Spam Survey 2009: Status report of the fight against spam in Europe
The EU ‘cyber security’ Agency – ENISA (the European Network and Information Security Agency) presents its new, 3rd ’spam report’, i.e. anti-spam measures implemented by European Internet service providers (ISPs). The report looks at spam budgets, impact of spam and spam management. No significant progress is reported in the fight against spam.
The survey targeted email service providers of different types and sizes, and received replies from 100 respondents from 30 different countries, throughout the EU (26 /27 EU Member States); and 80 million mailboxes managed. The survey analyses how e-mail service providers combat spam in their networks, and identifies the state of art in the fight against spam. Some of the key findings are:
- Less than 5% of all email traffic is delivered to mailboxes. [This means the main bulk of mails, 95%, is spam.]This is a very minor change, from 6%, in earlier ENISA reports.
- 70% of respondents consider spam extremely significant or significant for their security operations.
- Over 1/4 of respondents had spam accounting for >10% of helpdesk calls.
- Among very small providers, 1/4 of respondents allocate anti-spam budgets of over EUR10,000 per year.
- 1/3 of very large providers dedicate anti-spam budgets >EUR 1 Mn/year.
- Fighting spam has reached a certain level of maturity.
- ISPs are using various kinds of measures: technical, awareness, policies and legal framework. Blacklists are the most commonly used anti-spam tool. On average 5 kinds of measures are used.
- ISPs consider spam prevention as a competitive advantage to attract and retain customers. However, spam is not a critical factor.
The Executive Director of ENISA, Dr Udo Helmbrecht concludes: “Spam remains an unnecessary, time consuming and costly burden for Europe. Given the number of spam messages observed, I can only conclude more dedicated efforts must be undertaken.
Email providers should be better at monitoring spam and identifying the source. Policy-makers and regulatory authorities should clarify the conflicts between spam-filtering, privacy, and obligation to deliver.”
Next steps: ENISA will deliver a report on botnets to study root causes of spam by the end of 2010. Botnets are networks of thousands of remotely controlled computers, secretly infected by malicious programs “bots”, for distributing spam and criminal activities.
Download the full survey and slides.
Source: ENISA – European Network and Information Security Agency
Denmark, Climate Summit host, tops table of fighting climate change with wind power
In the run-up to the crucial climate change talks in Copenhagen, the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) has published a league table showing which EU countries are best at exploiting CO2-cutting wind energy.
Top of the table is Denmark, with the highest amount of wind energy capacity per square kilometre of national territory. Germany comes a close second and the Netherlands third. Spain, in fourth place, has half the wind power density of Germany. Portugal and Ireland are above the EU average wind power density.
Italy is not far below average, while France and the UK each have less than half of the EU’s average density of wind power capacity. Romania, Slovenia, Malta and Cyprus are floundering at the bottom of the league with next to zero wind power generation per km2.
The density of wind power per km is the best means of measuring and comparing the extent to which different countries exploit their wind power potential. The future of wind power in Denmark looks bright as, according to an August 2009 survey carried out by an independent market research institute, 91% of Danes support the further development of wind power in their country.
If the eight geographically largest Member States had the same density of wind power capacity per km2 as Denmark, they would produce enough wind power to meet 19% of total EU-27 electricity demand and avoid 362 million tonnes of CO2 emissions – equivalent to meeting more than 30% of the EU’s 2020 climate target.
“Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands are European leaders in fighting climate change with wind-powered electricity” said Christian Kjaer, Chief Executive of EWEA. ”The figures released today also reveal the huge potential for wind power growth in most countries. Laggards in wind energy – including France, the UK, Sweden, Finland and Eastern European countries – can easily play catch-up,” Kjaer added.
“The future of wind power in Europe lies in offshore as well as onshore wind power, and some of the pioneer countries will add wind power capacity just by repowering existing plants – replacing old smaller turbines with bigger, more powerful ones which are now available on the market” Kjaer said.
The report containing the just-published league table – entitled “Pure Power” and published today – also outlines EWEA’s predictions for growth in wind power by 2020. The industry calculates that it can meet up to 16.6% of EU electricity demand by 2020, or 14.1% in a lower, business-as-usual scenario.
The eight geographically largest countries in the EU include Sweden and Finland as well as France, Germany, Spain, Italy, UK and Poland.
