. Earth Science News .
DEMOCRACY
UN goes green, orders drastic cut of air-conditioning use

UN Headquarters in New York.
by Staff Writers
 United Nations (AFP) July 30, 2008
 The United Nations on Wednesday announced a drastic cut of air-conditioning usage at its New York headquarters for the month of August that will raise the temperature from a crisp 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 Celsius) to a balmy 77.

Under a directive from UN chief Ban Ki-moon, the air-conditioning in the 39-floor Secretariat building will be turned off on weekends.

Assuming the temperature change goes smoothly, the "Cool UN" initiative to cut down on energy costs and implement climate change solutions could be extended for a full year, saving the world body one million dollars and reducing the building's carbon dioxide emmissions by 2,800 tonnes.

During the winter, the process would be reversed and the thermostat would be lowered by five degrees Fahrenheit.

"We have succeeded in moving climate change to the top of the international agenda for action, and this means that the UN must take action itself," Ban said in a statement. "We must lead by example and if we are to ask others to take action, we must do so as well."

As part of the initiative, Ban is encouraging staff, delegates and diplomats to relax clothing protocols and wear lighter attire or don their national dress rather than wear business suits as of August 1.

Asked whether the secretary general would be setting an example in this regard as well, Janos Pasztor, head of the the Secretary General Climate Support Team, told reporters: "He will be wearing lighter clothes as well, he has confirmed that."

Community
 Email This Article
 Comment On This Article
Share This Article With Planet Earth
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit
YahooMyWebYahooMyWeb GoogleGoogle FacebookFacebook



Related Links
 Democracy in the 21st century at TerraDaily.com


Memory Foam Mattress Review
SPACE MEDIA NETWORK PROMOTIONS
 Solar Energy Solutions
Tempur-Pedic Mattress Comparison ...
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


DEMOCRACY
New UN special envoy flies in to prepare Cyprus peace push
 Larnaca, Cyprus (AFP) July 27, 2008
 Newly-appointed UN special envoy Alexander Downer arrived on Sunday for contacts with rival Cypriot leaders ahead of a September process aimed at reunifying the Mediterranean island.






DISASTER MANAGEMENT
  • Teacher sent to labour camp for China quake photos
  • Over 600,000 evacuated as tropical storm hits China: reports
  • China insurers expect 1.5 bln dlrs in snow, quake claims: officials
  • Japanese say careful preparations saved them from quake

    • CLIMATE SCIENCE
  • Japan adopts action plan against global warming
  • Climate Change In The USA To Cost Billions
  • Greenhouse Gases May Be Released As Destruction Of Wetlands Worsens
  • Limes May Help Cut CO2 Levels Back To Pre-Industrial Levels

    • EARTH OBSERVATION
  • GOCE Begins Its Journey To Launch Site
  • GOCE Prepares For Shipment To Russia
  • NASA Works To Improve Short-Term Weather Forecasts
  • ESA To Consult The Science Community On Earth Explorer Selection

    • ENERGY TECH
  • Niger campaigners call for more details on oil deal with China
  • Turkey Hit By Higher Energy Prices
  • Innovative Cellulosic Ethanol Pilot Facility
  • Untapped Ocean Currents Show Great Energy Potential

    • EPIDEMICS
  • US triples AIDS, malaria, TB funds for poorest countries
  • Eighty percent of HIV-positive Kenyans unaware of status: survey
  • New Evidence Of Battle Between Humans And Ancient Virus
  • Dengue cases in Philippines rise by 43 percent: government

    • FLORA AND FAUNA
  • Is It Too Late To Save The Great Migrations
  • Bacteria Reveal Secret Of Adaptation At Evolution Canyon
  • Newly Discovered Monkey Is Threatened With Extinction
  • Piecing Together An Extinct Baboon-Sized Lemur

    • FROTH AND BUBBLE
  • Japanese plan world's largest cleanup
  • Air Quality Forecasts For China
  • Air Pollution Is Causing Widespread And Serious Impacts To Ecosystems
  • Study: Early Los Alamos toxin leaks higher

    • ABOUT US
  • Chicken And Chips Theory of Pacific Migration
  • China allows quake-hit families to have more children
  • Outdoor Enthusiasts Scaring Off Native Carnivores In Parks
  • Archaeologists Trace Early Irrigation Farming In Ancient Yemen

    • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement