A new study finds that nearly one-quarter of the world’s population lives in regions where water is being used faster than it can be replenished. Using computer models of global groundwater resources and water use data, scientists from Canada and the Netherlands calculated that the planet’s “groundwater footprint” — the area above ground that relies on (more…)

Recently we blogged about a project by the Kyoto Journal called Fresh Currents, a magazine designed to offer thinking fodder for post-nuclear disaster Japan. The idea of the magazine is to dispel myths about nuclear power and to take a fresh look at alternative energy as a possibility for Japan. (more…)

The historic blackouts that left more than 670 million people in India without electricity this week revealed profound problems with a power network struggling to keep pace with one of the world’s fastest growing economies, experts say.

While it’s unclear what specifically triggered this (more…)

Indian cell phone maker Micromax has announced the launch of a unit equipped with photovoltaic cells. The model is called X259 and the company describes it as “functional and efficient”. It features a 2.4” screen, camera, Bluetooth and the option to use two chips. (more…)

There is deep concern over air quality in China especially during the 2008 Olympics held there. Concern was raised over the air quality, and its potential effect on the athletes. Beijing committed then to remove 60,000 taxis and buses from the roads by the end of 2007 and relocate 200 local factories, including a prominent steel factory, China’s Olympian attempt (more…)

Roughly 130 people are likely to die from radiation exposure and another 180 die from cancer as a result of the March 2011 meltdown of the Fukushima-Daichi nuclear power station in Japan, according to a new study by Stanford University researchers.

The researchers presented a wide range of possible (more…)

Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) and Lockheed Martin have announced they will team to develop a 19-megawatt (MW) wave energy project off the coast of Victoria, Australia. When complete, the project will be one of the largest wave energy generation projects in the world. (more…)

The rapid expansion of roads across the rural mountains of Southeast Asia often triggers unintended environmental consequences that in many cases undermine the socioeconomic benefits, according to an article in the journal Nature Geoscience.

While international organizations have supported (more…)

Malaysia is a country located in Southeast Asia and shares land borders with Brunei, Thailand, and Indonesia, as well as maritime borders with the Philippines, Vietnam, and Singapore. It is located in the tropics region and is considered a “megadiverse country” because of the large number of endemic fauna and flora. Because of its heavy biodiversity along with a (more…)

Another inspiring story about solar power benefitting the people who need it most: people living in emerging countries, in areas without grid connection and where often dirty kerosene is the only option.

The UK Guardian newspaper has run a story about the arrival of solar panels at a small village in Sullia (more…)