League table extracted from the Pure Power report: MW of wind energy capacity per 1,000 km2 (End 2008)
Denmark: 73.8
Germany: 67
Netherlands: 53.6
Spain: 33.2
Portugal: 31
Ireland: 14.3
EU-27: 14
Luxembourg: 13.5
Belgium: 12.6
Italy: 12.4
Austria: 11.9
Greece: 7.5
France: 6.2
UK: 5.9
Sweden: 2.3
Czech Republic: 1.9
Estonia: 1.7
Poland: 1.5
Bulgaria: 1.4
Hungary: 1.4
Lithuania: 0.8
Finland: 0.4
Latvia: 0.4
Slovakia: 0.1
Romania: 0
Slovenia: 0
Malta: 0
Cyprus: 0
To download the full report visit http://www.ewea.org/index.php?id=178
Source: European Wind Energy Association (EWEA)
European and US Cities sign Stockholm Appeal urging world cooperation at COP15
The mayors of the largest cities in Europe and the United States have co-authored a mutual appeal, ‘The Stockholm Appeal on Climate Change’. The appeal manifests the signatories’ desire for the COP15 meeting in Copenhagen to result in an international climate change agreement.
The Mayor of Stockholm, Sten Nordin, initiated the cooperation between the mayors, represented by EUROCITIES and the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM). The appeal complements the ambitions of the Swedish government, which is currently holding the Presidency of the European Union.
The Stockholm Appeal provides a powerful statement of intent to the national governments in the run-up to COP15. By stating the cities’ mutual climate protection and sustainability aspirations, the appeal aspires to serve as further incentive for the heads of state at COP15 to reach an agreement.
“We know it is possible to combine economic growth with strong environmental measures. Our cities are putting into practice many innovative and effective strategies to protect the environment. With our strength, knowledge, experience and successes at the local level, the local governments of our cities play a crucial role in climate protection. Our citizens and cities will help implement the agreement signed by government officials at COP15,” says Sten Nordin, Mayor of Stockholm.
In the UK, Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese supports the Stockholm Appeal on Climate Change.
“Our view in Manchester is that a low carbon future is in everybody’s interest. Measures to develop future prosperity must now be inextricably linked to environmental actions. We also owe a responsibility to the rest of the world, particularly the most under-developed parts, to take a lead in tackling climate change.”
“A report we commissioned last year stated the Manchester region would lose GBP21 billion if we failed to meet the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change. I know that many other cities across Europe and in the US have come to similar conclusions,” Sir Richard continues.
The Stockholm Appeal will be officially presented on 27 November at the EUROCITIES 2009 Stockholm conference. The appeal will be handed over by Sten Nordin, the Mayor of Stockholm, and representatives of the Presidency of EUROCITIES and the Presidency of the USCM, to representatives of the Swedish Presidency of the European Union and the Obama Administration.
“With the Stockholm Appeal on Climate Change, we urge the decision-makers at COP15 to sign the agreement in December, and to use this opportunity for real change. We need the legislation and economic means to put your words into action,” says Sten Nordin, Mayor of Stockholm.
Sir Richard Leese adds: “The decisions to be made in Copenhagen will have an impact on everyone, at a global, national and local level. For that reason, I urge leaders at the summit to seize this critical opportunity to secure a binding agreement that sets ambitious targets for reducing global emissions, while also providing resources to developing countries.”
“The battle against climate change will be won or lost in the cities of Europe, where 80 percent of European citizens live. City governments are best placed to find local solutions to this global challenge. Not only are cities leading by example but they are also closest to the citizens and businesses that need to use our planet’s resources more efficiently,” says Jozias von Aartsen, Mayor of The Hague and President of EUROCITIES.
“U.S. mayors proudly stand with our European counterparts in asking international recognition of the role of local leaders in climate protection. At the forefront of creative strategies, U.S. mayors have forced our national government to act to combat climate change. To date, one thousand mayors have signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, pledging to meet or beat Kyoto goals. Mayoral leadership is a major impetus in climate protection,” says Greg Nickels, Mayor of Seattle and President of USCM.
The appeal refers to the EUROCITIES Declaration on Climate Change, the USCM Climate Protection Agreement and the Local Government Climate Roadmap, expressing the common position of networks of local authorities from all continents.
UK cities supporting the Local Government Climate Roadmap referred to in the Stockholm Appeal on Climate Change include London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool, Newcastle-Gateshead, Nottingham and Sunderland.
More about EUROCITIES work on climate change: http://www.eurocities.eu/include/lib/sql_news_card.php?newsID=1430
More about the US Conference of Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement: http://www.usmayors.org/climateprotection/agreement.htm
Source: City of Stockholm, EUROCITIES, and United States Conference of Mayors
80 million European runners reveal their reasons to run
ASICS looks into the runner’s mind
The world of running is experiencing a ’second running wave’, with approximately 36% of 15 to 65 year-old Europeans taking to the streets, parks, forests, and gyms. But how did this new boom come about in Europe? Why is it that we run?
