Latest news with #55thEarthDay
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Celebrate Earth Day by Going Nuclear
"Our power, our planet" is the theme for the celebration of the 55th Earth Day, which is today. The organizers are calling for "renewable energy generation, globally, to be tripled by 2030." Consequently, they urge the billion or so Earth Day celebrants to "support and adopt the rapid transition to renewable energy sources now, be it solar, wind, hydro-electric, tidal or geothermal." Their goal is to cut back on burning coal, oil, and natural gas that emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, where it contributes to man-made climate change. Entirely unmentioned by the earnest Earth Day activists is the emissions-free energy produced by "magic rocks," a.k.a. uranium, that fuel carbon-free nuclear power. Nuclear power plants currently produce about 9 percent of the world's electricity. Globally, nuclear energy is the second-largest source of carbon-free electricity, following hydropower. Nuclear power plants supply a steady stream of electricity, unlike intermittent solar and wind power. To get some idea of the advantages of nuclear power, let's compare electricity production in Germany vs. France. In a ridiculous overreaction to the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan, Germany chose in 2011 to begin closing down 17 perfectly fine nuclear power plants. The last three were shut in 2023. Conversely, next-door-neighbor France announced in 2022 that it would build six new plants and perhaps as many as eight more. France is currently the world's largest net exporter of electricity due to its very low cost of generation, and brings in over 3 billion euros per year from this, according to the World Nuclear Association. The carbon dioxide emissions of both countries have been dropping, but largely as a result of their differing polices with respect to nuclear power, France emits 4.1 metric tons vs. Germany's 7.1 metric tons per capita. Keeping in mind that the cutoff of Russian natural gas to the European Union after that country's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has roiled the region's electricity markets (especially Germany's), let's compare the recent price of electricity in France and Germany. In Germany, the household price of electricity was recently just shy of 40 cents per kilowatt-hour. In France, the price was just under 25 cents per kilowatt-hour. For comparison, the average price in the U.S. is over 16 cents per kilowatt-hour. Overregulation has stymied the deployment of new advanced safer, greener, and cheaper nuclear power plants. It is past time that Earth Day celebrants recognize that magic rocks beat fickle sunbeams and breezes when it comes to producing steady power that can protect our planet. Happy Earth Day to all. The post Celebrate Earth Day by Going Nuclear appeared first on
Scotsman
22-04-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Earth Day 2025: Scottish businesses offering sustainable spirits and drinks
This year sees the 55th Earth Day, which was established in1970, and there are different ways to mark it, including buying sustainable spirits and from B-Cop businesses. What is Earth Day? Earth Day was founded to raise awareness and bring people together for environmental awareness. Since then, the Earth Day organisation has led various fundraising campaigns, awareness events, and more. Many Scottish food and drink businesses are striving to be more environmentally-friendly, from reducing plastic packaging, cutting down on emissions, changing and adapting growing practises to applying to become B-Corp certified. What is B-Corp? B Corporation is a private certification of for-profit companies that takes into account their"social and environmental performance". The official description reads: "B Corp Certification is a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials." Here we take a look at some of the best businesses in Scotland who are striving to be greener, and what products you can buy to support this. Dear Green Picture: Dear Green Glasgow-based Dear Green coffee roasters gained B Corp status in 2021, with founder Lisa Lawson saying: "Gaining B Corp certification is one of our proudest moments at Dear Green. "To have the ethical standards which are intrinsically in the culture of the company audited and verified to be of the highest standard is incredible." The coffee roasters joined internationally renowned brands including Innocent, Patagonia and The Body Shop in earning the B Corp accolade. The company was founded by Lisa when she became frustrated by how staff, producers, customers and the environment were treated by the industry. Dear Green has been dedicated to putting social and environmental responsibility, sustainability and purpose ahead of profit ever since. Arbikie Disitllery This family-run farm-to-bottle distillery in Lunan Bay has been working tirelessly to reduce its carbon emissions and offer customers a truly field to bottle range of spirits. In 2020 they launched their first climate positive gin, Nadar, which was followed by a vodka. Nàdar, which means nature in Gaelic, is thought to be the world's first climate positive gin made from peas. A revolutionary spirit for the drinks industry, with a carbon footprint of -1.54 kg CO 2 e per 700ml bottle, it is at the forefront of the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss - the biggest challenges humankind has ever faced. Nadar is the result of five years of research, through Master Distiller, Kirsty Black's, PhD studentship between