Pecologix Political Ecology Blotter

Salts of formic acid, which are known as formates, are now being used successfully in the Nordic countries, Switzerland and Austria to remove slippery ice from roads, sidewalks and bikeways. Compared to conventional gritting materials, these liquid de-icing agents act more efficiently and in a more environmentally acceptable manner. They are particularly suitable for removing [...]

Unsustainable private consumption causes energy and environmental problems. This occurs directly (resource depletion and emissions through using cars for transport) or indirectly (purchase of consumer goods and services for which the production uses energy and emits damaging gases).A hybrid energy analysis proved that indoor energy consumption, mobility, and vacations are the main consumer categories from [...]

The top 20 banks invested almost £150bn in the coal industry between 2005-2010, a big increase from previous years, says a study published today by German green group Urgewal. According to the Bankrolling Climate Change report, the biggest ‘climate killers’ are JP Morgan Chase, Citi and Bank of America. Continued investment in coal fired power [...]

The last two decades have witnessed a staggering decline of R&D investment in the fields of energy and electricity. This paper contends that this widespread phenomenon is mainly ascribable to the processes of liberalization and privatization of electricity markets, which have induced electric utilities to dramatically reduce R&D expenditures. A closer inspection to recent data [...]

With its seal of approval on more than 6% of all wild-caught fish, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is the world’s biggest eco-label for sustainable seafood. But it’s also controversial: Critics have accused MSC of having subjective standards and not adequately protecting marine ecosystems. A new analysis, released last week, makes the most detailed case [...]

In recent years, greenhouse gas emission controls that incorporate the supply chains of products and services, thereby emphasizing the role of consumers rather than producers, have been drawing increasing attention. A country’s consumption-based emissions, including those due to global supply chains, reflect the total emissions on which the national economy relies. To design effective emissions [...]

A report released in December has warned that global companies, positioning themselves for a post-petrochemical future, may use the idea as a pretext for gaining control over biomass resources, which would eventually replace petroleum as the feedstock for energy and for industrial products.The report, published by an international nongovernmental organisation Action Group on Erosion, Technology [...]