Heating with wood is gentle on the climate because burning wood produces only as much carbon dioxide as the trees had previously sunk during their growth. However, under less-than-optimal conditions, incomplete combustion, or use of improper fuels, wood-fired heaters can emit large volumes of hazardous air pollutants, e.g. particulate matter or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that are harmful to... read more
Emissions trading: companies to receive certificates
The second phase of emissions trading, scheduled to run from 2008 to 2012, is beginning: as of now, certificates for 2008 are available to companies. ”The pressure to act on implementing more climate protection measures is mounting inasmuch as operators of inefficient lignite power stations will in some cases receive up to 50 per cent fewer certificates,” says Dr. Thomas Holzmann, Vice President o... read more
Emerging economies can also make a lasting contribution to climate protection
Emerging economies can also do their bit to meet global climate protection goals without fear of economic repercussions. This is the conclusion reached by a study conducted on behalf of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), according to which the six economically developed countries of Brazil, China, India, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea dispose of vast emission reduction potential, which in... read more
Safe and ecologically just travel to Antarctica
Fascinating Antarctica: Ever more people are attracted to the austral summer in the vast expanses of the icy continent, to penguins, seals and whales. There were more than 46,000 visitors in last year’s travel season alone. There was a fivefold jump in visitor numbers from 1992 to 2008, making it impossible to avoid negative impact on the environment. Nevertheless, any visitor to the South Pole, w... read more
Global warming: Water scarcity in the Alps?
Are the Alps as Europe’s ‘water towers’ at risk? Is the discharge rate of the Danube, Rhine, Rhone and Po, the four large rivers originating in the Alps, and which draw about 50 % of their water from the Alpine Rim, in a state of flux? According to experts who met a conference in Bolzano, there is no acute danger of this happening. ”Yet the Alpine region must now adapt to existing and future risks... read more
As concerns the ‘climate neutral’ notion: Preventing greenhouse gases is better than offsetting them
Offers to compensate for greenhouse gases voluntarily abound: whether it be the ‘climate neutral air trip’ or the ‘climate neutral bouquet of flowers’, everything is possible. The idea is simple, namely to compensate for the climate gas emissions produced by products or services by saving the same amount somewhere else. Making sense of all these new possibilities is possible thanks to a new guide... read more
Nearly 42 billion euros in subsidies detrimental to environmental protection efforts
Subsidies amounting to some 42 billion euros for 2006 in Germany had a negative impact on health and the environment, is the conclusion reached by a Federal Environment Agency study about the adverse consequences of subsidies in Germany, Umweltschädliche Subventionen in Deutschland. The variety of negative effects ranges from acceleration of climate change and impairment of water, soil and air qu... read more
Semi-natural bodies of water and leas sustain biodiversity
Loss of biological diversity is one of the key environmental problems we face in the 21st century. The Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) and the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) intend to work together towards a solution to this problem. More than 100 German and international experts from science and the field met at a symposium held in Bonn on 29-30 October 2008 to identify ways to sus... read more
