Global certification of sugar more slowly than anticipated

Sugar plantations grew globally from 19 million hectares in 2000 to nearly 24 million hectares in 2010 â€" the same number of palm oil and coconut together â€" and the expansion is expected to continue to grow as the demand for food and confection sugar ethanol persists.

In recent years, organizations such as Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and IFOAM Organic have been trying to enverdecer this industry, but the efforts have been in vain. In 2008, the Bonsucro â€" former Better Sugarcane Initiative, a program developed in partnership with the WWF â€" tried to get sugar certificate to a global market, but all initial projections have been flouted.

Today, approximately 3.66% of the entire global sugar is certified. However, in 2012, the former CEO of Bonsucro, Nick Goodall, promised to reach 5% in two years â€" what didn't happen. With numbers revised downwards, the prospects to reach the 20% until 2017 are nonexistent.

The Bonsucro included companies such as Coca Cola, Ferrero or pertolíferas such as BP and Shell, but there are other rocks in my shoes of the organization. The Tate Lyle & resigned from the partnership earlier this year, after allegations that they have suitable land in Cambodia.

"The standard of the Bonsucro takes into account the social and environmental impact. Farmers, Millers, brands, NGOs came together and said: we need to do something. They want a standard that could change the industry, "explained the CEO of Bonsucro, Natasha Schwarzbach, the Guardian.

One of the founding members of the Coalition, Bacardi, pledged to buy 100% sustainable sugar until 2022. Two other brands, Ferrero and Coca-Cola want to anticipate this date in two years.

However, this will not be easy. The sugar is planted in 102 countries, but the Bonsucro just got certified factories in two of them, Brazil and Australia. There are six priority countries: Thailand, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Mexico, Fiji. Central America is one of the priorities of the Coalition, according to Schwarzbach, which admits has a long road ahead of you.

Foto: Jenny Mealing / Creative Commons

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Fish with 140 million years ago on the brink of extinction

The Chinese sturgeon, one of the oldest living things on Earth, are facing extinction due to pollution of the Yangtze River. The Chinese sturgeon is considered a "national treasure" in China, but even that didn't save a disappearance announced, due to the pollution, overfishing and habitat loss for the construction of dams.

In 2013, according to the Chinese Academy of fishery Science, there was no natural reproduction of Chinese sturgeon for the first time in 32 years that scientists monitor this species.

"The fact that there is no natural reproduction means that the Chinese sturgeon can not expand their population and, without protection, may be on the brink of extinction," said Wei Qiwie, a researcher of the Academy.

Currently there are only 100 Chinese sturgeon in their habitat. And this is not the only species to lose biodiversity in the Yangtze River: the population of dolphins 99.4% decreased between 1980 and 2006; and the Alligator population fell 97 percent from 1995 to 2010, according to AFP.

Over the past 50 years, according to the WWF (World Wildlife Fund), the level of pollution grew 73% on the Yangtze River, mainly due to industrial, agricultural waste and sewage discharged into the water.

The exorbitant amount of polluters led to eutrophication, a process in which the excess of nutrients creates a low oxygen condition, making it almost impossible for life to all species.

The Chinese sturgeon is considered a living fossil â€" have been contemporaries of the dinosaurs, there are 140 million years.

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Flavors market received 20 thousand people

About 20 thousand people passed this weekend by Meo Arena in Lisbon, to taste the gastronomic market portugality Flavors, according to the Continent, organizer of the event.

The market of flavors was attended by the chefs Just Noble, Henrique Sá Pessoa, Kiko Martins, Luís Baena and Hélio Loureiro and was inspired by the "street food, street food. In addition to wine tasting and olive oil, the site featured a restoration zones, workshops of soft eggs and cheese production, showcookings, showcases and regional products stalls for tastings of the best makes in Portuguese cuisine.

The event was attended by 68 national producers from Mainland Producers, from four regions of Portugal â€" North, Centre and Vale do Tejo, South and Islands.

The Mainland Producers Club gathers 267 members that correspond to more than 4,000 individual producers and about 12,800 jobs, distributed from North to South, Azores and Madeira. Since 1998, the Producers Club has already bought more than 1 million tons to the national production, which go beyond the billion euros.

More than eight tonnes of fruit and vegetables, wine bottles and 210 were sampled more than 1,000 bottles of wine producers from Mainland Producers Club, in tasting.

