Act on Earth Hour call, UN climate chief tells delegates

Bonn, Germany – UN climate chief Yvo de Boer today urged delegates to crucial negotiations starting today to take heed of yesterday’s Earth Hour call from hundreds of millions of people wanting decisive global action on climate change this year.

The head of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) had earlier received a symbolic blue Earth Hour ballot box of “votes for earth” from a group of German scouts.

Taking the ballot box into the opening session of the climate talks, de Boer told delegates from nearly 190 nations meeting to negotiate towards a new global climate agreement due to be decided in Copenhagen in December that they should heed the voices of millions.

"Around the world, millions of people in thousands of cities switched their lights off last
night in order to send a clear message that we must act on climate change," he said.

"Earth hour was probably the largest public demonstration on climate change ever. Its aim was to tell every government representative to seal the deal in Copenhagen.”

If concluded, a Copenhagen agreement would provide the basis for global action on climate change causing emissions past the 2012 expiry of the current – and clearly inadequate – Kyoto Protocol.

From the Sydney’s Harbour Bridge soon after WWF’s Earth Hour commenced to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge shortly before it concluded, lights went out around the globe as hundreds of millions of people from around 4000 towns and cities in 88 countries voted for earth with their light switches.

“The world’s concerned citizens have given the negotiations an additional clear mandate,” de Boer said.

Throughout the session the blue box remained standing on the main negotiation table, visible to all delegates, observers and journalists from around the world.

“The suggestion that government delegates should take heed of their population’s voice and concerns on climate change is very heartening ,” said WWF’s global climate initiative leader Kim Carstensen.
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Photos of the Sky Tower in Auckland prior to and during Earth Hour.


Time to act

“Earth Hour 2009 was an incredible success,” said WWF International Director General James Leape. “If you participated in Earth Hour, thank you, your participation made that success possible.

“But whether your participated or not, the work continues, because over the next six months, the leaders of the world will be deciding how they step up to meet this challenge, and we need, together, to make sure they do the right thing.

“Join with us to take the fight from Earth Hour to December when those leaders gather in Copenhagen to agree on a solution to Climate Change. Together, we can make sure this problem is met.”

WWF China - Beijing's Bird's Nest

India (and Bollywood) rate climate action a priority

“Climate Change is undoubtedly and regrettably, the biggest immediate long-term environmental challenge we face,” famed Bollywood actor and filmmaker Aamir Khan said in a statement leading up to the country’s participation in Earth Hour.

“A failure to come to sound policy outcomes on climate change will not only have a negative environmental impact but also social and economic consequences for all of us.”

The world’s second most populated country participated enthusiastically in Earth Hour, with official activities taking place in the cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Cochin, Thiruvananthapuram, Dehradun, Shimla, Chandigarh and Hyderabad as well as numerous smaller communities.

Private citizens, businesses and government bodies took part, with an order reportedly going out today from a government ministry in New Delhi that all of the city’s public landmarks and monuments in the area should switch off their lights for Earth Hour

Mumbai’s best known landmarks, the Reserve Bank and Air India buildings and the Indian Tourism Development Corporation’s flagship Ashok Hotel, went dark along with hundreds of other buildings across the city. Indian IT giants such as WIPRO and Infosys also joined in.








Earth Hour event at IHC, Delhi



Click http://www.flickr.com/photos/earthhour_global/sets/72157615780247025/show/ to see a slide show of Earth Hour' 09 around the globe.

Earth Hour 2009 Set To Switch Off The Globe

• 377 cities already committed, and double the number of countries that participated in 2008
• Archbishop Desmond Tutu leads call for action on climate change
  
• Christ The Redeemer statue to turn off its lights
  
• Iconic Obama artist Shepard Fairey joins campaign
  

With only hours still to go before people around the world switch off their lights for Earth Hour, the public awareness raising campaign on climate change is showing signs of being the greatest voluntary action the world has ever witnessed.

The lights out initiative, which began in Sydney in 2007 as a one-city environmental campaign, has evolved into a grassroots action that has captured the attention of the citizens of the world. In 2008, 371 cities across 35 countries turned their lights out in a united call for action on climate change.

Now, with almost two months still remaining before Earth Hour 2009, that number has already been eclipsed, with 377 cities across 74 countries now committed to turning off their lights for one hour at 8.30pm on 28 March.

WWF Director General, Mr James Leape, said he is optimistic about the campaigns potential to drive key decision making on the issue of climate change.

With hundreds more cities expected to sign up to switch off in the coming months, Earth Hour 2009 is setting the platform for an unprecedented global mandate for action on climate change, he said.

The list of cities confirming their participation in Earth Hour 2009 includes 37 national capitals and some of the great cities of the world, including London, Beijing, Rome, Moscow, Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore, Athens, Buenos Aires, Toronto, Sydney, Mexico City, Istanbul, Copenhagen, Manila, Las Vegas, Brussels, Cape Town and Helsinki.

Along with the great metropolises of the world, Earth Hour 2009 will also see the lights go out on some of the most recognised landmarks on the planet, including Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Table Mountain in Cape Town, Merlion in Singapore, Sydney Opera House, CN Tower in Toronto, Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and the worldís tallest constructed building Taipei 101.

A host of high profile ambassadors across the world have also lent their support to the campaign, most notably Nobel Peace Prize recipient Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Academy Award-winning actress Cate Blanchett. Shepard Fairey, the artist who created the iconic imagery for Barack Obama in the recent US Presidential Election, has agreed to create artwork for the Earth Hour campaign.

