University of Lisbon launches inquiry into sustainability and efficient use of resources

The Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa (UL) recently launched a survey to the public about sustainability and efficient use of resources in the European Union. The investigation is part of the study of Opinion, debate and Dissemination "European Union: sustainability and efficient use of resources", an initiative of the European Commission (EC).

The EC initiative integrates the communication plan for the information about the EU in Portugal in the context of the forthcoming elections for the European Parliament. The study, which is being driven by the Faculty of Sciences, focuses on the issues of redevelopment, sustainable development, green economy, energy and sustainability education to the sea.

The aim of the investigation released is "contribute to reflection and scientifically reasoned debate, giving voice to citizens about these themes and the policies of the European Union", reads the online page of the project. Participation in the inquiry can be made here.

In addition to the survey, the study foresees the realization of six debates in five cities of the country â€" Lisboa, Porto, Olhão, Sines and Aveiro. The discussions shall happen between April and September this year.

The study of opinion still has the collaboration of the Institute of social sciences, also from UL, and the Center for research on information technologies to a participatory democracy.

The Faculty of science research institution was chosen by the Jacques Delors European information centre and the Directorate-General for European Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs to conduct the study.

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Start-ups: Financial Times compares Lisbon to San Francisco

Lisbon and San Francisco share many physical attributes: both spread in hills, have a suspended electrical & Red Bridge. Now, the Portuguese capital is adopting the entrepreneurial spirit of the twin city when it comes to becoming a global centre for start-ups.

In an article published yesterday, the Financial Times (FT) writes about the similarities of the two cities and gives examples of young entrepreneurs who launched their start-ups in the Portuguese capital. According to British newspaper, Lisbon is a multicultural city thanks in no small part to the imperial past of Portugal. The FT gives as an example the Mayor of Lisbon, born in Lisbon but with roots in Goa.

In addition to the similarities, the paper highlights the good quality of life, with beaches 10 minutes from the Centre and the cost of living that is "much smaller than in other European capitals". The FT notes that the support for early-stage companies are increasing, supported by funding from private companies and the Government, as well as skilled labour, in particular at the level of engineering, which is formed of the schools of Lisbon.

Foto: gromgull/Creative Commons

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Want to be owner of a Portuguese goat? Know what to do (with video)

Hugo Again, 36 years and graduated in biology and geology â€" and with a postgraduate degree in sustainable agriculture â€" changed the life of professor to fixate, with his wife, in the parish of Sistelo, which belongs to the Peneda-Gerês National Park.

His flock has already 40 females â€" of two Portuguese breeds, the bravia and serrana. "We were already facing the creation of Portuguese breeds, but we started thinking about alternative ways to do it," explained the green economy Hugo again. Thus, the entrepreneur has launched a campaign of crowdfunding named Adopt a goat and Save the Peneda.

With the development and maturation of the idea, Hugo Again took the concept and thought in the creation of a project which responds to the need of local intervention â€" in terms of sustainable management of ecosystem in terms of fire prevention.

Thus was born the 5th logic that, in addition to help prevent fires in this natural park â€" by reducing the Mandal in the forest sub-coberto-also has a component of production of milk and other products derived from goat.

The flock folder among the 12 3:0 pm, in summer â€" and less than half in the winter. "They manage the ecosystem by removing the combustible material in this ecosystem. Thus, he becomes more resilient and resistant to its main threats such as wildfires, "explains Hugo again.

From this moment, the Flock becomes "balancer of biodiversity", in the words of the teacher become pastor. "In one year, our herd of 40 goats removed 20 tons of bushes, transformed them into fertilizer and left this fertilizer to enrich the soil and allow the ecosystem becomes progressively more productive," concluded Hugo again.

The project allows anyone, anywhere to Portugal, to be a shepherd for a day, adopt a goat and follow the herd online. The particular adopter will be the owner of a web community herds. "Here there was vezeiras in which each group of five animals had a different owner. With our scheme, the owner of the animals can live in Lisbon and get his goat in our flock and integrated the environmental service in the Sierra and in the Peneda-Gerês National Park, "he stressed, hoping to reach the 200 goats in the short and medium term.

See the episode 228 of the economy â€" and try to resist the charm of the serrania of Minho.

Foto: horrapics/Creative Commons

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New application allows medical diagnosis via smartphone

The smartphone that you carry in your pocket â€" and that probably uses more like a mini-computer than a phone â€" can become a key element for the future of medicine, thanks to a new application that allows the appliance to be used as a portable medical diagnosis device, making it easy and quick monitoring of medical conditions.

At present, mobile phones are much more than simple communication devices. These, when combined with its integrated camera and a new application, can also turn into systems capable of measuring, analysing and transmitting data, effectively between patients and doctors.

The new application was developed by the University of Cambridge, it's called Colorimetrix and uses the camera of smartphones to analyze with precision color-based medical examinations (colorimetric tests).

These colorimetric tests are used to monitor the urine, saliva or other bodily fluids of a patient in order to detect diseases such as diabetes, kidney diseases and urinary infections.

The weak point of these tests is the colorimetric interpretation, since it can be difficult to read accurately and are prone to false readings, leading to a possibility of incorrect diagnoses and treatment, according to Treehugger.

Also helps animals and monitors the environment

The Colorimetrix application is programmed to do a more accurate reading of these results, because it uses the camera and a data converter testing a numerical value, which can be viewed at ecrán the phone or sent to a health care professional in order to obtain a greater analysis and interpretation,

"The Colorimetrix Test Analyzer is an application that turns any smartphone into a portable spectrophotometer enabling measurement determination of colorimetric test strips or solutions", referred the company to the Treehugger.

This application will be available for Android and iOS platforms and provides accurately report the proteins, pH and glucose, from urine tests, no need to use any other hardware. Can be used to help animals and monitor the environment.

Read more about this application in Green Savers Angola.

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Finland: sustainable home houses three generations

The Finnish architect Tuomas Siitonen designed a cheap and energy-efficient housing, which has the curious to gather three generations under one roof in Helsinki, capital of Finland.

The M-M House is covered in wood and is surrounded by forest. It lives a couple with two children, who commissioned it, and the great-grandmother of the children. The House was built at the bottom of a slope of a granite rock, on land belonging to the grandparents in the family. The village has 100 years.

To strengthen the connection between the two buildings, Siitonen involved the House around a garden where there are Apple trees and other vegetation type common throughout the village. On the other hand, the twisted roof of M-M House also dives into the surroundings, to avoid the obstruction of view.

Great-grandmother's quarters are located on the ground floor, in a small apartment within easy reach. The family lives in the greater area of the apartment, located on the upper level, where large Windows overlooking the treetops allow you an experience similar to a stay in a tree house.

In order to satisfy the wishes of our customers to the "ecological sustainability", Siitonen involved mainly the interior and exterior of the House in madeira, referred to inhabitat. Floor heating and cooling also help eliminate the need of independent radiators and reduce energy costs.

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Atmospheric pollution caused seven million deaths in 2012

Air pollution has caused the death of seven million people in 2012, accounting for one in every eight deaths worldwide. The data are from the most recent report of the World Health Organization (who), which indicates that air pollution has become the "world's largest environmental risk to health".

The deaths are related to prolonged exposure to polluted air, and 3.7 million were caused by contaminated air in enclosed spaces and 4.3 million by air of outdoor spaces.

The data presented in the study reveal a greater link between air pollution and cardiovascular disease, strokes and cancer. Additionally the document emphasises the role of direct influence of pollution on respiratory diseases.

"The risks inherent in air pollution are now much larger than previously thought, in particular with regard to cardiovascular diseases and strokes", indicates the Director of who's Department of public health, Maria Neira. "Few risks have an impact so big in global health today than air pollution. These data indicate that more concerted action is needed to clean the air we all breathe, "stresses.

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Combat the seasonality of the Algarve with hiking in the Sierra (with video)

It's been a long time since the senior tour in Northern Europe is in Portugal, a safe haven, but there are always new ideas and services available to this audience with high purchasing power. As the walks on the via algarviana, a journey of 300 miles between Alcoutim and Cape St. Vincent.

"They are hiking, with periods of a week or a fortnight," he explained to the green economy, Minister John of nature tourism consultant ProActiveTur.

"We made the trip and we prepare the complete plan. People are walking on the via algarviana and staying in various places. We have a network of local partners, in the villages, with whom we have worked for some time, "continued the charge.

One of them is the House of rural tourism in Salir, who can, through this service, counter the Portuguese interior crisis â€" and the seasonality of the Algarve. "They seek peace and ask for traditional foods. After strolling around, go to the Rocha da Pena ", said Ritesh Valerius, owner of MOM's House.

Are these tourists, seeking calm and relaxation of Algarve, which combat the seasonality of the economy of the region. And their abandonment. For those who prefer the coast, there are also specific pathways for birdwatching, as you can see in episode 227 of the green economy.

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