Tweeting Middle Class Joins Major Environmental Protests in China

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:12:00 GMT

Photo via the Telegraph There are more protests in China every year--an estimated 100,000 of them--than any other nation. Most of these are orchestrated by the poor, demanding human rights and economic equality--and most are stamped out and covered up by the Chinese government. But now the middle class is getting fed up, too. In this case, with better access to resources like computers and Twitter and the help of hackers who broke through the Chinese government's firewall, hundreds of well-off Chinese caught the attention of international media with a protest against a garbage incinerator being put up too close to their homes.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

The World's 3 'Carbon Neutral Nations' Gear Up to Cut Emissions

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:25:00 GMT

Photo via Samapan It's not easy being carbon neutral--that's what the world's most exclusive carbon-cutting club is finding out fast. Only three countries have pledged to become entirely carbon neutral: Costa Rica, the Maldives, and Norway. They may not have much in common geographically, in government, or even socially--but they're all looking for ways to cut their carbon use to nil. And fast.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

True Cause of Road Rage: Exposure to Gas Fumes?

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:41:00 GMT

Photo via Shane in NYC A lot of things can make people angry when they head to the gas station: the outrageous prices, having to wait in an awkward car-line, bad smells, and so on. But there's actually one thing that may be making you really mad without your even knowing it: exposure to the gasoline itself. A recent study has revealed that exposure to fumes from unleaded and leaded gas can cause heightened aggression. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

The Truth Behind the Hacked Climate Email Controversy

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Image via Tech Daily When news broke that a leading climate research unit had been infiltrated by hackers last Friday, it (of course) lit up the blogosphere. Thousands of emails exchanged between a few of the top climate scientists in the world were posted online, and eagerly sifted through by those eager to find errors in judgment or evidence of great conspiracies behind global warming. Predictably, those hungry to stir controversy found a few sentences (out of perhaps hundreds of thousands) that appeared to fit the bill, and immediately hailed the emails as 'smoking gun' proof that global warming was fake. Here's what they really mean.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

US to Announce National Carbon Emissions Reduction Target

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:38:00 GMT

Photo via ABC It's about time. Just about every other developed nation has already set at least tentative, nonbinding carbon emission reduction goals. Many have done more. It took the USA this long to get even this far: the White House has announced that next month, it will set the first national carbon reduction target for the United States.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

37% of All US Sewers Are Polluting Rivers and Lakes (Video)

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:55:49 GMT

An overflowing sewer in Georgia. Photo via USGS Troubling news has surfaced about sewage systems in the US: over the last three years, 9,400 sewers--more than 37% of the all sewers across the nation--have illegally dumped untreated human waste, hazardous chemicals, and other dangerous materials into clean rivers and lakes. The results are often disastrous, as some damning video evidence proves.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Sugar Cane Waste to Replace Coal in Coal-Fired Power Plants?

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:58:00 GMT

Via Green Inc Here's a promising project: Brazilian and Italian entrepreneurs are investing $114 million in a plan to convert bagasse, a waste product from sugar cane, into pellets that can be burned as fuel at your average, run-of-the-mill coal plant. By next year, utilities around the world will likely be getting thousands of megawatts of power from sugar cane waste.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Breaking: Hackers Infiltrate World's Leading Climate Research Unit

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:05:00 GMT

Image via Menassat The email system of one of the world's leading climate researchers was just reported to be infiltrated by hackers. Protected information and email messages sent from climate scientists at the University of East Anglia's Climatic Research Unit (CRU) began turning up on public websites today. Why the CRU was targeted is still unclear--though there's speculation that with the global climate meeting in Copenhagen nearing, opponents of climate action may be going so far as to be doing illegal reconnaissance.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Women and Minorities Getting Left Out of Green Job Market, New Study Finds

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:00:19 GMT

Photo via Change If James Brown had been around to witness the rise of the green jobs sector and learned of the news from this recent study, he'd shake his head and say, "It's a man's world. Ow! After all these years and so much progress, even in a sector dedicated towards achieving the noble aim of an emissions-free economy, it appears some prejudices still plague us." Well, he might not have said it exactly like that. But it appears to be the unfortunate truth: women--especially minority women--are getting largely left out of the green job market.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Giant Snail Pies to Feed the Malnourished in Africa

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:30:00 GMT

Photo via Great Lakes Malnutrition and iron deficiency are rampant problems in developing nations across Africa. They can lead to serious health issues and mortality, especially in young people. But a nutritionist in Nigeria has uncovered a remedy that could drastically improve extremely poor diets and help feed Africa's youth--a recipe for giant snail pies. More nutritious than beef, and far more abundant, giant snails could be the key ingredient to a healthier Africa. Oh yeah, and evidently they taste great. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

New TV Ad Shows Polar Bears Falling to Gruesome Deaths (Video)

