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Urban Decay
Boston looks to generate electricity from indoor composting |
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26 Mar 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 3:07 PM on 26 Mar 2008 The city of Boston is looking to build an urban, indoor composting facility. Most cities, if they compost at all, transport food and yard waste in gas-guzzling trucks to dumps outside the city limits, where energy and methane from decomposing biomass get lost to the atmosphere. The first-of-its-kind proposed Boston facility would generate electricity from rotting leaves and fruit, enough to ... |
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| Topics: Boston, energy, innovation, news, placemaking, urban planning, waste (all these topics) |
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A Spend in Need
Americans want to spend on green, but can't figure out how, says study |
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26 Mar 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 1:29 PM on 26 Mar 2008 Americans are primed to spend up to $104 billion on "green" technologies this year -- but don't know where to find them, says a new study. Which seems crazy, considering the plethora of green-shopping websites and companies joining in on the "green revolution," but what do we know? According to the survey conducted by Rockbridge Associates, some half of the ... |
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| Topics: business, consumerism, news, shopping, tech (all these topics) |
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Mind Your Business
NYT offers special section on green biz |
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26 Mar 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 10:36 AM on 26 Mar 2008 The Sierra Club is embarking on its first product endorsement, putting its logo on Clorox's new Green Works cleaning products. Various businesses are aiming to bypass carbon neutrality and move straight on into carbon negativity. These and more stories show up in a New York Times "Business of Green" section Wednesday, which covers the green-biz gamut, from companies trying to manufacture safer ... |
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| Topics: business, carbon neutral, climate, energy, green jobs, greening biz operations, greenish companies, news, Sierra Club, solar voltaic power (all these topics) |
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An Offer We Can't Refuge
Proposed land swap would allow drilling in Alaska wildlife refuge |
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26 Mar 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 8:54 AM on 26 Mar 2008 Photo: usgs.gov The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering a land swap with a Native-owned energy company that would open up about 200,000 acres of Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Alaska to oil and gas drilling. Under the pending deal, the energy company would trade about 150,000 acres of its nearby land for 110,000 acres of what it believes is more ... |
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| Topics: Alaska, news, oil and gas drilling, politics, US Fish and Wildlife Service (all these topics) |
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From 60 to Zero
California board to vote on requiring fewer zero-emission vehicles |
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26 Mar 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 6:54 AM on 26 Mar 2008 On Thursday, the California Air Resources Board will vote on whether to require fewer zero-emissions vehicles on the state's roads in coming years. As it stands now, automakers must sell 25,000 zero-emission vehicles by 2014 and an additional 50,000 by 2017. Under the proposed changes, the numbers would drop to 2,500 by 2014 and 25,000 by 2017, with the difference made up by selli ... |
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| Topics: California, cars, climate, news, politics (all these topics) |
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But They're Still Not Hoppy
Amphibian dieoffs not caused by climate change, says study |
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25 Mar 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 4:47 PM on 25 Mar 2008 A mysterious dieoff of amphibian species is likely not being caused by global warming, as had been hypothesized, says new research. Not in doubt: Amphibians are being afflicted by the rapidly spreading chytrid fungus, and humans are in some way responsible. source: The New York Times see also, in Grist: Conservationists highlight weirdness of rare amphibians in push to save ... |
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| Topics: endangered species, news, scientific research, wildlife (all these topics) |
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Breaking Up Is Hard to Do
Giant Antarctic ice chunk collapses |
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25 Mar 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 4:12 PM on 25 Mar 2008 A 160-square-mile chunk of ice -- that's seven times the size of Manhattan -- has collapsed off of the Wilkins ice shelf in Antarctica. The entire ice shelf, which is approximately the size of Connecticut, is "hanging by a thread," says climate scientist David Vaughan: "We'll know in the next few days or weeks what its fate will be." Scientists are not concerned that the ice breaka ... |
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| Topics: Antarctica, climate, climate change impacts, news (all these topics) |
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Unclear and Present Danger
Climate change may cloud Lake Tahoe's waters, study says |
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25 Mar 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 12:45 PM on 25 Mar 2008 Climate change will likely cloud Lake Tahoe's famously clear waters within a decade, according to a new study by researchers at the University of California at Davis. Warmer temperatures are likely to alter and eventually shut down the lake's deep-water circulation, eventually turning the waters a murky green, researchers said. "A permanently stratified Lake Tahoe becomes ju ... |
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| Topics: climate, climate change impacts, news, United States (all these topics) |
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Like a Bat Out of Help
Mass die-off of bats in U.S. Northeast worries and puzzles researchers |
