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Green Energy Renewable Solutions Steps Back from Puerto Rico Transaction

Posted by admin on May 2nd, 2013

DETROIT–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Green Energy Renewable Solutions, Inc. (OTCQB: EWRL) (“Green Energy”)
announced today that the Officers and Directors of Green Energy have
made the decision to step back from the proposed landfill and renewable
energy project in Puerto Rico due to lack of funding.

The Company stated that it had received commitments for funding that
were expected to close in 2012 for this project, but due to failure of
sources to meet the funding commitments and lack of success in obtaining
alternative funding in a timely manner, it would table pursuit of this
venture for the time being.

Joseph DuRant, CEO of Green Energy, stated, “We are very disappointed
that what we thought were solid funding commitments were not
consummated. This left us in a very difficult position as we had already
made material commitments to other projects. We feel it is the best
decision to table the Puerto Rico project for the present time, and we
will focus our efforts on developing our other projects which have a
higher probability of success with a shorter timeline to activate. We
hope to revisit opportunities in the Puerto Rico market in the future
and continue to believe this area has great potential. We are working
diligently to bring a number of exciting projects online in the coming
months and are confident that our business model will bring success to
our company.”

About Green Energy Renewable Solutions

Green Energy Renewable Solutions, Inc. is a developer and operator of
municipal solid waste and construction and demolition waste processing
and recycling facilities. The Company operates with long-term supply
agreements to process waste materials into valuable recyclables and
reduce waste volume going into landfills by up to 85%. Green Energy
Renewable Solutions has developed a strategic plan to create sustainable
renewable energy with waste-to-energy power plants and the production of
waste derived fuels.

Business Wire Environment News

March of the beekeepers: Govt urged to back pesticide restrictions

Posted by admin on April 26th, 2013

26 April 2013

The Government must take urgent action to protect declining bee populations by supporting European Commission proposals next Monday (29 April 2013) to restrict the use of pesticides linked to bee decline, Friends of the Earth said today (Friday 25 April 2013).

Later today (Friday 25 April 2013) Friends of the Earth will join other organisations in a rally calling on the UK Government to support restrictions on three neonicotinoid insecticides. The March of the Beekeepers in Parliament Square (11am-12-30pm) is supported by Avaaz, Buglife, ClientEarth, Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, Pesticide Action Network (PAN UK), RSPB, Soil Association, 38Degrees and The Wildlife Trusts.

Friends of the Earth’s Head of Campaigns Andrew Pendleton said:

“Ministers can’t ignore the growing scientific evidence linking neonicotinoid insecticides to bee decline. Their claims to be concerned about bee health will ring hollow if they fail to back European moves to restrict the use of these chemicals.

“An ever-growing number of the UK’s leading retailers and manufacturers are recognising the threat these products pose by removing them from their shelves and supply chains – the Government must now act.

“If we lose our bees and other vital pollinators it will have a devastating impact on our food, gardens and environment. We urgently need tougher pesticide restrictions and a British Bee Action Plan to tackle all the threats they face.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. The March of Beekeepers will feature British beekeepers, food producers, gardeners, florists, artists, celebrities and concerned individuals.

Event details: 11am -12.30pm, Friday 26th April 2013. North East corner of Parliament Square, Westminster, London

2. Images will be available from [email protected] 020 7566 1675 from 12.30pm on Friday.

3. Member States are due to vote on a European Commission on Monday (29 April 2013) to restrict the use of neonicotinoid insecticides. The move follows a report by the European Food Safety Authority earlier this year linking three neonicotinoid insecticides to bee decline.

4. Last month a cross party committee of MPs (Environment Audit Committee) unanimously urged the Government to restrict the use on neonicotinoids.

