Cool News
Hybrid Car Sales Soar 38% in 2007
Thursday, April 24th, 2008More than 350,000 new hybrid vehicles were registered nationwide in 2007, easily surpassing the record set only a year earlier. While hybrids still make up only about 2% of total car sales, the 38% surge is particularly noteworthy because overall new vehicle sales slumped 3%. Car market analysts say the sharp growth in demand for hybrids is because of not only high gas prices, but also the greater number of hybrids now available.
Alaska Pollution Study May Provide Clues to Accelerated Pace of Warming
Thursday, April 24th, 2008The whole world has been watching both the Arctic and Antarctic regions to see how quickly the planet is heating up. A new study now underway over Alaska may explain why scientists have been underestimating the pace. A potpourri of pollutant particles called aerosols-a “United Nations of pollutants”- may also be a major contributor to warming. The good news is that they disintegrate rather quickly-so if we stop emitting them, they’ll disappear.
Take Another Look at Your Light Bulbs
Friday, April 18th, 2008We’ve been following the development of LED bulbs for the last several years, as they last even longer than compact fluorescent light bulbs, require even less electricity, and contain no mercury. Now, as technology improves and demand increases, prices for LED bulbs for our homes are decreasing. Check out some suggestions on where to find some of these exciting new LED residential bulbs.
Outdoor Sportspeople Increasingly Concerned About Global Warming
Friday, April 18th, 2008Worries about global warming pollution have captured constituencies from across the political spectrum. In a meeting last week with Rep. John Dingell (D-MI), several groups of hunting and fishing enthusiasts expressed great concern about the impacts of global warming on the populations of several species. They worry even more that many animals may disappear altogether.
Bush Global Warming Speech Drawing Sharp, Partisan Reactions
Friday, April 18th, 2008In an April 16th Rose Garden speech, President Bush said the United States must stop the growth of global warming pollution by 2025, and then begin to reduce emissions. This is the first time in seven years that the President has actually set a goal for some type of global warming pollution reduction. However, most reactions are that the President’s proposals are too little, too late-and that real action will occur when the next president is inaugurated in nine months.
Bush Plan Seen as “Already Under Attack” and “Neanderthal”
Friday, April 18th, 2008President Bush’s speech Wednesday on global warming has attracted attention around the world as well as in the United States. Two of the first stories are: from London, where an on-line economic newsletter discusses Bush’s acknowledgement that climate change is a problem, but then spends almost all of the rest of the article quoting a number of elected officials as saying that the President’s strategy is insufficient; and from Germany, where the environment minister reacted much more bluntly.
New Book Features ELPC
Friday, April 11th, 2008
ELPC is featured in the newly updated 1990 classic environmental book 50 Simple Things You Can Do To Save the Earth by John Javna. 50 Simple Things tackles some of the most pressing environmental issues of today and acts to engage readers into taking action to make a difference.
ELPC’s work on advocating for an expanded high speed rail network throughout the Midwest was highlighted in the book. Riding by rail is extremely fuel-efficient. In fact per passenger-mile, trains produce less global warming pollution than either cars or airplanes! Read more about High Speed Rail.
Start Composting with Your Kids!
Friday, April 4th, 2008Those first spring shoots are starting to emerge from the winter doldrums. As you start getting your garden ready for the summer, consider putting together your own composter. It’s a fun activity that parents can do with their kids 3 and up. Check out a complete set-up guide.
Then use the compost to fertilize your garden! It’s a great alternative to sending your biodegradable garbage to the landfill, because decomposing biodegradable waste is a source of methane, a greenhouse gas 23 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
Australia Starts Sequestering 100,000 Tons of Carbon Dioxide
Friday, April 4th, 2008In an experiment the whole world will be watching, Australia has begun stripping carbon dioxide from a natural gas well and pumping it more than a mile underground. The country plans to study how the CO2 behaves underground, with the goal of using carbon capture and sequestration as a means of reducing global warming pollution. Australia’s environmental leaders are skeptical of the program, saying the nation instead should invest in renewable energy technologies that don’t result in global warming pollution in the first place.
Warmer Climate Creating Unusual Alliance to Battle to Save Prized Fish
Friday, April 4th, 2008In the western United States, conservationists and landowners are often at odds regarding what to do regarding environmental policies. But now, in Montana and elsewhere, these two groups are working together to determine how to save the grayling trout and other fish that are in danger because temperatures are rising fast.
