Around the Globe

87

Environmentally friendly products ranging from solar panels to rainwater tanks have become popular birthday and wedding presents in the UK.

88

A project underway in Paris aims to heat around 12,000 apartments in a new residential area. Naturally warm water from a depth of two kilometres will be drawn to the surface to provide the area with environmentally friendly heating.

89

In Mexico, a large windmill park is under construction and is expected to be fully operational by late 2009. It will produce enough energy to supply half a million people and reduce annual CO2 emissions by 600,000 tons.

90

An ancient method of fertilising soil is as relevant today as ever. Indians along the Amazon River create large areas of fertile land by mixing coal and other organic materials into the soil. Researchers believe this method can store CO2 in the soil and help in the fight against global warming.

91

Africa is home to some of the world’s most impoverished soils. To help tackle future climate change, a new project is providing a detailed digital map of African soils. By knowing the local soil type and the appropriate crop for it, farmers will be better able to adapt to changing climates.

92

To help the people of south-western Bangladesh cope with the effects of climate change – water shortages, cyclones and floods – the international non-governmental organisation CARE has re-excavated river beds, restoring the flow of fresh water to 19 villages. It has also planted trees to reduce the impact of cyclones.

93

In China, cogeneration – where excess heat is captured and re-used – is seen as cutting-edge technology and enables the country to prevent emissions of nearly 100 million tons of CO2 annually.

94

To cope with rising sea levels, 37 buoyant houses have been designed along the Maas River in Holland. Two steel poles driven deep into solid ground steady the houses, while flexible pipes and electrical and sewer lines allow them to rise with the river.

95

A total of 20% of all human-made greenhouse gas emissions derives from timber harvesting in the tropics. Improved agricultural practices, along with paper recycling and forest management, could quickly eliminate this significant percentage of emissions.

96

In large parts of the poorly developed world, climate change will lead to more devastating floods. In these areas, CARE is supporting the construction of flood-proof buildings, with foundations raised above the ground. It is also providing boats for evacuation and training communities in evacuation and swimming skills, all of which could save lives.

97

Thanks to their shiny, wax-coated leaves, crops like maize and barley reflect sunlight back into space in the same way as the Arctic sea ice cover. Increased cultivation of these crops could help reduce the rising temperatures on Earth.

98

A couple with two children instead of three could cut their family's climate impact by the equivalent of 620 return flights a year between London and New York.

99

The disposable nappies used for a baby’s first two-and-half years are responsible for 630kg of greenhouse gas. In the UK, almost six million nappies a day end up in landfills, where they emit the greenhouse gas methane.

100

If every US home received and paid bills online, it would cut solid waste by 1.6 billion tons a year and curb greenhouse gas emissions by 2.1 million tons a year.