〈全球環保時事〉彙整頁面 - Page 13 of 37 - 立雍科技實業有限公司｜膠合棧板｜紙棧板｜木棧板

Latest research: Total atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are approaching their peak in 15 million years.

The Guardian reports that new research published in Scientific Reports indicates that atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are approaching a peak not seen in 15 million years, possibly for the first time since the emergence of the great apes. Based on the rate of increase before the COVID-19 lockdown, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels would exceed 427 parts per million (ppm) within five years. This figure likely coincided with the peak of warming during the mid-Pliocene epoch 3.3 million years ago, when temperatures were 3°C to 4°C higher than today and sea levels were 20 meters higher. Around 2025, Earth is likely to experience a peak in carbon dioxide levels not seen since the Miocene Climatic Optimum (MCO) 15 million years ago. At that time, solar radiation levels were similar to today's, and human ancestors diverged from apes to become great apes. A research team from the University of Southampton studied pinpoint-sized fossils found in deep-sea sediments of the Caribbean Sea. Using the boron content of these fossils, they were able to construct a highly accurate record of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels during the Pliocene epoch. The findings echo trends observed in past ice core studies, but the estimates of carbon dioxide levels are more precise. Co-author Thomas Chalk said: "We found that during the warmest period of the Pliocene, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels were between 380 and 420 ppm, which is very close to today's levels of about 415 ppm, indicating that the last time the atmospheric carbon dioxide levels were high was 380 to 420 ppm.

2020-08-07

The UK Department for Transport plans to impose a "delivery tax on online shopping" to reduce environmental pollution.

The Times reported on the 29th that the Department for Transport's Scientific Advisory Committee submitted a report this month recommending a mandatory plastic bag tax-like fee for all online shoppers to mitigate pollution caused by the surge in online delivery. The Department for Transport said it would consider the proposal and may launch a public consultation in the future. The details of the fee and its potential impact are currently unclear. Free delivery or return services have led to a surge in online shopping. For example, during the Black Friday and Thanksgiving holiday in December 2018, total returns reached £2.4 billion. The report urged the Department for Transport to "pass the true costs of delivery and returns on to customers to reduce unnecessary over-ordering," educate consumers about the negative impacts of online shopping, and encourage continued online shopping. Commentators have suggested that such measures will make consumers more cautious when ordering or returning goods, or turn to physical stores. The latest data from the Department for Transport shows that nitrogen oxide emissions from trucks surged by 43% between 2007 and 2017, reaching 99,300 tons. As of the end of March this year, light commercial vehicles, including trucks, had accumulated 81.1 billion kilometers driven in the UK, a 24% increase compared to 10 years ago. E-commerce giants like Amazon have recently shifted to using robots and small self-driving vehicles for delivery. Source: Environmental Information Centre

2020-08-07

IEA: Renewable energy is best adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic and will be the only energy source to meet demand growth in 2020.

Climate Home reports that according to a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), renewable energy will be the only energy source to meet demand growth in 2020 due to shrinking coal, oil, and natural gas markets. In its first report published since the COVID-19 outbreak, the IEA examined global energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions trends for the remaining months of the year. The report notes that while renewable energy growth may decline this year due to supply chain disruptions and social distancing measures, which have significantly delayed the construction and installation of renewable energy projects, renewable energy has so far been the most resilient energy source to COVID-19 lockdowns, and demand for renewable electricity has been relatively unaffected by the decline in overall energy use. Renewable energy demand grew by 1.5% in the first quarter of this year compared to the first quarter of 2019. The IEA previously predicted that solar, wind, and other clean energy capacity growth in 2020 would likely be record-breaking. However, as Climate Home reported earlier, the economic slowdown has severely impacted rooftop solar panels on businesses and homes, which are the main drivers of solar growth, and this may affect the IEA's forecast. The scope and timing of the lifting of social distancing measures and economic stimulus packages around the world will affect how much renewable energy capacity can be added this year. However, the IEA states that the impact of the pandemic on total renewable energy generation this year should be limited. This is due to lockdowns implemented in North America and Europe to curb the spread of COVID-19.

