Tag Archives: science
Trump’s University Students Taught How To Swindle Trump University Students
“A lawsuit filed Saturday by New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman alleges that Donald Trump defrauded more than 5000 people of $40 million, handed… Continue reading
Boost For Biofuels Production
Friday 16 August 2013 SCIENTISTS say they have discovered a potential key to more efficient biofuel production, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Biofuels are a source of energy created by processing fast-growing plants as opposed to matter that has taken millions of years to form. An international team of scientists from the UK, Belgium and the US has identified a new enzyme associated with lignin, a major component of plant cell walls that limits their conversion to energy by reducing the accessibility of sugar molecules necessary for biofuel production. The lignin has to be removed through an energy-consuming process, therefore plants with a lower amount of lignin, or containing lignin that is easier to break down, are ideally suited for the process. Experts in plant genetics, biochemistry and chemical analysis teamed up to identify a key enzyme named caffeoyl shikimate esterase (CSE). By knocking it out, the scientists found that it resulted in 36% less lignin per gram of stem material. The remaining lignin also had an altered structure which contributed to a more efficient conversion of biomass to energy. The findings are published online in this week’s issue of Science Express magazine. Professor Claire Halpin, of Dundee University, said: “It looks like it could be very useful in trying to manipulate plant biomass to generate biofuels and other chemicals from non-food crops.” The study was a collaboration between Dundee University, the James Hutton Institute, VIB research institute and Ghent University in Belgium and the University of Wisconsin in the US. Continue reading
Climate Innovation Debate: What’s The Future For Carbon Trading Systems, Around The World?
Press release A focused panel of experts from business, academia and politics will consider how different regional carbon trading systems should be modified in order to enable them to effectively combat climate change. The debate, to be held on 24 September, is organised by Climate-KIC, which is part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). The European Commission and Parliament have been struggling to find a solution to plunging carbon prices, with a compromise deal being struck only as recently as June and many publicly questioning the future of the system. Advocates, however, have called for the success of carbon trading to be determined based on the level of carbon reduction, rather than the price of carbon. Research has been published to suggest that the market-based approach of Europe’s carbon trading system is still delivering results. Meanwhile, international policy makers are looking to adopt local versions of Europe’s carbon trading system. Climate-KIC will now bring together a panel of experts to discuss the future of carbon trading, and its effect on long term climate change mitigation and adaption. Debate The panel will include Pierre Dechamps, adviser to European Commission President Barroso on energy and climate change, former top climate diplomat John Ashton and Renat Heuberger, CEO of Climate-KIC partner South Pole Carbon Asset Management. The event is organised by Climate-KIC, one of three Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) created in 2010 by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). The debate will be moderated by Jonathan Tyler, Climate-KIC’s Chief Commercial Officer. Tyler is a former chemical industry focused investment banker and has held senior roles mostly at US firms, including Goldman Sachs and Bear Stearns. It is possible to attend the debate in Brussels on 24 September. The event starts at 16:00, with a reception planned at 18:00. The debate will take in the Science 14 Atrium conference centre, close to the European Commission and Parliament in Brussels. Please visit www.climate-kic.org/events/carbon-trading-debate for more information and to find out how to register to attend. Experts Pierre Dechamps, Adviser, Energy & Climate Change, Bureau of European Policy Advisers (BEPA) to President Barroso, European Commission Pierre Dechamps advises European Commission President Barroso on energy, climate change and the environment in his role as adviser with the Bureau of European Policy Advisers (BEPA). Dechamps has previously worked on clean coal technologies and CO2 capture and sequestration in the European Commission. John Ashton, former UK top diplomat, commentator and adviser on climate change politics John Ashton served as special representative for climate change for three successive UK foreign secretaries, spanning the current coalition and the previous labour governments. The UK foreign office pioneered during this time a diplomacy-led approach to climate change. Renat Heuberger, CEO, South Pole Carbon Asset Management Renat Heuberger fights climate change with market-based solutions such as carbon credits. Heuberger is CEO of Climate-KIC partner South Pole Carbon Asset Management, a company headquartered in Switzerland with twelve offices worldwide and operations in 25 countries. Climate-KIC Climate-KIC is the European Union’s largest public-private innovation partnership focused on climate change, consisting of dynamic companies, the best academic institutions and the public sector. The organisation integrates education, entrepreneurship and innovation resulting in connected, creative transformation of knowledge and ideas into economically viable products or services that help to mitigate climate change. The Climate-KIC aims to stimulate creativity and entrepreneurship by supporting the development of start-up companies and innovative projects in the climate area. Climate-KIC is one of three Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) created in 2010 by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). The EIT is an EU body whose mission is to create sustainable growth. Climate-KIC supports this mission by addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation. Continue reading