5. Leading home and garden retailers have removed products containing the three neonicotinoid insecticides from their shelves following a campaign by Friends of the Earth’s Bee Cause campaign. Stores that have taken action include:

• B&Q (321 UK stores)

• Wilkinson (372)

• Homebase (340 in the UK and Ireland)

• Wickes (200+)

• The Garden Centre group (129)

• Dobbies garden centres (32)

• Klondyke garden centres (24)

• Notcutts garden centres (19)

• Scats garden centres (18)

• Squires garden centres (14)

• Blue Diamond garden centres (14)

• Hillier garden centres (13)

• The Garden Store garden centres (8)

6. Over 160 MPs from all parties as well as the Co-op, the Women’s Institute and tens of thousands of individuals have backed our call for a Bee Action Plan

If you’re a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust

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Kaiser Permanente Southern California Teams-Up with the DEA and Local Law Enforcement for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Posted by admin on April 24th, 2013

PASADENA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Kaiser
Permanente Southern California, in partnership with the Drug
Enforcement Administration (DEA) and local law enforcement agencies,
is encouraging residents to participate in the National Prescription
Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 27th. The one-day event provides
an opportunity to properly dispose of unwanted and expired medicines
while protecting the safety of kids, families, local communities and the
environment.

“Events like this address a crucial public safety and public health
issue”

“Events like this address a crucial public safety and public health
issue,” said Steven W Gray, PharmD, Kaiser Permanente Southern
California Pharmacy Regulatory Compliance and Professional Affairs
Leader. “Improperly handled medication is a leading cause of accidental
poisoning. Flushed medicines can end up polluting the environment and
trashed items can end up in the hands of others for misuse and abuse,”
he added.

According to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), deaths from the use of
prescription painkillers have reached epidemic levels in the past
decade. In 2010 alone, about 12 million Americans age 12 or older
reported nonmedical use of prescription painkillers in the past year.
Furthermore, a 2011 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found
that more than six million Americans abuse prescription drugs. That same
study revealed more than 70 percent of people abusing prescription pain
relievers acquired them through friends or family, or by raiding the
medicine cabinet.

Kaiser Permanente facilities throughout Southern California will be
serving as collection
sites. Residents may bring their medications for disposal to one of
the following Kaiser Permanente locations. The service is free and
anonymous.

For additional information about National Prescription Drug Take Back
Day or for a list of additional collection sites, please visit www.dea.gov.

About Kaiser Permanente Southern California

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health
care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care
providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission
is to provide high quality, affordable health care services and to
improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We
currently serve more than 3.6 million members in Southern California.
Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and
guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers.
Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by
industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion,
disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class
chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care
innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of
community health. For more information, go to: kp.org/newscenter.

Business Wire Environment News

Innovative solutions to bring clean air back into cities and their ports

Posted by admin on April 11th, 2013

Air pollution threatens climate, environment and human health. Each year approximately 500,000 people die prematurely from the direct consequences of poor air quality throughout the European Union. NABU (BirdLife in Germany), in collaboration with eight European green NGOs, has launched a tree year project aiming at developing concrete measures and solutions for a cleaner air in European ports and cities. The timing is perfect since clean air will be the focus of EU environmental policy discussions throughout 2013, the European Year of Air.

Despite existing legislative framework continued air pollution remains a problem in many European cities and the limits for air pollution set by the EU are constantly exceeded. Pollution is especially high in port areas, not only because emissions from ship fuels are dirtier than road fuels but also because ports are mostly exempted from control measures. However, cost-effective solutions exist and have proven to be effective. Examples from around the world show ports can foster a better air quality without having economic disadvantages to trade.

The EU LIFE+ project Clean Air will focus on the most polluted city areas – the ports, with the expectation of impacting positively on the rest of the cities they belong to. To reach their goal project partners will have to encourage the networking between ports on clean air issues, and to develop ecological standards for European ports. On that purpose, partners will collect and discuss possible measures, compile best-practice-examples and debate local barriers, challenges and opportunities with experts and stakeholders.

It’s time to take action for a better air quality throughout Europe - Support our project!

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This post was written by:

BirdLife Europe – who has written 139 posts on BirdLife Community.

The BirdLife Europe Partnership consists of 45 conservation organisations with almost 3,000 staff, 1.9 million members and more than 6,000 reserves covering over 300,000 hectares.

