Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Freecycle

Great MNN article about our natural inclination to freecycle.

If you don't know what it is, here's their brief description:
Freecycle is one of the ways to focus on reducing waste by deciding to reuse. Learn about freecycle and how freecycle can help convince people to reuse.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Global warming could lead to more arctic energy


Reuters reports that, according to the European Union, 'the Arctic offers new energy and fishing resources as a result of global warming and new technology' (Photo: Reuters).

Bush to relax endangered species regulations


The USA Today reports that 'Animals and plants facing possible extinction could lose the protection of government experts who make sure that dams, highways or other projects do not pose a threat, under rules the Bush administration is set to put in place before President-elect Barack Obama can reverse them' (Photo: Reuters)

Monday, November 17, 2008

Auction of land in U.S. national parks for oil upsets environmentalists


The International Herald Tribune reports that 'late on election day, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management announced a Dec. 19 auction of more than 50,000 acres of oil and gas parcels alongside or within view of Arches National Park and two other redrock national parks in Utah: Dinosaur and Canyonlands'. (Photo: Reuters).

California to plan climate change strategy

The International Herald Tribune reports that California governor 'Arnold Schwarzenegger has instructed state agencies to prepare for climate change, especially rising seas, as they plan to replace, upgrade and repair the system of pipelines that distributes water around sewage treatment plants and low-lying airports, among other things'.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Future of coal burning plants uncertain


The Associated Press reports that 'the fate of scores of new coal-burning power plants is now in limbo over whether to regulate heat-trapping greenhouse gases' after 'an Environmental Protection Agency appeals panel on Thursday rejected a federal permit for a Utah plant, leaving the issue for the Obama administration to resolve' (Photo: Reuters).

Setback for carbon-trapping technology in EU talks


Reuters reports that 'Plans to put billions of euros of public funds behind cutting-edge technology to trap and bury global warming gases suffered at setback in European Union talks on Friday' (Photo: Reuters).

EPA Advisers Seek Perchlorate Review


The Washington Post reports that 'the Environmental Protection Agency's scientific advisers have warned the agency that it should delay final action on its decision not to set a federal drinking-water standard for perchlorate, a chemical in rocket fuel, because the computer model underlying the decision may have flaws' (Photo: New York Times).

Thursday, November 13, 2008

US officials to address security implications of warmer planet


The New York Times reports that "As a new administration committed to addressing climate change takes office, intelligence and defense officials are laying plans to address the national security implications of a warmer planet" - having discussed in recent months "the impact on personnel, equipment and installations of extreme weather events, rising ocean temperatures, shifts in rainfall patterns and stresses on natural resources" (Photo: Reuters).

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

US Sugar to sell Florida 181,000 acres to save everglades


The New York Times reports that "United States Sugar Corporation has agreed to sell 181,000 acres of farmland to the State of Florida for $1.34 billion in a slimmed-down deal intended to rescue the Everglades while letting the company stay in business" (Photo:Reuters)