Deforestation of the rain forest has increased 9% in 2013

The rate of deforestation of the Rainforest, a tropical forest biome that every Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, returned to rise in 2013, standing now at 9%. As well, and between 201 and 2013, were lost 23,948 hectares, i.e. 239 square kilometres in 17 Brazilian States of the Atlantic forest. The previous year, this figure stood at 21,977 hectares.

According to the new edition of Atlas of Atlantic forest remnants, there are now 12.5 percent of the 1.3 million square kilometres of the original Woods, which began to be deforested from Portuguese colonization and, above all, in the 20th century. Everything that has already been lost, explains the atlas, is equivalent to 12 area cities of São Paulo, Brazil.

Since the early 2000 that the rate of deforestation had been going down. On the one hand, and the States of Sao Paulo and Rio already have little to withdraw; on the other hand, increased supervision and entered into force the law of Mata Atlântica, which increased the protection on the biome.

In the last three years, however, the indexes began to rise. In the period from 2011 to 2012 had already been an increase of 29% over the period to 2010 and 2011. "After the drastic reduction, we thought there would be no more increases. It's not what's happening and we are worried, "said Marcia Hirota, Executive Director of SOS Mata Atlântica.

Photo: Glauco Umbelino/Creative Commons

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Wi-fi comes to European planes by the end of 2016

If we know for some time knows that we believe that technology and innovation are important in the dissemination of sustainable practices, functioning as a strong ally of change of behavior.

So this news is positive for all Europeans, especially those who spend a lot of time traveling: two satellite operators â€" Inmarsat and the British Greek Hellas-Sat-are working to make access and wireless networking-wi-fi â€" on European planes. The two will work with the French-Italian firm Thales Alenia Space to provide wireless services on European flights by the end of 2016.

The project is expected to cost between € 150 and the €184 and follows the path of partnership between the Gogo and AT&T, who have installed successfully, wireless connections at American Airlines. Half of this amount will be used to launch a new satellite, called Europasat, which will help to convey the wi-fi for the planes.

Several airlines already have shown interest in the service, being that the negotiating process will be earlier with British Airways (BA). Thus, the BA may soon make wireless connections in domestic flights.

In the United States, a wireless connection on the plane costs €3,6 (£ 11.4) per hour. A 12:0 am card, on the other hand, cost €12,3 ($ 38).

Finally, the Inmarsat will build a network of 300 land stations in 28 European countries, over the next six years, using 4 g technology. In this way, the internet used on each flight will be as fast and reliable as the one we currently have in place.

Foto:  epSos.de / Creative Commons

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Brand glasses Donates 100% of the profits to animal causes

The Fetch Eyewear, glasses, mark Donates 100% of the profits to causes involving the rescue of animals, being the first brand to channel all the profits to promote animal welfare.

The brand was founded in 2004 by designer Anne Sacks, calling themselves so Amy Sacks Eyewear, with the purpose of offering an alternative to glasses of big brands, who practiced high prices. However, this quickly gave designer for you to mix their products with the passion for animal rescue.

In 2012, the brand was declared with Fetch Eyeware and works now as a source of funding for the Pixie Project, a local animal rescue Association who works with American kennels to find permanent homes for dogs and cats.

The Fetch describes itself as "a small company with a big vision," with 100% of the profits obtained the reverse for the Pixie Project. Glasses frames created by Anne Sacks follow the same spirit: most are manufactured from high-quality cellulose acetate, a plastic produced from organic material, which is an alternative to plastic produced from oil.

The brand offers a range of finished products by hand to lower prices when compared with the average practiced by the market. "We believe that when buying a pair of glasses the buyer must feel good, look good and do good, and part of it is not to pay too much for frames," says Kristen Flemington, Creative Director of Fetch, cites the Ecouterre.

"Once the Fetch does not work in traditional optical market, which is mostly controlled by major brands which charge obscene amounts, we allow consumers to save," says Creative Director. Additionally, the brand still allows customers to experience up to six different frames at home for a week, and offers a lifetime warranty which covers replacement of parts of the frame or repairs.

