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World Agrees on a Treaty Restricting Mercury

January 25, 2013 Add Comment Edit

After protracted negotiations that spanned almost half a decade more than 140 countries have signed on to the world's first legally binding international agreement to control mercury emissions. The agreement puts in place rules that limit mercury emissions from power plants and industrial boilers as well as certain kinds of smelters handling metals like zinc and gold. The treaty phases out mercury laden products, like batteries and thermometers as well as certain types of fluorescent lamps, soaps and cosmetics. The agreement also establishes rules for direct mining of mercury and addresses safe storage of mercury waste.

The treaty sets mercury reduction targets on a range of products, processes and industries. The agreement provides clear guidelines for industry and will reduce mercury emissions which are a known threat to human health.

"Mercury has been known as a toxin and a hazard for centuries-but today we have many of the alternative technologies and processes needed to reduce the risks for tens of millions of people, including pregnant mothers and their babies. A good outcome can also assist in a more sustainable future for generations to come," said United Nations Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner.

In small-scale gold mining for example there are now mercury-free methods and other low-cost solutions for reducing emissions.

The new agreement will ban the production, export and import of a range of mercury-containing products. Nations that have small-scale gold mining operations, (a leading cause of mercury contamination) will be required to draw up national plans to limit mercury emissions.

This agreement will reduce cases of neurological and behavioral disorders, and other health problems linked to mercury, as well as the contamination of soils and rivers caused by man-made emissions of the metal.

The treaty will be signed at a special meeting in Japan this October and it will come into force in 2020. In the interim Japan, Norway and Switzerland have pledged funds to fast-track action.

Because of the long life of mercury, once released it can remain in the environment for centuries. This means that it is likely to be several years or decades before reductions in mercury emissions have a demonstrable effect on mercury levels in nature and the food chain.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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UNEP Mercury Study: Levels of the Toxic Metal are Increasing

January 25, 2013 Add Comment Edit

A UNEP study released in January 2013 found mercury pollution in the top layer of the world’s oceans has doubled in the past century. In the past 100 years, man-made emissions have caused the amount of mercury in the top 100 metres of the world's oceans to double. Concentrations in deeper waters have increased by up to 25 percent. The study also indicates that hundreds of tons of mercury have leaked from the soil into rivers and lakes around the world. The report says an estimated 260 tonnes of mercury - previously held in soils - are being released into rivers and lakes.

The study titled Global Mercury Assessment 2013 indicates that communities in developing countries are facing increasing health and environmental risks linked to exposure to mercury. Most of the mercury contamination in Africa, Asia and South America are largely attributable to the use of the toxic element in small-scale gold mining, and through the burning of coal for electricity generation. Coal burning is responsible for some 475 tonnes of mercury emissions annually, or around 24 per cent of the global total.

Annual emissions from small-scale gold mining are estimated at 727 tonnes, or 35 per cent of the global total. Greater exposure to mercury poses a direct threat to the health of some 10-15 million people who are directly involved in small-scale gold mining, mainly in Africa, Asia and South America. An estimated 3 million women and children work in the industry.

Much human exposure to mercury is through the consumption of contaminated fish, making aquatic environments the critical link to human health.

The study, which provides a comprehensive breakdown of mercury emissions by region and economic sector, also highlights significant releases into the environment linked to contaminated sites and deforestation. Asia is the largest regional emitter of mercury, and accounts for just under half of all global releases.

The UNEP studies reiterates the need for swift action by governments, industry and civil society to strengthen efforts to reduce mercury emissions and releases. Delays in action, say the reports, will lead to slower recovery of ecosystems and a greater legacy of pollution.

The report highlights rising mercury levels in the Arctic which is far from its point of origination. An estimated 200 tonnes of mercury are deposited in the Arctic each year. The study points a ten-fold increase in levels of mercury in certain Arctic wildlife species in the past 150 years.

Other sources of mercury highlighted in the UNEP publications include:

Metal and cement production, through fuel extraction and combustion of fossil fuels
Consumer products such as electronic devices, switches, batteries, energy-efficient light bulbs and cosmetics such as skin-lightening creams and mascara.
Mercury contained in such goods can also enter the waste stream.
Dentistry: Around 340 tonnes of mercury are used annually to make fillings and other dental products, of which up to 100 tonnes are likely to enter the waste stream
Plastic production - particularly the manufacture of poly vinyl chloride (PVC). PVC is in high demand in many countries where there are extensive building projects
Chlor-alkali industry (production of chlorine and caustic soda from salt)
Primary mining - although the practice is now limited to a handful of countries with only one (Kyrgyzstan) still exporting

To see the UNET report "Mercury: Time to Act is available" click here

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Legally Binding Treaty to Reduce Mercury Emissions

January 14, 2013 Add Comment Edit

On Sunday January 13 delegates from more than 130 nations began a final round of negotiations with the intent of creating the world's first legally binding treaty to reduce mercury emissions. Mercury contamination is a major problem which has serious implications for pregnant women, women of childbearing age and young children. Mercury accumulates in fish and wildlife and goes up the food chain.

