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Warming Prompts Petitions to Expand World Heritage Danger List

PARIS, France, November 18, 2004 (ENS) – Petitions from three developing countries were presented to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Paris today asking that sites in Belize, Nepal and Peru be protected from the effects of climate change. The petitions ask the Committee urgently to place the Belize Barrier Reef, the Huascran National Park in Peru, and the Sagarmatha National Park in Nepal on the List of World Heritage in Danger. The petitioners are urging the Committee to consider these danger listing at their next annual meeting in June 2005. Placement on the Danger List is a legal mechanism under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention requiring an increased level of protection for the listed site. Governments that are Parties to the Convention have a legal obligation to transmit World Heritage Sites to future generations. Belize Barrier Reef World Heritage Site The Belize Barrier Reef, described by Charles Darwin in 1842 as "the most remarkable reef in the West Indies," has already been damaged by higher temperatures, and will be damaged further, according to the petitioner, the Belize Institute of Environmental Law and Policy. Candy Gonzalez on behalf of the Institute, said, "The Belize Barrier Reef is a magnificent feast […]

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Smart Growth Awards Honor Eco-Friendly Development

WASHINGTON, DC, November 18, 2004 (ENS) – Five communities in three states have been awarded the 2004 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement given by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Smart growth development practices help protect the environment by preserving open space and parkland, protecting critical habitat, improving transportation choices to reduce emissions from automobiles, cleaning up and reusing brownfields, and reducing paved surfaces to minimize polluted run-off. EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt Wednesday presented the honors for: Overall Excellence to the Town of Davidson, North Carolina, Planning Department for creating vibrant neighborhoods in an historic setting. The town is revitalizing existing buildings, and has issued design guidelines that preserve its small town atmosphere. New neighborhoods feature parks within a five minute walk of homes, along with a variety of lot sizes and housing types, including affordable housing. Built Projects to the City of Greensboro, North Carolina, Department of Housing and Community Development for the Southside Neighborhood, located close to Greensboro's historic main street. New development and revitalization of existing structures transformed this blighted area into a thriving, attractive district. Policies and Regulations to the City of Santa Cruz, California, Department of Housing and Community Development for its Accessory Dwelling […]

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Hydrogenics Receives German Contract for Fuel Cell Hybrid Bus

Hydrogenics Corp. (Nasdaq: HYGS; TSX: HYG), a designer and manufacturer of hydrogen and fuel cell systems, has been contracted by the Ministry for Transport Energy and State Planning of the State North-Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany, to develop a fully operational electric hybrid 'midi-bus'. The propulsion system of the 17 foot European-manufactured bus platform will be based on Hydrogenics' high performance fuel cell hybrid design that integrates HyPM power module technology. Also under the terms of the contract, Hydrogenics will supply full scale testing and select demonstrations in NRW. The contract is a cost share arrangement in which NRW will fund 50% of the project cost up to euro 566,000 (approximately $US 735,000). The project and its assessment will take place over a one-year period. Demonstrations are expected to be underway by the middle of next year. Website: http://www.hydrogenics.com     

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Warming Europe Takes Lead Role in Climate Change Drama

STRASBOURG, France, November 17, 2004 (ENS) – Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) want the European Union to maintain its leading role in the upcoming climate negotiations. In a vote this morning, Parliament reminded EU negotiators that the latest report of the European Environment Agency warned that Europe is warming faster than the global average. By adopting a resolution on climate change today, by 640 votes in favor, 22 against with 21 abstentions, the European lawmakers sent a strong message to the EU delegation attending the next round of climate talks that opens on December 6 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. At the 10th Conference of Parties (COP-10) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, they want Europe to lead the world away from a carbon intensive future. Parliament believes that COP-10 constitutes a good opportunity not only to build on the decisions taken at previous Conferences on implementing the Kyoto Protocol, but also to start a wide-ranging debate on the main issues for the second commitment period. The protocol is an agreement negotiated within the framework of the Convention on Climate Change that sets binding targets for the reduction of six greenhouse gases that trap the Sun's rays […]

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