The interest of several manufacturers in the EU ecolabel for cleaning products and detergents has grown in the past two years. Whereas initial interest was registered for ecolabels on all-purpose cleaners and dishwashing machine detergents, there is now an interest in ecolabels for laundry detergents. What is certain is that by consuming roughly 1.3 million tonnes of cleaning agents and detergents... read more
106 million tonnes less CO2
A new report by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) which accounts for the emissions from renewable energy sources (Emissionsbilanz erneuerbarer Energieträger) concludes that roughly 106 million tonnes of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) were saved through the use of renewable energies in 2007. The report provides an account of renewable energy sources that has been updated in terms of met... read more
New: Maps on air quality
What is the annual average level of atmospheric particulates (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone pollution in Germany? All the answers are now available, totally free of charge, from the Federal Environment Agency at http://gis.uba.de/Website/luft/index.htm. The data in this geographic information system (GIS) provide a quick look at the regional distribution of air pollution in Germany, dat... read more
Experts explain climate change
What are the origins of climate change? What impact does the current change in climate have on ecosystems in the various regions around the globe and on human health? Climate experts at the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) have the answers to these and similar questions in a newly published brochure. It is based on findings from the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climat... read more
When tags interfere with recycling
Some consumers have already taken notice of them: ever more packaging with adhesive tags or unusual labelling. It is a system using so-called Radio-Frequency identification, or RFID tags, which will eventually replace the barcode commonly used today. Their advantage is that they store more information on minimal space and are quickly read by readers. RFID tags are well-placed everywhere where good... read more
One in every five supermarkets still using refrigerant R 22 and damaging the climate
The Federal Environment Agency is urging quick replacement of the refrigerant R 22 with climate-friendly alternatives. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are still being used as coolants at butchers’, in canteen kitchens, air conditioning systems, or in supermarkets. Although it damages the ozone layer if it leaks, one in every five supermarkets in Germany still uses R 22. The European Union has ban... read more
Kids’ quiz on environment and health
How can I tell if a bathing lake is clean? Why should I air the bath after taking a shower? What is a noise signalling light? Kids (and adults, too!) can now playfully test their knowledge about the environment and health with these and 57 other quiz questions! The lovingly illustrated quiz is available for two age groups: the easier version targets children aged 8 and older, and the more advanced... read more
Sustainable mobility on foot, by bike, bus, and rail
The motto of this year’s European Mobility Week is ‘Improving City Climates’. This is the first year that the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) is participating in the Mit dem Rad zur Arbeit (Going to work by bike) campaign co-sponsored by the Allgemeine Deutsche Fahrradclub (ADFC) and the Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse (AOK) with 140 active cyclists. In mathematical terms, participants cycled the equ... read more
