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California prison system introduces conservation measures

Woe to California inmates whose lunches don’t agree with them: As part of a conservation program in the state-prison system, at least one prison has introduced a water-saving measure that makes toilets temporarily unflushable if they’re flushed three times in five minutes. As for what else the prisons are doo-ing: A partnership with the state’s […]

Oceangoing ships face strict new pollution rules

Observers hoping for an epic pirate battle at the latest meeting of the International Maritime Organization were disappointed yesterday, when the group quietly and without controversy passed landmark restrictions on pollution emitted by oceangoing vessels. By July 2010, the 300,000 ships that travel the world’s seas must cut the sulfur content of the fuel they […]

Snippets from the news

• Will the economic crisis cause E.U. countries to ditch climate commitments? • “Superworms” can eat toxic waste. • Could more renewable energy mean lower power prices? • Defense lawyers threaten to stop Ivory Coast pollution trial. • Prince Charles skeptical of green buildings.

Deal reached to halt deforestation on Sumatra

Indonesian authorities have agreed to halt deforestation on the island of Sumatra, which has lost about half of its forest cover to logging since 1985. Conservationists joined Sumatran tigers, orangutans, rhinos, and elephants in applauding the deal, launched at the World Conservation Congress being held this week. Deforestation has increased the impact of flooding and […]

Financial shock and awe

“Not only have individual financial institutions become less vulnerable to shocks from underlying risk factors, but also the financial system as a whole has become more resilient.” — former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Alan Greenspan, in 2004

Snippets from the news

• Penguins will take a hit from climate change. • GAO investigating quick approvals of oil and gas drilling projects in Utah. • Salmon shortage threatens killer whales. • United Nations bashes biofuel subsidies. • These days, cleantech is where the venture capital is. • Forestry companies, green groups, and indigenous groups reach rainforest agreement.

Ships must slow down where right whales hang out, says NOAA

Ships need to slow down when traveling in the hang-out spots of critically endangered right whales, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Wednesday. Ships 65 feet or longer must slow down to 10 knots (that’s 11.5 miles per hour for landlubbers) within 23 miles of major mid-Atlantic ports. Government scientists had originally suggested a […]

Overrun by humans, Galapagos Islands crack down

The Galapagos Islands are totally hot right now. To tourists, the island chain 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador offers stunning biodiversity (blue-footed boobies!) that infamously inspired Charles Darwin to write The Origin of Species. To residents, the tourism-driven economy offers high wages, top-notch public schools, and a dearth of violent crime. But as […]

Why are you still reading this? Go buy Van Jones’ new book!

Watch this video: Now watch this video: Now go buy Van Jones’ new book!

The whole economy needs to be green collar

Bob Herbert lays out a strong argument for a focus on jobs in his column “A Fool’s Paradise”: The economy won’t be saved by bailing out Wall Street and waiting for that day that never comes when the benefits trickle down to ordinary Americans. It won’t be saved until we get serious about putting vast […]