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Allow renewable energy self-sufficiency the Quintinha de Monserrate, Sintra (with video)

Since July the Quintinha de Monserrate, a pedagogical farm situated less than three miles from the historic centre of Sintra, is more sustainable. The Farm off the net is what you might call a green project-inside-of-another-Green project and gives the Monserrate a first approach to the concept of green economy.

"The farm is a place where we privilege all contact with the rural surroundings and traditions, particularly in this region country. We want to make known to all the people on Earth and the animals, "he explained to the green economy Susana Morales, the Sintra Parks.

To enverdecer the project was created the Farm outside the network, generating electricity of renewable origin for self-consumption. "In the Sierra de Sintra can harness wind power, hydro and solar power. This project allows us to be self-sufficient. We're not dependent on the public network for what we need in terms of energy consumption, "explained Green Savers Susana Morales.

This structure does not require a cumbersome licensing process, unlike other renewable energy solutions. "It's within reach of all [implement this system]. Just have the will and effort to want to change something, "explains Nuno Oliveira, the Sintra Parks.

And money, we've added. The Sintra Parks invested € 60,000 in small farm outside the network, distributed between a wind turbine â€" wind energy â€" a hydro turbine-hydro energy â€" and a set PV-solar power. All are connected to a central, as you can see in episode 301 of the green economy.

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The Japanese Government wants to reactivate nuclear facilities by the end of the year

The Japanese Government received the green light to nuclear power regulators to end the period "nuclear zero" which was enacted following the radioactive disaster occurred in central Fukushima Prefecture, in 2011. The objectives of the Government led by Shinzo Abe are now for two reactors Sendai Center into operation before the end of 2014.

However, the regulator has indicated that for the reentrem reactors into operation it is necessary that the operator can convince local population Center that the resumption of nuclear production is safe. But the task won't be easy, since the Japanese public opinion is now aware of the dangers inherent to nuclear energy and stands strongly against reactivation of reactors from various country's core.

Although the Government aims to pass by the reactivation of the reactors before the end of the year, this will be unlikely. The Kyushu Electric Power, the company that operates the Sendai plant, still lacks to complete some legal and security with the nuclear regulator, referred to Inhabitat.

Sendai Center was the first to submit to the Governor the new additional measures of security, which aim to reduce the impact of earthquakes and tsunamis in reactors. In total, has been asked to reactivation of 20 nuclear reactors in 10 distinct plants.

Foto: Greenpeace Australia Pacific / Creative Commons

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The Blue Lagoon geothermal with regenerative powers

The Iceland is a fascinating country in many respects and its blue lagoon with regenerative powers is no exception. The name derives from the amazing blue color which features and the waters that feed comes from runoff of a geothermal plant located nearby.

These waters have regenerative characteristics and function as a kind of Spa, with temperatures between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius throughout the year, attracting millions of people annually, referred to Inhabitat.

The bright blue of the lagoon is due to high concentrations of silica, minerals and algae. Although the water itself is a milky white shade, sunlight reflects silica and algae add a bit of Green pigment. In the end, the result is a luminous blue.

Although the other geothermal lagoons of Iceland are also rich in minerals, only the ratio of minerals found in the Blue Lagoon has regenerative characteristics, ideal for people with skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis.

In the background the lagoon there is a geothermal plant. By taking advantage of this type of energy to generate electricity, the Iceland managed to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. In 2011, about 66% of the energy produced in Iceland came from geothermal resources.

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The Museum of Paris that was swallowed by vegetation

Visit the Eiffel Tower is mandatory for who goes to Paris, then a spell at Museé du Quai Branly-the Museum of Arts and civilizations of Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas â€" which until it's close, can be an inspiration for high architectural template.

Designed by Jean Nouvel with the endorsement of the former French President, Jacques Chirac, the Museé du Quai Branly has on its impressive green coverage to your architectural added value. Its facade is completely covered with a green wall of 12.1 meters and 198 meters in length, which serves as natural insulation and improves air quality.

The green wall is designed by Gilles Clément and Patrick Blanc â€" is one of the most famous works of Blanc, passionate about biodiversity. To enter the Museum, visitors have to go through a long sequence of paths in maze, secret gardens and trees.

The Museum is a true oasis in the city, and its gardens and relaxing green spaces are much used by tourists to catch up on your reading or simply rest your feet. If you don't know the location, here are some of its spaces.

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