The contest aims to invigorate the houses of traditional land â€" that are also being rehabilitated in Portugal, as you can see in this video from the green economy-and try to explain to locals what the earth can be an excellent raw material for sustainable architecture and beautiful design.

After several nominations received, the Nka Foundation announced the winners, they can be seen in the gallery below. The first three images represent the top three winners: the Sankofa House, developed by French Studio M.A.M.O.T.H., received the first prize; the Eban Aya by Atelier Koe, of Senegal, the second; and the Ejisu Earth House, Jason Orb-Smith, of the United States, the third.

.fancybox-wrap { position: absolute; top:0; left: 0; z-index: 8020; } .fancybox-skin { position: relative; /*margin-top:20px !important;*/ background: #222222; color: #74b32e; text-shadow: none; -webkit-border-radius: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 2px; border-radius: 2px; } .fancybox-opened { z-index: 8030; } .fancybox-opened .fancybox-skin { -webkit-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); -moz-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); } .fancybox-outer, .fancybox-inner { position: relative; } .fancybox-inner { overflow: hidden; } .fancybox-type-iframe .fancybox-inner { -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch; } .fancybox-close{ background: url('wp-content/themes/codistage/styles/fancybox/exit.png') no-repeat; width:25px; height:25px; float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-right:5px; } /*.ngg-gallery-image img{width:565px; height:393px;}*/

Read More

Dead soldier's bedroom in WWI is intact for 100 years

This little news or anything is related to sustainability, but it's proof that, sometimes, we feel that humanity can really be better one day.

The room of Hubert Rochereau, a French soldier killed during the first world war, remains the same the day that this young man left his home in Belabre, in the Centre of the country, to fight in Belgium, in 1918.

When they received the news of the death of his son, Hubert's parents kept her room untouched, as a tribute to the courage of the son. In 1936, when the House finally sold, they stipulated that the room should not be changed in the next 500 years.

The clause has no legal basis but is being fulfilled by the family Fabre, which occupies the House since the ' 30. "The clause has no legal basis, but we believe that the room should not be changed. If we sell the House, let's find another owner who respect the memory of Hubert Rochereau and keep this museum piece intact, "explained Daniel Fabre, the present owner, the Nouvelle Republique.

The uniform of Hubert, since almost all moth-eaten, still hanging in the closet, and photos of ancestors remain alongside his pack of cigarettes.

Hubert was one of 580,000 soldiers who died on the Western front in the war of 14-18. More than 70 million soldiers were mobilized for the war, which killed about nine million people.

.fancybox-wrap { position: absolute; top:0; left: 0; z-index: 8020; } .fancybox-skin { position: relative; /*margin-top:20px !important;*/ background: #222222; color: #74b32e; text-shadow: none; -webkit-border-radius: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 2px; border-radius: 2px; } .fancybox-opened { z-index: 8030; } .fancybox-opened .fancybox-skin { -webkit-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); -moz-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); } .fancybox-outer, .fancybox-inner { position: relative; } .fancybox-inner { overflow: hidden; } .fancybox-type-iframe .fancybox-inner { -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch; } .fancybox-close{ background: url('wp-content/themes/codistage/styles/fancybox/exit.png') no-repeat; width:25px; height:25px; float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-right:5px; } /*.ngg-gallery-image img{width:565px; height:393px;}*/

Read More

Drugs and prostitution take Italy out of recession

The Italy knew today that it is not in the list of countries in recession, thanks to a change of treatment des data throughout the European Union, which now include illegal economic activities, such as drug trafficking and prostitution, in the GDP calculation.

Adding illegal revenues of prostitution, narcotics, black market cigarettes and alcohol to the third largest economy in Europe, the Italian GDP leapt important. So, instead of GDP have decreased 0.1%, with the recalculation he stalled â€" not up or down, according to the Italian Statistics Institute, which allowed the transalpine country escape the third recession in the last six years.

The same review of the calculations should raise the GDP this year, giving the Government of Matteo Renzi more room to keep the deficit below the European Union limit â€" 3%.

The news could also put on the agenda issues such as the legalization of soft drugs, prostitution or other contentious issues of society â€" many of them, is recognized, entering the territories of citizenship, environment and sustainability. Or this idea will be too utopian?

Foto: Johnny Micheletto / Creative Commons

Read More

Coverage of ice in Antarctica is the largest of the last 40 years

Since 1970 the ice of Antarctica not covered an expanse as large, according to NASA. And although many use this information to deny global warming, the truth is that NASA says that this phenomenon exists â€" exactly â€" due to the planet's climate imbalance.