2020-08-07

EDF, known for its nuclear power, is sprinting into the distributed renewable energy market in the United States.

France is a major country with the highest share of nuclear power globally, making EDF (Électricité de France) well-known for its nuclear operations. However, EDF's expansion into the US market is primarily focused on renewable energy. EDF Renewables North America, which owns a significant number of centralized wind and solar farms, is now expanding into the distributed renewable energy market. The US renewable energy market is currently divided into two main sectors: large centralized wind and solar farms, and distributed, small and medium-sized wind and solar farms for residential and commercial use. EDF initially focused on the centralized market in the US, but has since achieved some success in the decentralized market, with its decentralized solutions division reaching 100 megawatts of installed capacity in 2019. EDF is targeting the commercial market. An increasing number of US companies, driven by corporate image concerns and seeking to source their own green energy, are increasingly developing their own renewable energy sources combined with energy storage systems to avoid risk and control by utility companies. Distributed energy has shifted from a money-loser to a profit-maker. In the past, distributed energy was just a theory, and many pilot projects were merely experimental. However, with large players like EDF actively entering the market, the distributed energy market is truly taking off. Source: Environmental Information Center

2020-08-07

British climate group displays thousands of children's shoes, urging government not to bail out carbon-intensive industries.

On May 18, the climate change group Extinction Rebellion neatly arranged over 2,000 pairs of children's shoes donated by Londoners in Trafalgar Square. Under the slogan "COVID Today, Climate Tomorrow, Act Now," they engaged in nonviolent civil disobedience, demanding that the UK government refrain from bailing out carbon-intensive industries that pollute the environment. Activists lined Trafalgar Square with the children's shoes and unfurled a long banner that read, "COVID Today > Climate Tomorrow > Act Now." The group stated that Extinction Rebellion is calling on the government to take action on the climate crisis during the COVID-19 recovery so that children and young people are not further devastated. Trafalgar Square, once a popular tourist destination, is now nearly deserted, leaving the children's shoes neatly arranged in the empty square. The shoes, donated by Londoners, will be donated to the charity Shoe Aid following the demonstration. Extinction Rebellion aims to bring about timely changes to the current political, economic, and social structures of the world to prevent the catastrophes predicted by climate change scientists from becoming a reality. Extinction Rebellion states its intention to use non-violent civil disobedience to force governments to reduce carbon emissions and avoid the resulting famine.

2020-08-07

Offshore wind turbines are incredibly expensive? Two turbines used to cost 4 billion yuan; now 22 turbines are being built for 24 billion yuan.

Taiwan's first and second offshore wind turbines were erected in 2016 and officially began commercial operation in 2017, costing a staggering NT$4 billion. Swancor Energy described this project as a "big gamble." Today, Formosa 1, the offshore wind farm, is nearing completion. With 22 turbines (including the two completed in the previous phase), the project cost NT$24 billion, a significant drop in construction costs, a testament to the difficult initial steps. The Ministry of Economic Affairs is promoting offshore wind power with a three-phase strategy: "demonstration first, potential second, and then block-level development." Using the demonstration wind farms as a vanguard, they aim to understand potential development obstacles and serve as stepping stones for later development. Of the three demonstration wind farms, only the offshore wind farm has begun construction and is nearing completion. The offshore wind farm is being developed in two phases. The first phase involved two 4MW turbines, totaling 8MW. Installation was completed in October 2016, and the project began commercial operation in April 2017. These two NT$4 billion turbines, known as "Gui Sang Sang," were installed. The second phase started in May this year, with a total of 20 wind turbines with an installed capacity of 6MW. It is expected that the installation will be completed in mid-October. The total cost of the entire wind farm (including phases one and two) is 24 billion yuan, and the cost in the later stage has been greatly reduced. However, Lin Yongyao, general manager of Shangwei New Energy, reminded that this "cannot" be directly interpreted as "20 billion to build 20 turbines" in the second phase. In addition to the factors of economic scale, the geological survey of the complete wind farm of 10 square kilometers and the substation were also carried out in the first phase, so the cost will be more expensive. Another feature of the second phase is to increase the capacity of the wind turbine installation from 4MW to 6MW. The total installed capacity remains unchanged, but the number of wind turbines is reduced.