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25 Mar 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 10:35 AM on 25 Mar 2008 Photo: Michael Grace A mass die-off of tens of thousands of bats in the U.S. Northeast is confounding researchers and worrying wildlife advocates. The phenomenon has been dubbed white nose syndrome since many of the dead and dying bats show a white fungus on their nose. However, the fungus itself is believed to be a secondary symptom; the primary cause is as yet unknown ... |
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| Topics: news, United States, wildlife (all these topics) |
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Law & Order: Species Victims Unit
Green group files lawsuit to protect 681 species |
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25 Mar 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 6:00 AM on 25 Mar 2008 Environmentalists filed suit last week against the U.S. Interior Department, seeking to force the agency to review and issue findings on the status of 681 species vulnerable to extinction. WildEarth Guardians, which filed the suit, contends that the Bush administration has deliberately stalled Endangered Species Act listing decisions to appease developers and other interests; ... |
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| Topics: biodiversity, Department of Interior, endangered species, litigation, news, United States (all these topics) |
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Wary Indiana
Plans for Indiana BioTown face obstacles, but sputter on |
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24 Mar 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 4:47 PM on 24 Mar 2008 In 2005, Reynolds, Ind., was deemed the world's first "BioTown," as agricultural officials unveiled a plan to power the 550-person burg entirely with corn, hog waste, sewage, and other energy sources in ready local supply. Three years and many obstacles later, the ambitious proposal is far off track. A significant private investor dropped out; construction on a planned ethanol plant ... |
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| Topics: agriculture, energy, Indiana, news, placemaking, renewable energy (all these topics) |
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The Pricing Is Right
New York's new governor supports congestion pricing |
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24 Mar 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 2:40 PM on 24 Mar 2008 Brand-spankin'-new New York Gov. David Paterson has announced his support for a controversial congestion pricing plan. The proposal, put forward by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and supported by former Gov. Eliot Spitzer, would charge $8 to drivers entering Manhattan during peak hours. Said Paterson in a written statement, "Congestion pricing addresses two urgent concerns of th ... |
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| Topics: air pollution, climate, climate change mitigation, New York, New York City, news, placemaking, politics, state politics, urban planning (all these topics) |
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Keep on Truckin'
Truckers slowing down to increase fuel efficiency |
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24 Mar 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 1:06 PM on 24 Mar 2008 You think filling up your car is a pain in the wallet? Try being a trucker. Most big rigs get less than 10 miles to the gallon, and diesel fuel is hovering near $4 a gallon in many places. "For every one-penny increase in the price of diesel, it costs our industry $391 million," says a trucking industry spokesperson. In response, many trucking companies are instructing their drivers to ... |
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| Topics: business, fuel efficiency, news (all these topics) |
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Only You Can Prevent Climate Change
Gore group will launch climate marketing campaign |
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24 Mar 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 10:42 AM on 24 Mar 2008 Photo: World Resources Institute Al Gore's Alliance for Climate Protection plans to spend more than $300 million over the next three years on a marketing campaign aimed at getting Americans to address climate change. With ads developed by the Martin Agency (the folks behind the Geico cavemen and chatty gecko) and partnerships with grassroots groups, the campaign focus will be o ... |
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| Topics: advertising, Al Gore, business, climate, climate change mitigation, grassroots activism, green products, news, United States (all these topics) |
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'Don't Soot': the Messenger
Soot pollution a big contributor to climate change, study finds |
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24 Mar 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 8:01 AM on 24 Mar 2008 Soot pollution contributes significantly to climate change and is second only to carbon dioxide as a climate-warming factor, according to a new study published in the journal Nature Geoscience. The study estimates that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change may have underestimated soot's role as a climate-warming factor by about three or four times. If the new rese ... |
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| Topics: air pollution, climate, climate change mitigation, news, scientific research (all these topics) |
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World Citizen McCain
McCain talks climate change with European leaders |
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24 Mar 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 6:40 AM on 24 Mar 2008 Republican presidential candidate John McCain traveled to Europe and the Middle East last week, meeting with various European leaders to discuss climate change and U.S. foreign policy. McCain broached climate change in separate meetings with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, current U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, who recently announced his quest t ... |
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| Topics: climate, John McCain, news, politics (all these topics) |
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She's Got a Feeling You're Not in Kansas Anymore
Bill to allow new dirty coal plant vetoed by Kansas governor |
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21 Mar 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 3:09 PM on 21 Mar 2008 Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has vetoed a bill that would have allowed a new two-unit coal plant to be built in her state. The legislation would have overturned an October decision by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to deny Sunflower Electric a coal-plant permit on the basis of greenhouse-gas emissions. The bill Sebelius kicked to the cu ... |
