Carbon footprint

A carbon footprint is "the total set of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions caused by an organization, event or product" . For simplicity of reporting, it is often expressed in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide, or its equivalent of other GHGs, emitted.

The concept name of the carbon footprint originates from ecological footprint discussion. carbon footprint is a subset of the ecological footprint and of the more comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

An individual, nation, or organization's carbon footprint can be measured by undertaking a GHG emissions assessment. Once the size of a carbon footprint is known, a strategy can be devised to reduce it, e.g. by technological developments, better process and product management, changed Green Public or Private Procurement (GPP), Carbon capture, consumption strategies, and others.

The mitigation of carbon footprints through the development of alternative projects, such as solar or wind energy or reforestation, represents one way of reducing a carbon footprint and is often known as Carbon offsetting.

Finland's Largest Biomass Plant

The official inauguration of Finland's largest wood-burning biomass power plant was held in Lappeenranta on Friday. Minister of the Environment Paula Lehtomaki was on hand for the event.

Lehtomäki said the plant was a step forward in the use of renewable energy sources and emissions-free energy production. She said she expects more biomass plants to be built in the future.

The plant, which is owned by energy companies Pohjolan Voima and Lappeenrannan Energia, was built ahead of schedule and cost less than the initial estimate of 244 million euros. In total, the plant cost 240 million euros to build.

The power plant, fueled by bark, branches, small wood and peat, is located at the UPM Kaukas' mill complex, and has been fully operational since November.

Worst-Case Scenario: Fighting the Gulf Oil Spill

As an environmental disaster, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico just keeps getting worse. Late on Thursday, April 29, BP — the energy company that operates the sunken Deepwater Horizon rig and is financially responsible for the spill — revealed that oil was leaking from the burst well at a rate of 5,000 bbl. a day, five times faster than previously estimated. That means about 210,000 gal. of oil are now spilling into the Gulf each day, forming a metastasizing oil slick that is 5,000 sq. mi. (13,000 sq km) large and growing by the hour.

Worse, shifting winds and currents are pushing the oil toward the Gulf Coast, where the Coast Guard and other government agencies are already preparing to minimize the environmental impact when the crude washes ashore. "We are being very aggressive, and we are prepared for the worst case," said Rear Admiral Sally Brice O'Hara of the Coast Guard in a press briefing on Thursday.

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1986102,00.html

UK Temperature

The UK should expect a 4°C rise in temperature by 2080 according to the most likely results of the experiment.

Heatwaves are on the rise and, by 2080, summer temperatures of 40°C will be common. Winters will also be warmer.

UK rainfall

Summer rainfall is set to decrease and the UK can expect more frequent droughts

Winters will bring less snow and more rain, especially in the north and west. Storms will be more frequent and more severe.

Global changes

Different regions around the world can expect varying levels of warming. New Zealand faces a smaller temperature rise than the UK's 4°C change, while Alaska should prepare for a greater increase

दुइ आँखा चिम्ले मनमा आयो तपाईंको सम्झना, कल्पना गरे केही दिन खोजे भेटाये शुभ-कामना, झर्ना झै चोखो बगिनै रहोस् मन्का ति भावना। फुल झै हर्पल् फुलिनै रहोस्,प्रगति र चहना।। नाम र किर्ति फैलिनै रहोस्,सिद्ध होस् कामना। नव बर्ष २०६७ सुखमय बनोस्, यही छ मेरो शुभ-कामना।।।