Germany’s electricity supply could make a complete switch to renewable energies by 2050. The technology already available on the market could make this possible even today, but it requires that electricity be used and produced very efficiently. These are the results of the Energieziel 2050: 100% Strom aus erneuerbaren Quellen [100% renewable electricity supply by 2050] study done by the Federal En... read more
New ordinance on small firing installations to ensure improved air quality
According to a recent study carried out on behalf of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), the new environmental requirements for wood-fired heaters, woodstoves, and other small firing installations using solid fuels will make considerable improvements in particulate emissions. The results of the study done by the University of Stuttgart Institute of Process Engineering and Power Plant Technology... read more
Unadulterated swimming fun
The EU Commission published its statistics on the bathing water quality for 2009 season on 10 June 2010. 99 percent of Germany’s bathing waters meet the quality standards set by the EC Bathing Water Directive. 81 percent of bathing waters even meet the more stringent requirements to be classified as ‘good quality’. read more
Import of waste requiring authorisation continues at high rate
The import of wastes requiring authorisation remained high in 2009, in a pattern similar to previous years. Total volume was 7.6 milllion tonnes (mn t) and increased mainly due to a large construction site on the German-Austrian border (Figure 1). Exports, in contrast, declined by about 20 percent and amounted to only 1.2 mn t. The share of hazardous waste also decreased, as exports amounted to a... read more
Tin can makes a comeback: very much an offside trap for consumers
Just in time for the World Cup kickoff, it’s there on the supermarket shelves: the tin can. It’s a pity because ecologically speaking, the tin can continues to be a poor choice compared to reusable beverage packaging. Consumers should therefore avoid these tin cans: “Whether it’s soft drinks, cola or beer, reusable glass and PET bottles are the best choice - all the more so if provided by a region... read more
Fluorinated fire-fighting foams protect - not the environment though
Fire departments save lives, recover, extinguish, protect- sometimes the environment, too. Fires can be fought especially well with chemicals, propellants or plastics that contain fluorinated extinguishing foams, which prevent the formation of toxic combustion products. However, the chemicals contained in the foams are not, environmentally speaking, worry-free. “Fluorinated chemicals are very pers... read more
Bisphenol A - a chemical with adverse effects produced in large quantities
The substance Bisphenol A is frequently mentioned in media reports on hazardous chemicals. Over and over reports about Bisphenol A in the environment and in our bodies makes people feel insecure. What kind of substance is it, where can Bisphenol A be found and what is the risk for human health and environment? The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) comments on the health risks of Bisphenol A and inf... read more
Federal Environment Agency: Unecological subsidies cost 48 billion euros
Subsidies harmful to the environment are costing 48 billion euros in tax revenues every year, or about one fifth of the federal budget. That trend is unfortunately on the rise. About one half of all subsidies foster the use of fossil fuels, rendering some efforts in environmental protection void. “In times of record debt, ecologically harmful subsidies must be put subjected to serious review. A ph... read more