Bringing Back the Whooping Cranes

Posted by admin on April 5th, 2013

Bringing Back the Whooping Cranes. CALGARY, Alta â April 4, 2013 â Canadaâs Environment Minister, the Honourable Peter Kent, announced today that he has approved a one-year funding agreement with the Calgary Zoo for their Whooping Crane captive-breeding program. The Government of Canada is contributing $ 20,000 to the program.
News Releases

Volunteers Needed to Help Take Back the Forest

Posted by admin on April 4th, 2013

The Fairfax County Park Authority’s Invasive Management Area (IMA)
program seeks volunteers to help Take Back the Forest this spring
now through May 31. For the second year in a row, thanks in part to a
grant from community partner REI, volunteers will help restore parkland
during events held at IMA sites around the county. This year IMA plans to
host 625 volunteers during this two-month period, and there is always
room for more helping hands.

IMA volunteers will remove non-native invasive plants and replace them
with native species. The work is hard but important. Invasive plants
cause ecological harm by out-competing native plants and altering the way
an ecosystem functions. This can lead to fewer birds and wildlife, as
well as other negative effects on natural processes. As a token of
appreciation for their efforts, all volunteers will receive a free Take
Back the Forest t-shirt.

The IMA calendar is full of opportunities to volunteer, but here are
three big events coming up:

Earth Week, April 20 – 27: This is a special week to
celebrate the earth! It includes both Earth Day (April 22) and Arbor Day
(April 26). Many IMA sites have workdays scheduled that week.

Global Youth Service Day, April 27: Various sites will
offer volunteer opportunities to cut, pull, and bag invasive species,
help save trees, and return the natural balance to our forests.

Virginia’s Annual Invasive Plant Removal Day, May 4:
Events will be held statewide over a two-week period. Most IMA sites will
focus on the removal of garlic mustard, a biennial herb which threatens
native plants and animals in forest communities by outcompeting native
plants with copious amounts of seed and by secreting a chemical that
prevents the germination of other plants. This is a plant that is easy
for even the youngest nature lover to pull!

If you have any questions or would like to RSVP for an event, contact
IMA Coordinator Erin Stockschlaeder by phone 703-324-8681 or email [email protected].
For more information on the IMA program and to see the calendar of
events, visit IMA on the
web.

Fairfax County Environment News and Information – Fairfax County, Virginia

31st of March – World Back Up Day – Save Your Memryz

Posted by admin on March 21st, 2013

Celebrated on the 31st of March, the second annual World Backup Day, is a tongue in cheek holiday the day before April fools to remind the world of what many people forget to do. It is the brainchild of US, Ohio’s Youngstown State biology student Ismail Jadun. He saw and was concerned by the gaping hole in awareness regarding the need to back files up.

A recent study by research firm Gartner found that the average storage per household will grow to 3.3 terabytes in 2016. This is a vast amount of data which could get lost, damaged or even stolen.

Jeremy Kaj, Founder of http://www.memryz.com, a Cloud based back up service and data conversion site launching on World Back Up Day, highlights the potential issues. “Calling it data is distancing ourselves from what this information actually is; our most precious memories, from photos of our children, wedding videos, school projects, the kind of things which are irreplaceable. How often do you backup your data? Many of us would know the answer to the question –Not often enough. People need to utilize the Cloud to store their memories, so that if the worst happens, they can access it easily”.

On this day to remind computers users to backup their digital lives, something which even the most paranoid person may overlook, is the need to backup their non digital lives too. A recent survey of 2,500 internet users conducted by http://www.memryz.com in partnership with Google found:

64.7% of respondents stated that they had printed photos and videos, that if lost or damaged, could prove irreplaceable with just over a only 35.3% said that they didn’t have any.

Jeremy Kaj commented, “World Backup day shouldn’t just get people thinking about backing up their computers; there is most likely a box somewhere in each of our homes of old printed photos and videos, which are equally if not more fragile and need backing up too.”

Measuring the success of World Backup Day is no easy task, ultimately there will be winners and losers in the world of backup, on April 1st there may also be some fools too.

About Memryz:

Memryz, is a NEW UK based Cloud Backup & Digital Conversion Service launching on World Backup Day 31st of March 2013.

World Backup Day

For PR enquiries please contact:

James Aberley
SO Marketing Ltd
E: [email protected]
T: 01538 750 538
Custom Release Wire

Bees: UK urged to back Euro ban on pesticides

Posted by admin on March 14th, 2013

14 March 2013

The UK Government should follow the example of Britain’s leading home and
garden retailers by backing European Commission proposals later this week
(expected Friday 15 March) to restrict the use of widely-used pesticides linked
to bee decline, Friends of the Earth said today.

