GreenBizCheck - Environmental News

Litter: our legacy to future generations

The Guardian - Our grandchildren will know us by our discarded cans of Coca-Cola and packets of Walkers crisps. An organisation called Litter Heroes (surely the most unglamorous club in Britain?) has done something rather useful. They have traced where the crud that morons in cars chuck out of their windows originally comes from. No surprise to discover that the worst-offending brand is Coca-Cola (4.9% of all litter), followed by Walkers Crisps (4.1%) and McDonald's (3.6%).

Greenpeace Criticizes Facebook for Data Center Not Using Renewable Energy

Environmental Leader - Greenpeace is leading a campaign to get Facebook to change its strategy to power its planned data center in Prineville, Oregon, with renewable energy instead of coal by rallying support from Facebook users. Facebook plans to build its highly energy-efficient data center on a cloud computing platform that is expected to lower energy consumption.

World's Biggest Companies Cause $2.2 Trillion in Environmental Damage

Environmental Leader - The estimated cost of environmental damage by 3,000 of the world's biggest companies is about $2.2 trillion in 2008, according to a report to be released this summer, reports The Guardian.

Global warming: Undeniable evidence

The Guardian - The unwillingness of scientists at the University of East Anglia to release climate data to people who choose not to believe in climate change was a mistake. Science advances through openness, through the ability of others to replicate the same findings or demonstrate error in discovery and interpretation. The hacked email exchanges were an embarrassment, and the refusal to disclose data was a bad call, but neither episode casts much doubt upon the science of global warming. The evidence for climate change driven by man-made discharges of greenhouse gases is now decades old, has been independently confirmed by researchers all over the world, and is - as the energy secretary, Ed Miliband, said yesterday - overwhelming.

Obama Orders Government To Slash GHG Emissions 28%

Environmental Leader - President Obama has ordered the government, the largest consumer of energy in the U.S., to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 28 percent by 2020.

Ford, Coke Among 60 Firms Testing Greenhouse Gas Protocol Standards

Environmental Leader - Sixty corporations are now measuring the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of their products and supply chains by testing a new global framework that is part of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Initiative.

The bizarre: Counting burps for a cause

New Zealand Herald - It sounds rather undignified, from a sheep's perspective, but it's all in the cause of saving the planet.Hundreds of Australian sheep are to have their burp outputs measured by scientists who are hoping to breed a burp-less variety.

US cult of greed is now a global environmental threat

The Guardian - The average American consumes more than his or her weight in products each day, fuelling a global culture of excess that is emerging as the biggest threat to the planet, according to a report published today. In its annual report, Worldwatch Institute says the cult of consumption and greed could wipe out any gains from government action on climate change or a shift to a clean energy economy.

Temps to rise 3C even with a deal: leak

ABC - A UN report leaked from the Copenhagen climate talks suggests that global temperatures will rise by an average of 3 degrees Celsius even if all the emissions cuts offered so far are implemented.

Copenhagen deal teeters as final talks begin

ABC - The US climate envoy says the possibility of a deal at Copenhagen hangs in the balance.

Tiny Tuvalu outgunned by oil giant

New Zealand Herald - Declaring "it's a matter of survival", one of the world's tiniest nations, speaking for imperiled islands everywhere, took on global industrial and oil powers at the United Nations climate conference - and lost.

Low-carbon future: We can afford to go green

New Scientist - An exclusive study for New Scientist shows that westerners can radically cut carbon emissions and keep their lifestyles.

Abbott 'scaremongering' on emissions scheme

ABC - The claim that emissions trading is 'a great big tax' is a simplistic description designed to scare people, one Liberal senator says.

Attenborough pessimistic about Copenhagen

ABC - David Attenborough does not expect the UN climate summit to achieve as much as is required to halt global warming.

Climategate: Environmentalists versus climate-change deniers

Environmental Leader - There are two sides to every story as evidenced by the various opinions across the Web about the recent release of hacked emails and documents from the top climate research organization in the UK.