Abertay University and The James Hutton Institute. Arbikie also gained planning permission to build a 1 MW Wind Turbine on its farm at Lunan Bay in 2022, which will allow the production of green hydrogen. Arbikie believes it will be the first distillery in the world to be powered with green hydrogen, another major milestone on their journey to becoming one of the world's most sustainable distilleries. Bruichladdich Bruichladdich became B-Corp certified in 2020. Of this, the team at Bruichladdich said: "Highlights that helped us to achieve our original certification included our benefits package to staff. "These include Living Wage employment, a 5-10% bonus scheme shared for 100% of our staff, annual cost of living adjustments as well we private healthcare, life assurance provisions and 34 days paid annual leave as standard. We're also a diverse employer with a sound training and development program. Our team in 2020 had 50%+ female senior management and an age range of staff spanning from 19 to 75 years of age. "Our progressive attitude towards our community and sustainability also helped us qualify. We circulate the wastewater from our stills to heat our offices, bottling hall and visitor centre. We switched to 100% green electricity, sourced within the UK. We have ambitious plans for the future, and we can confidently say we are on our way." Nc'Nean Nc'Nean was named a 2022 Best for the World B Corp in recognition of exceptional positive impact for its environmental stewardship, ranking in the top 5% of all B Corps for that category in their corresponding size group. Best for the World is a distinction granted by B Lab to Certified B Corporations (B Corps) whose verified B Impact Scores in the five impact areas evaluated in the B Impact Assessment — community, customers, environment, governance, and workers — hit that top percentage category. Nc'nean earned this accolade based on initiatives such as powering the distillery with 100% renewable energy, using organic barley sourced exclusively from Scotland and bottling its whisky in a 100% recycled clear glass bottle – a UK first for a premium spirit. Rigorous in its approach to sustainable production, in 2021 it became the first whisky distillery in the UK to be verified as net zero for its own operations. Nc'nean founder Annabel Thomas said of this: 'As a small, passionate team we are incredibly proud to have achieved this accolade, which reflects our deep-rooted commitment to championing the most sustainable production processes. "We are extremely pleased with our very high score of 73.3 under the environmental stewardship section and being championed as one of the top 5% of B Corps in our size group for that category worldwide is a fantastic achievement. "We are not afraid to challenge perceptions of the way things should be done in the whisky industry and will continue to pioneer best practice with our ongoing environmental initiatives.' Brewgooder Picture: Brewgooder Twitter Another Scottish drinks brand that has been named Best for the World B Corp in recognition is Brewgooder. The firm achieved this in 2021. The team said of the accolade: "The 'Best for the World' are B Corps whose scores in one or more of the five impact areas assessed towards the certification, reach the top 5% of all B Corps worldwide. At Brewgooder, we have been recognised for our clean water efforts in the Community area. "As all B Corps are already businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose — this is a recognition that makes us incredibly proud. "And we're just getting started… We will continue collaborating with the global B Corp community to improve and positively impact through the power of great craft beer."
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Earth Day 2025 calls for ‘One World, One Power'; Antonique Smith official ambassador
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel This year, the 55th Earth Day is being observed under the theme ' One World, One Power. Earth Day 2025 focuses on accelerating the transition to renewable energy and aims to triple clean electricity generation by singer, actress, and longtime climate advocate Antonique Smith has been named the official ambassador for Earth Day recognized for her roles as Faith Evans in Notorious and Mimi Marquez in Rent on Broadway, Smith brings both visibility and dedication to the climate movement. She is also the co-founder and CEO of Climate Revival, a nonprofit that mobilizes communities of faith and people of colour in the fight against climate change . She will be performing at New York's Times Square today(April 22).First organized by US Senator Gaylord Nelson, the event brought together millions of people across the United States and later the world to demand action on pollution, deforestation, and climate this movement continues to grow with over one billion people in more than 190 countries participating in various activities to address concerns over climate policies and advocate for a sustainable is a country where approximately 85% of electricity comes from clean and natural sources, which is a good sign on Earth Day. The federal government recently adjusted its Clean Electricity Regulations, extending the national net-zero electricity target from 2035 to Ontario's hydroelectric capacity is projected to surpass 10,000 megawatts, and steady growth in wind energy will also contribute to the national Canada and the world, Earth Day is not just a reminder of the challenges ahead, it is a collective commitment to solutions that can secure a livable planet for future generations.