According to the U.N. environment program, which is also one of the sponsors of these talks, over the past century ocean based mercury contamination has doubled. The report demonstrates that hundreds of tons of mercury have leaked from the soil into rivers and lakes around the world. High rates of mercury pollution are largely attributable to coal burning, chemical production and small-scale mining, particularly what is known as artisanal gold production.

David Piper of the U.N. Environment Program stated that about 70 countries are involved in artisanal gold mining, putting up to 15 million miners at risk of exposure to mercury, including 3 million women and children. Developing countries are most at risk from mercury contamination.

If successful the treaty will set enforceable limits on the emissions of mercury which account for approximately 30 percent of mercury pollution, There is a good deal of confidence that this treaty will get the support of participants. The almost 900 delegates and dozens of non-governmental organizations have already agreed on a draft text to be used this week for negotiations.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Stock Exchanges Increasingly Recommending Sustainability Reporting

December 12, 2012 Add Comment Edit

A growing number of stock exchanges around the world are recommending sustainability reporting. A number of diverse groups support sustainability reporting including the Rio+20 (negotiating text) and the U.N. (secretary general’s High Level Panel on Global Sustainability).

The Brazilian stock exchange (BM&FBOVESPA), also recommends that its listed companies either publish sustainability reports or explain why they do not. The initiative is intended to create a public database of reporting which was made available at Rio+20. BM&FBOVESPA says it was the second exchange in the world and the first in the Americas to use the GRI sustainability reporting model in its own annual report, starting in 2010.

Sustainability reporting is already a requirement for listing in the stock exchanges of South Africa, France and Denmark, and for state-owned enterprises in Sweden. The European Union is also considering the introduction of mandatory sustainability reporting for all member states.

In addition to recommending sustainability reporting, stock exchanges themselves are working towards reducing their environmental impacts. The NYSE Euronext announced it had become first carbon-neutral global exchange operator. The exchange’s recent environmental initiatives have included installing super-insulating SeriousGlass in the New York Stock Exchange building. NYSE also recently launched three regionally-focused clean energy stock indices together with Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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The EPA Seeks Historic Proposal to Protect Clean Air

June 25, 2012 Add Comment Edit

In the last couple of months, more than 2 million Americans have submitted comments in support of the EPA's efforts to reduce carbon pollution. The proposal has received more comments than any agency has ever received. Carbon pollution is linked to significant health hazards like asthma-inducing smog. Carbon pollution is a pandemic in the US with half of Americans (158 million) living in counties with unacceptable air pollution levels.

Big Coal has done everything in its power to stop the EPA from curbing carbon pollution. There is currently no federal limit on how much life-threatening carbon pollution can be spewed by coal plants. Infamous corporate polluters like the Koch Brothers want to keep it that way. This climate denying duo are amongst that group of billionaires who put their profits ahead of human health and use their fortunes to undermine efforts to address pollution.

Click here to join the Sierra Club and let the EPA know Americans stand behind cleaner air and spread the word through social media portals like Facebook and Twitter with their handy share buttons.

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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EPA's Carbon Pollution Standard has Strong Support

May 29, 2012 Add Comment Edit

Over one million people have expressed their strong support for the EPA's proposed protections from dangerous carbon pollution produced by new coal-fired power plants. The EPA wants to create regulations as authorized by the Clean Air Act (see Laws Statutes for the Clean Air Act). NSR permits have been required by regulations since the 1970's but the EPA is working to update and improve these regulations. The EPA action to adopt carbon pollution standards will help clean up and modernize the way we power the country and prevent life-threatening air pollution like toxic mercury, dirty soot and the smog that triggers asthma attacks.

On May 24, 2012, Sierra Club activists and others packed two U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) public hearings in Washington, D.C. and Chicago. Sierra Club activists joined health professionals, labor union leaders, parents, faith leaders, and public officials in testifying.