China sets first carbon emissions targets

The Guardian - China plans to slow emissions growth by up to 45%. PM Wen Jiabao to attend Copenhagen climate talks. The Chinese prime minister, Wen Jiabao, will attend the Copenhagen climate talks next month, the government said today, as it unveiled firm targets for curbing the world's biggest carbon footprint for the first time.

World's last bastion of stable ice now thawing

New Scientist - The East Antarctica ice sheet, which was thought to be stable, is losing billions of tonnes of ice a year.

Govts. to blame for catastrophes? Katrina court win paves way for billion-dollar payouts

New Scientist - A judge has ruled that the US federal government was to blame for much of the flooding caused by hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Antarctic icesheet losing mass

ABC - A new study has found the east Antarctic icesheet has lost billions of tonnes of ice in the past three years.

Climate change sceptics and lobbyists put world at risk, says UK top adviser

The Guardian - Climate change sceptics and fossil fuel companies that have lobbied against action on greenhouse gas emissions have squandered the world's chance to avoid dangerous global warming, a key adviser to the government has said. Professor Bob Watson, chief scientist at the department for environment and rural affairs, said a decade of inaction on climate change meant it was now virtually impossible to limit global temperature rise to 2C. He said the delay meant the world would now do well to stabilise warming between 3C and 4C.

Some good news at last? Scientists hope to turn coal into clean energy

The Guardian - Millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide could be prevented from entering the atmosphere following the discovery of a way to turn coal, grass or municipal waste more efficiently into clean fuels.

Is it possible to avoid unsustainable palm oil?

The Guardian - Palm oil is decimating the world's forests, yet producers are shirking their responsibility to move to sustainable sources.

Green Building Sector to Contribute $554B to GDP from 2009-13

Environmental Leader - While the green building industry added $173 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product from 2000-08, that's just the beginning. From 2009 to 2013, that amount will more than triple to $554 billion, according to a new report from the U.S. Green Building Council and Booz Allen Hamilton.

Hopes dim ahead of Copenhagen talks

ABC - Expectations for Copenhagen's climate change summit are being wound down.

You should never leave it to the politicians...Copenhagen to be a talk-fest!

The Guardian - A global treaty to fight climate change will be postponed by at least six months and possibly a year or more, senior negotiators and politicians conceded today. In a day of gloomy statements, the world's key industrialised nations said they had abandoned hope of a legally binding treaty at the Copenhagen summit next month and had begun to plan only for a meeting of world leaders.

Leaking oil rig on fire

ABC - A fire has broken out at an oil well that has been leaking in the Timor Sea for 10 weeks.

Climate change could cause more problems than two world wars Brown warns

Telegraph.co.uk - Climate change could cause an economic crisis that would be worse than the Great Depression and the two World Wars combined says Gordon Brown the Prime Minister.

World has less than five years to stop uncontrollable climate change - WWF

Telegraph.co.uk - The world has less than five years to get carbon emissions under control or runaway climate change will become inevitable the World Wildlife Fund WWF has warned.

More interested in trivial matters: Climate change falling off policy radar

ABC - A new poll shows that climate change is sliding down the pecking order of foreign policy issues most important to Australians.

Soros Throws $1B into Cleantech

Environmental Leader - Influential investor George Soros is a big believer in the future of clean tech and energy efficiency; so much so that he has decided to invest $1 billion into the sectors. He also is creating a new organization to influence policy makers on the environment.

Norway 1st Rich Nation to Commit to 40% Reductions

CleanTechnica - Norway committed to cut their greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2020 this week. This is the most ambitious goal of any rich nation to date. Norway's prime minister Jens Stoltenberg (just re-elected) is meeting the requests of many developing nations and environmental NGOs with this commitment.

Surprising New Survey Says 92% of Americans Want Solar Power

CleanTechnica - A new survey shows that 92% of Americans think developing and using solar power is important. The results cross political boundaries and favour solar over all other energy sources.

Well done Apple! Withdrawal from U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Environmental Leader - Becoming the first major consumer brand to make a big statement against the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's position on climate change, Apple has decided to leave the organization. In contrast to PMN and Exelon, the utilities that in recent weeks announced their intention not to renew their chamber memberships, Apple is making its exit with immediate effect.