Earth Hour Executive Director, Mr Andy Ridley, said the 2009 campaign is an opportunity for the people of the world to cast their vote on this important global issue.

Earth Hour by its very nature is the essence of grassroots action. This is the opportunity for individuals from all corners of the globe to unite in a single voice and demand action on climate change, said Mr Ridley.

2009 is a critical year for action on climate change, with the worldís leaders due to meet at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December to sign a new deal to supersede the Kyoto Protocol.

International Agencies Launch 50% Global Fuel Economy Plan to Key Industry Players at Geneva Motor Show

GENEVA (UNEP/IEA/ITF/FIA Foundation), 04 March 2009 - A roadmap towards greater global fuel economy that would halve greenhouse gas emissions from cars must be embarked upon immediately, and integrated into financial support for the car industry, according to a joint international agency report issued today.

The '50 by 50' Global Fuel Economy Initiative (GFEI) report shows how annual savings of six billion barrels of oil and 2 gigatonnes of CO2 – equivalent to half the total current annual emissions of the EU - are achievable through an ambitious world wide programme.

The report sets out a path to a reduction in fuel consumption per kilometre of 50% by 2050 – with intermediate goals in 2020 and 2030 - in line with suggestions made by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

It shows that world wide, the car fleet is set to triple by 2050, with serious implications for the global effort to address climate change unless reducing transport emissions and improving fuel economy becomes an urgent global priority.

As a partnership working on the GFEI, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), International Energy Agency (IEA), International Transport Forum (ITF) and FIA Foundation have set out a radical but achievable agenda, which they will present to a range of key stakeholders at a series of events this year.

With the vehicle industry featuring prominently in recent financial support packages, this initiative gives concrete options for the world to change to cleaner and more efficient cars.

The GFEI will work with governments, the car industry and other stakeholders to achieve this goal, starting at the Geneva Motor Show. The agenda should be achievable just using existing, cost-effective technologies such as better engines and drive trains, more efficient components such as tyres, and lighter materials. Objectives for 2009 include:

- Developing regional assessments and organising launches in Europe, North America, Latin America, and in Asia – towards political engagement with regional groupings and individual countries.

- Starting four national pilot projects in different regions world wide to support countries with the development of national fuel economy policies. Initiatives will also include an interactive toolkit for fuel economy policy development.

- Developing a fuel economy information database, information materials and website (www.50by50campaign.org).

- Engaging with G8 and UN processes.

Speaking at the launch:

Nobuo Tanaka, Executive Director IEA said: "We have to find ways to reconcile legitimate aspirations for mobility, an ambitious reduction in CO2 from cars worldwide, and global economic recovery. In confronting the economic recession this is a real opportunity for governments to combine support for the auto industry with measures to achieve environmental and energy policy goals. The faster we can move on this, the more benefits will accrue."

Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director said: "The crucial UN climate convention meeting, taking place in some 300 days in Copenhagen must agree a deep, decisive and comprehensive deal to lift the threat of global warming from the lives of billions of people. Transport is a crucial sector in this transformation to a low carbon, green economy. The world's car fleet is expected to triple by 2050 with 80 per cent of this growth in developing economies. Thus an initiative like GEFI has a key role to play. We would urge the world's car and component makers to get on board to prove that they too are part of the solution."

Jack Short, Secretary General ITF said: "The Global Fuel Economy Initiative provides a much needed roadmap for action both now and in the long term. We have set clear targets which will have both environmental and economic benefits, and we already have the technology and the means to get us on the road to making our cars 50% more fuel efficient – all that is needed are coordinated efforts and actions from both industry and governments."

David Ward, Director General FIA Foundation said: "This initiative can have a huge impact on the motoring public. Through tax incentives and information campaigns it would help stimulate consumer demand for more fuel efficient cars. This is not an agenda for some point far off in the future. Our 50% fuel efficiency target requires us to change direction and take important actions right now."

To download an embargoed copy of the report, click - http://www.fiafoundation.org/50by50/Documents/50BY50_report.pdf

Note: This report will be very useful for automotive professionals and environment enthusiasts.

MAGENN AIR ROTOR SYSTEM (M.A.R.S.)

Magenn Power's MARS is a Wind Power Anywhere™ solution with distinct advantages over existing Conventional Wind Turbines and Diesel Generating Systems including: global deployment, lower costs, better operational performance, and greater environmental advantages.

MARS is a lighter-than-air tethered wind turbine that rotates about a horizontal axis in response to wind, generating electrical energy. This electrical energy is transferred down the 1000-foot tether for immediate use, or to a set of batteries for later use, or to the power grid. Helium sustains MARS and allows it to ascend to a higher altitude than traditional wind turbines. MARS captures the energy available in the 600 to 1000-foot low level and nocturnal jet streams that exist almost everywhere. MARS rotation also generates the "Magnus effect" which provides additional lift, keeps the MARS stabilized, and positions it within a very controlled and restricted location to adhere to FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) & Transport Canada guidelines.

The Advantages of MARS over Conventional Wind Turbines: Wind Power Anywhere™ removes all placement limitations. Coast-line or off-shore locations are not necessary to capture higher speed winds. Reaching winds at 1,000-feet above ground level allow MARS to be installed closer to the grid. MARS is mobile and can be rapidly deployed, deflated, and redeployed without the need for towers or heavy cranes. MARS is bird and bat friendly with lower noise emissions and is capable of operating in a wider range of wind speeds - from 4 mph to greater than 60 mph.