Associated Press
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
EARTH DAY 2025: HHS' KENNEDY Jr., DoD's HEGSETH, EPA's ZELDIN Combine Talents to Reduce Military Harm to Ecology, Health
After years of adverse US Defense ecological practice reports, HHS' KENNEDY Jr. DoD's HEGSETH, EPA's ZELDIN to Combine Talents, 'Tackle Ignored Pollution' '..decades of Military (DoD) resistance to follow binding U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Final Clean Up Orders, putting soldiers and communities at risk.'— RUQAIYAH ZAROOK, Mother Jones WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, April 22, 2025 / / -- As the world celebrates the 55th Earth Day, there are growing concerns of U.S. federal authorities inducing environmental degradation of public properties, according to STEVE SPACEK, Director of The AMERICAN STATE LITTER SCORECARD. In the last 25 years, one federal authority group--the U.S. Military and its membership--have come under scrutiny as contributors to this conundrum. Now, newly appointed leaders for the Trump Administration-- HHS Secretary ROBERT F. KENNEDY, Defense Secretary PETE HEGSETH and Environmental Protection Secretary LEE ZELDIN-- are joining forces, combining their talents to reduce, even eliminate, glaring ecological and health harms from military bases and adjacent public lands. Since the 2000's MOTHER JONES journalist Ruqaiyah Zarook, THE WASHINGTON POST Lyndsey Layton, NBC NEWS and THE SPOKANE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW have reported on adverse Department of Defense 's (DoD) environmental practices by Active Duty personnel. Zarook wrote of 'decades of Military resistance' to follow binding U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 'Final Clean Up Orders,'' putting 'soldiers and communities at risk.' Layton disclosed congressional hearing findings released by the late John Dingell, then-chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, investigating DoD non-compliance with environmental regulation, Dingell said then, the U.S. Military 'evaded the law through political maneuvers.' Additionally, NBC NEWS and THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW exposed several Army and Air Force bases across the United States found to 'have high levels of toxic Forever Chemicals in their drinking water, …posing as an imminent, substantial danger to the health of personnel and civilians.' KENNEDY Jr. has been an outspoken observer of Armed Forces comportment in regards to America's public health and the environment. In a 2003 article published in the CHICAGO TRIBUNE, Kennedy, then only a non-governmental public figure, alleged that the U.S. Federal Government was 'America's Biggest Polluter,' with the Pentagon (DoD) being 'its worst offender.' Kennedy purported Defense for 'contaminating over 15 million acres of public land and water with unexploded ordinance waste, possibly containing biological or chemical weapons.' Last November 14, CBS EVENING NEWS reported on Kennedy's HHS nomination and his intent to work alongside Hegseth--to be later confirmed as Defense Secretary. Kennedy and Hegseth shared their plan to implement a new operational mantra for the Military. Together they dubbed the plan "#MakeThePentagonCleanAgain.' Both told of their 'readiness to work' with Zeldin, a newly confirmed EPA Secretary, 'to tackle ignored pollution.' The following month, Spacek reached out to Kennedy and Hegseth for their thoughts on these developments, using phone calls and emails. Within 48 hours Kennedy and Hegseth responded personally to Spacek, with written feedback, acknowledging the accuracy of their publicized comments, including the created Pentagon operational slogan. In return, Spacek sent a post from his account [@litterscorecard], congratulating both and wishing the officials the very best for the Trump Administration and the Department of Defense. The AMERICAN STATE LITTER SCORECARD is 'The Best at Reporting Where, Whose Is Littering and Dumping Waste in the USA,,' said Spacek. Waste Littering and Dumping does assist in ending the lives of over 800 People EACH YEAR; on average three Americans A DAY. 'These incidents can occur anytime, under all types of weather,' said Spacek. He also mentioned The SCORECARD timely reports on these matters and from all 50 States and major US Cities and Counties. Stephen 'Steve' Spacek American State Litter Scorecard/Spacek Public Service email us here Visit us on social media: Facebook X Other Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A reminder this Earth Day: The fight to save the Lowcountry is up to us