To honour its 60th anniversary this year, ASICS took its expertise in running to another level by conducting an unprecedented research into the mind of the runner. Executed by the research institute Synovate, ASICS’ ‘Reasons to Run’ research asked more than 3,500 runners in seven European countries* to reveal the ‘why?’ behind their actions, making it the biggest study of its kind ever.
From body to mind
A significant fact that comes up in each country is that the attitude towards running is one of ‘first the body, then the mind’. The physical benefits of running far outweigh the mental benefits when it comes to getting started, with health issues such as fitness (for 54% of runners) and weight-loss (for 40%) being the two main reasons why Europeans start running. As time goes by however, the balance shifts from the body to the mind as runners discover the mental rewards running gives them, with 34% declaring they do it for fun and 35% as a means of stress-relief.
On average, Europeans wish to lose 6.1kgs by running, but the Dutch go above and beyond this target with a goal of 9.5kgs. On the topic of running partners, the British hold the highest number of runners who run with their babies in strollers while the Italians hold the highest percentage of running-club memberships (13%) as they enjoy the company of a running partner the most. When asked what goes through their minds whilst running, the Spanish declared they scrutinise other runners they see, while the French focus on their breath, pace and rhythm, the British worry about their finances and the current credit crunch, and Belgians think about nothing at all.
We run as we are
Delving deep into the runner’s mind, ASICS’ ‘Reasons to Run’ research delivers some intriguing results. The findings range from a general consensus over certain aspects (such as why people start to run) to factors that differ hugely between nations (such as motivation to continue, injury prevention, and preferred locations). These differences are down to the fact that the runner’s mindset profile greatly resembles their country’s disposition. The hard-working Germans, for example, are diligent runners who don’t like to give up, while the joie-de-vivre French run mainly for fun. The down-to-earth qualities of the Dutch mean they are not bothered by anything while running in contrast to the passionate Spanish who find they are easily irritated.
The marvels of running
Not since the first running boom of the early seventies, when people realised that running was a reliable means of getting healthy, has the world of running seen such an immense escalation in runners. Progressively more runners appearing in parks, streets and gyms, a surge in numbers on marathon registration lists (with a total of 494 marathons taking place in Europe alone), and a huge increase in women taking up the sport (33% of European women started in the last 12 months) are just some of the signs highlighting what is now known as the ’second running wave’. This latest boom is emphasised by the fact that a third of today’s runners started in the last year and the numbers just keep growing, with the current total of European runners exceeding 80 million.
* NB: The countries that participated are Great Britain, France, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, and the results are a representation of the 80 million runners in these European countries.
For more details, facts and figures about the Reason to Run survey, please see www.everythingaboutrunning.asics.eu.
Hart Energy Publishing Brings the World’s Leading Experts Together for The Carbon Challenge Webinar Series as Part of Global Carbon Initiative
First of eleven live webcasts – Adapting to New Policies – is scheduled for July 28 at 10:00 AM ET
Hart Energy Publishing (Hart) announces the launch of The Carbon Challenge webinar series designed to aid the global energy industry and policy-makers in understanding the impact of carbon-related issues on their businesses and constituents. Leading international experts will inform participants of the latest strategies, investment challenges and technologies needed to remain competitive in an increasingly carbon-constrained global economy.
The series begins on Tuesday, July 28 at 10:00 a.m. EDT (3:00 pm. GMT) with “The Carbon Challenge: Adapting to New Policies” and will cover the following topics:
- The scientific background to the carbon challenge
- A U.S. summary of the path to climate regulation, the Waxman-Markey Bill, the time frame and possible roadblocks, and the major players
- How European, Canadian, and Asian governments are moving forward and their likely position at The UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December
The event will feature an introduction by James A. Slutz, President and Managing Director, Global Energy Strategies LLC and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Energy and chair of the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum; and an overview of the carbon challenge by Dr. Donald L. Paul, Executive Director, University of Southern California Energy Institute and former Chevron Corp. chief technology officer.
Slutz and Paul will be joined by an international panel of experts including:
- USA: Jim Connaughton, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Environmental Policy, Constellation Energy Group, and former chairman, White House Council on Environmental Quality
- Europe: Dr. Stefan Singer, Director of Global Energy Policy, WWF International (formerly known as the World Wildlife Fund)
- Australia: Belinda Robinson, Chief Executive of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association
- China: Guo Yuan, Professor and Senior Researcher, Energy Research Institute, National Development and Reform Commission
- Canada: David Manning, Executive Vice President, U.S. External Affairs, National Grid
To register for this webinar and the rest of the events in The Carbon Challenge series visit www.hartcarbon.com/shop. For media, government and NGO officials, this webinar series is complimentary. Contact Linda Carter for credentials at lcarter@hartenergy.com or +1.703.891.4804.