The call comes shortly before European Member States are due to discuss a
proposal by the European Commission to restrict the use of three neonicotinoid
insecticides. The move follows a report earlier this year from the European
Food Safety Authority (EFSA) which said there was a ‘high acute risk’ from
these chemicals.

Over recent weeks Friends of the Earth has revealed that a number of Britain’s
leading home and garden retailers are removing insecticides containing the
three neonicotinoids identified by EFSA. The firms, which between them operate
over a thousand stores and make up a large part of the DIY and Garden Centre
sector include B&Q, Homebase, Wickes, the Garden Centre Group (owners of
Wyevale and Blooms), Dobbies and Notcutts.

Friends of the Earth’s Executive Director Andy Atkins said:

“Leading UK retailers have removed pesticides linked to bee decline from their
shelves – the UK Government must prise themselves off the fence and take action
too.

“Bees are crucial for our
crops, gardens and environment – we simply can’t afford to lose them.

“Pesticides aren’t the only threat our bee populations face, which is why the
Government must also introduce a bee action plan.”

Last year Friends of the Earth launched the Bee Cause campaign to tackle the
decline in bee numbers. The campaign is calling for a Bee Action Plan to tackle
all the threats to Britain’s 250+ bee species, including pesticide-use and
habitat loss. The call for an action plan has so far been backed by nearly a
quarter of all MPs (157) from all the main parties. A report published last
year revealed that it would cost the UK £1.8 billion every year to
hand-pollinate crops without bees.

ENDS

Notes to editors

1.    The
latest European Commission proposal has yet to be made public but is expected
to involve restrictions on the use of three neonicotinoid insecticides on
plants attractive to honey bees and a ban on amateur use for a two year period. Foe more information please see here.
2.    European Food Safety Authority identifies risks to bees
from neonicotinoids.
3.    The UK Government has indicated that will not support the
European Commission, saying it wants more time to carry out its own tests. A
number of other Member States are believed to be trying to water down and delay
the proposal.
4.    Many of the UK’s leading home and gardening retailers have
removed neonicotinoid insecticides linked to bee decline from their shelves.
5.    A number of leading environment and conservation groups
are backing European Commission proposals for a ban including Friends of the
Earth, RSPB, The Wildlife Trusts, Buglife and the Soil Assocoation. See letter
published in the Telegraph (half way down).
6.    The UK is home to over 250 species of bee including honey
bees, bumblebees and solitary bees. Bees are important to our food supply and
our economy but they are under threat. Since 1900, the UK has lost 20 species
of bee. A further 35 bee species are considered to be under threat of
extinction.
7.    A report published last year revealed that it would cost
the UK £1.8 billion every year to hand-pollinate crops without bees.
8. Friends of the Earth’s The Bee Cause campaign
is supporting individuals to make change in their gardens and communities to
help bees, and asking the Prime Minister to commit to a National Bee Action
Plan. To support the call to David Cameron and find out what else you can do to
help bees, visit The Bee Cause webpage www.foe.co.uk/bees
9. For more than 40 years we’ve seen that
the wellbeing of people and planet go hand in hand – and it’s been the
inspiration for our campaigns. Together with thousands of people like you we’ve
secured safer food and water, defended wildlife and natural habitats,
championed the move to clean energy and acted to keep our climate stable. Be a
Friend of the Earth – see things differently. For further information visit www.foe.co.uk

If you’re a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust

Press releases by RSS

Benyon hits back at Fearnley-Whittingstall

Posted by admin on March 9th, 2013

Adam Vaughan

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall the Fish Fight march in London

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall led a march on Westminster last month, urging the government to stick to its original plan of designating 127 MCZs. Photograph: Warren King/Rex Features

The environment minister, Richard Benyon, has hit back at critics of the UK’s plans to protect England’s marine life, singling out campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall as failing to understand the cost involved in creating dozens of “properly” protected marine conservation zones (MCZs).

Writing in the Guardian on Friday, Benyon said the TV chef did not think “he would trouble his viewers with matters of cost”, but the minister did not “have that luxury”.

Fearnley-Whittingstall led a march on Westminster last month, urging the government to stick to its original plan of designating 127 MCZs that would be protected from damaging trawling and dredging. Last December the government said it would create just 31 zones because of a lack of scientific evidence on other sites.