Copenhagen agreement in doubt

ABC - There are growing fears a new global climate agreement will not be reached in Copenhagen in December.

UN: Earth will keep heating up

New Zealand Herald - Earth's temperature is likely to jump nearly 3.24C between now and the end of the century even if every country cuts greenhouse gas emissions as proposed, according to a United Nations update.

No rainforest, no monsoon: get ready for a warmer world

New Scientist - The world could become 4 degrees Celsius warmer in our lifetime bringing hunger, deforestation, drought and floods.

$3 Billion For Energy Efficiency in California

CleanTechnica - The CPUC has just approved the largest energy efficiency program in U.S. history, authorizing $3.1 billion in consumer rebates and efficiency programs over the next three years, bringing the state closer to implementing AB32, according to Lara Ettenson, director of California Energy Efficiency Policy at the NRDC.

Antarctica, Greenland endure runaway melt

Ecoki - A new study has found runaway melt at many coastal glaciers, including ones along the coastlines of Antarctica and Greenland.

China pledges climate action

ABC - China pledges to curb growth of its carbon dioxide emissions at UN climate change summit.

Better world: Consume sceptically

New Scientist - Does your money end up in the pockets of farmers, or factory owners who use slave labour?

US and Europe clash over Copenhagen deal

The Guardian - Exclusive: Key differences between the US and Europe could undermine a new worldwide treaty on global warming to replace Kyoto.

An unenviable record: Australia is New World Leader in Global Warming Emissions

CleanTechnica - Australia has passed the US as the new world leader in CO2 emissions per capita. That is not the only climate change problem in Australia, though.

Australia 'bottom of pack' on green economy

ABC - Australia is behind Mexico and Argentina in terms of its ability to meet greenhouse-gas emissions targets, a report says.

Pot plants could purify office air

Telegraph.co.uk - Pot plants could eliminate dangerous indoor air pollution caused by photocopiers printers and air conditioning units research claims.

'Contraception cheapest way to combat climate change'

Telegraph.co.uk - Here's a slightly controversial one: Contraception is almost five times cheaper as a means of preventing climate change than conventional green technologies according to research by the London School of Economics.

Coal-fired power stations 'should be scrapped'

ABC - The New South Wales Government has been urged to scrap plans for a new coal-fired power station in the Upper Hunter because carbon capture and storage will not be ready for decades.

Climate change: melting ice will trigger wave of natural disasters

The Guardian - Scientists at a London conference next week will warn of earthquakes, avalanches and volcanic eruptions as the atmosphere heats up and geology is altered. Even Britain could face being struck by tsunamis. Scientists are to outline dramatic evidence that global warming threatens the planet in a new and unexpected way %u2013 by triggering earthquakes, tsunamis, avalanches and volcanic eruptions.

Auckland supermarkets bow to plastic bag pressure

New Zealand Herald - New World and Four Square stores in Auckland have bowed to public pressure and will no longer charge for plastic packing bags. From today, their parent company Foodstuffs is dropping the five cent charge.

Award-winning dolphin doc angers locals

New Zealand Herald - An American activist and dolphin trainer, who is the star of a new award-winning documentary depicting dolphin slaughter, got an unwelcome reception when he turned up in Taiji with his film crew to draw attention to the annual dolphin hunt.

Consumers Backlash Against Ban on Incandescent Light Bulbs

Environmental News Network - A monumental ban on incandescent bulbs went into effect today throughout the European Union, marking a significant milestone in policy regarding consumer habits as a way to combat our collective impact on climate change. What is notable, however, isn't the potentially huge environmental impact this ban will have, but the large amount of resistance it is receiving.

No rain on roof of the world

ABC - Himalayan nations have held talks about mounting concern over the impact of global warming.

Major Firms Going Half-speed on CO2 Reduction

Environmental Leader - The world's largest companies' carbon-cutting targets are too modest to avoid dangerous climate change, according to a report from the Carbon Disclosure Project.

WA oil spill 'one of Australia's worst'

ABC - An oil spill in the Timor Sea off Western Australia's northern coast is shaping as one of the nation's worst.

Dolphin cull sparks flood of hate mail

ABC - Hate mail has been sent to Broome councillors of Japanese heritage over Japan's annual dolphin cull.

Extreme weather predicted for far north

ABC - The Queensland Government's new climate change policy has predicted temperatures will soar in the state's far north.

Greenpeace Exposes Oil Industry's Really Dirty Face

Planetsave - We can't expect much from the oil industry, but Greenpeace's newest finding is as ugly as it gets.

UN chief warns of Copenhagen failure

The Guardian - Yvo de Boer says process too slow to reach deal at close of meeting in Bonn aimed at trimming 200-page draft treaty

Cane toad fence proves effective

ABC - The coordinator of Frog Watch says a new fencing method has yielded success in reducing cane toads in Darwin, and may see the pest disappear from ecologically important areas around the city.

Global Emissions Up 2%

Environmental Leader - Despite worldwide efforts to cut CO2 emissions, nations spewed 1.94 percent more CO2 emissions in 2008 than in 2007, according to new analysis by German-based renewable energy industry institute IWR, or the Institute for Renewable Energy.

Consumerism is 'eating the future'

New Scientist - The main cause of the current environmental crisis is human nature, and advertising isn't helping.

Video: Aftermath of a Japanese whale hunt

New Scientist - Even Japan says the Baird's beaked whale is rare, but that doesn't stop the nation hunting the cetacean for its meat as newly released footage shows

Alaska Glaciers Shrinking Fast

Environmental News Network - Three major glaciers in Alaska and Washington state have thinned and shrunk dramatically, clear signs of a warming climate, according to a study released Thursday by the U.S. Geological Survey. The three glaciers -- Gulkana and Wolverine in Alaska and South Cascade in Washington -- are considered benchmarks for those in alpine and maritime climates because they closely parallel other glaciers in their regions. They have also been the subject of close scientific scrutiny since 1957.

California must prepare for climate change, official report warns

The Guardian - Communities should rethink development, reinforce levees and conserve water, says the California Natural Resources Agency Even if the world is successful in cutting carbon emissions in the future, California needs to start preparing for rising sea levels, hotter weather and other effects of climate change, a new state report recommends. It encourages local communities to rethink future development in low-lying coastal areas, reinforce levees that protect flood-prone areas and conserve already strapped water supplies in the most populous US state.

3.3 billion litres of water lost from pipes daily

Telegraph.co.uk - A "mind boggling" 3.3 billion litres of water is being lost every day from pipes across Britain new figures reveal.

Bottled water ban 'saves town $2.5m'

ABC - The New South Wales town which recently banned bottled water is set to save $2.5 million a year because of the move, an environmental campaigner says.

Human activity is driving Earth's 'sixth great extinction'

The Guardian - Population growth, pollution and invasive species are having a disastrous effect on species in the southern hemisphere, a major review by conservationists warns Earth is experiencing its "sixth great extinction event" with disease and human activity taking a devastating toll on vulnerable species, according to a major review by conservationists. Much of the southern hemisphere is suffering particularly badly, and Australia, New Zealand and neighbouring Pacific islands may become the extinction hot spots of the world, the report warns.

75 million to flee climate change: report

ABC - A new report says climate change could produce 75 million refugees in the Asia Pacific region in the next 40 years.

Greenpeace Says Big Brands Destroying Rainforest

Environmental Leader - A three-year investigation by Greenpeace into Brazil's cattle industry shows that the expansion of the cattle sector is driving the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest and threatens to undermine Brazil's pledge to cut deforestation by 72 percent by 2018.

Australia 'pushed' to accept whaling compromise

ABC - Anti-whaling group says the US is pressing Australia to drop its demand for Japan's so-called scientific whaling to end.

53% of Consumers Would Buck Up for Solar

Environmental Leader - Electricity consumers think that solar energy should play a greater role in the US's electricity mix, and by and large they are prepared to pay more for it. Indeed, just 41 percent of those surveyed said they would not pay more for solar energy from their utility provider.