2020-05-28

Plastic alternatives could make ocean pollution worse, UK council warns

Parliament says plastic should be reduced rather than replaced with other materials. [Image: https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/0a0548bdceab9c5ada6694cca35b692cce9cf4cc/0_316_4724_2834/master/4724.jpg?width=700&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=01d1c74172c6b7a346da6d9a07267a8e] Plastic waste floats on the ocean. Members of Parliament have been told that biodegradable cups are just as problematic for marine life as regular plastic cups. Photograph: Paulo Oliveira/Alamy Stock Photo. A UK parliamentary committee warns that compostable and biodegradable plastics could increase marine pollution due to a lack of infrastructure. Plastic alternatives are used by many food and beverage companies, takeaway coffee vendors, cafes, and retailers. However, experts presented evidence to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee indicating that facilities for new packaging are not yet in place and consumers lack sufficient awareness of alternative materials. Many compostable packages produced in the UK market can only degrade in industrial composting facilities, not home composting facilities – but not all of them are sent to such facilities. Environmental groups told the committee that the rapid introduction of this…

2020-05-27

Russia officially joins the Paris Climate Agreement

Four years after the agreement was reached, Russia formally joins the climate agreement. Russia, the world's fourth-largest emitter, formally ratified the climate agreement, bringing an end to months of international tension over the issue. "The Russian Federation has accepted the Paris Climate Agreement and has become a full participant in this international treaty," Ruslan Edelgeriev, the president's climate advisor, told the UN Climate Summit in New York before outlining the country's climate contributions. "Russia has played a leading role in greenhouse gas reductions, reducing our total emissions by nearly half compared to a 1990 baseline. This is equivalent to 41 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, or the cumulative amount for an entire year globally." This baseline, which corresponds to the collapse of the former Soviet Union and its industry, makes it a relatively easy benchmark to demonstrate success. Edelgeriev stated, "Russia is making another significant, albeit unreflected, contribution to the fight against CO2 and CO2 storage. That contribution is a key factor: Russia's boreal forests." Despite his attempts to send the resolution to Congress, months of lobbying by businesses and representatives swayed President Putin, who bypassed the cabinet and ratified the agreement through a government agreement. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed the government decree on the same day. The country's climate commitments are notoriously weak, with the Climate Action Tracker calling them "grossly inadequate." Climate policy observers in the country welcomed the decision. Alexey Kokorin, WWF Russia

2020-05-27

In response to Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg's expectations, over 500 B-type companies, including The Guardian, have pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030.

The 25th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 25) is in full swing. While parties are still debating how to set carbon pricing, more than 500 B-type companies have voluntarily pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, hoping to cool down the overheated planet. The 25th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 25), currently being held in Madrid, Spain, will conclude today (December 13, 2019). The two-week conference focused on blue oceans and carbon pricing. UN Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated: "This is not a climate dialogue summit, we have had enough dialogue; this is not a climate 'negotiation' summit, we cannot negotiate with nature, this is a climate 'action' summit." [Image source: United Nations Climate Change] Even before COP25, global B-type companies had appealed to and urged CEOs of the Business Roundtable to "not just talk the talk, but walk the walk," inviting them to participate in "Let's Get to Work!" Companies made voluntary commitments to reduce emissions.