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:25:11 GMT

Image via the Guardian An ad by Plane Stupid, an anti-airplane pollution advocacy group, is stirring some serious controversy in the UK and around the blogosphere. In a graphic TV ad designed to reveal the massive emissions that even short flights produce, CGI polar bears fall from the sky to bloody deaths in the city below. Watch the strange, jarring spectacle after the jump.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Fox's News Corp. Begins Keeping Tabs of All Its CO2 Emissions

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:57:00 GMT

Image via Writing Company It's hard to get a read on Fox's parent company, News Corp., to say the least. Owned by the infamous Rupert Murdoch, it oversees the largest contingent of climate change-denying publications in existence. But one day, Murdoch himself took an interest in fighting climate change, and announced a plan to make his company carbon neutral by 2010. Then, he went to bat to defend Glenn Beck, a man who believes climate change is a hoax perpetrated by evil liberal galactic brain-lords so they can rule the world, or something like that. Now, Murdoch has actually put his plan to curb emissions and increase efficiency into action, and has begun monitoring his 100+ facilities worldwide. But then . . .... Read the full story on TreeHugger

New Study: Climate Bill Would Boost Economy by $111 Billion, Create 1.9 Million Jobs

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:40:00 GMT

Photo via USA Looks like I spoke too soon about the words 'new report' always being a sign of bad news these days--because this new study reveals some pretty encouraging information. It's an analysis of clean energy reform by researchers at Yale, Berkley, and the University of Illinois which reveals that if its provisions are kept strong, a climate bill will expand the economy by over $111 billion by 2020, and create nearly 2 million jobs in the process. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

80 Year-Old Bookkeeping Error Causes First Species to be Fished to Extinction

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:30:00 GMT

The Almost-Extinct Flapper Skate. Photo via the Telegraph Everyone has no doubt heard about how fisheries around the world are in grave danger of being fished into oblivion. Countless species are currently threatened by overfishing, and environmentalists work fiercely to prevent victims like sharks and tuna from disappearing--but no one suspected that a common skate would be the first to go. And it turns out no one suspected anything because of a simple classification mistake made 80 years ago. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

From the Front Lines of Global Warming: California Firefighter Speaks (Video)

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:00:00 GMT

Photo via ScrapeTV The numbers aren't looking good--more and more Americans are ceasing to believe in the very real, scientifically proven threat of global warming. There are plenty of theories as to why this is--Americans' growing distrust of science, the powerful lobbying arms of the oil, coal, and manufacturing industries' documented ability to manufacture doubt, or a genuine inability of people to comprehend the concept of climate change. Whatever the case, a new approach seems to be in order--like hearing about the impacts of global warming from someone who's risked his life because of its effects? This California firefighter talks about the growing dangers of unmitigated global warming he sees every day. Video after the jump.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Secret Oil Rigs Pump Away in LA, Hidden in Plain Sight (Video)

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:59:00 GMT

Camouflaged oil rig in LA. Photo via Consrv You would be forgiven for not knowing that there are a slew of working oil rigs scattered across Los Angeles, hidden in plain sight. But there are. LA sits on top of the nation's third largest oil field--and oil companies would be damned if they'd let all that go to waste. So, it turns out that they have rigs pumping away throughout the massive city--and not even the city's residents know about it. Amazing video after the jump.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Cash for Caulkers: The Next $23 Billion Stimulus Program?

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:35:00 GMT

Photo via Britannica It's pretty safe to say that there's been only one stimulus bill story that truly resounded with the public: Cash for Clunkers. Whether or not that program truly achieved its green MO or boosted the economy in the long run, there's no denying that it was popular and attention-grabbing. Now, the Obama administration is looking for a way to turn heads in a similar fashion. A prime contender, advocated by top venture capitalists and the likes of Bill Clinton, is tentatively being called "Cash for Caulkers"--a program that would reward people for weatherizing their homes. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

New Report: Global Emissions Up 29% Since 2000

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:11:00 GMT

Photo via the Tech Herald I've come to dread the words 'New Report'. News items that start with those words never end up like "New Report: Puppies Making People Happier Than Ever" or "New Study: Researchers Determine All is Well in World". No, more often they bring contents more similar to our subject today: according to a new report by the Global Carbon Project, despite the worldwide recession, carbon emissions have continued to rise. And a 6 degree Celsius rise in temperatures looks to be headed our way. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

MP3 Player for the Deaf Features LED Light Show

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:21:27 GMT

Images via Yanko Design l This new invention is fascinating on just about every level--it's an mp3 player for the deaf that translates musical notes into nuanced vibrations. Holding the pillow-sized stereo against your chest, one can feel the rhythms, beats, and melodies--allowing the hearing impaired to fully enjoy music for the first time. The experience is fleshed out even more with the innovative use of LED lights that change color and brightness along with the music. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

GOP Ramps Up Attacks on Dems Who Support Clean Energy Reform for 2010 Elections

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:41:00 GMT

Photo via the AP, by Pablo Martinez Monsivais Republicans on the Anti-Energy Reform Warpath for 2010 This unfortunate headline caught my eye in today's GreenWire: Political Fallout of Vote for Climate Bill Tested in House Race in N.M. Turns out a well known Republican politician is preparing to try to take his seat back in the House of Reps--by focusing squarely on the fact that his opponent, Democratic incumbent Harry Teague voted for the climate bill. As per usual, he's falsely casting the bill as nothing but a giant tax. The worrisome thing is that this tactic appears to be spreading across the country. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Massive New US-China Clean Energy Plans Announced