Who is the Greenest PC Maker in the World?

Environmental Leader - Analysts say going green has become a business plan for some of the biggest personal computer (PC) makers as a way to differentiate themselves from their competition, reports Reuters. The 'green' talk is going over the top as computer makers spar with one another over who has the most 'green' platform.

Fielding unconvinced as carbon vote looms

ABC - Family First Senator Steve Fielding says he does not intend to vote in favour of the Govt's emissions trading scheme.

Earth's coastlines after sea-level rise, 4000 AD

New Scientist - Even if we could freeze-frame the atmosphere as it is today, sea levels would still rise by 25 metres, says the latest study into the effects of climate change on melting ice sheets

Nissan to make electric cars in U.S.

Environmental News Network - Nissan Motor Co plans to launch production of electric vehicles and their batteries in the United States to tap low-interest loans for green vehicles, the Nikkei business daily said. The overall investment is estimated at 50 billion yen ($516.4 million) and may rise to 100 billion yen, it said.

Explore how climate change might affect the US

New Scientist - The US government has released a detailed report on how climate change could affect the nation - interactive map available.

Wong denies stalling on renewable energy

ABC - The Government has rejected suggestions that its own political tactics are to blame for a delay in renewable energy legislation.

Councils give up on e-waste collections

ABC - Sydney's northern beach councils will stop collecting or disposing of electronic waste, such as computers or television sets, in a bid to put pressure on the Federal Government.

Why Japan's whaling activities are not research

New Scientist - Japan has long claimed that it catches whales to further science, but this is nonsense, say Nichola Raihani and Tim Clutton-Brock

Carbon Management Drives Need for New Business Solution

Environmental Leader - A new information systems category, Carbon Management Solutions (CMS), is rapidly emerging as businesses try to understand their carbon footprint and the importance of carbon as an asset or liability, according to a new report by AltaTerra Research, Palo Alto, Calif.

Wong adamant on June carbon vote

ABC - Climate Change Minister Penny Wong says the Government will not back away from putting its carbon trading scheme to the Senate this month.

Pacific climate resolution backed by UN - Australia should act on resolution at upcoming Pacific Islands Forum

Friends of the Earth - Friends of the Earth has welcomed the unanimous support for a resolution passed overnight in the General Assembly of the United Nations, urging action on the security implications of climate change.

Methanol challenges hydrogen to be fuel of the future

New Scientist - Despite intense research, the hydrogen economy remains an elusive dream, but a greener way to manufacture methanol is a reminder there are other options

The Most Destructive Project on Earth: Chevron Escapes Tar Oil Accountability

Planetsave - San Ramon, CA - Much will be said at the Chevron Corporation's shareholder conference this week; the agenda is full. However, there will be little said about Chevron's involvement in controversial projects concerning tar sand. Despite the requests of shareholders owning $31.4 billion dollars, Chevron will remain quiet, keeping the Alberta tar sand projects off the agenda.

CO2 levels may cause underwater catastrophe

Telegraph.co.uk - Changes to the ocean caused by carbon dioxide emissions could lead to an "underwater catastrophe" damaging wildlife food production and livelihoods scientists are warning.

Protesters vow to stop illegal Red Gum Logging

Friends of the Earth - Environmentalists and Traditional Owners have established a peaceful direct action camp today, monday June 1, vowing to prevent further logging in the Millewa Red Gum wetlands on the Murray River in NSW.

Alcohol makes autos more climate-friendly

New Scientist - A slug of the hard stuff can make gasoline engines as fuel efficient as a petrol-electric hybrid, says Ford

Companies Boost Recycling Efforts Despite Slow Economy

Environmental Leader - Organisations are increasingly putting more effort into their recycling programs for all types of materials such as aluminium cans, fluorescent lamps, wood waste and scrap metal. Along with saving the environment, some companies are also turning a profit.

