Tom’s Hardware has just released the first in a series of articles detailing a solar-based project they’ve been running over the past two years. Based in their Munich laboratories, the project involved the design and configuration of a conventional desktop PC to be run, 24/7, from only a solar grid consisting of two photovoltaic panels.

Here’s another example of the confusion (and questionable reporting) that often surrounds green issues. An article from Reuters, reporting on Europe's biggest consumer electronics show, IFA, comes entitled “Public indifferent to green overtures at IFA fair”, or alternatively “Green doesn’t matter for gadget geeks” (actually, quite a catchy title). The article reports that exhibitors including Philips, Sharp and Fujitsu-Siemens tried to attract buyers by touting products that had lower power use, more environmentally friendly production methods and recyclability.

With the upcoming Rugby World Cup set to be the third biggest sporting event ever, there has been an increasing clamour from environmental groups about the ecological cost of such competitions. And, I’m happy to say, the event organizers haven’t shied away from the complaints.

The competition, which kicks off next week, is expected to generate some 570,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide, equivalent to the annual output of the tournament's Pacific Ocean outsiders Western Samoa, but a major publicity campaign encouraging greater environmental awareness has already begun in France.