Green Opinions

'Green Opinions' is a blog where people can share and express their own personal opinion and ideas on a particular environmental issue or green topic. It is in effect the Op-Ed section of The Earth Times where the thoughts and ideas of individuals can be shared. From global, national to local issues, there are no topic or subject boundaries; although each article does go through an editorial process prior to publication. If you have your own environmental story or opinion that you would like to share, please let us know. Any contributor that shares a story on green opinions will need to provide a brief biography and picture (if possible). For more information, to send us your story or to set up your account please contact us.
The 2022 train strike.

The train strike - is it environmental unsound to oppose it?

Posted Sun, 26 Jun 2022 by Jason Remnant

Compared to most other European, the UK's trains are a bit of a joke... and an expensive one. In an age where all countries should be investing in public transport infrastructure, staff, technology and future expansion, the UK is seriously lagging behind.

The train strike - is it environmental unsound to oppose it?

Tech Companies are Showing Businesses the Way to a Sustainable Future.

Tech Companies are Showing Businesses the Way to a Sustainable Future.

Posted Tue, 28 Feb 2017 10:05:00 GMT by Christine Rudolph

The future is certainly renewable, but are we too late to prevent future centuriesÂ’ problems of global warming- and the rest! Here are some current US solutions to waste and warming for you to enjoy---there are some ads in this piece but weÂ’ve allowed them for one blog only.

Tech Companies are Showing Businesses the Way to a Sustainable Future.

Dolphin rehab - just a different kind of cruelty

Dolphin rehab - just a different kind of cruelty

Posted Mon, 08 Dec 2014 13:47:00 GMT by Tatiana Henry

When dolphins are 'rescued' in various countries, the car given seems to be ill-considered. We are simply looking at the success rate which is reported to be low, in most places. They could even end up in commercial aquarium shows, but they certainly rarely make it back to the sea.

Dolphin rehab - just a different kind of cruelty

Why the phrase 'Busy as a Bee' may be becoming extinct

Why the phrase 'Busy as a Bee' may be becoming extinct

Posted Sun, 19 Oct 2014 11:08:24 GMT by Chelsea Lecce

What is killing bees? Chelsea has the answer here.

Why the phrase 'Busy as a Bee' may be becoming extinct

Will unprepared countries be able to survive the forthcoming tragedies?

Will unprepared countries be able to survive the forthcoming tragedies?

Posted Sat, 19 Jul 2014 04:01:00 GMT by Emily Harper

How prepared is the earth for disasters in both advanced urban and primitive wilderness areas of any country? Do we need to prepare people or will the present situation be allowed to continue, no matter how ridiculous it appears?

Will unprepared countries be able to survive the forthcoming tragedies?

Neonicotinoids killed 50,000 bees in one parking lot

Neonicotinoids killed 50,000 bees in one parking lot

Posted Tue, 25 Jun 2013 10:07:42 GMT by Dave Armstrong

50,000 bumble bees and honey bees killed in Oregon, US. When a bee reaches a new nectar source, it shouldn't result in the death of its whole colony. We need better insecticidal controls and we all deserve better insecticides, given their catastrophic history.

Neonicotinoids killed 50,000 bees in one parking lot

World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day

World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day

Posted Thu, 09 May 2013 09:42:19 GMT by Michael Evans

Red Cross Day was celebrated for the first time throughout the world on 8 May 1948, the anniversary of the birth of Henry Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross. In the years that followed it changed its name several times, but in 1984 it finally became World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day.

World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day

Reviving cap-and-trade to reduce corporate garbage production

Reviving cap-and-trade to reduce corporate garbage production

Posted Mon, 08 Apr 2013 11:40:00 GMT by Julie Cook

Although often overlooked, among the most obvious problems of carbon emissions and constant pollution is the prime environmental concern of garbage build-up.