Chrysler, Ford Seek Green Advances in Vehicles

Environmental Leader - Chrysler, which has operated from bankruptcy since April 30, is seeking another lifeline from the [US] government, as it submits a $448 million plan to accelerate development of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids by 2010. The plan calls for $83 million toward construction of a new technology and manufacturing center in Michigan.

Emissions scheme would create 30,000 jobs: report

ABC - The Climate Institute has released a report showing the Federal Government's emissions trading scheme and other environmental policies will create tens of thousands of jobs.

Growing biofuel without razing the rainforest

New Scientist - You can't cultivate biofuel crops without cutting down trees, right? Not so, says Marcos Buckeridge, who tells Jan Rocha how Brazil can supply the world with green ethanol

Epic cycle ride to search for solutions to climate change throughout the Americas

Telegraph.co.uk - Environmentalists are to cycle the length of the Americas from Alaska to Argentina in search of solutions to global warming.

Global warming of 7C 'could kill billions this century'

Telegraph.co.uk - Global temperatures could rise by more than 7C this century killing billions of people and leaving the world on the brink of total collapse according to new research.

Australia to Build World's Largest Solar Power Station

Environmental Leader - Australia plans to build the world's largest solar power station with an output of 1000 megawatts, said Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, at a press conference at the Liddell Power Station, reports Reuters. The A$1.4 billion ($1.05 billion) investment in solar energy is part of Australia's wider A$4.65 billion clean energy initiative by the government.

Land clearances turned up the heat on Australian climate

New Scientist - Thanks to deforestation by European settlers, Australia's droughts are more extreme than they would be otherwise, models suggest

Climate change diagnosed as biggest global health threat

New Scientist - Doctors warn that global warming will worsen virtually every health problem we know of over the coming century

Govt to introduce carbon trade bill

ABC - The Federal Government is still to convince the Opposition and minor parties to support its revised emissions trading scheme (ETS) legislation.

Federal budget 2009: good on solar, transport, foreign aid.

Friends of the Earth - National environmental organisation Friends of the Earth Australia has commended the Federal Government for two key investment components of the budget: solid funding for solar power and a shift towards greater investment in public transport. Sadly, this funding is far short of what climate science tells us is required if we are to respond to the looming crisis of global warming.

Cost of solar energy will match fossil fuels by 2013

The Guardian - Solar energy will fall in price to match the cost of conventional fossil fuel electricity far sooner than previously expected, the UK's largest solar company has claimed in a new report.

Australian scientists release reef protection rules

ABC - A group of Australian scientists has released a set of rules it hopes will be adopted universally to better protect the world's reefs.

ACT sets carbon neutral target

ABC - The ACT Government has set an ambitious goal to achieve zero net greenhouse gas emissions in the Territory but it will not say when it hopes to reach the target.

Toxic Dolphins Found in Miami

Planetsave - Scientists found unusually high levels of flame retardant in dolphin blubber. The closer the dolphins lived to downtown Miami, the more of the chemical was concentrated in them. The flame retardant can cause sterility in dolphins. Brominated flame retardants are applied to furniture, clothes and electronics to prevent them from burning. They also help slow the ignition of items that are in a burning room.

China Outpaces U.S. in Cleaner Coal-Fired Plants

Environmental News Network - China's frenetic construction of coal-fired power plants has raised worries around the world about the effect on climate change. China now uses more coal than the United States, Europe and Japan combined, making it the world's largest emitter of gases that are warming the planet.

Brazil's other big forest in dire straits

New Scientist - Often obscured by the glare of publicity that surrounds the Amazon rainforest, the Atlantic forest is a biodiversity hotspot - and it's in very bad shape

Obama's Final Budget Calls for 100% Auction of Carbon Permits

Environmental Leader - President Obama's final $3.6 trillion budget blueprint, released May 7, retains the controversial provision that all permits for carbon emissions will be auctioned. Many in Congress are pushing for at least half of the permits to be given away.

E-Waste to Peak in 2015

Environmental Leader - The e-waste crisis will worsen over the next several years until 2015, when volume will peak at 73 million metric tons, according to a new report from Pike Research. However, the firm forecasts that global volumes will decline in 2016 and beyond, as a number of key e-waste initiatives begin to turn the tide.

