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
Brazil Fueling 1 Million Cars on Sugarcane
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.
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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.
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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)
Florida Crime Rate Lowest in 30 Years
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.
Mexican drug homicides fall 14 percent in four months
Mexico said on April 11 that killings linked to organized crime fell 14 percent in the first four months of the presidency of Enrique Pena Nieto, who has vowed to reduce murder, kidnapping, and extortion. (Reuters)
Buyers of Low-Fuel Cars Get a Sales Tax Exemption
A new sales tax exemption that encourages Washington car shoppers to choose hybrids and alternative-fuel vehicles will save them an estimated $18.6 million over the next two years. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
World Sea Piracy Falls for Third Straight Year
"World sea piracy fell for a third straight year in 2013, as Somali pirates were curbed by international naval patrols and improved ship vigilance." (AP)
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
AIDS Deaths Down in 2007
The number of AIDS deaths worldwide dropped 10 percent in 2007, as did the number of new infections in children, because of increasing access to treatment, the United Nations reported. Prevention efforts like condom use and education tripled in some countries. (2008/07/29)
Highway Deaths in 2011 Reach All Time Low
US highway deaths declined again last year, reaching their lowest rate, when compared to miles driven, since record-keeping began in 1921, according to government data. Overall, traffic fatalities have plummeted 26 percent since 2005. -Associated Press
Germany Shatters Another Renewable Energy Record
Germany has shattered another record: In the first half of 2014, 31% of the entire country was powered by renewable energy. (Inhabitat)
Fewest Americans Killed in 2013 Lightning Strikes Than Any Year Before
Thanks to public safety awareness, lightning strikes killed fewer people in the U.S. last year than in any other year on record, according to federal officials at NOAA. Compared to 70 years ago when 432 people were struck and killed, the 2013 total reached just 23. (NBC)
US Gun Crime Plunges Over Last Two Decades
Mirroring the fall generally in violent crime, gun homicides and crimes involving guns have fallen sharply over the last two decades in the United States -- down 39 percent since 1993, reports the Justice Department. (Reuters)
US Helps to Relieve Afghan Hunger Caused by 2011 Draught
The U.S. is helping to alleviate hunger in Afghanistan through its Food for Peace program, a program originally started during the Eisenhower administration. A $40 million donation was used to purchase wheat from Kazakhstan for distribution in 14 affected Afghan provinces. (Food For Peace)
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%).
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)
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)
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.
U.S. Forests Expanding
Since 2000, U.S. forests have expanded by an area larger than Delaware. — Jan. 2006, Smithsonian magazine
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