Reviving cap-and-trade to reduce corporate garbage production

The bees and the butterflies are missing

The bees and the butterflies are missing

Posted Thu, 28 Mar 2013 06:30:21 GMT by Paul Robinson

Butterflies are one of the more obvious hard-hit victims of a dire downward turn in invertebrate numbers. Insecticides combined with the predation of parasites to cause the downfall of bee and butterfly populations.

The bees and the butterflies are missing

Looks like hell now for temperature rise!

Looks like hell now for temperature rise!

Posted Mon, 11 Mar 2013 10:11:00 GMT by Dave Armstrong

Reports from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin (NOAA) paper in Science last week point to a drastic change in climate. This opposes the previous view, especially from the US, that climate change was gradual and even negligible..

Looks like hell now for temperature rise!

Wolves and a Window of Opportunity for Ecosystems

Wolves and a Window of Opportunity for Ecosystems

Posted Wed, 06 Feb 2013 10:55:00 GMT by Paul Robinson

When the wolf was killed off in many countries, the farmers thought that was good for their self-contained environment. When we lose such top predators from the food web, there are some obvious responses and ten there are the less obvious.

Wolves and a Window of Opportunity for Ecosystems

The Last Remaining Sea Turtle Breeding Farm in the World

The Last Remaining Sea Turtle Breeding Farm in the World

Posted Sun, 30 Dec 2012 12:44:33 GMT by Natalie Hummel

At one point in time the temperate oceans of the Caribbean were filled with billions of sea turtles. Not any more..

The Last Remaining Sea Turtle Breeding Farm in the World

Bhopal and TRI

Bhopal and TRI

Posted Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:01:00 GMT by Natalie Hummel

On December 3 1984, more than 40 tons of methyl isocyanate gas leaked from a Union Carbide Company (UCC) pesticide plant in Bhopal, India, immediately killing at least 3,800 people (fatalities are disputed) and causing significant morbidity and premature death for thousands more.

Bhopal and TRI

The Crystal - London's new eco building

The Crystal - London's new eco building

Posted Sun, 30 Sep 2012 08:28:53 GMT by David Thomas

The Crystal is a new eco building in London's dockland area designed by Siemens as a centre for sustainability, to promote energy efficient thinking.

The Crystal - London's new eco building

Fracking Shame on Shale

Fracking Shame on Shale

Posted Tue, 11 Sep 2012 09:24:44 GMT by Dave Armstrong

David Cameron. It's make-your-mind-up-time. The RSPB, WWF and FOE are jointly fighting the British government's failure to check fracking's (hydraulic fracturing's) environmental impact and health and safety issues.

Fracking Shame on Shale

EU and US Playing Dirty Tariffs on Solar to Impede China

EU and US Playing Dirty Tariffs on Solar to Impede China

Posted Sat, 08 Sep 2012 13:01:03 GMT by Michelle Simon

The United States and the European Union are trying to clamp down on China with tariffs on solar panels.

EU and US Playing Dirty Tariffs on Solar to Impede China

Buildings can be smarter

Buildings can be smarter

Posted Wed, 05 Sep 2012 19:58:27 GMT by Wayne Balta

An article on green buildings. Wayne Balta, IBM VP, Environmental Affairs and Product Safety proposes that organizations re-think the way they manage infrastructure and use analytics to make buildings more eco-friendly.

Buildings can be smarter

Sustainability in Business

Sustainability in Business

Posted Sat, 01 Sep 2012 13:59:01 GMT by Natalie Hummel

Business and sustainability. We need collective action to ensure a sustainable future, a future which recognizes that reducing environmental impacts can improve the economic and living standards of many people and reduce costs.

Sustainability in Business

Blowing Wind Where the Sun Don't Shine

Blowing Wind Where the Sun Don't Shine

Posted Fri, 17 Aug 2012 15:26:18 GMT by Ashlea Jones

Could wind turbines save the world? An article written by Ashlea Jones discusses how wind energy could and should be developed as a renewable energy source in the United States where solar is not an option.