Additional webinars in the Carbon Challenge series include:
– August 25 – Technology Today and to Come
– September 1 – Cap-and-Trade: Creating More Trading Profit
– September 8 – The Impact on Oil Producers
– September 15 – The Impact on the Natural Gas Sector
– September 22 – The Impact on the Coal Industry & Utilities
– September 29 – The Impact on the Refining Industry
– October 6 – The Impact on the Transportation Industry
– October 13 – The Impact on the Renewable Industry
– October 20 – Carbon Capture & Sequestration
– October 27 – Bring it Back Together
Starting in September, Hart will also launch a weekly subscription e-newsletter featuring:
- The latest carbon news and special editorial sections
- An event section presenting the next webinar
- The Q&A from the previous webinar
As part of Hart’s Global Carbon Initiative, the webinar series will culminate with a Summary Executive Meeting on November 3, 2009, at the Energy Solutions Conference in Houston, Texas. More information about this event is available at www.energysolutionsconf.com. To learn more about the Carbon Challenge webinar series, visit www.hartcarbon.com.
“As the world prepares for Copenhagen, understanding the complexity in policies, technical innovation and investment challenges will be the key to developing strategies that chart a course for success in a carbon-constrained world. Policies to address climate change will have a far-reaching effect on energy and economic systems,” says E. Kristine Klavers, Vice President, Hart Energy Consulting. “We invite energy executives, NGOs and governmental officials to use this Carbon Challenge webinar series to help navigate the issue divides and establish a path to determine a winning plan for the global economy and sound public policy.”
Source: Hart Energy Publishing
Trivial Pursuits: Britons clock up more holiday hours drinking and sunbathing than fellow Europeans
TripAdvisor Reveals Holiday Habits of British, French, German, Italian & Spanish Travellers
A new survey by TripAdvisor(R), the world’s most popular and largest travel community, has revealed snapshots of 24 hours in the average summer holidays of British, French, German, Italian and Spanish travellers. Whilst Britons clock up more time sunbathing and drinking in bars than their European counterparts, they also spend the least amount of time pursuing cultural activities.
The survey of 2,852 travellers reveals the length of time that each nationality spends on an array of popular pastimes over the course of an average day of their holiday, including active pursuits, dancing and dining. (For full breakdown of results, see Notes to Editors).
Tanning Time: Britons Soak Up Most Rays
Despite prominent sun-safety campaigns, British travellers lead the charge when it comes to sunbathing on holiday, spending an average of two hours and 53 minutes per day catching rays. The Spanish are the most restrained, averaging one hour and 58 minutes of tanning time.
Propping Up the Bar: Britons Clock Up Most Drinking Time
British travellers are the most adept at propping up the bar on holiday, spending an average of one hour and 38 minutes per day enjoying the local brew. Meanwhile, Italians are the most conservative when it comes to alcohol, spending 49 minutes per day in bars.
Cultural Pursuits: Britons Bring Up the Rear
Visiting museums and taking in the local architecture is less of a priority to Britons than other nationalities. Despite spending an average of two hours and 17 minutes per day on such pursuits, Britons bring up the cultural rear, whilst Spanish travellers claim the official ‘culture vulture’ mantle, spending three hours and 28 minutes a day indulging in high-brow activities.
Summer Loving: Italian Couples Cosy Up
Italians spend a whopping four hours and 31 minutes per day enjoying quality couples-time on holiday, whilst Britons average just 47 minutes. However, the French, considered by many to be a nation of great romantics, bring up the rear – spending just 29 minutes of quality time à deux.
From Discos, to Dining: Further TripAdvisor Findings
The survey also reveals that Spanish travellers are Europe’s dancing queens, clocking up 31 minutes per day on the dance-floor, compared to Britons’ paltry eight minutes. However, Britons’ stamina shines through when it comes to both shopping and dining in restaurants, with Brits leading the charge on both fronts. Meanwhile, German travellers are the masters of active pursuits, spending three hours and 37 minutes per day indulging in hiking, swimming and more.
Luke Fredberg, TripAdvisor spokesman, said: “Britons seek out a veritable smorgasbord of activities during their summer holidays, with sun, shopping and sangria proving ever-popular pastimes. And although the survey shows we may not be the biggest ‘culture vultures’, we certainly place great value on also enjoying more cultural pursuits on our holidays.”