Ahead of America's first Earth Day in 1970, an oil spill famously stained a California beach and a polluted river was on fire in Ohio. But in the South Carolina Lowcountry, a great environmental battle was being waged that's also worthy of the history books. Here, a small but diverse band of natives and newcomers, shrimpers and developers, children and retirees successfully fought off the powers that be to stop a BASF chemical plant from locating on the pristine Colleton River near Bluffton and Hilton Head Island. The humble Capt. Dave shrimp trawler gave the fight its lasting image when it chugged to Washington, D.C., to deliver to Secretary of the Interior Walter Hickel more than 40,000 petition signatures in opposition to the chemical plant. The Capt. Dave was part of a new Hilton Head Fishing Cooperative that enabled Black shrimpers to get a bigger piece of the economic pie. And in the spring of 1971, the Capt. Dave and all aboard cruised into Harbour Town to celebrate the first anniversary of their historic trip to Washington. This is where we can see the ingredients to success as we mark the 55th Earth Day on Tuesday. We can see it through the eyes of the Rev. Boyd Cook. He attended the second annual Capt. Dave celebration after just arriving on the island to bring Christ Lutheran Church to life after six years in Memphis when it was being torn apart by racial violence. 'There were all these yachts tied up,' he told The Island Packet newspaper in the spring of 1972. 'Then into the harbor streamed the shrimp boats draped with banners and pennants, horns blowing, people waving and yelling. Everybody got off the boats and had a party. There was shrimp boiling in 50-gallon drums, a band playing and a beer truck. 'Here was a community getting together as one. I was overwhelmed. 'Can this really be South Carolina?' I thought.' A lesson: They banded together as one. They remembered the fight. They celebrated. The next spring it was even bigger. 'An estimated 800 people showed up on Sunday to dance to the rock 'n roll of the 'Chariots,' drink beer, eat hamburgers and frankfurters and recall the historic 1970 voyage,' The Island Packet reported. It had the feel of the Fourth of July, New Year's Eve and Bastille Day rolled into one. Amid all the fanfare, a petition was circulated. This time it was in opposition to a planned Chicago Bridge and Iron plant at the same Victoria Bluff site BASF had eyed. That lesson: The fight to protect the Earth never ends. The community also celebrated on the day Walter Hickel, the Interior Secretary, came to see the land and water he had helped protect by writing a pointed letter to BASF saying the government would not allow environmental degradation. 'If I live to be very old, I will never forget the day the Capt. Dave came up the Potomac River with the petition of a list of names protesting the plant,' Hickel said. 'The powers on Capitol Hill backed off.' In a speech at the Port Royal Inn, Hickel said that 'caring' was more important than money in getting things done. He said laws already on the books offered environmental protection — but only if they were enforced. 'Someone has to care,' he said. 'Someone has to make it happen. Laws alone won't do it.' He said the threat to Port Royal Sound would never have come to his attention without the concern of individuals. 'Wars will always be won by the concern of one human being for another — not by billions of dollars.' The Rev. Cook had a similar message. When he left for another charge after a decade on the island he said the concern and caring that he had so admired in the past was needed more than ever. 'The big fear is not the growth of the island,' he said, 'but the attrition of concern. Apathy and frustration should be fought more than windmills. When people no longer get involved, when they no longer care, then everything we don't want to happen will happen by default. 'It is a matter of caring so intently that you keep trying. You refuse to quit.' The same is true today. The fight to save the Lowcountry is up to us. David Lauderdale may be reached at lauderdalecolumn@