Blowing Wind Where the Sun Don't Shine

Revisiting the Sad Story of the Baiji

Revisiting the Sad Story of the Baiji

Posted Wed, 15 Aug 2012 12:06:44 GMT by Seamus Murphy

The announcement of the Baiji's (Yangtze River Dolphin) extinction was made in December 2006. Long beforehand, scientists and conservationists were filled with trepidation as the dolphin's numbers nosedived.

Revisiting the Sad Story of the Baiji

Genetically modified Olympic athletes?

Genetically modified Olympic athletes?

Posted Fri, 10 Aug 2012 07:48:19 GMT by Chris Keenan

If there is a way, people will cheat. Olympians are no different, be it HGH or blood transfusions to increase performance. But now we may need to worry about Genetic Modification in athletes.

Genetically modified Olympic athletes?

Greenwashing, Protest and the Olympics

Greenwashing, Protest and the Olympics

Posted Wed, 01 Aug 2012 07:47:48 GMT by David Thomas

How do you pay for an event on the scale of the Olympics? At the best of times, budgeting £7bn is problematic. In a recession it's surely impossible.

Greenwashing, Protest and the Olympics

ALEC Lets Corporations Craft Environmental Policy

ALEC Lets Corporations Craft Environmental Policy

Posted Sun, 29 Jul 2012 14:01:04 GMT by Melanie J. Martin

ALEC, a powerful group in which large corporations craft model bills and disperse them to state legislators from around the country, just held its annual conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. Recent exposure of ALEC's reach reveals how much control the group wields over environmental legislation and other policies in the United States.

ALEC Lets Corporations Craft Environmental Policy

Conservation relies on a wakening consciousness

Conservation relies on a wakening consciousness

Posted Thu, 19 Jul 2012 17:30:00 GMT by Ashlea Jones

Thankfully we are awakening after having slept through decades of greedy environmental destruction but until we are able to save the environment and world by being more conscious of and guided by our conscience we will need a lot of help.

Conservation relies on a wakening consciousness

The Royal Horticultural Society Rules!

The Royal Horticultural Society Rules!

Posted Tue, 10 Jul 2012 11:06:23 GMT by Dave Armstrong

A trip to an RHS show. The Royal Horticultural Society provide Chelsea, Hampton Court, etc. with a charitable mish-mash of gardening bling but there seems to be an 'Ecover sponsored air' of environment and landscape.

The Royal Horticultural Society Rules!

Killing Simbas: Lion Trade

Killing Simbas: Lion Trade

Posted Mon, 02 Jul 2012 10:21:45 GMT by Michelle Simon

Banning the lion trade, stopping lion poachers and trophy hunters. Lions have always been victims to poaching and game hunting for egotistical humans who can only affirm their value by boasting trophy killings as a display of their dominion over all other animals.

Killing Simbas: Lion Trade

Broadcasting the message of gorilla conservation

Broadcasting the message of gorilla conservation

Posted Fri, 08 Jun 2012 09:06:24 GMT by David Hewitt

Radio remains a key tool for gorilla conservation. It links people living on the edge of the mountain gorilla habitat in DR Congo and spreads the message about the conservation of gorillas.

Broadcasting the message of gorilla conservation

Another Sticky Mess

Another Sticky Mess

Posted Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:30:00 GMT by Michael Edmondstone

New row bubbles over Scottish independence debate: who will foot bill for extensive North Sea clean-up when oil finally runs out?

Another Sticky Mess

Greyhound Racing - Cruel Human Entertainment

Greyhound Racing - Cruel Human Entertainment

Posted Sun, 01 Apr 2012 16:15:00 GMT by Michelle Simon

Facts about greyhound racing and the suffering of greyhounds. Information on the unseen animal cruelty associated with the greyhound racing industry.

