New portal utilizes Google Maps to locate the deforestation

The Global Forest Watch is a portal that gathers information about the forest cover of the planet and allows users to view, almost in real time, the areas that have lost or gained forest, through data collected by satellite, crowdsourcing and open data.

The interactive map was organized by the World Resources Institute (WRI), who collaborated with Google Maps and more than 40 organizations for the development of the project. Through the Global Forest Watch any user can gain access to the database on the loss and gain of forest cover between 2000 and 2013. The data are updated with a monthly periodicity, the sustainable planet.

The application allows the user to analyze data from all locations on the planet and calculate the estimate of reforestation or deforestation of certain area. The portal also allows the download of data so that they can be used for other initiatives or scientific purposes. In the future, the WRI intends that the system permits the insertion of another type of information which may be created new maps.

The map is especially harmful for the Portuguese and Spanish forest â€" the literal North Portuguese and Northern Spain have been severely affected by the loss of forests, as you can see here.

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Eco-Cooler: heat released by ships ' engines exhaust will feed refrigerating plants

The project Eco-Cooler plan to reuse the heat released by the exhaust of the engines of ships and convert it into energy to feed the refrigerating plants of holds of fishing vessels. The project, managed by the sea economy business forum, was developed in partnership with the shipyard Nautiber, financial consultant Linear momentum and the INOVA Research Center â€" and has already been approved.

The Eco-Cooler arises from a pilot action which was adopted by the program and PROMAR, by reusing the heat, allow possible reducing energy consumption of the cooling system.

With the development of the prototype, the Consortium hopes, as stated in a statement, "contribute to increased profitability through the implementation of innovative technologies without increasing catch capacity, the improvement of safety at work on Board of vessels, a major contribution to energy efficiency, savings in the consumption of fossil fuels, reducing imports and increased exports of Portugal".

Once the shipyard where it will be implemented the project in Vila Real de Santo António, the Consortium hopes to have the Spanish fishing fleet as a client of this installation, thus contributing to national exports of technology.

Foto: marcusrg/Creative Commons

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United Kingdom: full revealed prehistoric forests

The intensity of the storms that, since November, ravage the British territory, is to reveal numerous prehistoric forests submerged so far, according to The Telegraph.

The forests are along the coast of Cornwall and Wales and are being identified for the first time in 40 years. One of the most impressive is located in Mount Bay, Cornwall, and consists of pieces between three and five meters of old oak, pine and beech. Until now, these were preserved by the sand.

It's been a long time since scientists know of the existence of these forests, but just now the geologists will be able to use radiocarbon dating to realize your age and realize when they stayed submerged-it is estimated that the phenomenon has occurred there are 4,000 to 6,000 years and No 12 thousand years ago, as previously thought.

At this time, British communities were slowly abandon the lifestyles of hunter-gatherer for agriculture.

"The storms revealed pieces of pine and oak trees between two to five meters, as well as remains of bushes with acorns and hazelnuts well preserved. These forests have grown four or five thousand years ago, when the climate was slightly hotter than nowadays, "said Frankie Howie, responsible for Geoconservation Group and leader of the wild life Department of Cornwall.

In the coming months, the forests should be submerged again.

Foto: Keith Morris/Wales Online

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Spanish veterinary denounces trafficking of orangutans for prostitution

The prostitution of orangutans is a common practice in some Asian countries, being that many of these animals are enclosed and suffer continual sexual abuse of several people, according to the Spanish veterinary Karmele Llano, who works at the Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS).

Llano, which for eight years has denounced the abuses suffered in Borneo, an orangutan of 12 years, called Pony, says the prostitution of orangutans is common in places with Thailand, for example.

"The case of Pony is not isolated. We know that in Thailand it is common to see brothels to use orangutan females as sexual fun for customers, "explained Llano Taringa magazine.

In agreement with the Orangutan Conservancy Association, there are only 20 thousand orangutans in the world. The NGO explains that they can extinguish in just 10 years, cases continue to occur cases like these â€" or, for example, boxing fights between these animals.

In the case of Pony, she was discovered completely shaved, perfumed and with painted lips. The animal was chained to a bed, so that customers of the brothel, in the village of Keremgpangi, could take advantage of her â€" according to Llano, these are mainly employees of the timber industry and palm oil extraction.

However, these cases do not occur only in Asia. Second report the La Gaceta, such practices are also applicants in countries where the legislation on protection of the rights of animals is non-existent. Including in Europe.