But Benyon was trenchant in his defence of the smaller number of zones, writing: “I had a conversation with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and explained that it was quite an achievement to have got this far at a time when government budgets were being cut. I asked him to suggest, if I ignored the science and designated all 127 sites at a cost of millions, where should I get the money?”

He argued that it was better to have fewer zones that are policed by enforcement agencies rather than more “lines on maps”.

“For some it’s a binary issue. Designate all 127 or you are a penny-pinching minister who is in the pocket of the fishing industry. In fact it would have been easy to designate vast areas of the UK’s waters that are of little ecological value because it would have looked good on a map. Instead we are doing this properly.”

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is running a consultation on MCZs that closes on 31 March.

Responding to Benyon’s comments, Fearnley-Whittingstall told the Guardian: “The sticking point for me and for the tens of thousands of citizens who have written to the Defra consultation on MCZs in support of a full network of sites to protect our seas is simple. Benyon has given no timeframe for a second tranche of sites or even a commitment that there will be any more at all beyond the first 31. Given yet another opportunity to do so in today’s Guardian he has failed to take it.”

He added: “He can hardly be surprised if we question whether he is losing his ambition on MCZs. Or perhaps he is losing government support to deliver on his original commitment for a fully coherent network? If he says he needs more science and more money, then that is a reasonable point we can all discuss – but he needs to couple it with a clear commitment to go further, otherwise what will that money and that science be for?”

Joan Edwards, head of living seas for the Wildlife Trusts, which has been at the forefront of campaigning for a larger network of zones, said: “Government says it wants more evidence to show that the rest of the 127 sites are worthy of protection. However, there is an existing mass [of evidence] which has not yet been taken into account, including its own evidence, collected at a cost of £5m, and more gathered by stakeholders in 2012.. For meaningful marine protection to begin, the minister must now set a clear timetable for the designation of a wider network. Our seas’ resources are not inexhaustible.”

A spokesman at the National Trust said it was “disappointed” that only 31 out of 127 originally recommended zones were going ahead. He said: “We believe that the ‘precautionary’ principle should apply with the full list of 127 protected until full and proper consideration has been given to all proposed marine conservation zones. There is an urgent need for the government to work in collaboration with others to produce a timetable for designation of the full network of 127 sites.”

Environment news, comment and analysis from the Guardian | guardian.co.uk

Endangered species back, but for how long…?

Posted by admin on February 18th, 2013

USPB (BirdLife in the Ukraine)

A colony of White-headed ducks, a globally threatened species and extremely rare in the Ukraine, was seen at the Lake Yarylhach together with other rare birds. Despite the obvious importance of the Yarylhach wetland in terms of biodiversity richness, the conservation status of this area is at high risk.

At the occasion of the International geese count that took place during the first weekend of February in the Ukraine, Bulgaria and Romania, 30 White-headed ducks were registered by the Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Birds (USPB; BirdLife in the Ukraine).

The White-headed duck is a globally threatened species originated in the Palearctic. In the second half of the 20th century the population has decreased in the Ukraine and has just recently started to recover. One reason, confirmed by a survey run by USPB in February, is that the Ukrainian wetlands are rich habitats for waterfowls and water birds, providing them with resources they need to survive and reproduce.

Indeed, the survey showed that the Ukrainian wetlands are key wintering areas to tens of thousands of geese, different species of ducks, swans, herons, sandpipers and gulls. Rare species, such as the White-headed ducks also gather in these wetlands.

“Registration of White-headed ducks is an extremely important event for the Ukraine, as it is an indication that our wetlands meet international standards,” says Oleg Dudkin, Director of the Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Birds.

However, USPB recorded a series of alarming threats to birds and the wetlands they inhabit; Ukrainian wetlands and especially the lake Yarylhach coast where the White-headed ducks nest, are suffering from pollution and destruction due to salt mining, which is also a violation of Ukrainian and International laws.

It is important that Ukrainian wetlands are protected by an effective legislation and preserved from damages linked to human activities.

For more information please contact Olga Yaremchenko, Conservation Projects Director at the Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Birds (BirdLife in the Ukraine)

BirdLife Community