Greyhound Racing - Cruel Human Entertainment

Japan's Whaling in Antarctica

Japan's Whaling in Antarctica

Posted Sat, 31 Mar 2012 11:00:00 GMT by Michelle Simon

Information about the commercial whaling carried out by Japan in Antarctica. The Institute of Cetacean Research sounds like a whale protection and research body, but this inapt name is used by Japanese whalers.

Japan's Whaling in Antarctica

South African Frackers

South African Frackers

Posted Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:23:11 GMT by Michelle Simon

An overview of the fracking industry in South Africa and the environmental concerns associated with the process; the article also includes South Africa's potential frackers, written by Michelle Simon.

South African Frackers

Neander Meanderings

Neander Meanderings

Posted Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:35:00 GMT by Dave Armstrong

In the late Middle Pleistocene, haematite (iron oxide) was carried at least twenty km by Neanderthals. Whether used as red ochre for cave painting and burials as their descendants did 40 thousand years ago, or for other ceremonial or even everyday use, Wil Roebroeks of Leiden University et al have tried to discover.

Neander Meanderings

Living fossil eel takes us back 200 million years

Living fossil eel takes us back 200 million years

Posted Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:45:00 GMT by Dave Armstrong

Eels are among the most successful of all fish groups, and that extends back through time to the evolution of the bony teleosts themselves. The new species was named Protanguilla palau, complete with a unique family and genus.

Living fossil eel takes us back 200 million years

Recycling brings environmentalists and capitalists together

Recycling brings environmentalists and capitalists together

Posted Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:18:27 GMT by Robb Parlanti

Recycling appeals to environmentalists because it helps preserve resources used today for further use tomorrow. And capitalists like recycling because it reduces their energy costs and, in some cases, offers profitable business opportunities.

Recycling brings environmentalists and capitalists together

Does the environment matter in the US presidential race?

Does the environment matter in the US presidential race?

Posted Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:19:01 GMT by Claire Dunn

US elections and the environment - does it matter?

Does the environment matter in the US presidential race?

Khaki Army to protest against dugong and sea turtle killing

Khaki Army to protest against dugong and sea turtle killing

Posted Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:20:00 GMT by Adrian Bishop

A protest organised by Earthrace Conservation UK will take place in London later this week against the killing of dugongs and sea turtles in Australia.

Khaki Army to protest against dugong and sea turtle killing

Has the US green economy been affected by global recession?

Has the US green economy been affected by global recession?

Posted Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:57:57 GMT by Justin Elliott

How did the global recession and the economic woes experienced in the US affect green job creation and what does the future hold for the US green economy?

Has the US green economy been affected by global recession?

Spectacular New Image of the Omega Nebula

Spectacular New Image of the Omega Nebula

Posted Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:19:00 GMT by Griffin Smith

A brand new magnificent image of the Omega Nebula has been taken by the European Southern Observatory using their VLT (Very Large Telescope.)

Spectacular New Image of the Omega Nebula

The greenwashed death of a tiger sanctuary

The greenwashed death of a tiger sanctuary

Posted Wed, 14 Dec 2011 07:30:00 GMT by Ines Morales

Eyes of the Forest and WWF-Indonesia reports Asia Pulp & Paper's participation in greenwashing the clear-cutting of Indonesian protected forests.

The greenwashed death of a tiger sanctuary

COP 17 - Sabotage

COP 17 - Sabotage

Posted Fri, 09 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT by Michelle Simon

It's the last day of COP 17, and there seems to be no movement from the US.

COP 17 - Sabotage

Kyoto protocol and negative protocol by different countries

Kyoto protocol and negative protocol by different countries

Posted Wed, 07 Dec 2011 07:45:01 GMT by Naseem Sheikh

The major agenda at Durban is the fate of the Kyoto Protocol, the only legal instrument in place to limit global greenhouse gas emissions, whose first commitment period is about to expire in 2012.

Kyoto protocol and negative protocol by different countries

Some Fishy Politics

Some Fishy Politics

Posted Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:55:00 GMT by Dave Armstrong

Something doesn't smell right with the EU Common Fisheries Policy. Analysis of European decision makers and mathematical models of the likely outcome of current policy has produced alarm bells for fisheries.