These are the first national limits on carbon pollution being spewed into the air by the nation’s largest sources, dirty coal-fired power plants. “We are here today to thank the Obama administration, and to show our ironclad support for limiting dangerous carbon pollution being dumped into our air,” said Mary Anne Hitt, Director of the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal campaign, who testified at the Washington, DC hearing with her 2-year-old daughter, Hazel. “These standards will allow EPA to focus on the industry that creates the lion’s share of the nation’s carbon pollution – Big Coal. For the sake of our kids and families who need clean air to breathe, workers who need good jobs, and all of us who need a stable climate, we urge the EPA to quickly finalize strong carbon pollution standards.”

In Chicago, the leaders that testified in favor of the carbon pollution standards include Brian Urbaszewski of the American Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago and Steve Frenkel, the director of the Union of Concerned Scientists’ Midwest office.

In Washington, D.C., testifiers included Mary Anne Hitt, director of the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign and Laura Anderko, RN, PHD, Endowed Chair at Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies.

The EPA's public comment period for the proposed EPA carbon pollution standards began April 13 and concludes on June 25. The carbon pollution standard has already generated more supportive comments than any other EPA standard in history. More than 1.3 million Americans have already submitted public comments supporting EPA action to adopt carbon pollution standards.

Click here to add your name to a virtual rally for people to send messages to the EPA and to Administrator Lisa Jackson showing support for the carbon pollution standards.

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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EPA's Top Green Powered Organizations (Q1 2012)

May 17, 2012 Add Comment Edit

In April 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its list of the Top 50 Green-Powered Organizations. This quarterly list is part of the Green Power Partnership which works with a wide variety of leading organizations in the US. This includes Fortune 500® companies, local, state and federal governments, and a growing number of colleges and universities.

Combined, the green power use of Partners on the National Top 50 list amounts to nearly 16 billion kilowatt-hours annually, which represents nearly 70 percent of the green power commitments made by all EPA Green Power Partners.

Using green power helps reduce the environmental impacts of electricity use and supports the development of new renewable generation capacity nationwide. Organizations can meet EPA Partnership requirements using any combination of three different product options: (1) Renewable Energy Certificates, (2) On-site generation, and (3) Utility green power products.

The EPA's list of top green-powered organizations included number of companies who have made sizable investment in renewable energy. This shows an increasing demand for renewable energy as well as a rising commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR).

As reported in Earth Techling, Intel offsets 85% of its annual energy bill with RECs and 2.5 billion kilowatt-hours. While Microsoft is a new addition to the EPA's top 50. With over 265 ENERGY STAR certified stores, 63 LEED certified stores, and solar power installations on 100 stores in 6 statesKohl's has been a green power leader since 2007.

The following companies and organizations ranked in the top 10 on the EPA's list in Q1 2012:

Intel
Kohl's
Microsoft
Wal-Mart
Whole Foods
Staples
City of Houston, TX
Starbucks
City of Austin, TX
Hilton Worldwide

The New 2012 CEC Sustainability Requirements

April 03, 2012 Add Comment Edit

The new Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) has incorporated the latest sustainability requirements for electrical professionals, as well as business and home owners. The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) 22nd edition of the CEC's mandatory guidelines include 180 important updates and revisions. CSA Standards is a leading standards-based solutions organization in Canada. The CEC addresses electrical safety, shock, and fire hazards of electrical products.

On February 6, 2012, the CSA officially announced the launch of the 2012 CEC, Part 1. The code includes sections on renewable energy sources (ie solar photovoltaic installations, wind generated electricity) and new requirements for electric vehicles and charging stations (both commercial and residential). By 2018, there will be at least a half a million 500,000 plug-in electric-drive vehicles on Canadian roads, and even more hybrids.

According to a CSA press release, the New Canadian Electrical Code represents the most comprehensive set of changes ever. The guidelines include future-looking developments toward sustainable technologies that help address climate change issues.

The code also covers unique installation requirements for a variety of renewable energy systems including wind and fuel cells. Hydrokinetic generation systems that convert tidal or ocean current into energy, and micro-hydro systems that are very small versions of hydro power stations that convert the energy of streams creeks into usable electricity, are also covered. Lastly, existing requirements for solar power have been updated considerably to reflect new technologies, techniques, and calculations. CSA’s 2012 Canadian Electrical Safety Code may also be considered a roadmap for the enhanced safety and success of electric vehicles.

As stated by Bonnie Rose, President, CSA Standards. “With major manufacturers bringing these products to market in greater numbers, they can no longer be considered simply emerging technologies, but part of our daily lives.”

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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