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:24:00 GMT

Photo via Wind Power Ninja Obama's in China this week, and green issues are high on the agenda. As Daniel noted earlier, US and China struck a deal on renewable energy information sharing--some pretty good news on the heels of the more depressing announcement that a global climate treaty is officially out of reach at Copenhagen. But that was only the tip of the iceberg--the two giant greenhouse gas spewing nations have agreed on a broader plan for the future of clean energy. Here's what it entails. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Scientists Create Bacteria that Lights Up Around Landmines

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:00:00 GMT

Photo via Reisendame A stunning 87 countries around the world are still littered with undetonated landmines, and their impact is devastating. Tens of thousands of people are killed or injured by mines every year, and they pose a grave threat to ecosystems and wildlife. But an unexpected solution may be on the way--scientists have developed a special kind of bacteria that actually begins to glow in the presence of landmines. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

The Senate is 'Hobbling' Obama in His Climate Fight

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:15:00 GMT

Kathy Bates doing some hobbling. Image via AMC Obama's sweeping ambitions for quelling climate change and creating a clean energy economy have so far remained largely unfulfilled. The New York Times goes so far as to say he's been 'hobbled'--his goals metaphorically smashed to pieces by the Senate like James Caan's legs by a psychotic Kathy Bates in Misery. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Top 4 Energy & Environment Untruths in Sarah Palin's 'Going Rogue'

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:02:00 GMT

Photo via Newsmax Well, that didn't take long. Sarah Palin's hotly anticipated memoir, Going Rogue, is hardly out the gates, and it's already facing a torrent of criticism from mainstream news sources for including various untruths and flat out lies. It appears that everyone's favorite vice presidential candidate has gone rogue with some of the facts. Naturally, a great deal of these focus on energy and the environment--the former subject of which she is allegedly an expert on, and the other on which she's got some highly controversial views. Here are the top whoppers Palin tries to sneak by her readers. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Now It's Super-Official: No Climate Treaty at Copenhagen

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:45:00 GMT

Waving the climate treaty prospects goodbye . . . for now. Photo via BBC It's official--and I mean really official--there will be no finalized global climate agreement by December. The last few months have proved to be a bit of a roller coaster ride concerning expectations for seeing a climate treaty this year in Copenhagen--albeit one that went into a free-falling plunge over the last couple of weeks. Over the weekend, world leaders definitively announced that the treaty will be delayed. But many experts are actually saying that this could actually be good news--here's why.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Coral Attacks! Caught Eating Jellyfish for 1st Time (PHOTOS)

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Photo via the BBC Just for a moment, let's forget about the raging climate policy debates, unfortunate deforestation news, and other world woes--and turn to something everyone can appreciate. And that, of course, is weird nature stuff. Above, observe--for the first time in recorded history--coral chowing down on a jellyfish. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Study Shows Investing in Nature More Valuable than Gold (Literally)

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:22:00 GMT

Photo via Corbis If 'moral prerogative' isn't reason enough to invest in protecting nature, here's another one: it's just been found to bring up to hundredfold return on capital. Yes, that's a potential 10000% gain--better than an investment in gold. According to a new study called The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB), putting money into protecting wetlands, coral reefs, and forests could be the best financial move one could ever make. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

World's Deepest Living Fish Caught On Camera

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:20:00 GMT

Close up of a dead snail fish--its deeper-living relatives were caught on camera A species of snail fish--the deepest living fish in the world--have been captured on camera in the southern hemisphere for the first time. These strange, pink-bodied fish were photographed at a stunning depth of 24,800 feet in the Kermadec Trench off the coast of New Zealand. See photos and video of the bizarre deep sea fish in action after the jump. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Streetlights of the Future to be Powered by Trash

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:46:00 GMT

It's an idea that just seems to make a certain amount of sense: cities need streetlights, and cities need places for people to throw away their trash. Streetlights, which must stay on all night (unless they're these nifty sensor controlled ones), are a pretty sizable energy drain. But what would happen if all those people could toss their garbage into bins attached to a new kind of streetlight that could use it as fuel? And that's what we have here today. Introducing: the trash-powered street lamp.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Cap and Trade Works: Europe to Hit Kyoto Targets with Ease

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:27:08 GMT

Photo via Greenpacks Well, so much for the truckloads of naysayers that have lambasted the EU's carbon trading system over the years--Europe is set to easily meet the emissions reduction goals set by the Kyoto Protocol. You know, that treaty the US helped draft and then never signed, saying it would leave our economy in shambles and that it gave China unfair advantages? Yeah, that one. Europe has successfully cut emissions, grown its economy, and seen a huge surge in renewable energy development. Thanks in part to none other than a cap and trade system.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Recent Posts by TreeHugger's Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York