Source: TripAdvisor
London’ s Cuisine Worst in Europe, but Capital Boasts Best Free Attractions
TripAdvisor Survey Reveals Highs and Lows of European Cities
It may be home to some of the world’s finest chefs, but London’s cuisine has been voted the worst in Europe, in a survey of travellers’ perceptions of European cities by TripAdvisor(R), the world’s most popular and largest travel community.
Yet whilst the capital’s food may fail to whet travellers’ appetites, its feast of cultural sights and open spaces meets with approval. London emerged as the best European city for both free attractions and public parks in the survey of 2,376 European travellers. As one TripAdvisor reviewer writes, “I have travelled quite a lot and there are NO parks in the world like the ones in London, especially St James’ Park.”
Copenhagen took the accolade of Europe’s cleanest city, whilst London was crowned the dirtiest, for the second year running. One TripAdvisor reviewer writes, “When I went to London last I was looking for a bin at Victoria Station. I couldn’t find one so asked security and they told me to just throw it on the floor.”
Travellers also ranked London the most expensive city in Europe, whilst Prague was voted the best bargain. And when it comes to architecture, Barcelona boasts Europe’s finest, whilst Warsaw has the ugliest, with one TripAdvisor reviewer noting that, “There really isn’t much to see architecturally… The castle, which is located in the square, was uninteresting. There was also this huge ugly building, which is the Ministry of Sciences – that was ugly but BIG.”
BRITONS STILL PLANNING TRIPS TO EUROZONE
Despite the strength of the euro, the survey reveals that a staggering 93% of British travellers intend to travel within Europe in the coming year (beyond their own country) – higher than their Spanish counterparts (90%), the French (91%) or Italians (91%).
However, when it comes to travel budgets, Britons exercise the most caution. More than one in two Brits (57%) will stick to a tighter budget than on previous European jaunts, compared to 30% of French travellers, 38% of Italians and 48% of Spanish.
Luke Fredberg, TripAdvisor spokesman, says, “Europe’s capital cities all have their highs and lows, but no other continent offers travellers’ such a wealth of culture and sights within such short distances. Despite London emerging as the dirtiest and most expensive city, its fantastic free attractions prove that you don’t need to be a millionaire in order to enjoy the capital.”
TRIPADVISOR’S EUROPEAN CITIES SURVEY: RESULTS OVERVIEW
Best Free Attractions: 1. London (35%) 2. Rome (9%) 3. Barcelona (9%)
Most Over-Rated: 1. Paris (25%) 2. London (12%) 3. Dublin (6%)
Most Under-Rated: 1. Krakow (7%) 2. Bruges (6%) 3. Edinburgh (5%)
Friendliest Locals: 1. Dublin (15%) 2. Amsterdam (14%) 3. Edinburgh (8%)
Least Friendly: 1. Paris (36%) 2. London (17%) 3. Moscow (6%)
Most Boring: 1. Brussels (14%) 2. Zurich (9%) 3. Dublin (6%)
Most Tourist Traps: 1. London (30%) 2. Paris (15%) 3. Rome (10%)
Most Romantic: 1. Venice (29%) 2. Paris (21%) 3. Rome (11%)
Most Expensive: 1. London (23%) 2. Paris (19%) 3. Venice (8%)
Best Bargain: 1. Prague (16%) 2. Amsterdam (9%) 3. Istanbul (8%)
Best Nightlife: 1. London (27%) 2. Amsterdam (17%) 3. Barcelona(11%)
Cleanest: 1. Copenhagen (9%) 2. Zurich (8%) 3. Stockholm (7%)
Dirtiest: 1. London (36%) 2. Paris (9%) 3. Athens (7%)
Best cuisine: 1. Paris (18%) 2. London (17%) 3. Rome (13%)
Worst cuisine: 1. London (10%) 2. Moscow (7%) 3. Warsaw (6%)
Best Architecture: 1. Barcelona (15%) 2. Rome (14%) 3. London (12%)
Ugliest Architecture: 1. Warsaw (8%) 2. Berlin (7%) 3. Brussels (6%)
Best Public Parks: 1. London (50%) 2. Paris (7%) 3. Barcelona (6%)
Best Dressed: 1. Paris (26%) 2. Rome (23%) 3. Madrid (8%)
Worst Dressed: 1. London (20%) 2. Dublin (6%) 3. Moscow (6%)
2,376 European travellers participated in the survey, including 638 British travellers
Source: TripAdvisor