Agriculture & Environment

Friday, November 6, 2009

Delegates discuss way forward in U.N. climate talks

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – U.N. climate negotiators assured Friday that, despite low expectations for setting legally binding emissions targets next month, it is still possible to conclude a strong, 192-nation deal to define future work in fighting global warming.

Countries most vulnerable to climate change said they were incensed that rich nations were rethinking the timetable for concluding a legally binding treaty.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

U.N. climate talks focus on how to cut emissions

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – African nations pushed wealthy countries at U.N. climate talks on Wednesday to explain how they intend to cut their greenhouse emissions under the landmark global warming agreement being negotiated.

Yet as delegates from 192 nations retreated behind closed doors in Spain, fears arose over just what will be accomplished this year on fighting climate change.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Africans boycott meetings at U.N. climate talks

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – African countries boycotted meetings at U.N. climate talks Tuesday, saying that industrial countries had set carbon-cutting targets too low for reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.

The action forced several technical meetings to be canceled at this week's U.N. climate talks in Barcelona. Delegates warned that, unless the African protest was settled, it could set back the timetable for concluding a new climate change pact at a major U.N. conference next month in Copenhagen.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Good thing C-U forefathers knew to go green

One hundred years ago, the Champaign Chamber of Commerce developed its own subdivision and, smart and forward-looking men they were, made sure that there was land for public use. The chamber of commerce donated eight lots to be used for a future public school.

They knew that close-by schools and parks would be an asset to a community and a neighborhood, not just in the early 1900s but 100 years later.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Middle school students stand up for recycling

OAKWOOD – About 20 Oakwood Junior High students were going door to door Monday afternoon, asking residents if they want recycling and would pay a couple dollars for it.

Danville residents have time to comment on recycling proposal

DANVILLE – Residents in Danville have until Saturday to express their opinion to city officials about whether they would like a curbside recycling program.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Danville residents invited to join tree-planting program

DANVILLE – Next month, the city will be planting trees around town, and residents can boost the city's tree-planting efforts by getting involved in the Leaf A Legacy program.

Since 2003, the city's Pride Grows Program has offered individuals, businesses, organizations and others the opportunity to buy a Leaf A Legacy tree that's planted in a city park or other city property and marked with a plaque.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Vermilion County men taking charge with vehicles

DANVILLE – Every day, Judge Michael Clary drives his 2001 Ford Ranger truck to work with the "check engine" light shining, but never "checks" his engine.

He's not worried.

His truck has no engine.

It also has no exhaust system, no gas tank and no radiator.

The truck looks like any other Ford Ranger, but runs on an electric motor and 24 six-volt golf cart batteries – six under the hood and 18 in the truck bed – that weigh about 65 pounds each. Open the gas cap door to fill 'er up, and there's an electrical plug.

The circuit judge bought the truck in March, gutted it, and from April to August spent most nights and weekends in his garage transforming it into an all-electric vehicle.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Wet weather forcing farmers into timeout in the field

CHAMPAIGN – Too many rainy days are frustrating farmers and delaying the harvest this year.

But once crops are out of the field, it's possible this year's crop will be one of the biggest on record in East Central Illinois.

"We've had numerous harvest delays with the wet weather we've received over the past four weeks," said Roger Miller, general manager of Premier Cooperative, which has 23 elevators in Champaign, Vermilion, Piatt and Ford counties.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

UI solar house shines with second-place showing

WASHINGTON – A University of Illinois solar house that took second place in an international competition will have a high-profile address when it returns to campus.

The 800-square-foot "Gable House" designed by students will be sited southeast of the I Hotel and Conference Centers on St. Mary's Road, pending final UI approval, team members said this week.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Champaign will try to mirror Urbana's recycling plans

CHAMPAIGN – Over the next year, Champaign city officials, apartment building owners and waste haulers will be sorting out details to implement a multifamily recycling program.

At a city council meeting Tuesday, city leaders gave staff a green light to proceed with a recycling program that mirrors one in Urbana. The Champaign program is expected to be operating by next fall.

UI students say they're willing to join in recycling effort

CHAMPAIGN – University of Illinois students will recycle if given the chance, supporters told the city council during a discussion of Champaign starting a recycling program for apartments and other multifamily properties.

"If you make the resource available, the students will use it," Cassie Carroll, a University of Illinois graduate and executive director with the Illinois Green Business Association, said at Tuesday night's city council meeting.

Danville starts survey on desire for recycling service

DANVILLE - This month, residents interested in a curbside recycling program in Danville will have the chance to fill out an online survey and indicate how much they would be willing to pay to have the service.

Residents will receive a message with their sanitary sewer and solid waste bills about how to access an online survey about recycling, said Public Works Director Doug Ahrens.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Beckman Institute marks 20 years of collaboration

URBANA – In 1985, the Illini baseball field, Strawberry Fields and a cinder track, five laps to the mile, dominated the area near Wright and University.

Within four years, a $50 million facility jutted from the area, a 20-year experiment in bringing scholars from different fields under one roof that has paid off with research that benefits our daily life.

Plenty of options for fresh apples among area farms

Maybe you're looking for crisp, freshly picked apples that practically snap when you bite into them.

Or maybe you want a weekend away to relax and enjoy the colors and smells of fall. Or you're ready for your fill of apple doughnuts and freshly pressed cider to go with a side of games, face painting and, of course, apple picking.

Event will give teachers tools to use in classrooms

Want to teach children about the environment? The best way is to figure out how to get them outdoors.

"The well-being of our kids is being threatened because they are not spending enough time outside," said Kristin Camp, science and health curriculum coordinator for Champaign schools.