Hinduism and Ecology

The United Nations has declared 2010 international year for biological diversity. On Saturday, the Living Planet Foundation convened what was believed to be the first global "green" Hindu event, calling on Hindus from the UK and abroad to reflect on how they can contribute to preserving biodiversity worldwide. It was a celebration of the rich abundance of distinct plant and animal species across our planet, and a campaign to draw attention to the threats facing the diversity of life on earth.

Read more at:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2010/may/24/green-hindu-environment-india

Water Scarcity in Europe

Addressing water efficiency in farming, which accounts for two thirds of EU water use, should be one of the priorities in reforming the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). This was suggested by the head of the European Commission's water unit. The EU has comissioned a report addressing the use of water resources particulalry in agriculture accross EU. The report shows that some member states have begun to suffer "permanent scarcity across the whole country". While the pressure point is currently in the south, with Cyprus experiencing the severest water shortages, the Commission expects water stress to spread to South-East and Central Europe. However the problem is not confined to the mediterranean and central european region, water shortages have also been detected in France and Belgium.

The EU's Water Framework Directive (WFD) already requires member states to introduce water-pricing policies with incentives for efficient water use, but little progress has been made so far.

Credits
Picture of water drop by Darkpatator.

EU Funding available for energy efficiency and sustainable energy projects in European cities and regions.

The EU Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger has pointed out that at least €115 million in unused funds will be available to support sustainable enery and energy efficiency projects in European cities and regions. He stated he would push for a significant percentage to support local and urban energy projects. "I would expect a serious leverage effect from these funds", he added. Paul Bevan, secretary-general of city lobby Eurocities, told EurActiv that while the proposed funds were "rather little, and rather late," they could nevertheless make a huge difference."Cities are desperate to act," he argued, though it is not yet clear when this new fund could be set up.

Land Use Change

The European Community has received a report prepared by the International Food Policy Research Institute on global trade and the environmental impact of the EU Biofuels Mandate. Biofuel development has been supported as a way to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels and it has been seen as a good source of income for farmers particularly in developing countries and a significant reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to non-renewable fuel sources. Some countries like Malaysia, Argentina, Brazil and Tanzania have invested significantly in the redeployment of land for the growth of biofuels. However, there have been recent criticisms over the perceived positive impact of biofuels on food production and overall use and redelopyemnt of land. It seems that in some instances the indirect land use change (ILUC) can actually release more carbon emissions as forests and pristine lands are converted to cropland due to biofuel expansion. This has led to the current debate over whether, and how, the ILUC effects should be accounted for, along with the direct land use change effects, in evaluating the potential impact of biofuel policies.

Major producers of buifuels, on the other hand, are arguing in favour of their direct involvement prior to the development of bio-fuel ILUC policies at a European level.

Water conservation

According to a study sponsored by the EU, it is possible to reduce water consumption by 40% through a combination of technology and changes in human behaviour. Legislative measures were included in the Commission's 2007 Communication on Water Scarcity and Droughts, which considered a series of e measures such as the inclusion of water efficiency criteria in performance standards for buildings. The potential for water savings in the EU is estimated at 40%. Binding rules could be envisaged to promote water savings in public and private buildings," states the EU executive in its work programme for 2010.

Credits Thanks are due to Helsinki51 for the picture of the watertap.

The Influence of Black Carbon on the Himalayas

Black carbon seems to be responsible for about 16% of climate change globally. Most people encounter balck carbon as soot. According to Surabi Menon, a scientist from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory airborne black carbon aerosols, or soot, from India is a major contributor to the decline in snow and ice cover on the glaciers. For more information please follow this link.

CSV Action Earth 2010

Robert Henderson, from SCV Action Earth was kind enough to passs this information about available grants.

Please find below information about the CSV Action Earth campaign which runs from
1st March until 31st July 2010.

We want to empower people to take action in their community. To do this, we have two different grants to give to groups of volunteers who are carrying out local environment projects or who are improving biodiversity in Scotland. As 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity, there is no better time to get involved.

1. Our SNH Biodiversity Awards of £250 are aimed at groups that support and encourage Scottish Biodiversity through practical conservation and environmental projects. You can also apply for additional Action Earth grants (below).
2. Our easy-to-access CSV Action Earth awards of £50 help projects to purchase plants, tools and materials and to cover volunteer expenses. Projects have included pond and woodland clearances, litter picks, planting projects and habitat creation (e.g bird, bat and insect boxes). You can apply for up to 3 of these for different projects on different dates.
Please go to www.actionearth.org.uk for more information on both grants. You can download application forms from here or apply online.

Please register as early as possible (especially for events at the end of the campaign) as awards are handed out on a first come basis. We will also send out emailed updates to registered projects on additional sources of funding, both large and small scale, that will help you in maintaining and enhancing your work. We are grateful to SNH and Morrisons for their support.

We do hope that you will be able to participate in the campaign. Please contact Robert henderson directly if you have any questions about the campaign or your planned project. Please also forward this document to any groups or individuals you think may be interested in applying. Contact detauils are as follows:

Robert Henderson
Scottish Coordinator
CSV Action Earth
12 Torphichen Street
Edinburgh
EH3 8JQ
T: 0131 222 9083 or 0131 622 7766
E: rhenderson@csv.org.uk