According to the Spanish diariomascota, in Germany the non-inclusive of legislation as illegal the practice of sex with animals. There are, therefore, small brothels, mostly illegal immigrants, who are dedicated to this kind of customers with zoófilas slopes

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Algarve: project unites the memory of older craftsmen to the creativity of the newest (with video)

The Algarve is a region of contrasts. Considered one of the most beautiful areas of Europe, with its beaches, the Algarve is also a region with seasonal employment, uncertain, and high migratory flows.

The lack of employment for young people is one of the major gaps in the region, and it is to be combated, among others, with projects like the TASA (Ancestral Techniques current solutions). The project has as its backdrop the handicrafts and seeks to combine the algarvian tradition to local artisans.

"The project was designed to prove that the crafts can be an activity with a future. And for young people, because without them you cannot maintain this activity, "explained to Alice Green Economy Pisco, of coordination and Regional Development of the Algarve (CCDR), which launched the project in 2010.

One of the major gains of the project passes through contemporary approach appended to these regional crafts products, which was considered essential for its affirmation in the national and international markets.

Today, the TASA is pivoted by ProActive Tur, a tourism company responsible by virtue of the decision of the 10 initial network artisans to continue to work on the project. Between the ages of 30 and 60 years, these craftsmen have created 30 new products â€" Cork, linen, palm leaves, clay and wood are some of the most commonly used raw materials.

The project relies on memory of older and newer ' creativity, reinventing a lost art. "The TASA joined different arts. We have various products worked by two craftsmen together. Other decisions of the project was selling artifacts, i.e. utilities don't have articles purely decorative, "concluded Alice Pisco.

The connection between the ten craftsmen is made by designer Joana Cabrita Malik, born in Faro. "There is a very large proximity among all, and although some have a certain age, all have opening to welcome me and talk openly about new ideas. And they excite easily with the new products, "explained the designer the green economy.

The project, which has already been subject of reportage in Green Savers in January, is being developed and coordinated in Loulé. See the episode 209 of the green economy.

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Bhutan wants 100% of electric mobility in the medium term

Trapped between China, India, Bangladesh and Myanmar, Bhutan achieved fame a few years back, when popularized the concept of gross national happiness. Now, the country is again in the spotlight, as it intends to change all their cars for environmentally friendly vehicles and powered by electricity.

The plan was announced on Thursday by Tshering Tobgay, Bhutan's Prime Minister, and Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan Renault, and predicts that the Nissan Leaf take their entire fleet of taxis and official state capital and largest city, Thimphu (pictured).

The partnership provides for the assessment of what are the best places to install supply networks in the country and, in the medium term, the end of the sales tax and import taxes of green vehicles, to stimulate the transition among the population.

According to data from the World Bank in 2009 Bhutan had 46 passenger cars per 1,000 people, which means your 742 thousand citizens have about 34 thousand cars. These numbers may seem irrelevant to the global market for green cars, but the truth is that Bhutan can become a global example. And hopes to profit from it.

According to the sustainable planet, with this measure, the Government hopes to save the Country's money, in the long run, since it will no longer be necessary to import petroleum-derived fuel to supply the fleet of cars. Today, the biggest source of income from Bhutan comes from selling electricity, or to be more specific, the energy produced by its biggest dam, Chhukha Hydel.

Almost all the hydroelectricity produced there is sold to its richest neighbor, India. And almost all the money is used to pay for the import of petrol.

Foto: hktang/Creative Commons

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Germany: coal dependency threatens entire cities

Last year, the renewable sources reached the 25% of the total power capacity in Germany. Still, the country still relies heavily on coal mining: the use of this energy reached the highest values of the last 20 years, referred to the Inhabitat.

Although it is considered one of the most progressive countries in the world in terms of clean energy production, Germany relies heavily on coal. Thus, various towns that date back to the middle ages will have to be transferred to other locations for mining companies can exploit.

The small town of Atterwasch, in the area of Brandenburg, will be relocated, as well as the village of Proschim â€" with 700 years. Also a church of Magdeborn will be changed to local.

Germany last year exported more energy than it imported, something that could be attributed to the increase of the quantity of energy produced in coal and anthracite. Even though the country set a goal to eliminate its reliance on fossil fuels until 2050, carbon emissions continue to increase despite the development of industries of solar and wind energy.

Some experts believe that this situation can be explained by the low prices of carbon dioxide allowances in the EU emissions trading scheme. The imposition of stricter rules on carbon polluters at European level may be the only solution to the current energy problem that threatens Germany.

Foto: Bert Kaufmann/Creative Commons

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