Some Fishy Politics

The Value of Science

The Value of Science

Posted Sun, 13 Nov 2011 18:35:00 GMT by Mike Campbell

A Green Opinion Blog article looking at the values and difficulties associated with academic research and science.

The Value of Science

Tilting at Windmills

Tilting at Windmills

Posted Thu, 20 Oct 2011 10:31:00 GMT by Mike Campbell

Article on the decreasing popularity of wind farms by Mike Campbell. Tilting at windmills looks at how his attitude to wind power has changed over the past 20 years.

Tilting at Windmills

Cause of Grounded Ship Still a Mystery

Cause of Grounded Ship Still a Mystery

Posted Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:30:01 GMT by Chris Keenan

The cargo ship, Rena, ran aground on the Astrolabe Reef, near New Zealand. So far it has spilled between 220 and 330 tons of oil and with a further 1400 tons still onboard this environmental disaster is not over yet.

Cause of Grounded Ship Still a Mystery

Climate change double-think of the world's politicians

Climate change double-think of the world's politicians

Posted Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:55:00 GMT by Martin Leggett

Rising emissions that are signs of progress; climate negotiators insisting they won't negotiate; green pledges backed out of at the drop of a hat - welcome to the wacky world of politician's words and climate change; where nothing is as it seems.

Climate change double-think of the world's politicians

Food Waste - Our Dirty Little Secret

Food Waste - Our Dirty Little Secret

Posted Sun, 09 Oct 2011 15:30:00 GMT by Kirsten E. Silven

The amount of food that is wasted in the so-called 'civilized' world has reached staggering numbers in recent decades at an enormous cost to the environment, while efforts to redirect food waste are still in the early developmental stages.

Food Waste - Our Dirty Little Secret

Let Me Model That For You...

Let Me Model That For You...

Posted Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:15:00 GMT by Mike Campbell

Let me start by nailing my colours to the mast: I am an analytical scientist by training; I measure things with known accuracy and precision (trust me, I modelled it!). Therefore, by predilection and practice, I believe in tangible things that can be observed and measured.

Let Me Model That For You...

Halting oceanic plunder needs more than celebrity chefs

Halting oceanic plunder needs more than celebrity chefs

Posted Sun, 02 Oct 2011 22:33:00 GMT by Linden Volsun

In the UK, TV chefs have done wonders to energize the debate on the peril that the world's fisheries and ocean's are in. Now it must be over to the masses to turn their purchasing-power into real-world change, that can stop the plunder of the world's marine resources.

Halting oceanic plunder needs more than celebrity chefs

Green Opinion: Only fools will rush in to frack in the UK

Green Opinion: Only fools will rush in to frack in the UK

Posted Thu, 22 Sep 2011 21:20:01 GMT by Martin Leggett

With the announcement from Caudrilla Resources of headline-grabbing numbers for the shale gas reserves under Lancashire's fields, the rush to kick-off a fracking boom in the UK has started. But its not a choice between jobs and the environment - but between a short-sighted boom and a sustainable switch to a clean green economy.

Green Opinion: Only fools will rush in to frack in the UK

Down on the rhino ranch, dehorning now critical

Down on the rhino ranch, dehorning now critical

Posted Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:30:00 GMT by Martin Leggett

With World Rhino Day 2011 just around the corner (Thu 22nd Sep), and the future of the rhino under greater threat than for many years, a radical response has been required to the poaching menace - removing rhinos' horns. The work of de-horning at a conservation ranch in Zimbabwe is demanding, but is helping to stem losses, say conservation staff. Ultimately, though they see hope only when horn is no longer considered a medicine by the misled.

Down on the rhino ranch, dehorning now critical

China shuts down plants in connection with lead poisoning

China shuts down plants in connection with lead poisoning

Posted Fri, 16 Sep 2011 20:37:15 GMT by David Vranicar

Making good on promises to reign in 'heavy-metal' pollution, Chinese officials said Friday that they have ordered two plants to temporarily shut down because of a lead poisoning scare.

