Your Daily Greens: Tokai Challenger Victory, Ambassador Tinker Bell, and Green Planes

Daily happenings around the GreenSphere (People, Companies & Communities):

It’s Official: The Tokai Challenger solar vehicle from Japan has won a sizzling victory in the 2009 Global Green Challenge. The Japanese team took the lead on day one, although only placing fourth in the qualifying round, and ousted the four-time reigning champions, the Dutch Nuon team. The race, which has been held every two years since 1987, runs between Darwin and Adelaide, covering some 3000 kilometers through Australia’s challenging outback. The event is a trial and exhibition of ecologically friendly vehicles in the quest for sustainable transport.

Southwest Green Initiatives: To green an aircraft, it must be made lighter, thus using less fuel and creating less emissions. Southwest Airlines has announced its plans for a “green plane,” which includes using recycled carpet and lighter, more durable seat covers made of synthetic leather alternatives which, when combined, equate to a weight savings of almost five pounds per seat, saving fuel and reducing emissions. They also plan to implement a more complex onboard recycling program to divert as much waste as possible.

Ambassador Tinker Bell: In an attempt to raise awareness about environmental issues among the youngest generation, the United Nations has named Disney character Tinker Bell an “Honorary Ambassador of Green.” U.N. Under-Secretary-General Kiyo Akasaka stated: “This beloved animated character can help us inspire kids and their parents to nurture nature and do what they can to take care of the environment.”

Environment vs. Economy: A proposed U.S. federal rule meant to reduce air pollution caused by large ships in the Great Lakes region won’t be as far-reaching as first thought. A negotiated deal between The Lake Carriers’ Association and the Environmental Protection Agency means that at least 13 large vessels will remain exempt from new regulations that would require large ships operating within 200 miles of a U.S. coast to use cleaner, thus more expensive, fuel and improve engine technology. The compromise allows for the EPA’s new rules to go through without adversely affecting the aging steamship fleet and the industries that rely on them, proponents claim. Clean air and health advocates claim the ships use the dirtiest fuel known to mankind and that this exemption will adversely affect the environment.

Tagged as: Airlines, Australia, Economy, Environment, Solar, UN