2020-05-27

United Nations: Record High Global Greenhouse Emissions Could Have Devastating Consequences

According to a United Nations report released today, global greenhouse gas emissions reached a record high last year, and if countries fail to take necessary action, global temperatures this century will reach 3.2 degrees Celsius, more than double the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold set by the Paris Climate Agreement. The "Emissions Gap Report," released today, is one of several studies released ahead of the UN climate summit in Madrid, Spain, next week to urge world leaders to curb climate change. The Emissions Gap Report calculates the necessary reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions to meet the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned last year that failing to meet the target could lead to significant global changes, including the loss of nearly all coral reefs and most Arctic sea ice. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) pointed out in its summary of the "Emissions Gap Report" that according to the emission reduction targets currently pledged by countries, "global temperatures are expected to rise by 3.2 degrees Celsius this century, triggering widespread and devastating climate shocks." John Christensen, the lead author of the report, said at a press conference: "As grandfathers, we don't want to pass on this problem to our grandchildren.

2020-05-27

Legislators questioned the lack of effective greenhouse gas reductions; the Environmental Protection Administration responded that it would take responsibility and consider amending the law.

The 25th Conference of the Parties (COP25) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will be held in Madrid, Spain, in early December. With the Trump administration's recent formal letter to the UN announcing its intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, greenhouse gas reduction to mitigate climate change is expected to be a major focus of COP25. The Legislative Yuan's Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee reviewed the Environmental Protection Administration's budget today (December 18th). Legislators Wang Yu-min, Chen Yi-min, and Wu Yu-chin, among others, offered suggestions regarding Taiwan's greenhouse gas reduction policies. Wang Yu-min pointed out that nearly five years after the enactment of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Management Act, the government's reduction strategy has not been proactive enough. "Last year's Control Yuan report also pointed out that the reduction effect was not significant, yet the Environmental Protection Administration has not revised or reviewed its related measures." Therefore, he proposed reducing the "Climate Change Response Plan" portion of the Greenhouse Gas Management Fund by NT$1 million and freezing NT$6 million. In response, Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) Director-General Chang Tzu-ching acknowledged that the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act does indeed require review after its implementation. "The EPA will take responsibility for supervising the effectiveness of carbon reduction measures implemented by various ministries and will begin to review and revise the future direction of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act." The 2015 Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change adopted the Paris Agreement, reaching a consensus among countries on greenhouse gas emission reduction practices. Each country is responsible for its own implementation, with emission reduction efforts reviewed every five years, and pressure exerted on countries with insufficient carbon reduction efforts through negotiations. Although Taiwan is neither a UN member nor a party to the Climate Convention or the Paris Agreement, it is committed to aligning with international practices and fulfilling its responsibility as a global citizen.

2020-05-27

South Korea's new semi-transparent silicon solar cell has an efficiency of 12% and is expected to become a new generation of "windows" in the future

If windows of the future could capture sunlight to generate electricity, businesses and homes could potentially save significant costs. The Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) has developed transparent solar panels with a 12% conversion efficiency. In the near future, windows could become solar panels, transforming entire buildings into power plants. Unlike rooftop solar systems, which face aesthetic considerations, regulations, and permits, fully transparent glass solar panels could be an entry-level option upon commercialization. Consequently, many research institutions have recently begun exploring glass solar panels or integrating window and solar technology. However, existing technologies face numerous challenges. First, conversion efficiencies fall below the 20% of conventional solar panels. Furthermore, because they need to absorb a wider range of sunlight wavelengths, the technologies being developed primarily rely on emerging materials like dyes and polymers, often with brown and blue hues, and are still some time away from commercialization. Therefore, the UNIST team is looking to adapt common silicon-based solar cells, potentially opening up new opportunities for the solar market. In their research, UNIST first punched countless tiny holes in a 1-square-centimeter silicon solar cell. The holes, about 100 microns in diameter, are as thin as a human hair. This design allows 100% of sunlight to pass through, allowing the cell to absorb the light without changing its color. Ultimately, the team developed a semi-transparent silicon solar cell with a conversion efficiency of 12%. While this still falls short of 20% and the 15% threshold for commercialization, it's already superior to other transparent cells.

2020-05-27

New plastic restriction regulations for 2020: Disposable tableware is prohibited for dine-in at department stores and hypermarkets. See here for implementation dates across Taiwan's counties and cities.

Following the Environmental Protection Administration's (EPA) revision of the "Restrictions on the Use and Implementation of Disposable Tableware" in August of this year, Taipei City took the lead, proposing an implementation date of January 1, 2020. Subsequently, six special municipalities (New Taipei, Taichung, Taoyuan, Kaohsiung, and Tainan) and six non-special municipalities (Penghu, Yilan, Hualien, Changhua, Hsinchu, and Keelung), a total of 12 counties and cities, submitted their respective implementation dates to the EPA, which were subsequently approved and implemented. The EPA explained that this was due to considerations of business scale, operating model, and regional conditions, authorizing each county and city government to set the implementation date, resulting in a nationwide discrepancy. The new law expands the scope of regulation from government departments and schools to department stores, shopping malls, and hypermarkets, stipulating that "disposable tableware of all materials may not be provided for dine-in customers." Department stores and shopping malls will be prohibited from providing disposable tableware starting January 1, 2020. Hypermarkets will follow suit: Yilan and Hualien are the fastest to implement the new regulations. Comparing the 12 counties and cities that have already announced their regulations, eight counties and cities across Taiwan will implement the new regulations for "department stores and shopping malls" on January 1, 2020. These include Taipei City, New Taipei City, Taoyuan City, Taichung City, Tainan City, Penghu County, Yilan County, and Hualien County. Kaohsiung City will implement the regulations on March 1, Hsinchu City on May 1, and Keelung City the latest, on July 1. As for the new regulations prohibiting the provision of disposable tableware in hypermarkets, Yilan County and Hualien County are the first to implement them, taking effect on January 1, 2020. Taipei City, New Taipei City, Kaohsiung City, Taoyuan City, Penghu County, Yilan County, and Hualien County will follow suit.

2020-05-27

Unraveling the mystery of biodegradable plastics: Choosing the right "household compostable, ocean biodegradable" plastics can make you more environmentally friendly.

Photodegradable, disintegrating, and oxidatively biodegradable plastics actually don't decompose and are not compostable. In the 1860s, after the Civil War, the US economy boomed, driven by manufacturing. With the westward expansion reaching its peak, American pool became popular. However, at the time, pool balls were made of ivory, which was difficult to obtain and expensive, leading to increased elephant poaching in African colonies. Seeking an alternative to ivory, American inventor John Wesley Hyatt combined cellulose nitrate and camphor to create a compound called celluloid, the world's first artificial plastic. This invention was not only groundbreaking, but also a key component of America's Second Industrial Revolution. Celluloid was later refined into petroleum-based plastics. Due to its low price and high plasticity, it was widely used in all aspects of human life, rapidly changing consumer habits and providing convenient, hygienic, and affordable products. However, with the uncontrolled and excessive consumption of plastic, it takes hundreds of years for it to decompose in the natural environment. Therefore, in recent years, countries around the world have begun to pay attention to the serious consequences of plastic waste. The Century of Loneliness of Plastic: Over 10 billion tons of plastic are produced annually worldwide, 90% of which is used only once and becomes waste. According to United Nations statistics, global plastic use has increased annually, approaching 10 billion tons. Of this, less than 10% is recycled and reused. The rest becomes waste and is either incinerated or placed in landfills, dispersing into the ocean and other environments, breaking into plastic microparticles.

2020-05-27

Is it difficult to have both convenience and environmental protection? "Sustainable packaging materials" is the way to go to promote green consumption!

As climate change worsens and global warming accelerates, research institutions and scientists worldwide are anxiously seeking quick solutions to eliminate greenhouse gases and cool the planet. In this battle against climate change, consumers may not have heard of "clean energy" or "carbon capture technology," but they understand the benefits of actions like tree planting, energy efficiency improvements, and green consumption in reducing carbon emissions. According to a 2019 survey by Tetra Pak of over 7,500 respondents in 15 global markets, more than 90% of consumers habitually look for eco-labels on products when making purchases; and a staggering 43% indicated they are willing to pay a higher price for products that claim to be environmentally friendly. Globally, more and more countries are demonstrating their commitment to environmental protection through plastic reduction policies, and many consumers are joining the ranks of those reducing plastic use, not only to effectively save energy and reduce carbon emissions, but also to reduce environmental pollution and ecological damage caused by plastic products. Convenience and environmental protection can indeed coexist, but reducing plastic use is not something that can be achieved overnight. The invention of plastics has brought immense convenience to human life. Everyday items we encounter, such as beverage bottles, plastic bags, food storage containers, and melamine tableware, are all familiar petrochemical plastic products. According to a 2016 report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in collaboration with the World Economic Forum and...

2020-05-27

Vietnam's first recycled plastic road opens

With a growing environmental awareness in Vietnam, local authorities have recently found a new path to environmental sustainability: using recycled plastic to pave roads. Vietnam's first 200-meter-long road paved with waste plastic was recently opened in Hai Phong City, and this "recycled road" will be extended. This proposal for paving roads with waste plastic was a collaboration between DOW CHEMICAL VIETNAM Company, the developer of the Dinh Vu Industrial Zone (Deep C) in Hai Phong City, and the Vietnam Maritime University, among others. The first phase involved the construction of the 200-meter-long road paved with waste plastic within the industrial zone. Vietnamese media reported that a large amount of recycled plastic waste was provided by local environmental protection units. After being washed, dried, and crushed, it was mixed with asphalt at a temperature of 150 to 180 degrees Celsius and then used for paving. This mixture of plastic and asphalt is believed to improve the road's durability. Following the opening of this "recycling road" on the 1st, the relevant authorities will continue to build similar roads within the industrial park. A second "recycling road," made from 6.5 tons of recycled plastic waste, is scheduled for completion in November. The developers of the Deep C Industrial Park stated that the development of new applications for plastic waste treatment helps promote circular economic development, create value from plastics, and reduce plastic waste. The opening of this road made from recycled plastic marks a significant milestone for Deep C as a leading eco-industrial park in Vietnam. The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) stated that this new approach to plastic waste treatment aligns with the Vietnamese government's...

2020-05-27

Taiwan has toxic substances; we are seeking consultation regarding revisions to regulations concerning chemicals.

The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) plans a streamlined, consolidated licensing scheme. Taiwanese companies may soon receive integrated permits from local authorities for the use of chemicals of concern and toxic substances. Based on the EPA's recommendation, separate documentation for each substance will no longer be required. The EPA is holding public consultations and draft amendments for the following four regulations concerning toxic substances and chemicals of concern: Permit registration and approval regulations; Holding and emission record regulations; Approval regulations for Category IV substances; and Material Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and labeling regulations. Public consultation will end on October 14th, and the bills will take effect on January 16th, 2020. Under the Toxic Chemicals and Chemicals of Concern Management Act (TCCSCA), toxic chemicals are defined as those intentionally produced or unintentionally generated during manufacturing. Toxic chemicals are further classified into four categories based on their chemical properties or their impact on human health and the environment. Chemicals of concern are separated from toxic chemicals and include substances of "public concern" that pollute the environment or are suspected of posing health hazards. The main change in the draft amendment to the licensing regulations is the potential use of a new system that would allow local authorities to issue integrated licenses or registration documents for individual holders or factories. Under the current system, companies are required to keep separate records for each substance they hold, manufacture, import, export, store, or use. "This will be much more convenient for both holders and local authorities," said Liu Yi-kun, head of the Integrated Planning Division at the Toxic and Chemical Substances Bureau (TCSB). The draft amendment will also allow companies to upload their applications and license approvals online.

