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)
Percentage of Californians Walking, Biking, or Using Transit Doubles Since 2000
The percentage of California residents walking, biking, or using public transportation has more than doubled since 2000 -- from 11 percent to 23 percent for the typical daily household trips. (CA DOT survey)
Lower Lead Levels in U.S. Kids
Levels of lead have dropped dramatically. In 1976, 88.2 percent of U.S. children had elevated blood lead levels compared to 1.6 percent today. (Feb. 25, 2006)
Half of German Renewable Energy Owned By Citizens, Not Utility Companies
In Germany, where 20% of electricity comes from renewable sources, 51% of all wind and solar energy is owned by individual citizens or farms, totaling $100 billion worth of private investment in clean energy. - WindWorks.org
US Factory Output Rose in Feb. by Most in 6 Months
U.S. factory output rebounded strongly in February 2014, surging 0.8 percent, the largest gain in six months, according to the Federal Reserve.
World Wetlands Day, A Cause for Celebration
February 2 is World Wetlands Day: From 1986-1997, the rate of wetlands loss in the United States has declined by 80 percent, according to a 2001 Fish and Wildlife Service report.
Rate of Deforestation in Amazon Slowing
Deforestation rates in the Amazon are declining, according to data released by the Brazilian government. Rates of deforestation from 1 August 2005 to 1 August 2006 dropped an estimated 11 percent.
Community Foundation Giving Increased 6.7 Percent Despite Economy
Even in the face of a worsening economy, the nation's 717 community foundations raised their giving by an estimated 6.7 percent in 2008 to a record $4.6 billion, and outpaced corporate foundation funding for the first time, according to Key Facts on Community Foundations, a May 2009 report from the Foundation Center.
Number of Happy Russians Breaks Record
The number of happy Russians rose to a record 82 percent in April, eclipsing the previous high of 77 percent recorded in March 2008, All-Russia Public Opinion Research Center reported on Monday. - from Ria Novosti
Asian Poverty Reduction at 95%
In 1990 there were 500 million people living in poverty in East Asia and the Pacific region. That number is now under 200 million, and the World Bank projects that by 2011 it will be under 20 million — a reduction of 95 percent. — Ray Kurzweil, author, inventor and futurist speaking at the Ted Conference (Read All Good Bites)
Health Spending as Share of GDP Drops for First Time Since 1997
Spending on health care as a share of GDP in 2012 dropped slightly for the first time since 1997, as overall growth in health-care spending remained relatively low for the fourth consecutive year, the federal government announced in January.
50 New Species Discovered Each Day in 2006
16,969 species new to science were discovered and described in 2006 -- an average of nearly 50 species per day -- reports the International Institute for Species Exploration in partnership with the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature. (Read All Good Bites)
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.
Chemical Pollution Decreases
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. (Read All Good Bites)
Coral More Resilient Than First Thought, Australian Scientists Find
Australian scientists studying the ocean have found that coral is more resilient than first thought, and has the ability to deal with increasing temperature. - ABC News
Domestic Violence Plummets in U.S.
Domestic violence against spouses and intimate partners in the U.S. fell by nearly two-thirds in recent years, reaching a 30-year low. Government figures show the marked declines began in 1994.
States Set Renewable Energy Goals
Eighteen states, including power hogs California and Texas, have set requirements or goals for renewable energy. New York, for one, aims to generate 25 percent of the state's energy from renewables by 2013, up from 19 percent today. (Jan. 2006)
Olympic Stadium Lighting is Made in Iowa
The US Olympic uniforms may have been made in China, but the stadium lighting was made in America. A company called Musco, in Muscatine, Iowa has lit every Olympic game since 1984 -- as well as center court at Wimbledon, the World Trade Center site and probably your kid's sporting field. (Musco.com)
Mild Season for Tornado Alley
"During a remarkable 17-day lull from mid-May through early June, there were no tornado watches issued anywhere in the United States, a period that is typically the height of the season in Tornado Alley," reported the AP this week. (July 31, 2009)
Volunteerism Becomes Part of Modern Culture in America
Since 1989, the number of Americans who volunteer has grown by more than 25 million and service is up across all age groups. -White House, 2013