The Advantages of a MARS combined Wind and Diesel Solution over a Diesel Generator-only solution:

MARS can complement a diesel generator by offering a combined diesel-wind power solution that delivers power below 20 cents per kWh. This compares to a wide range of 25 cents to 99 cents per kWh for diesel-alone, reflecting the high fuel and transportation costs in remote areas. The MARS combined solution allows lower pollution and green house gas emissions. It also results in lower handling, transporting, and storage costs.

MARS Target Markets: Developing nations where infrastructure is limited or non existent; off-grid combined wind and diesel solutions for island nations, farms, remote areas, cell towers, exploration equipment, backup power & water pumps for natural gas mines; rapid deployment diesel & wind solutions (to include airdrop) to disaster areas for power to emergency and medical equipment, water pumps; on-grid applications for farms, factories, remote communities; and wind farm deployments.

The Magenn Air Rotor System (MARS) is a new generation of wind turbines with cost and performance advantages over existing systems.

MARS is a lighter-than-air tethered wind turbine that rotates about a horizontal axis in response to wind, generating electrical energy. This electrical energy is transferred down the tether for consumption, or to a set of batteries or the power grid. Helium sustains the Magenn Air Rotor System, which ascends to an altitude as selected by the operator for the best winds. Its rotation also generates the "Magnus" effect. This aerodynamic phenomenon provides additional lift, keeps the MARS device stabilized, positions MARS within a very controlled and restricted location, and finally, causes MARS to pull up overhead to maximize altitude rather than drift downwind on its tether.

The Advantages of MARS over Conventional Wind Turbines are:

1. low cost electricity - under 15 cents per kWh
2. bird and bat friendly
3. lower noise
4. wide range of wind speeds - 2 to more than 28 meters/second
5. higher altitudes - from 200 to 1,000 feet above ground level are possible without expensive towers or cranes
6. fewer limits on placement location - coast line placement is not necessary
7. ability to install closer to the power grid
8. mobile
9. ideal for off grid applications or where power is not reliable.

Initial MARS Target Markets include:

1. developing and island nations where infrastructure is limited or non existent
2. rapid deployment (to include airdrop) to disaster areas for power to emergency and medical equipment, water pumps, and relief efforts (ex. Katrina, Tsunami)
3. off grid for cottages and remote uses such as cell towers and exploration equipment)
4. and military applications.

MARS 10kW Performance

Estimated performance data is shown in the two graphs below. The Annual Energy Output range accounts for various non-standard wind distributions.

Technical Specification:

Magenn Power Product	Model 10kW
Rated Power	10,000 Watts
Size (Diameter x Length)	30 feet by 60 feet
Shipping Weight	Under 3,000 lbs - depending on tether length
Volume of Helium	33,000 cubic feet (approx.)
Tether Height	400 ft standard - up to 1,000 ft optional tether length, in increments of 100 feet
Start-up Wind Speed	2.0 m/sec - 4.48 mph
Cut-in Wind Speed	3.0 m/sec - 6.7 mph
Rated Wind Speed	12.0 m/sec - 26.8 mph
Cut-out Wind Speed	25.0 m/sec - 53.7 mph
Maximum Wind Speed	28.0 m/sec - 62.6 mph
Temperature Range	-40ºC /-40ºF to +45ºC/+113ºF
Generators	2 x 5 kW
Output Form	Various Options Available: 120 VAC 60Hz - 240 VAC 50 Hz - Regulated DC 12-600V
Warranty	Up to 5 Years
Life Cycle	10 - 15 Years
Price (USD) (Estimated)	TBD
Availability	2009-10

Availability, Pricing and Specifications are subject to change

Applications:

MAGENN technology will be applied off-grid and combined with diesel power for developing nations, island nations, farms, remote areas, cell towers, exploration equipment, oil and gas wells, mining sites, offshore drilling stations, and backup power & water pumps. MAGENN rotors could also be used for on-grid applications for farms, factories, and remote communities.

Magenn Power Inc. plans to start manufacturing its Magenn Air Rotor System (MARS) in 2009/10 with a 10 kW to 25 kW MARS unit being the first one shipping. (No plans for a 4 kW MARS system at this time)

The reason for the delay is that it is took longer than anticipated raising the funds necessary to finish prototypes and get the product ready for market.

The price for the 10 - 25 kW MARS unit is yet to be determined but it is Magenn's design goal to deliver product at a cost between the $5 USD to $10 USD dollar per watt range.

Please email for more information; info@magenn.com or call at (613) 482-6558

NASA Radar Provides First Look Inside Moon’s Shadowed Craters

WASHINGTON -- Using a NASA radar flying aboard India's Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft, scientists are getting their first look inside the moon's coldest, darkest craters.

The Mini-SAR instrument, a lightweight, synthetic aperture radar, has passed its initial in-flight tests and sent back its first data. The images show the floors of permanently-shadowed polar craters on the moon that aren't visible from Earth. Scientists are using the instrument to map and search the insides of the craters for water ice.

"The only way to explore such areas is to use an orbital imaging radar such as Mini-SAR," said Benjamin Bussey, deputy principal investigator for Mini-SAR, from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md. "This is an exciting first step for the team which has worked diligently for more than three years to get to this point."

