Is Global Dimming Under Way?
Scientists call it "global dimming," a little-known trend that may be making the world darker than it used to be.
British Shoreline Clogged with Microscopic Plastic Litter
Plastic-based litter from human beings is inundating the world’s oceans and polluting shorelines down to the microscopic level, according to British scientists who recently completed a multi-year study on the problem in and around Great Britain.
The Big Cooldown
My town celebrated Earth Day about a month late, because the committee was waiting for a good date to use one of the local schools. Better late than never, I say. There were displays from solar groups, feel-good literature from the utility companies, and a surprisingly strong showing from the fuel-cell people, including a display from Avalence (launched by one of the founders of E), makers of a user-friendly hydrogen filler. There were also things for kids to do, and a pack of eco-conscious costumed figures.
I’ve heard that Singapore controls the number of cars on its roads. How does this work?
Nearly 42 million cars were produced worldwide in 2003. More cars, of course, mean more congestion and more air pollution. In response, a handful of regions, including Singapore, are trying to limit the number of cars on the road.
U.S. Petitioned to Protect 225 Species
Scientists joined environmental groups last week in petitioning the U.S. government to add 225 plants and animals to the endangered species list.
Leakey Calls on Developed Nations to Help Save the Mountain Gorilla
According to noted Kenyan environmentalist Richard Leakey, mankind’s closest animal relatives, the great apes, are facing extinction and need urgent action in order to survive.
New Bill Calls for Clean Up of Lead in Drinking Water
Last week, Vermont Independent Senator Jim Jeffords and Maryland Democratic Senator Paul Sarbanes introduced a long-awaited bill that would help clean up lead contamination in the nation’s drinking water. Meanwhile, a group of Democratic representatives introduced a companion bill in the House.
EPA Faces Everglades Clean-up Lawsuit
Environmentalists told the Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday that they intend to sue the agency for the way it responded to revisions of a state Everglades cleanup law.
What happens to the chemicals in drugs once they are out of our systems?
Every time you swallow a pill, some of that medicine follows a circuitous path through your body, down the toilet, through the sewage treatment plant (where if is often resistant to traditional treatments) and into the nearest river or lake
The Fuel-Cell Future
It’s great when spokespeople for giant corporations point out basic environmental truths. In calling for patience in the efforts to build the hydrogen energy economy, Scott Foster, a <a href="http://www.gm.com">General Motors</a> spokesperson on advanced technology vehicles, points out that the 70 million cars on American roads could double to 140 million by 2025. These cars would also double the number of miles traveled.