Skip to content

Going Green

The week's environmental news roundup: September 23rd 2011

by Laura Brown 23 Sep 2011
The week's environmental news roundup: September 23rd 2011

An uneasiness stirs across the globe after a week of speculation about debris from a NASA satellite, due to fall to Earth. The size of a bus, the 6.5 tonne climate satellite has fallen out of orbit.

NASA is unable to predict exactly where it will fall and estimates that the majority of the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite will burn up on re-entry. Those feeling reassured are given the statistic that the chances of being hit by part of the debris is 1 in 3,200, which, while unlikely, is still better odds than winning the UK National Lottery.

In the US, asthma patients are being warned a common over the counter inhaler is being phased out because of the damage it causes to the environment.

The Food and Drug Administration says the epinephrine inhaler uses chlorofluorocarbons to push medication into the asthma patient's lungs and airways, aiding breathing during an attack. Yet in 2008, the FDA decided the potential environmental implications were too strong and announced a phasing out of the product. Other manufacturers now use the friendlier and less damaging hydrofluroalkane to help propel the medication into the airways for treatment. Patients using the old inhalers will need to obtain a doctor's prescription to switch.

Even more bad news for American asthma sufferers with news that new standards on smog pollution will enforce a limiting ground level ozone to 75 parts per billion. The same level as a 2008 Bush ruling, the Environmental protection Agency's administrator, Lisa Jackson, had been pushing for levels to be cut to 60 and 70 ppb. Yet, under pressure from Republicans and polluters, the tougher plan was killed by President Obama over fears that costs would rise for companies and there could be a negative impact on jobs.

A letter from the EPA sent to regional directors said all need to comply with the 75ppb rule "in these challenging economic times EPA should reduce uncertainty and minimize the regulatory burdens on state and local governments." Regulations will be revised in 2013.

In the UK, a renewed debate on fracking has been sparked by the announcement that 5,660 bn cubic metres of shale gas has been discovered below Lancashire.

UK drilling company Cuadrilla Resources believes the gas could supply the entire countries need for over a generation. If they decide to build new wells to mine the gas, 1,700 jobs will be created in Blackpool and Preston.

However the process of extraction, known as fracking, is controversial. It explodes the gas out of the shale rocks and has been blamed for triggering earthquakes and contaminate water supplies.

Protestors have cited examples from America which claim methane can escape into public water sources.

A spokesman from Cuadrilla Resources says the concern about fracking is "misdirected". Campaigning group Friends of the Earth wants research into health and safety concerns to be firmly investigated before work begins.

Still in the North West and while the adage may state it's "grim up north" it appears the stereotype does not extend to Britian's wildlife population.

Bird species prosper far better in the North compared to the South, a study by the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) has revealed.

The census of bird numbers has revealed that since 1994 bird populations in the South have declined, compared with an increase in the North.

Although the reasons are not fully understood, analysts believe it could be down to increased farming in the South, interefering with habitat. Farmland birds have declined by a quarter in the South, compared with a 3% drop in the North. Woodland birds have dropped by up to 20% in the South, while numbers have risen in the North.

The RSPB describes the findings as "intriguing".

Meanwhile in Japan the six month 'anniversary' of the earthquake and tsunami has triggered a period of reflection. Scientists studying the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant have used the milestone to discuss the importance of nuclear power and the need for lessons' learnt. Colin Ricketts, in this feature for The Earth Times examined the scientific community's analysis of nuclear power and the potential health impacts of the disaster.

Top Image Credit: © buttershug


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping