Good Bites

Florida Crime Rate Lowest in 30 Years

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Florida's crime rate has dropped to its lowest level in more than 30 years. 2005 produced a 4 percent drop in overall crime rate, down for the 14th straight year.

Panda Numbers Doubled

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

A new method of counting Giant Pandas in the wild using DNA revealed there was more than double the estimated number living in one reserve and, based on the finding, as many as 3,000 of the elusive and endangered animals in the mountains of China, rather than the 1,590 previously thought.

Chesapeake Bay's Grasses are Renewing

Friday, May 26, 2006

Grasses in the Chesapeake Bay are rebounding, covering double the acreage they did in 1984. In 2005, grasses, a key component of the bay's health, inhabited 78,260 acres, 7 percent more coverage than in 2004. Efforts to control Nitrogen must be redoubled to reach scientists' goals of 185,000 acres in 2010.

Random House Ups Recycled Paper Usage

Thursday, May 25, 2006

Leading U.S. publisher Random House will use more recycled paper in its books — up to 30 percent from its current 3 percent — and preserve more than 550,000 trees a year. By 2010 nearly a third of the uncoated paper used will be recycled and at least 10 percent for glossy paper within two years.

Volkswagen UK's New Green Policies

Thursday, May 25, 2006

Volkswagen Group UK, which includes Audi, launched a new environmental policy switching to renewable energy to power two of its plants; buying 100 percent recycled paper for the head office; implementing an Environmental Management System and encouraging staff to reduce and recycle.

Brazil Fueling 1 Million Cars on Sugarcane

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Latin America’s largest country, Brazil, is the world’s biggest producer of bio-ethanol and 1 million Brazilian cars already run on the fuel made from sugarcane. The cars, introduced three years ago, can use either gasoline or bioethanol.

Connecticut to Use Only Safe Cleaning Products

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

All state agencies in Connecticut will now use only environmentally safe cleaning products in their facilities. Green products maintain sanitary conditions while minimizing harmful side effects and improving indoor air quality.

Chemical Pollution Decreases

Thursday, April 13, 2006

The EPA reported that chemical pollution released into the environment fell more than 4 percent from 2003 to 2004, due mostly to the metal mining, electric utility and hazardous waste industries.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Adds Biodiesel Cars to Fleet

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Enterprise Rent-A-Car has added five biodiesel vehicles to its Portland fleet, testing customer demand for environmentally friendly rentals. The Jeep Liberties come filled with bio-fuel and can be refilled at four local stations or with regular diesel.

Tanzania Bans Plastic Bags

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

The manufacturing, importing, buying and using of thin plastic bags is now banned in Tanzania. Bags are blamed for harming livestock, blocking drains and reducing soil fertility.