The images, taken on Nov. 17, 2008, cover part of the Haworth crater at the moon's south pole and the western rim of Seares crater, an impact feature near the north pole. Bright areas in each image represent either surface roughness or slopes pointing toward the spacecraft. Further data collection by Mini-SAR and analysis will help scientists to determine if buried ice deposits exist in the permanently shadowed craters near the moon's poles.

"During the next few months we expect to have a fully calibrated and operational instrument collecting valuable science data at the moon," said Jason Crusan, program executive for the Mini-RF Program for NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate in Washington.

Mini-SAR is one of 11 instruments on the Indian Space Research Organization's Chandrayaan-1 and one of two NASA-sponsored contributions to its international payload. The other is the Moon Mineralogy Mapper, a state-of-the-art imaging spectrometer that will provide the first map of the entire lunar surface at high spatial and spectral resolution. Data from the two NASA instruments will contribute to the agency's increased understanding of the lunar environment as it implements America's space exploration plan, which calls for robotic and human missions to the moon.

Chandrayaan-1 launched from India's Satish Dhawan Space Center on Oct. 21 and began orbiting the moon Nov. 8. The Applied Physics Laboratory performed the final integration and testing on Mini-SAR. It was developed and built by the Naval Air Warfare Center and several other commercial and government contributors. The Applied Physics Laboratory's Satellite Communications Facility is Chandrayaan-1's primary ground station in the Western Hemisphere.

For more information about the Moon Mineralogy Mapper, visit:

http://m3.jpl.nasa.gov

For more information about Chandrayaan-1, visit:

http://www.isro.org/Chandrayaan

Global wind energy markets will continue to boom

The 2009 industry forecast predicts that the word’s wind energy capacity will nearly triple in the next five years, following a decade of spectacular growth, according to the Global Wind Energy Council. This development will be led by tremendous growth in China, and steady expansion in Europe and North America.

GWEC predicts that in 2013, global wind generating capacity will stand at 332GW, up from 120GW at the end of 2008. During 2013, 56.3GW of wind generating capacity will be added, more than double the annual market in 2008. The year-on-year growth rates during this period will average 22 per cent, which is modest compared to an average increase of 28 per cent over the last ten years.

The report includes a five year forecast for the development of the global wind energy market. In the past, these projections have regularly been outstripped by the actual performance of the sector and have had to be adjusted upwards. Despite the economic downturn, this year is no exception.

‘Strong policy support for wind power will continue to drive growth in our three main markets: China, Europe and the US Governments are turning the current crisis into an opportunity, putting wind power at the centre of their economic stimulus and recovery programmes,’ said Steve Sawyer, secretary general of the GWEC. ‘This will create many thousands of jobs, improve energy security and help address the climate crisis.’

For the past several years, two markets have continuously outperformed GWEC’s most optimistic expectations - the US and China. For the next year or two, developments in the US are expected to be hampered by a lack of financing and the overall economic downturn, before the stimulus package will start having a major impact on the market. At the same time, growth in China is set to continue at a breathtaking rate, driving a substantial increase in global wind energy installations in the coming years.

‘Of course the financial crisis is affecting the wind energy industry, just like any other sector. At the same time the outlook for wind energy is very healthy,’ said Arthouros Zervos, GWEC’s chairman. ‘All of the fundamental drivers that have made wind power the technology of choice for those seeking to build a secure, clean energy future are still in place. Wind power is clean, indigenous, fast to deploy, creates many jobs, uses virtually no water and is economically competitive. Neither the threat of climate change nor the macroeconomic insecurity due to reliance on imported fossil fuel is going to go away because of the recession.”

The continued expansion of global wind generation capacity is driven by three markets: China, Europe and the US.

China has been doubling its installed capacity every year for the past four years, and growth is expected to continue at a tremendous rate. This development is underpinned by a very aggressive government policy supporting the diversification of the electricity supply, the growth of the domestic industry, and making significant investments in transmission infrastructure. China is set to become the world’s largest market for new installations in 2009. In Asia overall, the total wind generating capacity is expected to reach 117GW by 2013, up from just 24GW in 2008.

Wind energy development in the US will see a small drop in 2009 as a result of tightening project finance. However, with the package of measures recently agreed by the US Congress, and the prospect of national emissions reduction legislation, the market will quickly recover. Over the next five years, a total of 55GW of wind power capacity will be added in North America bringing the total to more than 82GW.

Europe will continue to have the largest installed capacity up to 2013 - 118GW - driven by binding European legislation requiring 20 per cent of total final energy consumption to come from renewable sources by 2020. By 2013 the annual market will reach 12.5GW.

“The 332GW of global wind capacity we forecast for 2013 will produce 730 TWh of clean electricity and save 438 million tons of CO2 every year,’ added Sawyer. ‘This is the equivalent to displacing about 90 large coal fired power stations, showing yet again the key role that wind energy can and must play in fighting climate change. Overall, wind power is well on track to saving a total of 10 billion tons of CO2 by 2020.’

To read full report click http://www.gwec.net/fileadmin/documents/Publications/Report_2008/Global_Wind_2008_Report.pdf

ISRO's Discovery of New Microorganisms in the Stratosphere

Three new species of bacteria, which are not found on Earth and which are highly resistant to ultra-violet radiation, have been discovered in the upper stratosphere by Indian scientists. One of the new species has been named as Janibacter hoylei, after the Distinguished Astrophysicist Fred Hoyle, the second as Bacillus isronensis recognising the contribution of ISRO in the balloon experiments which led to its discovery and the third as Bacillus aryabhata after India’s celebrated ancient astronomer Aryabhata and also the first satellite of ISRO.

