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Only Six Nations Passed Environmental Expectations
2006 Environmental Performance Index
This pilot study was
jointly produced by Yale and Columbia Universities.
Core mission:
The Environmental Performance Index aims to shift environmental decision-making to firmer analytic foundations using environmental indicators and statistics.
The Top 20 Best Scores:
| 1 Finland |
| 2 Norway |
| 3 Uruguay |
| 4 Sweden |
| 5 Iceland |
| 6 Canada |
| 7 Switzerland |
| 8 Guyana |
| 9 Argentina |
| 10 Austria |
| 11 Brazil |
| 12 Gabon |
| 13 Australia |
| 14 New Zealand |
| 15 Latvia |
| 16 Peru |
| 17 Paraguay |
| 18 Costa Rica |
| 19 Croatia |
| 20 Bolivia |
Component Logic for the study:
Environmental Systems
A country is more likely to be environmentally sustainable to the extent that its
vital environmental systems are maintained at healthy levels, and to the extent
to which levels are improving rather than deteriorating.
Reducing Environmental Stresses
A country is more likely to be environmentally sustainable if the levels of anthropogenic
stress are low enough to engender no demonstrable harm to its
environmental systems.
Reducing Human Vulnerability
A country is more likely to be environmentally sustainable to the extent that
people and social systems are not vulnerable to environmental disturbances
that affect basic human wellbeing; becoming less vulnerable is a sign that a
society is on a track to greater sustainability.
Social and Institutional Capacity
A country is more likely to be environmentally sustainable to the extent that it
has in place institutions and underlying social patterns of skills, attitudes, and
networks that foster effective responses to environmental challenges.
Global Stewardship
A country is more likely to be environmentally sustainable if it cooperates with
other countries to manage common environmental problems, and if it reduces
negative transboundary environmental impacts on other countries to levels that
cause no serious harm.
View the study >>
Visiting a distant neighbor
Pluto is some 3 billion miles away and we just might take a look!
Yes, NASA just launched a piano sized spacecraft called New Horizons
to explore the furthest planet in our solar system. The craft, traveling away from Earth at a record 36,000 miles per hour, should arrive in nine years. In thirteen months
the spacecraft will reach Jupiter, and with a gravity assist from the giant planet, which also will serve as a test bed for New Horizons' seven instruments, is to speed the craft on to Pluto.
- Above:
This image taken by NASA shows how gavity can bend light. The blue halos surrounding this light pattern are mirages. These beautiful manifestations are helpgul to scientists since they aid in determining the weight and density of a gallaxy.
Nanocars... Nanotrucks... Nano-what?
Yes, scientists at Rice University have built a fleet of nano vihicles that are
capable of carrying small-molecule payloads. This is the smallest thing around, capable of driving an atom over to the nearest vascular highway.
Dictionary Hints: "
Nanotechnology derives its name from the nanometer, or billionth of a meter." |
Back to the moon?
In 10 years will we be on the moon again? And,,,,will we sport a new ride:
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