News


World's Rarest Whale Seen for First Time

A whale species that is nearly unknown to science has been seen for the first time after a mother and her calf were stranded on a New Zealand beach.

A construction worker admires New Harmony, a green affordable housing development in Davis, CA.

Green Construction and Retrofitting Creates More Jobs

Green building and energy efficiency retrofits of affordable housing not only help struggling families find decent places to live, but also help create more jobs for the economy than traditional building methods.

Mountain Meadows Dwindling in the Pacific Northwest

Some high mountain meadows in the Pacific Northwest are declining rapidly due to climate change as reduced snowpacks, longer growing seasons, and other factors allow trees to invade ecosystems that once were carpeted with grasses, shrubs and wildflowers.

Wastewater Tunnel Project Completed in Austin

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held earlier this week to celebrate the completion of Austin’s Downtown Wastewater Tunnel project, which has improved wastewater collection for the central and downtown areas of the city.

Opossum Lake to be Reopened to the Public

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission announced that the popular lake in Cumberland County is expected to be refilled and reopened to the public in 2013. The lake was drained in 2008 to rebuild the spillway at the facility’s dam.

WHO Collaborates on Health/Climate Atlas

Published jointly Oct. 29 by the World Health Organization and the World Meteorological Organization, it contains maps, tables, and graphs showing links between health and climate around the world.

Infrared Lasers Assess Forest Vegetation

A Texas A&M University associate professor in the department of ecosystem science and management uses remote sensing and other advanced technology to see individual trees and the overall forest.

New Study to Determine the Air Quality Effects of Open Fire Cooking

The National Center for Atmospheric Research is launching a three-year, international study to determine the impact open-fire cooking has on regional air quality and disease.



Nanosilver in Clothing Can Create Environmental Issues

According to a new study, silver nanoparticles in clothing can have a severe environmental impact on the environment. The nanosilver, which is toxic to bacteria and higher organisms, is released into water systems after clothing has been washed.

Sea Level Rise in Washington, D.C. Could Have Significant Impact

In a study conducted by researchers from the University of Maryland, sea level rise in the nation’s capital could lead to billions of dollars in damages by 2043.

EPA Reaches Settlement to Clean Water in Los Angeles Area

TDY Industries will pay the EPA $1.44 million for water contamination.

Ammonia Emissions Reduction Method Patented by USDA

The USDA has patented a process to capture and recycle ammonia from livestock waste, which could help farmers reduce harmful emissions and concentrate nitrogen into a liquid to sell as fertilizer.

Electric Company Decreases Energy Consumption of Own Sites

Since 2005, The Schneider Energy Action program has decreased CO2 emissions in commercial and industrial sites by 15% and hopes to further reduce emissions by 10% or more by 2014.

Cooked Algae Transforms into Crude Oil

Michigan Engineering researchers can "pressure-cook" algae for as little as a minute and transform 65% of the organisms into biocrude.

IEA Report Shows Potential to Double Hydroelectricity Output by 2050

According to a report from the IEA, hydroelectricity production could be doubled by 2050 – preventing up to 3 billion tons of CO2 emissions from fossil fuel plants each year.

Proposed Site Announced for Tennessee's 55th State Park

During a special ceremony attended by state and local government officials, it was announced that the Rocky Fork area of Unicoi County will become Tennessee’s 55th state park.

Funding Available for Environmental Research and Development

The Department of Defense’s (DoD) Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) is seeking to fund environmental research and development proposals.

Burning Fossil Fuels Could Lead to Sea Level Rise

Study by scientists has found that burning all the Earth’s reserves of fossil fuels could cause sea levels to rise by as much as five meters – with levels continuing to rise for typically 500 years after carbon dioxide emissions ceased.

New Study Measures Methane Emissions

A research team led by the University of Texas at Austin is conducting a major field study to measure the methane emissions produced from natural gas production. The study is expected to be completed by Jan. 13, 2013.

Groundwater Cleanup Project in San Gabriel Valley Aided by EPA Settlement

The EPA reached a settlement of $1.44 million with TDY Industries, LLC to help pay for groundwater cleanup at the South El Monte portion of the San Gabriel Valley Area 1 Superfund Site in Los Angeles, California.

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