2020-05-27

Shipping industry sets its sights on ammonia as a new way to reduce carbon emissions.

The shipping industry has a new strategy for reducing carbon emissions. A British study indicates that ammonia, commonly found in fertilizers, is the best alternative to diesel fuel for cargo ships, and its combustion process produces no carbon dioxide. The shipping industry is hoping to replace diesel with ammonia to help combat climate change. Cargo ships could be powered by ammonia as early as 10 years. According to the BBC, David, a researcher at the Royal Society, stated, "Ammonia is the only fuel that can propel cargo ships anywhere with zero carbon emissions." The study also indicates that while ammonia production does produce carbon, new technologies can be used to produce zero-carbon ammonia. One approach is to capture the carbon dioxide during production and bury it underground. Another approach is to produce ammonia from renewable energy sources. The Korean Register of Shipping, which certifies ships worldwide, also noted earlier that ammonia is a viable clean energy source because it does not require extensive specialized technology. The organization stated in its report, "Ammonia has the advantage of being relatively easy to store, as it has a reasonable energy density, liquefaction temperature, and production and transportation costs compared to other carbon-neutral fuels. The technology for its stable production and transportation is already available." Source: Environmental Information Center

2020-05-27

Reducing plastic at the source: Taipei's traditional markets pilot reusable bag and recycling bin system

To reduce the use of plastic bags, the Taipei City Environmental Protection Bureau has piloted "recyclable bag collection bins" at the entrances of 12 traditional markets, encouraging the public to donate their reusable bags. After disinfection, these bags are then provided to shoppers. Various sizes of plastic bags hang on the stalls of traditional markets. A single trip to the market often results in the use of several plastic bags. Plastic bags are cheap and difficult to recycle, resulting in a low reuse rate. The Taipei City Environmental Protection Bureau has set up "recyclable bag collection bins" at the entrance of the Xihu Market in Taipei City, proactively providing reusable bags to encourage the public to reduce their use of plastic bags. The reusable bags at Xihu Market are almost all taken every day, and the cleaning team replenishes them. The public is encouraged to donate their unused bags, which can be placed on the lower level of the collection bin. These bags are then collected by the recycling team, tagged, disinfected with ultraviolet light, and returned to the market. Chen Li-e, from the Taipei City Environmental Protection Bureau's Resource Recycling Team, stated, "Because we don't know what was inside the recyclable bags the previous user had them, we clean them and then disinfect them with ultraviolet light. This ensures they are safe to use and also alleviates public concerns." The Taipei City Environmental Protection Bureau indicated that while the recycling bins aren't new to Taipei, increasing their usage rate requires dedicated personnel to clean and manage the recyclable bags. This measure, implemented in October, has shown positive results after a three-month trial, and they plan to expand its implementation. (Source: PTS News)

2020-05-27

IMF: Carbon tax is the most effective way to combat climate change

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said today that the world's largest carbon polluters should agree to impose a carbon tax of $75 per tonne of carbon emissions over the next ten years to keep climate change at a safe level. AFP reported that the IMF called for immediate action to address climate change, but in recent years, major economies have disagreed on preventing catastrophic global warming, leading to policy clashes. An IMF researcher stated in a blog post, "A carbon tax is the most powerful and effective tool, but only if implemented in a fair and amicable manner." Following the "Yellow Vest" protests and numerous acts of violence last year, the French government temporarily suspended its plan to raise the carbon tax to over $50 per tonne. Meanwhile, US President Trump announced the withdrawal from the 2015 Paris Agreement. This report was released ahead of the annual meetings of the IMF and the World Bank next week, where the IMF's new Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, is expected to urge member countries to take action on climate change. According to the IMF's research report released today, carbon tax is the most effective way to prevent global temperatures from rising by more than 2 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels and achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. Imposing a carbon tax will increase the costs of carbon-intensive industries such as electricity, tourism, manufacturing, transportation and food. The current global average carbon price is US$2 per ton.

2020-05-27