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Climate Change

Feds Deny Protection for Spotted Seals Near Alaska

October 15, 2009 - Mother Nature Network

Following an 18-month review, the NOAA denies "Endangered" status to ice-dependent spotted seal, despite rapid melting rate in Arctic waters. Full Article

By Dan Joling © 2009 The Associated Press © MNN Holdings, LLC.

UN Warns of 70 Percent Desertification by 2025

October 3, 2009 - Yahoo! News

Buenos Aires -- Drought could parch close to 70 percent of the planet's soil by 2025 unless countries implement policies to slow desertification, a senior United Nations official has warned. Drought currently affects at least 41 percent of the planet and environmental degradation has caused it to spike by 15 to 25 percent since 1990, according to a global climate report. Full Article

© 2009 Agence France Presse © 2009 Yahoo!

Mesa, Ariz., is 1,000th Signer for Climate Change

October 2, 2009 - The Seattle Times

Seattle -- Mesa, Ariz., is the 1,000th city to sign the U.S. Conference of Mayors' climate change agreement. Full Article

© 2009 The Associated Press © 2009 The Seattle Times Company

Proposed U.S. Carbon Cuts: All Bark, No Bite?

October 1, 2009 - Time

The unveiling on Wednesday morning of the Senate's long-awaited draft legislation to reduce U.S. carbon emissions and shift the country to a clean-energy economy signals that Washington is inching ever closer to addressing global warming. The sweeping bill, sponsored by Democratic Senators Barbara Boxer and John Kerry, will cut U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions 20% below 1990 levels by 2020, and 83% by 2050 — targets that in the short term are a bit more ambitious than a similar carbon cap-and-trade bill passed by the House two months ago. Full Article

By Bryan Walsh © 2009 Time Inc.

Apple Expands Environmental Disclosures

September 30, 2009 - New York Times

Apple last week updated its Apple and the Environment Web site to include a life cycle impact section that, the company says, accounts for its total carbon footprint of 10.2 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Full Article

By Joe Hutsko © 2009 The New York Times Company

Psychological Barriers Hobble Climate Action

August 6, 2009 - Planet Ark

Washington -- According to a task force of the American Psychological Association, psychological barriers like uncertainty, mistrust and denial keep most Americans from acting to fight climate change. While most Americans -- 75 percent to 80 percent in a Pew Research Center poll -- said climate change is an important issue, it still ranked last in a list of 20 compelling issues such as the economy or terrorism. Full Article

© 2009 Reuters © 2009 Planet Ark

Four Sites to Become 'Eco-Towns'

July 16, 2009 - BBC

The British government has announced that Rackheath, Norfolk; north-west Bicester, Oxfordshire; Whitehill Bordon, East Hants; and the China Clay Community near St Austell, Cornwall will be the locations of four new "eco-towns.” These new developments are meant to be carbon neutral, but there has been significant opposition to the plans. Full Article

© 2009 BBC

House Passes Landmark Climate Change Bill

June 27, 2009 - Washington Times

By a vote of 219-212, the chamber approved a bill that, starting in 2012, would limit carbon dioxide pollution, require increased usage of renewable energy and require that consumer products be more energy efficient. Full Article

By Edward Felker © 2009 The Washington Times, LLC.

Vt. Farmers Cut Cows' Emissions By Altering Diets

June 21, 2009 - PhysOrg

Coventry Valley Farm is one of 15 Vermont farms working with Stonyfield Farm Inc., whose yogurt is made with their organic milk, to reduce the cows' intestinal methane by feeding them flaxseed, alfalfa, and grasses high in Omega 3 fatty acids. The gas cows belch is the dairy industry's biggest greenhouse gas contributor. Full Article

By Lisa Rathke © 2009 The Associated Press © 2009 PhysOrg.com

H.R. 2454 Would Save $3,900 Per Household By 2030

June 9, 2009 - ACEEE

Washington, D.C. -- The federal energy efficiency provisions included in H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, could save approximately $750 per household by 2020 and $3,900 per household by 2030, according to a preliminary analysis by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). Additionally, ACEEE estimates that approximately 250,000 jobs will be created by the energy efficiency provisions in H.R. 2454 by 2020, with a total of 650,000 jobs generated by 2030. Full Article

© 2009 American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy

160 Syrian Villages Deserted 'Due to Climate Change'

June 2, 2009 - Google News

Damascus -- Some 160 villages in northern Syria were deserted by their residents in 2007 and 2008 because of climate change, according to a new study. The report drawn up by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) warns of potential armed conflict for control of water resources in the Middle East. Full Article

By Talal El-Atrache © 2009 Agence France Presse © 2009 Google

Where's the Beef? Ghent Goes Vegetarian

May 27, 2009 - TIME

The Flemish city of Ghent has designated every Thursday as "Veggiedag" - Veggie Day - calling for meat-free meals to be served in schools and public buildings, and encouraging vegetarianism among citizens by promoting vegetarian eateries and offering advice on how to follow a herbivorous diet. According to the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization, meat production accounts for 18% of annual greenhouse-gas emissions - more than transportation, which accounts for roughly 14%. Full Article

By Eben Harrell © 2009 Time Inc.

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