According to researchers, this gain of ice at the South Pole may have a direct relationship with the temperature increase on Earth, which would have caused the movement of colder air to the region. "Without any geographic barrier to the North, ice can expand freely if show favorable conditions," said Walt Meier, a scientist at NASA.

Another possible cause for the growth of glacial coverage is the low-pressure system from the sea Amundsen, in the Antarctic Ocean, which has been showing changes, leading more wind to the Mainland.

The sustainable planet advances several hypotheses are being raised to explain this new record. What is known so far though is that while the melting in the Arctic keeps growing â€" are lost on average 20 thousand square metres of ice per year, Antarctica gets more coverage.

Read More

The Lisbon stock exchange is the world's sixth most sustainable (with LIST)

Only 129 of 4,069 global listed companies are to publish their most basic information about sustainability, according to the Corporate Knights Canadian Capital consultant. In fact, only 3% of these large corporations put on your website or send to basic data stakeholders on sustainability indicators, linked to the number of employees, energy, greenhouse gas emissions, accident rate, equal wages, waste or water.

The study-open PDF-admits that the number of companies to publish this data grows from year to year but, still, it's "incredibly low". According to the study, more than 60% of large global enterprises â€" and listed-no dilvulga data on the emission of greenhouse gases; three-quarters are not transparent in relation to its water consumption and 88% does not reveal whether you have more or less employees over the previous year.

This lack of data disclosure is so rampant that the number of companies to announce the amount of energy it uses grew 88% from 2008 to 2012 â€" still, from 2011 to 2012 growth was only 5%.

According to the Corporate Knights, the disclosure of these figures is important because there is a correlation between transparency and what companies are doing on the ground. "We know how the reports influence the behavior, so business reforms should encourage behavior that focuses on creating long-term value, in order to achieve financial stability and sustainability," explained to the Guardian Paul Druckman, Chief International Integrated Reporting Council.

In relation to handbags, Helsinki (Finland) leads the ranking of which more information reveals, followed by Amsterdam (Holland) and Johannesburg (South Africa). The Euronext Lisbon, interestingly, is well positioned in the rankings â€" rose from 16th place in 2012 to 14th, in 2013, and is now in 6th place.

On the opposite side of the ranking are the scholarships from Qatar, in 44th place, Kuwait, on 45, and de Lima (station wagon), in 46th and last post.

See the complete rankings, in English.





Foto: Andreas Poike / Creative Commons

Read More

The effect of medicines on biodiversity?

Powerful medicines discharged to the environment through the sewers humans and animals can be a hidden cause of global biodiversity crisis, according to a new study published in the Special Edition of the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society b.

According to the report, the use of medications designed to be biologically active at low concentrations is increasing rapidly, but little is known about its effect on the natural world.

Studies on pharmacological contamination on wildlife are rare, but the new study, published today, reveals that antidepressants reduce feeding of starlings and decimate the population of anti-contraceptivos fish in the Lakes.

"There are thousands of medicines to be used globally and they have the potential of powerful effects wildlife ecosystems. Having regard to the great benefits of these medicines, there is a need for that science considers more faithful the risks that they have on the environment, "explained Kathryn Arnold, University of York.

"Given that the populations of many species that live in environments altered by man are decreasing for reasons we can't explain it completely, we believe that it is time to explore the emerging challenges," continued. And one of those challenges is related to the pollution of medicines.

In recent years were discovered a few examples of wildlife contaminated by drugs, and the Outlook is not rosy: some male fish with female organs due to synthetic hormones used in birth control pills, and vultures, in India, to be decimated by anti-inflammatory medications given to cattle whose carcasses they feed.

On the other hand, intersex frogs have been discovered in Lakes contaminated urban oor wastewater. The most dangerous drugs have been identified in a study of Annette Kuster and Nicole Adler, of the Federal German Environment Agency. "For medicinal products for humans [are] hormones, antibiotics, painkillers, anti-depressants and medicines against cancer", explained. Veterinary products, on the other hand, hormones, antibiotics and antiparasitic.

Foto: LouisvilleUSACE / Creative Commons

Read More

Deforestation in West Africa helped spread Ebola

The Ebola epidemic in West Africa could have been avoided if countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea-Conakry had managed their forests better. In fact, the risk of the disease's growth was expected in a decade, according to The Guardian, which explains why.

In the last decade, tropical forests of this region, the natural habitat of fruit bats, have been devastated: Guinea-Conakry lost 80% of its forests, while Liberia sold the rights of deforestation for half of its forests. On the other hand, Sierra Leone will be completely deforested in the coming years.