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Trees of public interest are unprotected from 2012

Two years ago the law on monumental trees of Portugal was abrogated and therefore is waiting to be regulated, reports yesterday the newspaper Público. The law, originally passed in 1938 was revoked in 2012, but are yet to define what criteria of classification or sanctions to be applied.

So, the trees of public interest are unprotected: an intervention without monitoring may affect the health and longevity of a sorted tree, as well as its stability.

"There are at least a few dozen trees per sort right now," says Miguel Rodrigues. "In recent years, although there are more and more people attentive to these trees, we saw that there is less interest of central services and forestry services for this subject," explained the charge to the public.

To draw public attention to the problem, the Trees of Portugal, with other associations, launched an online petition.Take care this rich natural heritage is, in our opinion, more than a legislative imperative a moral obligation, in order to preserve the memory of the past and ensure their future, "reads the petition.

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Namibia, one of the most beautiful places in the world

Our environmental Day couldn't end without a more direct reference to the event. And do it the best way we can, namely through photographs. This time, we traveled to one of the most beautiful countries in Africa, Namibia, in search of their mountains and endless coast.

Regarded by many as the emerging tourist destination of the year, Namibia is not only one of the quietest places and Africa insurance but also one of the most diverse. The country has one of the lowest population densities in the world â€" 2.1 million people to 825,615 square kilometres-but you have to keep attention: tourism will grow 9.1% over the next ten years, and the Government has to consider not only the positive aspects of this phenomenon, but also the challenges that he adds.

The photos in our gallery are by Paul Goldstein, who termed the northern Namibia as an "empty calm". See the wonders of this country.

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The company that fights for the native Portuguese plants (with video)

Launched in Instituto Superior de Agronomia by Filipe Soares, Sigmetum is dedicated to the study, experimentation, production and commercialization of indigenous plants in Portugal. This landscape architect, passionate about botany, wants to not only develop a business but also foster the natural Portuguese heritage.

"The idea is to produce species of native flora and spontaneous of Portugal, by collecting seeds in the landscape," said Filipe Soares to the green economy.

In Sigmetum, which has its own nursery on Tapada da Ajuda, field work is essential, and each plant Gets a kind of identity card. Who knows where the seed was collected, for which the species is identified later.

After collected the seeds, there is a procedure for cleaning and separation that should be respected: many are stored, other placed in trays or cells, to produce new plants.

Depending on the species concerned, this whole process can last more than a year. But demand has increased. "We have the private client, you want to reconvert your space and garden and reduce maintenance costs. We also have the little nursery gardeners and the specific projects in which there are orders for the collection of seeds in a particular location, "said Filipe Soares.

One of the major objectives of Sigmetum is to save on the costs of maintenance of green spaces. "There is an attempt of the habituation of own plants to less water consumption," concluded the Manager.

See the episode 263 of the green economy.

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CGD has reduced electricity consumption in 22% over the last seven years

In 2013, the Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD) has reduced electricity consumption by 3% over the previous year, 2012, and in 22% compared to 2006, equivalent to an annual consumption of 5,540 households, the company announced in a statement.

Leveraging the world environment day, which is celebrated today, to present some of the environmental performance indicators, the CGD announced a reduction of 7%, in the face of 2012, water consumption, and 15% from 2011 â€" equivalent to the consumption of about 73 000 ten-minute showers.

"Optimization of resources and combating waste [originated] a 44% reduction in the consumption of envelopes, in the face of 2012, what takes place in [bet] and development of digital communication," explains the CGD said in a statement.

On the other hand, all paper consumed in the premises of CGD is Portuguese and is certified. "[It] ensures that source forests are managed in a sustainable manner, respecting rigorous and internationally established criteria".

The box further explained that already achieved and surpassed some of the environmental targets set for 2015. Thus, reduced by 15% global carbon emissions per employee and in 4% reduced power consumption on the premises â€" except in the data center â€" per collaborator.

"All measures of environmental efficiency which since 2006 have been developed are, now, in the implementation of an environmental management system, being the first Portuguese institution to do so," concluded the comp any.

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