Inspite of rising fuel prices and air fares, the increasing number of short haul passenger trips has contributed immensely to the increase in per capita carbon emission

BT announced on Tuesday that it will cut its carbon emissions intensity by 80% across the globe by 2020, setting one of the most aggressive corporate carbon reduction targets world wide. The company also - published a new model for measuring and tracking carbon emissions-backed by the Carbon Disclosure Project. This represents an important step in measuring carbon emissions in a consistent way across the globe.

A one-day workshop on

As the state is working on bringing out its first-ever environment policy, environmentalists working in Himachal have expressed concern over increasing activities of hydro-power production, cement industries and indiscriminate mining and have asked the state for a serious review while framing the policy.

Rising acidity in the ocean caused by seas absorbing greenhouse carbon dioxide could make low-lying island nations like Kiribati and the Maldives more vulnerable to storms as their coral reefs struggle to survive, say scientists. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is at its highest level in the past 650,000 years and half of it has now been dissolved into the oceans making them more acidic.

Convenience store operator Seven-Eleven Japan Co said Monday that it will test the use of biodiesel fuel made from recycled cooking oil in delivery vehicles in Hokkaido for three months through the end of August. In the biggest test on biodiesel use in Japan, waste cooking oil will be collected from Seven-Eleven shops and a food maker in Sapporo and nearby areas for production of the environment-friendly fuel. Seven-Eleven will use the biodiesel fuel for deliveries of boxed meal deliveries to some 460 outlets in Sapporo and nearby areas as well as in Tomakomai by 58 vehicles.

The government is considering the introduction of carbon footprint labels for food and other daily products as early as next fiscal year as part of its efforts to fight global warming, officials said Monday. The labels would display the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted during the production, marketing and distribution of the items. Carbon footprint labels have already been attached to about 75 products sold in the British market and there is growing interest in the system from other industrialized countries, including Japan, the officials said.

Even before debate began Monday on the first comprehensive climate change bill to reach the Senate floor, the White House said President Bush would veto it in its current form. Bush himself slammed the bill, saying it would cost the US economy $6 trillion. His estimate drew quick denials from those who support the legislation, including Sen. Barbara Boxer, a California Democrat and long-time environmentalist.

The possible economic cost of confronting global warming