It is known that the fruit bat houses the Ebola virus and, when their home â€" the forest â€" is decimated, he focuses on what's left of this habitat. At the same time, the business of mining companies became one of the major employers in the region â€" are mainly people who travel regularly within the territory of the bats to enter the mines. Is made the explosive cocktail for the growth of the disease.

Fruit bats carrying the Ebola virus, but usually don't die from it. That is, the virus can easily have migrated from West Africa to the central part of the continent of same outside the birds spread West Nile virus in North America: through migration.

And although bats have long been in the West African communities, there are other routes of transmission beyond the power of indigenous peoples. According to The Guardian, it is possible that the two-year-old boy infected in Guinea-Conakry, believed to have been the first case of Ebola virus, may have eaten contaminated by fruit bats. This form of transmission justifies the fact that the disease has reached the populations of gorillas.

"There is no public health without environmental health," says the Guardian. "Deforestation did not cause the epidemic of Ebola, but ' built '," concluded the newspaper.

Foto: shellac / Creative Commons

Read More

Artist creates intricate works of art at fallen Cook products

Omid Asadi upped the autumnal tradition of catching leaves of various colors to another level. The artist decided to use fallen leaves to create a clipping intricate art. Using only a box cutter, Asadi uses the leaves that are drooping to the ground as your middle, transforming them into figurative scenes of animals, humans and architectural, giving them a new life.

Asadi likes to see their art as a way of looking at the world differently, repairing the natural beauty that surrounds us in an alternative way. Initially, the artist began collecting leaves when he noticed that everyone walking and pontapeava without noticing its color or beauty, referred to Inhabitots. Their favorite leaves to work are the wild oak, both the beauty and the abundance in your area.

Inspired by the paper cut artists, Asadi decided to put his blade in sheets durable and resistant to collapsing. Although the figures that cut the leaves come all of its imaginary, Asadi also leaves the shape of leaves that is inspire. Here are some of the works of this artist.

.fancybox-wrap { position: absolute; top:0; left: 0; z-index: 8020; } .fancybox-skin { position: relative; /*margin-top:20px !important;*/ background: #222222; color: #74b32e; text-shadow: none; -webkit-border-radius: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 2px; border-radius: 2px; } .fancybox-opened { z-index: 8030; } .fancybox-opened .fancybox-skin { -webkit-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); -moz-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); } .fancybox-outer, .fancybox-inner { position: relative; } .fancybox-inner { overflow: hidden; } .fancybox-type-iframe .fancybox-inner { -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch; } .fancybox-close{ background: url('wp-content/themes/codistage/styles/fancybox/exit.png') no-repeat; width:25px; height:25px; float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-right:5px; } /*.ngg-gallery-image img{width:565px; height:393px;}*/

Read More

Munich wants 100% of clean energy by 2025

Within 11 years, the third German city Munich, wants to stop relying on fossil fuels. The challenge is almost impossible â€" the Stadtwerke München, municipal electricity company, will produce 7.5 billion kilowwats hour of green energy, for a population of more than one million people â€" but the Bavarian town believe there can reach.

Among the various projects already underway to reach the goal highlighted by the installation of a central hidreléctrica installed on the river Isar. The centrla secured energy supply from clean source 4,000 houses in the town. And in Munich Zoo, elephant dung is converted into biofuel.

According to the sustainable planet the Stadtwerke München also has invested in renewable projects in other European countries, as a solar plant in Andalusia, in Spain, and in wind farms in the North Sea, between England and Scandinavia. The electricity produced in these places feed integrated network of Europe. Many companies and local merchants are also doing their part, by opting for clean energy along their electricity companies.

It is true that Germany is one of the most advanced countries in the world when it comes to sustainability initiatives and green technologies, but even this leadership will lead Munich for sustainable energy self-sufficiency by 2025.

Foto: Mihai Dragan / Creative Commons

Read More

The world's scariest steps

If you have dizziness, do not read this article. Some of the main wonders of the Planet are hundreds of meters high, and are likely to be visited from sloping staircases and, sometimes, with few safety conditions.

The Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia, has an inclination of 70% â€" do not seem, admittedly â€" even the most adventurous traveller of the world must have some care to climb the Yosemite National Park in California, United States, with its 400 metres of ascent complicated.

Finally, in Machu Picchu, the tourists have to climb 182 metres of granitic rocks; While to get to top of Florli, in Lysefjord, Norway takes over next steps â€" 4,444, the Monumental Stairs, in Coimbra, are child's play.

