Excessive consumption must become taboo: Worldwatch

SINGAPORE ~ Without an intentional cultural shift that values sustainability over consumerism, no government pledges or technological advances will be enough to rescue humanity from unacceptably hazardous environmental and climate risks, concludes the Worldwatch Institute in the latest edition of its flagship annual report, State of the World 2010.

The book, subtitled Transforming Cultures: From [...]

Greenhouse mafia active down under

ATTITUDES shown at Copenhagen by the world’s major per capita polluters namely the USA, Australia and China, demonstrated that the core thinking has barely changed since Kyoto 20 years ago.
Sure, the presentation is smoother, the denial less strident, and the opposition to change less aggressive; but behind the scenes it is clear that big [...]

All-electric Mini Coopers to hit US roads

SINGAPORE ~ German auto-maker BMW has announced it will begin leasing its all-electric version of the Mini Cooper in the United States next year, but only 500 of them, and only in California, New Jersey and New York. 
Nonetheless, it is an important step in bringing electric vehicles to US roads, and the all-electric Mini sounds [...]

SUV owners should be stigmatised

Women had bottles of blood and excrement thrown at them

Thailand first to sell E85 in Asia, claim

BANGKOK ¬ Thailand’s PTT Plc has become the first oil company in Asia to sell E85, but the 85 percent ethanol blended fuel will hardly be a money-maker for the first few months, says a report in Bangkok Post.
In fact, the only customers for E85 will be car companies testing their imported flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) [...]

Nissan promoting new SUV

NISSAN Motor Co. said yesterday it will launch a diesel-powered X-Trail sport utility vehicle, the 20GT, in Japan later this month in an effort to increase its lineup of fuel-efficient cars.
Congratulations to Nissan on its continuing efforts to make gas-guzzling SUVs attractive to motorists!

Technorati Tags: Nissan,SUV,gas-guzzling

Electric cars catching on in London

THE number of electric cars in London has increased from 90 in 2003 to 1,600 in 2008. And the figure is likely to rise now that the capital’s new mayor, Boris Johnson, has declared he will increase the number of public points at which electric-car owners can top up their batteries. At the moment there [...]

Toyota delivers first hydrogen-electric hybrid

TOYOTA Motor Corporation will make its advanced fuel cell hybrid vehicle available for leasing to Japan’s central and local governments and energy-related companies starting today (Monday). The first vehicle was delivered to the Environment Ministry this morning.

CNG will remain popular despite Bangkok blast

THE switch from gasoline to compressed natural gas (CNG) may  slow temporarily as a result of the blast that took place last week near Bangkok, injuring a pump attendant and damaging six cars, but it is unlikely to affect demand for natural gas in the mid- and longer-term.
The explosion took place on Friday at a Petroleum [...]

Thailand to save US$2.93 billion in switch to ethanol

 

BANGKOK ~ In a major push to encourage more motorists to switch to ethanol-based auto fuel, Thailand’s cabinet has agreed to exempt import tariffs on E85 car parts as well as lowering excise taxes for E85-fuelled cars. E85 is a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 per cent gasoline.
 The director-general of the Ministry of [...]