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| Topics: coal, energy, heroes, Kansas, legislation, news, politics, state politics (all these topics) |
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West Virginia, Mountain Drama
Clinton and Obama boost coal in West Virginia |
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21 Mar 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 2:03 PM on 21 Mar 2008 Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama both did some coal-boosting while campaigning in West Virginia this week. Clinton told West Virginians she's always been in favor of "the cleanest coal possible," but that "coal fits in very importantly" to America's energy future. Asked about mountaintop-removal mining in a radio interview Wednesday, she hedged, saying she didn't &quo ... |
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| Topics: Barack Obama, coal, economy, elections, energy, green jobs, Hillary Clinton, mining, news, politics, presidential race 08, West Virginia (all these topics) |
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Now That's Richardson
Bill Richardson endorses Barack Obama for president |
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21 Mar 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 12:08 PM on 21 Mar 2008 Sen. Barack Obama has been endorsed for president by New Mexico governor and former presidential racer Bill Richardson. Among other things, said Richardson, Obama "will make the historic and vital investments into renewable energy, to help create clean energy jobs and fight global warming." source: MSNBC From the Archives A Doom With a Review. Report by ... |
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| Topics: Barack Obama, Bill Richardson, elections, news, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
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A Doom With a Review
Report by Australia economist suggests ambitious climate policy |
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21 Mar 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 10:38 AM on 21 Mar 2008 An interim report on the economic impact of climate change on Australia -- Oz's version of the Stern Review -- has been produced by economics professor Ross Garnaut. The government-commissioned Garnaut Review, which will be published in full in September, points out that Australia's dry climate, heavy reliance on agriculture, and tight trade relationships with developing countri ... |
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| Topics: Australia, climate, climate change mitigation, economy, news, progress (all these topics) |
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City Slickers
High oil prices revive urban oil drilling |
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21 Mar 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 7:55 AM on 21 Mar 2008 The high price of oil has spurred many drillers to revisit formerly abandoned wells all over the country, including some in towns and cities. Suburban developments that have sprung up near old wells abandoned years ago are seeing oil drillers returning to their old 'hood, often using new techniques to extract every drop of oil possible. Even wells that will only produce five or so barrels of oil a day are b ... |
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| Topics: news, oil and gas drilling, United States (all these topics) |
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LNG Island's Sound
Feds approve floating liquefied-natural-gas terminal in Long Island Sound |
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21 Mar 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 6:37 AM on 21 Mar 2008 The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Thursday approved a $700 million floating liquefied-natural-gas terminal to be built in the middle of Long Island Sound. The energy companies Shell and TransCanada are partners in the project, which is expected to supply 1.25 billion cubic feet of natural gas a day to New York and Connecticut -- enough to generate electricity f ... |
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| Topics: Connecticut, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, natural gas, New York, news, politics (all these topics) |
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The Early Bird Gets Confused
Early-springing spring is a climatic consequence |
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20 Mar 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 3:28 PM on 20 Mar 2008 You may have gone to bed last night in one season and woken up in another, as spring officially began at 1:48 a.m. EDT Thursday. (Yes, apparently "they" know the exact time.) We kind of feel like its about damn time the sun came out, but in fact trees are blossoming and birds are singing earlier than ever, say biologists -- and that's not ideal. Among the consequences of a cl ... |
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| Topics: climate, climate change impacts, news (all these topics) |
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GMO, Oh, Mexico ...
Mexico to allow planting of genetically modified crops |
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20 Mar 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 11:58 AM on 20 Mar 2008 Mexico has taken the last step toward finalizing rules that will allow genetically modified crops to be planted in the country. That has many farmers in the so-called birthplace of corn worried that GM varieties could contaminate their fields. Under the rules, GM corn wouldn't technically be allowed in certain areas of Mexico considered "centers of origin" for unique corn plant ... |
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| Topics: agriculture, food, GMOs, Mexico, news (all these topics) |
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Dread in the Water
Much of U.S. Midwest flooded, weather service warns of more to come |
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20 Mar 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 10:55 AM on 20 Mar 2008 Heavy rains in the U.S. Midwest since Monday have flooded large parts of the region, with some areas enduring over a foot of rain. Officials warned of more flooding to come as communities downriver and downstream brace themselves for hugely increased flows. Thousands of people have been evacuated, including more than 500 homes in Missouri. Missouri's governor asked for federal ... |
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| Topics: news, severe weather, United States (all these topics) |
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