1. Devil's Cascade, Ecuador

2.Machu Picchu, Peru

3. Janssen Observatory, France

4. great wall of China, China

5. Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain

6.Escadas Flørli, Norway

7. Time hindu, Malaysia

8. Duomo, Milan, Italy

9. Yosemite National Park, California, United States

10. statue of liberty, New York, United States

11. in Oahu, Hawaii

12. Angkor Wat, Cambodia

.fancybox-wrap { position: absolute; top:0; left: 0; z-index: 8020; } .fancybox-skin { position: relative; /*margin-top:20px !important;*/ background: #222222; color: #74b32e; text-shadow: none; -webkit-border-radius: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 2px; border-radius: 2px; } .fancybox-opened { z-index: 8030; } .fancybox-opened .fancybox-skin { -webkit-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); -moz-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); } .fancybox-outer, .fancybox-inner { position: relative; } .fancybox-inner { overflow: hidden; } .fancybox-type-iframe .fancybox-inner { -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch; } .fancybox-close{ background: url('wp-content/themes/codistage/styles/fancybox/exit.png') no-repeat; width:25px; height:25px; float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-right:5px; } /*.ngg-gallery-image img{width:565px; height:393px;}*/

Read More

Super Typhoon stronger than year comes to the Pacific

While there have been large tropical storm intensity already this year, the super Typhoon Vongfong currently underway in the Pacific, will be the strongest tropical storm recorded since the beginning of 2014.

With gusts to more than 482 km/h sustained winds and the 249km/h, is the most intense storm to rip through the oceans this year. Currently, Vongfong is listed in category 4, but forecasters indicate that can reach the dangerous category 5 in the next few days.

Last year, the super Typhoon Haiyan became one of the most intense tropical storms of the records. Since the beginning of the year already formed five super typhoons, but none with the intensity of Haiyan. When experiencing warmer waters later this week, the storm is expected to increase in intensity, heading to Japan, referred to the Inhabitat.

Last week, Hurricane Phanfone hit Japan, killing 50 people. Although October is hurricane season, in recent years the number and intensity of tropical storms have been increasing, as a result of climate change.

Read More

The abandoned Sanatorium of Covilhã

In 20 years, the multi-faceted Portuguese architect Cottinelli Telmo designed one of the most iconic buildings of this phase of Portuguese life, the Sanatorium of Covilhã. Today, the building is rehabilitated and reopened to the public as a hotel, but Portuguese photographer John Gago photographed it before rehab, a work presented in the gallery below.

The building of Covilhã was one of the first Portuguese sanatoria, 11 a project commissioned by CP to treat his employees who suffered from tuberculosis. The venue has a wide connection to the clean, fresh air, ideal for those who suffered from this disease

Built between 1928 and 1936, the sanatorium was opened several years later, having worked for nearly four decades. After many decades closed, the building reopened this year as a luxury hotel, the result of an investment of close to $ 20 million â€" of sanitarium for railwaymen to a luxury hotel, a twist of fate.

Cottinelli Telmo continued to create buildings that today stand as highpoints of the architecture of a particular city-as the University City of Coimbra or pattern of discovery, for example. His work encompassed an enormous diversity, having still been film director, writer, poet, designer or musician. However, no work will mean something as esoteric as the sanatorium.

A degree in photography and Visual culture from the Instituto de Artes Visuais, Design e Marketing (IADE) in Lisbon, John the Stutterer has collaborated with newspapers and Public Destak and discovered the passion for photography among the Media Sciences studies.

.fancybox-wrap { position: absolute; top:0; left: 0; z-index: 8020; } .fancybox-skin { position: relative; /*margin-top:20px !important;*/ background: #222222; color: #74b32e; text-shadow: none; -webkit-border-radius: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 2px; border-radius: 2px; } .fancybox-opened { z-index: 8030; } .fancybox-opened .fancybox-skin { -webkit-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); -moz-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); } .fancybox-outer, .fancybox-inner { position: relative; } .fancybox-inner { overflow: hidden; } .fancybox-type-iframe .fancybox-inner { -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch; } .fancybox-close{ background: url('wp-content/themes/codistage/styles/fancybox/exit.png') no-repeat; width:25px; height:25px; float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-right:5px; } /*.ngg-gallery-image img{width:565px; height:393px;}*/

Read More

Lamborghini unveils its first hybrid car

In the past, the sports cars were synonymous with speed, luxury and money, but not of sustainability. However, this paradigm is changing and there are many State-of-the-art sports brands that begin to produce more sustainable models.

Now it is time of the Lamborghini reveal their first hybrid car: the Asterion LPI 910-4. The Asterion, presented at the Paris Motor Show 2014, is powered by the new plug-in hybrid system of Lamborghini, which combines a 5.2 liter V10 Engine with three electric motors.