China shuts down plants in connection with lead poisoning

China a recurring theme in U.S. solar bankruptcy

China a recurring theme in U.S. solar bankruptcy

Posted Fri, 16 Sep 2011 07:30:00 GMT by David Vranicar

With the bankruptcy of U.S. solar manufacturer Solyndra - the third U.S. solar bankruptcy in a matter of weeks - Chinese greentech subsidies emerge as a storyline.

China a recurring theme in U.S. solar bankruptcy

On cars, China may be shifting from quantity to quality

On cars, China may be shifting from quantity to quality

Posted Fri, 09 Sep 2011 12:05:00 GMT by David Vranicar

Detroit's title as the 'Motor City' doesn't figure to fade away anytime soon. But China has fast become the Motor Country - maybe a little too fast, according to the Chinese government.

On cars, China may be shifting from quantity to quality

Clean Error: Conoco sets up fund amid Chinese backlash

Clean Error: Conoco sets up fund amid Chinese backlash

Posted Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:00:00 GMT by David Vranicar

Following a June oil spill off the coast of China - a spill that drew the ire of Chinese officials - ConocoPhillips has set up a fund to offset the damage.

Clean Error: Conoco sets up fund amid Chinese backlash

Has Obama become a smoggy failure?

Has Obama become a smoggy failure?

Posted Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:10:00 GMT by Martin Leggett

President Obama's U-turn over pressing for cleaner, smog-free air only makes sense in the hothouse of presidential re-election politics. In the real world, jobs, health and lives are at stake - and a faith in the American system of being able to deliver on its promises.

Has Obama become a smoggy failure?

Clean Error: China to appeal WTO decision

Clean Error: China to appeal WTO decision

Posted Tue, 06 Sep 2011 08:50:00 GMT by David Vranicar

In its appeal of a July ruling by the WTO, China could bring environmental concerns - its OWN environmental concerns - to the forefront on international trade.

Clean Error: China to appeal WTO decision

Climate leadership needed from Obama

Climate leadership needed from Obama

Posted Fri, 26 Aug 2011 14:25:00 GMT by Linden Volsun

Mitt Romney's kowtowing to the climate skeptic camp is a worrying sign that climate change action will fall victim to mainstream political 'bun fight'. But while the Republican candidate looks increasingly likely to be in bed with the Tea Party denialists, will the Democrat incumbent continue being a no-show for the planet?

Climate leadership needed from Obama

Why 'saving the planet' just doesn't wash anymore..

Why 'saving the planet' just doesn't wash anymore..

Posted Tue, 16 Aug 2011 09:32:06 GMT by Linden Volsun

The environmental movement has lost the thread, when it comes keeping the public on-board with changing the world. Time to stop 'saving the planet', and 'protecting the environment'; instead, let's wheel out the vision thing, to show people why a green world will work for them.

Why 'saving the planet' just doesn't wash anymore..

Greenwashing: The greater value of being green

Greenwashing: The greater value of being green

Posted Mon, 25 Jul 2011 09:35:00 GMT by Lea Sibbel

If you were only exposed to the media, you might start to think that all the large companies of the world engage in the struggle against climate change, saving energy, the rainforest and everything else that comes to mind. And the companies' efforts are not even limited to media-related spaces: They have also reached future consumers.

Greenwashing: The greater value of being green

When 'cultural rights' founder on a mound of bloodied fins

When 'cultural rights' founder on a mound of bloodied fins

Posted Tue, 19 Jul 2011 17:45:00 GMT by Linden Volsun

Shark Finning: When those aiming to save the shark are up against bloody trade making big money, seas and fisheries that are not policed and a community wanting to defend its cultural heritage, how can they win the battle? By turning the shark fin soup bowl into a dining room outcast.

When 'cultural rights' founder on a mound of bloodied fins