U.K. Renewable Electricity Generation Rose 28 Percent in 2013
According to the Department of Energy and Climate Change, renewable power generation in the U.K. rose 28 percent in 2013 as more wind farms and solar plants came online. (Bloomberg)
Growth Spurt for US, India Economies
The U.S. economy grew at a brisk annual rate of 4.2 percent in the April-June quarter and India's economy expanded by 5.7%, according to official figures released this week.
26 Million Removed From Hunger Roles in a Year
According to a recent UN report, the number of hungry people in the world has now fallen to roughly 1 in 8— 26 million fewer than a year ago—an astounding achievement.
Wind Energy Surges in Ohio Over Five Years
Wind power generation has exploded in Ohio with the capacity increasing from 7.4 megawatts in 2008 to 428 megawatts in 2012. With utility companies erecting 423 turbines, the output grew from enough to power 1,300 homes to more than 100,000 homes.
Asthma Inhalers Going Green
By the end of the year 22 million asthma patients will be breathing with the help of new environmentally friendly inhalers. The current inhalers use Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which are the main cause of ozone depletion in the stratosphere, which are being phased out in the United States on December 31.
Heart Patients Living Longer
Heart disease rates have been falling for decades due to healthier lifestyles, but now death rates after severe heart attacks have been cut in half over the last six years, thanks to new treatments and anti-clotting drugs. Death rates of patients in 14 countries fell from 8.4% to 4.5% between 1999 and 2006, a study showed.
Random House Ups Recycled Paper Usage
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.
No U.S. Forces Die in Afghanistan, First Month in Years
No U.S. military forces died in Afghanistan during the month of March, marking the first such month in more than seven years and the third time since the war began more than 12 years ago, according to the CNN Library, which tallies the casualties.
Coral Reef Discovered
A new coral reef was discovered off the Thai coast, which is home to over 30 types of hard corals and at least 112 species of fish, including a parrot fish never seen in Thailand until now — and as a rare species of sweet lips. It's an area of 1.4 square miles, 270 hectares, and scientists call it "spectacular."
EU to Beat 2020 Climate Change Targets
By 2020, the European Union will have cut its carbon emissions by 20 percent more than it had pledged it would under the Kyoto climate change treaty, according to an announcement made at a meeting of the bloc's environment ministers May 14.
Germany Elects First Jewish Mayor Since Holocaust
For the first time since the Second World War, a Jew has been elected as mayor of a major German city. The voters of Frankfurt (a city with a 1% Jewish population) this week elected Peter Feldmann its second Jewish mayor -- the first since Ludwig Landmann was pushed out of office when Hitler rose to power in 1933.
China Sees Big Drop in Carbon Emissions
China cut its carbon emissions by 5 percent in the first half of 2014 - the largest drop in years, said the country's premier, Li Keqiang. (Xinhua)
EU Pledges $1.2 Billion to Fight Ebola
European leaders agreed to a $1.26 Billion funding boost for the fight against Ebola in West Africa. (VOA)
First Year With No Deaths in Alaska Fishing Industry
Thanks to more stringent safety procedures governing the dangerous commercial fishing industry, zero commercial fishing deaths were recorded for the 2015 season. (Alaska Dispatch News)
Leprosy Has Been Almost Entirely Defeated
Leprosy has been almost entirely defeated: Worldwide cases have dropped 97% since 1985, and it is now easily treatable, with a global target of 2020 as the year when no more children will suffer from the deformity.
US Finally Regains the Jobs Lost in the Recession
The U.S. economy has reached a milestone: It has finally regained all 8.8 million private-sector jobs it lost during the Great Recession. March 2014 job growth figures also signaled that stronger gains could lie ahead. -AP
Chicago Gun Violence is Down for 8th Month in a Row
Chicago Gun Violence is Down for 8th Month in a Row, according to city crime report. (ABC News)
UN Finds Global Hunger Easing in 2010
The number of people in the world suffering chronic malnutrition fell for the first time in 15 years -- down 9.3 percent in 2010, according to the United Nations' food agency. - FAO
Connecticut to Use Only Safe Cleaning Products
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.
(Read All Good Bites)
Encouraging Rise in UK Paper Collections
A new study revealed that the UK collected over 8.6 million tons of recovered paper last year, a big jump over the previous year and an increase of 7.5%. The rise mirrors the growth reported in both 2005 (8.7%) and 2004 (12.8%).