GE's LED lightbulb lasts 17 years

Eco-friendly lighting might actually start being some use, with the launch of an LED lightbulb from GE that's claimed to produce nearly as much light as a 40-watt incandescent bulb, while lasting more than 25 times as long.

MIT uses viruses to split water for fuel

An MIT team has managed what amounts to artificial photosynthesis, using a modified virus and sunlight to split water into hydrogen and oxygen atoms.

Self-powered robotic sub developed

NASA, the US Navy and Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego have successfully tested the first robotic underwater vehicle to be powered entirely by natural ocean thermal energy.

US wind power grid could provide reliable supply

Researchers have proposed a wind power grid linking offshore turbines along the east coast of the US as a way of smoothing out fluctuations in supply.

Official 'Climategate' report clears scientists of wrongdoing

The UK government's first official report into the 'Climategate' scandal has concluded that the University of East Anglia did not tamper with climate data.

Greenpeace tells Dell: clean up your act

Greenpeace protested outside the offices of Dell yesterday in Bangalore, Amsterdam and Copenhagen, as Dell execs consider ways of cleaning up the company's products.

Atlantic currents not slowing after all

New NASA measurements show that the Gulf Stream has not slowed down over the past 15 years. In fact, it may even have sped up slightly.

Monsoon spreads pollution right through the stratosphere

The Asian monsoon is sending pollutants up to stratospheric heights and spreading them right across the globe, says the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR).

Scientists work to make car fuel from thin air

UK researchers reckon they are on track to take carbon dioxide from the air and turn it into car fuel.

MIT creates portable, low-powered desalinator

MIT and Korean researchers have developed a portable desalinator that could supply a small village using solar power.

Bill Gates building nuclear reactor (but it's only a little one)

Bill Gates (yes, really) and Toshiba are reported to be building a next-generation nuclear reactor.

'Smart roof' could slash energy costs

A white roof reflects heat and cools a building; a dark one absorbs it. But until now there hasn't been a material that could do both.

Going green: it's all about showing off, says prof

Excuse me while I pop my organic vegetables in the oven and wipe my hands on recycled kitchen roll. I'll only be a moment. Now, I'm ready to tell you all about the reasons why wonderful people like me just love to buy eco-friendly products.

Americans lose interest in green issues

Americans are getting more and more apathetic about environmental matters, according to a Gallup poll.

Wind farms could raise temperatures

Opponents of land-based wind farms have a new ally in the form of MIT. Researchers there say that, far from mitigating global warming, land-based wind turbines actually increase the temperature around them.

Seoul introduces new type of electric vehicle

What's being called the world's first On-Line Electric Vehicle (OLEV) has been introduced in Seoul.

Developed world 'outsourcing' carbon emissions

Europe is effectively outsourcing a third of its carbon emissions overseas, according to a new study.

Massive methane release sparks global warming fears

Vast amounts of methane are bubbling up from the East Siberian sea, raising fears of a massive hike in global warming.

Disposable toilet could clean up slums

A Swedish professor has invented a disposable toilet that turns human waste into fertiliser.

Boat built from soda bottles prepares to set sail

A boat built from 12,000 plastic bottles it to set sail this month, with the aim of crossing the Pacific Ocean.