The experiment was conducted using a 26.7 million cubic feet balloon carrying a 459 kg scientific payload soaked in 38 kg of liquid Neon, which was flown from the National Balloon Facility in Hyderabad, operated by the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). The payload consisted of a cryosampler containing sixteen evacuated and sterilised stainless steel probes. Throughout the flight, the probes remained immersed in liquid Neon to create a cryopump effect. These cylinders, after collecting air samples from different heights ranging from 20 km to 41 km, were parachuted down and safely retrieved. These samples were analysed by scientists at the Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad as well as the National Center for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune for independent examination, ensuring that both laboratories followed similar protocols to achieve homogeneity of procedure and interpretation.

The Analytical Findings are Summarised as Follows:

In all, 12 bacterial and six fungal colonies were detected, nine of which, based on 16S RNA gene sequence, showed greater than 98% similarity with reported known species on earth. Three bacterial colonies, namely, PVAS-1, B3 W22 and B8 W22 were, however, totally new species. All the three newly identified species had significantly higher UV resistance compared to their nearest phylogenetic neighbours. Of the above, PVAS-1, identified as a member of the genus Janibacter, has been named Janibacter hoylei. sp. nov. The second new species B3 W22 was named as Bacillus isronensis sp.nov. and the third new species B8 W22 as Bacillus aryabhata.

The precautionary measures and controls operating in this experiment inspire confidence that these species were picked up in the stratosphere. While the present study does not conclusively establish the extra-terrestrial origin of microorganisms, it does provide positive encouragement to continue the work in our quest to explore the origin of life.

This multi-institutional effort had Jayant Narlikar from the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune as Principal Investigator and veteran Scientists U.R. Rao from ISRO and P.M. Bhargava from Anveshna supported as mentors of the experiment. S. Shivaji from CCMB and Yogesh Shouche from NCCS were the biology experts and Ravi Manchanda from TIFR was in charge of the balloon facility. C.B.S. Dutt was the Project Director from ISRO who was in charge of preparing and operating the complex payload.

This was the second such experiment conducted by ISRO, the first one being in 2001. Even though the first experiment had yielded positive results, it was decided to repeat the experiment by exercising extra care to ensure that it was totally free from any terrestrial contamination.

Obama 'to reverse stem cell ban'

Stem cells have the capacity to develop into any type of cell

US President Barack Obama is expected to lift restrictions on federal funding for research on new stem cell lines.

Officials say Mr Obama will authorise the move by executive order on Monday, a major reversal of US policy.

Ex-President George W Bush blocked the use of any government money to fund research on human embryonic stem cell lines created after 9 August 2001.

Scientists say stem cell research will lead to medical breakthroughs, but many religious groups oppose the research.

Correspondents say the policy change is part of President Obama's pledge to make clear that his administration wants scientific research to be free from political interference.

It expected that his announcement about federal money will be accompanied by a promise that what he calls "sound science" will be respected by his administration.

It is also thought that the announcement is timed to allow an adequate period for health officials to draw up research guidelines before a deadline for government stimulus money runs out.

Stem cells are cells with the capacity to turn into any other type of human cell, be it bone, muscle or nerve cell.

One embryo can provide a limitless supply because the cell lines can be grown indefinitely.

But the use of human embryonic stem cells in research is controversial with some campaigners saying it is unethical.

'Vindicated'

Researchers have also been developing techniques to create stem cells without using embryos, by modifying other types of cell.

The move to lift the ban on federal funding was welcomed by stem cell researchers.

"I feel vindicated after eight years of struggle, and I know it's going to energise my research team," Dr George Daley of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute told the Associated Press.

The federal funding ban has meant that scientists have been forced to separate any privately-funded stem cell research from their government-funded activity.

Mr Obama made it clear during the presidential election campaign that, if elected, he would reverse the Bush administration's decision.

President Bush had twice vetoed congressional attempts to have the ban lifted.

"I strongly support expanding research on stem cells," Mr Obama said on the campaign trail.

"I believe that the restrictions that President Bush has placed on funding of human embryonic stem cell research have handcuffed our scientists and hindered our ability to compete with other nations."

President Bush and other social conservatives argued that the embryos are human life and therefore should not be destroyed.

Like Mr Bush, President Obama has profound Christian beliefs but he has defined the issue in terms of restoring scientific integrity to government, says the BBC's Kevin Connolly, in Washington.

Speaking to the BBC in January, Dr Robert Evans, a pastor and bioethicist, said he would oppose any move to allow federal funding for new stem cell lines.

"What it signals is that the human embryo has been denied moral standing and a corresponding right to life," he said.

"As an evangelical who believes all life is created equal in the image of God, and that we have moral standing from the moment of conception, I would view that as a very chilling decision."

Ball Aerospace-built Kepler Spacecraft Launches from Cape Canaveral

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. March 6, 2009 – The Ball Aerospace-built Kepler spacecraft carrying the largest camera ever sent by NASA beyond Earth’s orbit, successfully launched aboard a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral, Fla., at 10:48 pm EST, on Friday, March 6, 2009.

Ball Aerospace designed and built Kepler’s photometer and spacecraft, employing expertise from its previous NASA missions including instruments for the Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes, and the Deep Impact mission. Kepler is the first NASA mission capable of finding Earth-size planets in the habitable zone.