In total there are 910 horsepower and requirements to make the Asterion LPI 910-4 in a top of the range sports car are all there: go to 100 km/h in three seconds, until it reaches a top speed of 320 km/h. The sustainable part lies in the fact that can travel up to 50 km in electric mode, more than most hybrids on the market, such as the Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Honda Accord Energi plug-in Hybrid. In electric mode it is possible to reach speeds of up to 125 km/h.

When Asterion LPI 910-4, Lamborghini showed no production plans, referred to in Inhabitat. But most likely between in production next year.

.fancybox-wrap { position: absolute; top:0; left: 0; z-index: 8020; } .fancybox-skin { position: relative; /*margin-top:20px !important;*/ background: #222222; color: #74b32e; text-shadow: none; -webkit-border-radius: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 2px; border-radius: 2px; } .fancybox-opened { z-index: 8030; } .fancybox-opened .fancybox-skin { -webkit-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); -moz-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); } .fancybox-outer, .fancybox-inner { position: relative; } .fancybox-inner { overflow: hidden; } .fancybox-type-iframe .fancybox-inner { -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch; } .fancybox-close{ background: url('wp-content/themes/codistage/styles/fancybox/exit.png') no-repeat; width:25px; height:25px; float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-right:5px; } /*.ngg-gallery-image img{width:565px; height:393px;}*/

Read More

Former oil Executive confirmed as the new European Commissioner for environment

Not even half a million people who signed a petition against Miguel Arias Canete managed to prevent the Spanish politician was appointed European Commissioner for environment. According to Green, the former Business Executive and shareholders of two Spanish oil companies benefited from a pact between the center-left and right-wing parties, which saw the former Prime Minister of Slovakia, Alenka Bratusek, excluded for the post.

However, and according to the site, the agreement meant that the words "sustainability, climate action and energy" were added to the functions of Frans Timmermans, who was appointed to the post of First Vice-President of the Commission and, in practice, is head of Cañete.

Like Green Savers announced in September, Cañete has shares of Ducor S.L. and Petrologis Canarias S.L. at the date of your last declaration of interests, in 2010. The appointment of the politician, who was Minister of agriculture in Spain, was criticized by several members of the Committee on the environment, including the German Jo Leinen.

More recently, a petition launched on Avaaz tried pressing the European Commission to rename your responsible for Environment folder, without success. "Today, MEPs have betrayed our hopes and put a ' head-to-head ' oil in front of Police European Climate," said Luis Morago, campaigns director of Avaaz. "The leaders of the Socialists and Democrats broke their promises and none heard European voters".

Yesterday, it is recalled, the European Union approved public funding for a nuclear power station at Hinkley Point, United Kingdom, allowing a whole new trend of building this infrastructure with public money.

Photo: José Loaiza / Creative Commons

Read More

Chile: an eco-friendly hotel overlooking the volcanoes

Located in Isla Chiloe, a well-known Chilean Island North of the Patagonia, the hotel Espejo de Luna is of those who do not forget. In addition to its main building, the ecological and the restaurant were dug inside the hull of a ship. According to Inhabitat, the other four structures were built with local materials and designed to stop having a reduced environmental impact.

The complex consists of four wooden cabins of different sizes, as well as a boat-shaped restaurant â€" the one. To keep carbon emissions at low levels, the architects used local wood â€" the restaurant also seeks to use local produce wherever possible, avoiding unnecessary transport. The hotel also has mechanisms for saving water and energy.

The cabins have private bathrooms, kitchens and living rooms, offering breathtaking views of Corcovado Mountain and the volcanoes of Chaitén and Michinmahuida. Visitors can also rent bikes and go for themselves the nature trails.

The Espejo de Luna received sustainable tourism Seal issued by the Government of Chile, in 2013, but the management holds twice-yearly plans for protecting the environment and reducing the carbon footprint of buildings.

.fancybox-wrap { position: absolute; top:0; left: 0; z-index: 8020; } .fancybox-skin { position: relative; /*margin-top:20px !important;*/ background: #222222; color: #74b32e; text-shadow: none; -webkit-border-radius: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 2px; border-radius: 2px; } .fancybox-opened { z-index: 8030; } .fancybox-opened .fancybox-skin { -webkit-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); -moz-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); } .fancybox-outer, .fancybox-inner { position: relative; } .fancybox-inner { overflow: hidden; } .fancybox-type-iframe .fancybox-inner { -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch; } .fancybox-close{ background: url('wp-content/themes/codistage/styles/fancybox/exit.png') no-repeat; width:25px; height:25px; float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-right:5px; } /*.ngg-gallery-image img{width:565px; height:393px;}*/

Read More