Green news we loved: In case you missed it first time around, here\u2019s our August round-up of the most talked about, most innovative solutions or simply the most awesome green news to hit the headlines.<\/p>\n
One-third of China\u2019s emissions come from exports<\/strong><\/span> Ikea want cheap green tech<\/strong><\/span> Dubai\u2019s eco architecture continues<\/strong><\/span> Dictionary goes green<\/strong><\/span> Google invests in more sustainable technology<\/strong><\/span> Psychology for better green living<\/strong><\/span> Electric bikes are big hit<\/strong><\/span> Prince Charles most outspoken yet?<\/strong><\/span> Want to comment on some of these stories? How do you feel about an oil state becoming the home of green innovations \u2013 can Dubai set a global standard? Is it time for consumer countries of China\u2019s exports to burden more responsibility? Share your views below. <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Green news we loved: In case you missed it first time around, here\u2019s our August round-up of the most talked about, most innovative solutions or simply the most awesome green news to hit the...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-114","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nOften dubbed the country to overtake the US in carbon emissions, a new study revealed this month that China\u2019s growing export market is responsible for one-third of their emissions \u2013 much of it from manufacturing \u2018advanced\u2019 electronics goods for developed countries. With International policy at the moment tending to penalise the country that produces rather than the one that consumes the goods \u00ac- such as US and Europe \u2013 we must ask, is it time for a policy change?<\/p>\n
\nIkea stated they are to invest in green technology in order to apply their familiar low-cost furniture approach to domestic power generation. They are said to be plummeting nearly \u00a340 billion into technologies such as solar, water conservation, efficiency meters and alternative lighting, and are hoping to get products into stores in two to four years time. Will this be affordable green tech for the global masses? Let\u2019s see. Keep an Allen key at the ready.<\/p>\n
\nNot only does Dubai boost both Brad Pitt\u2019s and Pamela Anderson\u2019s new eco-chic hotels, numerous eco-cities in the making, and some of the most advanced green architecture in the world \u2013 if you overlook the, ahem, luxurious indoor ski resort in the desert. This month saw plans to build a shopping centre that adheres to tough eco-credentials with energy-efficient lighting and cooling systems, reflective roofs, recycling resources and facilities to encourage cycling. Can an oil state really become the home of green innovations \u2013 or is this greenwash on a massive scale?<\/p>\n
\nOnce green buzzwords for those in the know, a collection of terms have now become part of our popular culture as they join the latest Chambers Dictionary released this month. Environmental terms such as \u2018carbon footprint\u2019, \u2018food miles\u2019, \u2018green tax\u2019 and \u2018eco-village\u2019 made it in the eleventh edition \u00ac\u2013 a sure reflection of our changing times.<\/p>\n
\nSmart company and superpower of the Internet Google, have committed to invest $10m (\u00a35.4m) in a technology to make widespread geothermal power more universally attainable. As a company, they have already invested tens of millions of dollars in solar and wind energy. Experts think geothermal could be the energy of the future as it is clean, carbon-free \u2013 if it can be tapped efficiently \u2013 and potentially available 24\/7 over much of the world.<\/p>\n
\nA conference this month of the American Psychological Association focused efforts on how psychology can encourage green behaviour. Experts say they want to launch a national initiative promoting media messages to help people reduce their carbon footprint. Psychologists have found \u2018negative feedback\u2019, such as confronting consumers with the fact that they might not doing enough, may prove sufficient to make them quit whereas informing them of what can be done has positive results.<\/p>\n
\nElectric bikes are popular in China, but they are now starting to catch on in the rest of the world. In the US, sales have doubled partly due to rising fuel prices while in Europe \u2013 which already has a strong bike culture \u2013 sales have risen fast in France, Germany and Holland according to figures released this month. A wide range of electric bikes are now available, the cheaper offerings often use lead-acid batteries, while the more expensive but lighter weight and longer ranging use lithium ion batteries.<\/p>\n
\nCharles is not one to mince his words, and has stated this month that the widespread use of GM crops would be the \u2018biggest disaster environmentally of all time\u2019. Charles accused multinational food companies of conducting a \u2018gigantic experiment with nature\u2019 pointing out that it would hurt small farmers and the environment. In the face of those who think GMO crops can raise yields, cut costs and feed the world\u2019s hungry, he said what we should be talking about is \u2018food security, not food production\u2019.<\/p>\n