The Kepler photometer has a wide field of view 0.95 meter aperture, Schmidt telescope, with a 1.4-meter primary mirror. The integration and test of the Kepler photometer, utilized Ball Aerospace’s new 1.5 meter optical test capability for the first time. The photometer features a focal plane array of 42 charge-coupled devices (CCDs) at the center, with more than 95 million pixels. Kepler’s CCD array is the most complex assembly ever undertaken by Ball Aerospace.

“The pioneering Kepler mission advanced Ball’s large optics and focal plane technologies in support of NASA’s space science missions,” said David L. Taylor, president and CEO of Ball Aerospace. “The extraordinary interest in extrasolar planets will make this the ‘mission to watch’ for several years.”

The Kepler planet-hunting mission will search for Earth-size planets in the habitable zone of solar-like stars to provide valuable insight about Earth’s origin while also acting as a pathfinder mission for future missions such as the James Webb Space Telescope, scheduled to launch in 2013. Ball Aerospace is the principal subcontractor for the Webb telescope, contributing advanced optical technology and the lightweight mirror system.

More information about the Kepler mission is available at http://kepler.nasa.gov/. More information about extrasolar planets and NASA’s planet finding program is at http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov.

NASA’s Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., is home to Kepler’s science principal investigator, and is also responsible for the ground system development, mission operations and science data analysis. Kepler mission development is managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Operation of the spacecraft after launch will be performed by the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado, Boulder, with Ball providing system engineering and mission planning.

Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. supports critical missions of important national agencies such as the Department of Defense, NASA, NOAA and other U.S. government and commercial entities. The company develops and manufactures spacecraft, advanced instruments and sensors, components, data exploitation systems and RF solutions for strategic, tactical and scientific applications. Since 1956, Ball Aerospace has been responsible for numerous technological and scientific ‘firsts’ and is a technology innovator in aerospace.

Ball Corporation (NYSE: BLL) is a supplier of high-quality metal and plastic packaging products for beverage, food and household products customers, and of aerospace and other technologies and services, primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 14,500 people worldwide and reported 2008 sales of more than $7.5 billion.



Forward-Looking Statements:

This release contains "forward-looking" statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key risks and uncertainties are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99.2 in our Form 10-K, which are available at our Web site and at www.sec.gov. Factors that might affect our packaging segments include fluctuation in product demand and preferences; availability and cost of raw materials; competitive packaging availability, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; crop yields; competitive activity; failure to achieve anticipated productivity improvements or production cost reductions, including our beverage can end project; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; and changes in foreign exchange rates, tax rates and activities of foreign subsidiaries. Factors that might affect our aerospace segment include: funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts. Factors that might affect the company as a whole include those listed plus: accounting changes; changes in senior management; the current global credit squeeze and its effects on liquidity, credit risk, asset values and the economy; successful or unsuccessful acquisitions, joint ventures or divestitures; integration of recently acquired businesses; regulatory action or laws including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including in respect of chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; governmental investigations; technological developments and innovations; goodwill impairment; antitrust, patent and other litigation; strikes; labor cost changes; rates of return projected and earned on assets of the company's defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; reduced cash flow; interest rates affecting our debt; and changes to unaudited results due to statutory audits or other effects.

Ocean Surface a Boon for Extreme Event Forecasts, Warnings

Satellites passed over the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004. Two of those satellites--Jason 1 and Topex/Poseidon--were equipped with altimeters that for the first time measured the height of a tsunami in the open ocean. Image credit: NASA/JPL

For humans in the path of destructive hurricanes and tsunamis, an accurate warning of the pending event is critical for damage control and survival. Such warnings, however, require a solid base of scientific observations, and a new satellite is ready for the job.

The Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM)/Jason 2 adds to the number of eyes in the sky measuring sea surface and wave heights across Earth's oceans. The increased coverage will help researchers improve current models for practical use in predicting hurricane intensity, while providing valuable data that can be used to improve tsunami warning models.

"When it comes to predicting hurricane intensity, the curve in the last 40 years has been somewhat flat, with little advance in how to reduce error in predicted intensity," said Gustavo Goni, of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Miami. Maps of sea surface height created from satellites, however, could help change the curve.

Satellites that measure sea surface height have been running operationally nonstop since November 1992. But more than one is needed to fly at the same time in order to identify all the features that could be responsible for intensification of tropical cyclones all over Earth. The OSTM/Jason 2 mission will help make the additional coverage possible.

NASA, university and NOAA investigators, including Goni, work to transform sea surface height information obtained from satellites, such as OSTM/Jason 2, into maps of ocean heat content. Forecasters can use the maps to develop models to predict how hurricanes will strengthen.

Determining heat content from sea surface height is possible because warm water is less dense and hence sits higher than cooler water. In some regions, such as inside and outside the Gulf Stream current, the temperature differences result in more than a one-meter (three-foot) difference in sea surface height. Goni and colleagues use this established concept to estimate from sea level variations how much heat is stored in the upper ocean in areas where hurricanes typically develop and intensify.

While sea surface height may not necessarily be the most significant parameter for hurricane intensity forecasts, researchers now know that if sea surface height is accounted for in current forecast models, errors in forecasts for the most intense storms are reduced. For weak storms, the reduction in error is not very significant. However, for storms in the strongest category 5 range, the heat content in the upper ocean derived from sea surface height becomes increasingly important. "This is a good thing, because these are the storms that produce the most damage," Goni said.

"OSTM/Jason 2 will help us to keep the necessary coverage that we need to identify ocean features that can be linked to tropical cyclone intensification, because with only one satellite we may miss some of them," Goni said.

Upper ocean heat content derived from sea surface height is now used in operational and experimental forecast models in all seven ocean basins where tropical cyclones exist.

In December 2004, two satellites happened to be in the right place at the right time, capturing the first space-based look at a major tsunami in the open ocean. Within two hours of a magnitude 9 earthquake in the Indian Ocean southwest of Sumatra, the Jason 1 and Topex/Poseidon satellites fortuitously passed over the path of the resulting tsunami as it traveled across the ocean. It measured the leading wave, traveling hundreds of miles per hour in the open ocean, at about 0.5 meters (1.6 feet) tall.

Wave height measurements like those of the Indian Ocean tsunami do not provide an early warning because the information is not relayed to ground stations in real time. That's the job of early warning systems operated by NOAA and other global organizations that currently employ a network of open-ocean buoys and coastal tide gauges. Sea surface height measurements of tsunamis can, however, help scientists test and improve ground-based models used for early warning. One such system developed at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, Calif., and undergoing tests at NOAA's Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, Ewa Beach, Hawaii, could become operational within about three years.

Most tsunamis are caused by undersea earthquakes. Using the JPL-developed system, when seismometers first identify and locate a large earthquake, scientists can use GPS measurements to search around the earthquake's source to see if land has shifted, potentially spurring a tsunami. Scientists can then immediately compile the earthquake's size, location, and land movement into a computer program that generates a model tsunami to determine the risk of a dangerous wave. After the wave passes, scientists can search through wave height data from satellites and verify what the model predicted.

"Satellite data play the crucial role of verifying tsunami models by testing real tsunami events," said JPL research scientist Tony Song. "If an earthquake generates a tsunami, does the satellite data match observations on the ground and model predictions?"

"One of the unique pieces of satellite observations is the large-scale perspective," said JPL research scientist Philip Callahan. Tsunamis can have waves more than 161 kilometers (100 miles) long. Such a wave would likely go unnoticed by an observer in a boat on the ocean's surface. But satellite altimeters like OSTM/Jason 2 can see this very long wave and measure its height to an accuracy of about 2.5 centimeters (one inch).

Scientists' ability to test tsunami warning models will be aided by OSTM/Jason 2. With the Topex/Poseidon mission now ended, the currently orbiting Jason 1 has now been joined by and will eventually be replaced by OSTM/Jason 2. This will help ensure that future tsunamis will also be observed by satellites as well as by buoys and tide gauges.

"The biggest value in satellite measurements of sea surface height is not in direct warning capability, but in improving models so when an earthquake is detected, you can make reliable predictions and reduce damage to property and people," Callahan said.

France: Wind power is fastest growing power technology

The St Aubin wind farm in the Meuse department of northern France is a symbol of what renewable energy can contribute to one of Europe's largest economies.

Its ten 2.3 Megawatt (MW) Nordex wind turbines, operating since 2008, represent just one of many similar projects constructed in this rural district over the past few years. So successful has wind power been in Meuse that it already contributes more electricity than is consumed by every household in the department.

Similar experiences are being repeated all over France, from the champagne district near the border with Germany to the hilly 'massif central' in the centre of the country.

Wind power is now France's fastest growing energy source. From a relatively slow start at the beginning of the new millennium, France achieved a record level of new wind power installations in 2008 by adding 950 MW to its wind energy fleet. This represented about 60% of all new power generation capacity added in France last year, and also contributed to making wind energy the first choice for new power production in the whole EU. France's total installed wind capacity now stands at just over 3,400 MW, the fourth largest in Europe, and produced 5,600 GWh in 2008, and the French wind sector now provides employment for 7,000 people.

France has been energised into taking wind power more seriously by its commitment under the European Union's Renewable Energy Directive. This recently laid down that renewable energy should make up 23% of the national energy mix by 2020, up from just over 10% in 2005.

Wind power developers have been encouraged by the introduction of a 'feed-in tariff' which ensures that wind farm operators are paid a premium for their electricity generation, in recognition of the technology's environmental benefits.

The French government has now established a specific target for wind energy - to reach a level of 25,000 MW by 2020. Of this, 6,000 MW would be constructed offshore.

"The government's target shows that wind energy has become both competitive and a mature source of energy," says Marion Lettry of France Energie Eolienne, the French Wind Energy Association. "We are confident that if all interested parties, both local and national, work together with the industry, we can make sure that this target is reached."

Saint Aubin wind farm is the fourth in a series featured on the "Wind Power Works" website - http://www.windpowerworks.net/ - to illustrate the benefits that wind power brings to countries and communities around the world.

Read more at http://www.windpowerworks.net/

Proper Laptop Battery Care & Use

• Your new battery comes in a discharged condition and must be charged before use (refer to your computer manual for charging instructions). Upon initial use (or after a prolonged storage period) the battery may require three to four charge/discharge cycles before achieving maximum capacity.

• When charging computer battery for the first time your computer may indicate that charging is complete after just 10 or 15 minutes. This is a normal phenomenon with rechargeable batteries. Simply remove the battery from the computer and repeat the charging procedure.

• It is important to condition (fully discharge and then fully charge) the battery every two to three weeks. Failure to do so may significantly shorten the battery's life (this does not apply to Li-Ion batteries, which do not require conditioning). To discharge, simply run your device under the battery's power until it shuts down or until you get a low battery warning. Then recharge the battery as instructed in your user's manual.

• If the battery will not be in use for a month or longer, it is recommended that it be removed from the device and stored in a cool, dry, clean place.

• It is normal for a battery to become warm during charging and discharging.

• A charged battery will eventually lose its charge if unused. It may therefore be necessary to recharge the battery after a storage period.

• A higher mAH rating is indicative of a longer lasting (higher capacity) battery and will not cause any incompatibilities.

• Actual battery run-time depends upon the power demands made by the equipment. In the case of notebook computers, the use of the monitor, the hard drive and other peripherals results in an additional drain upon the battery, effectively reducing the battery's run-time. The total run-time of the battery is also heavily dependent upon the design of the equipment. To ensure maximum performance of the battery, optimize your computer's power management features. Refer to your computer manual for further instructions.

Battery Dont's
• Do not short-circuit a battery. A short-circuit may cause severe damage to the battery.

• Do not drop, hit or otherwise abuse the battery as this may result in the exposure of the cell contents, which are corrosive.

• Do not expose the battery to moisture or rain.

• Keep the battery away from fire or other sources of extreme heat. Do not incinerate. Exposure of battery to extreme heat may result in an explosion.

Maximizing PerformanceThe following practices will ensure maximum battery performance:
• Breaking In New Batteries - new batteries come in a discharged condition and must be fully charged before use. It is recommended that you fully charge and discharge your new battery two to four times to allow it to reach its maximum rated capacity.

• Preventing the Memory Effect - Keep your battery healthy by fully charging and then fully discharging it at least once every two to three weeks. Exceptions to the rule are Li-Ion batteries which do not suffer from the memory effect.

• Keep Your Batteries Clean - It's a good idea to clean dirty battery contacts with a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol. This helps maintain a good connection between the battery and your portable device.

• Exercise Your Battery - Do not leave your battery dormant for long periods of time. We recommend using the battery at least once every two to three weeks. If a battery has not been used for a long period of time, perform the new battery break in procedure described above.

• Battery Storage - If you don't plan on using the battery for a month or more, we recommend storing it in a clean, dry, cool place away from heat and metal objects. NiCad, NiMH and Li-Ion batteries will self-discharge during storage; remember to break them in before use. Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) batteries must be kept at full charge during storage. This is usually achieved by using special trickle chargers. If you do not have a trickle charger, do not attempt to store SLA batteries for more than three months.

• For Notebook Users - To get maximum performance from your battery, fully optimize the notebook's power management features prior to use. Power management is a trade off: better power conservation in exchange for lesser computer performance. The power management system conserves battery power by setting the processor to run at a slower speed, dimming the screen, spinning down the hard drive when it's not in use and causing the machine to go into sleep mode when inactive. Your notebook user's guide will provide information relating to specific power management features.

Battery Lifespan
The life of a rechargeable battery operating under normal conditions is generally between 500 to 800 charge-discharge cycles. This translates into one and a half to three years of battery life for the average user. As your rechargeable battery begins to die, you will notice a decline in the running time of the battery. When your two hour battery is only supplying you with an hour's worth of use, it's time for a new battery.

U.S. is Largest Wind Energy Market

Global wind energy capacity surged by 28.8% in 2008, as the U.S. became the world's leading market, according to The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).

A report by the group said the U.S. and China showed the strongest growth in wind energy as the global electric-generating capacity rose to 120.8 gigawatts at the end of 2008. "These figures speak for themselves: there is huge and growing global demand for emissions-free wind power, which can be installed quickly, virtually everywhere in the world," said Steve Sawyer, secretary general of GWEC.

"Wind energy is the only power-generation technology that can deliver the necessary cuts in carbon dioxide," Sawyer added.

The U.S. accounted for 8.35 gigwatts of the new total capacity, increasing its capacity by 50%, to overtake Germany as number one in wind power, with a total of 25.1 gigawatts compared to 23.9 gigawatts. Germany however gets a much higher percentage of its electricity from wind power, according to industry figures.

The council said the global wind market for turbine installations in 2008 was worth about $47.5 billion.

"Wind power is often the most attractive option for new power generation in both economic terms and in terms of increasing energy security, not to mention the environmental and economic development benefits, said GWEC chairman Arthouros Zervos. "Volatile fossil fuel prices and unreliable supply policies from fossil fuel-rich countries increase the risk of relying on conventional sources for power production."

Wind power accounted for about 42% of the new power capacity last year in the U.S. and one-third in Asia.

China doubled its installed capacity by adding about 6.3 gigawatts, reaching a total of 12.2 gigawatts. "The Chinese wind energy market is going from strength to strength, and has once again doubled in size compared to 2007, reaching over 12 GW of total installed capacity," said Shi Pengfei, vice president of the Chinese Wind Energy Association. "The outlook for the coming years is also very healthy." At this rate, China would be well on its way to overtake Germany and Spain to reach second place in terms of total wind power capacity in 2010, the council said.

Accurate Shaft Alignment increases machine availability

Thanks to the expert support provided by the Schaeffler Group, the Vietnamese maintenance company Sai Gon Locomotive Enterprise (SGLE) can now carry out alignment tasks significantly more quickly and more accurately. SGLE services the locomotives of the Vietnamese state railway company. In the past, the fitters had aligned coupled shafts in diesel engines, generators and gearboxes with the help of two dial gauges. However, this procedure was inaccurate and took three to four fitters two days. Schafeffler Group Vietnam FSE recommended the customer to use an FAG Top-Laser Inline. In this way, the amount of work was reduced by 60 man hours, enabling SGLE to realise significant cost savings.