Homes to get $10,000 'green loans'

news.com.au - Households will be given low-interest $10,000 loans to green up their homes under a Federal Government scheme to be detailed tomorrow. Up to 200,000 homes are expected to be eligible for the $300 million loans scheme.

Electric City Bus Exceeds 21 MPG Equivalent

Environmental Leader - For a vehicle weighing more than 36,000 pounds (with passengers), a new electric city bus delivered an impressive equivalent of more than 21 miles per gallon. The FCBE 35 Proterra electric bus, currently going through tests in Altoona, Penn., delivers 400 percent better performance than comparable conventional and hybrid bus options, reports AutoBlogGreen.

Trash talks: Call for national strategy on e-waste

ABC - Environmentalists and businesses want government to develop a national strategy to deal with e-waste.

Australia delays carbon trading scheme

The Guardian - Australia's government has postponed taxing polluting industries by a year until 2011 because of the economic slowdown and concerns it would hurt business, the prime minister said today.

Australia's carbon emissions trading scheme falls victim to recession

Telegraph.co.uk - Australia will delay a planned carbon emissions trading scheme by one year bowing to pressure from the opposition and major polluters to put off the project while the country fights to recover from the global recession.

Nation urged to follow SA bag ban

ABC - South Australia's plastic bag ban has pushed Australia to a tipping point and bags should be banned nationwide, supporters say.

Farmers 'losing patience' on Murray-Darling water reform

ABC - The state and federal governments have been told farmers are losing patience over delays in implementing sections of a joint policy on water reform for the Murray-Darling Basin.

Humanity's carbon budget set at one trillion tonnes

New Scientist - To avoid dangerous climate change, we must burn no more than 25% of remaining fossil fuel reserves, two comprehensive new studies show

'New ecosystem' found in Steve Irwin reserve

ABC - Researchers working on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in far north Queensland say they think they have uncovered a new ecosystem.

How to turn greenhouse gas into a clean fuel

New Scientist - A new process converts carbon dioxide into methanol, without the need for extreme temperatures and pressures

Swine flu: Is intensive farming to blame?

The Guardian - Finger pointing towards intensive farming is spreading like the H1N1 virus itself; it's time for an urgent inquiry to find out the facts.

Oceans becoming acidic 'at fastest rate for 65 million years'

Telegraph.co.uk - The oceans are becoming more acidic at a faster rate than for 65 million years as a result of climate change a report warns.

Arctic CO2 levels growing at an 'unprecedented rate'

The Guardian - Figures from a measuring station in northern Norway show that CO2 levels are increasing by 2-3 parts per million every year. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has reached a record high, according to the latest figures released by an internationally regarded measuring station in the Arctic.

25% of North American Firms Say No to Offsets Thru 2012

Environmental Leader - A new survey indicates that more and more companies are purchasing carbon offsets. The trend is bigger in Europe than North America and elsewhere in the world, according to the Forest Carbon Offsetting Survey 2009. The survey, by EcoSecurities, sampled 120 global, multinational and regional organisations, along with 21 carbon companies, according to a press release.

The truth about climate change

The Guardian - Vested interests have tried to spread misinformation about global warming, but scientific evidence shows urgent action is needed. Many people ask how sure we are about the science of climate change. The most definitive examination of the scientific evidence is to be found in the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and its last major report published in 2007.

USDA launches first survey for organic farmers

Ecoki - The USDA is set to launch it's first-ever survey of organic farming across the United States to explore organic farming and its relationship with U.S. agriculture. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on Thursday that it's a direct response to the increasing interest in organics - from consumers to farmers, as well as businesses.

Drowning in plastic: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is twice the size of France

Telegraph.co.uk - There are now 46000 pieces of plastic per square kilometre of the world's oceans killing a million seabirds and 100000 marine mammals each year. Worse still there seems to be nothing we can do to clean it up. So how do we turn the tide?

Opposition calls for measuring of 'green jobs'

ABC - There is a call today for the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to develop agreed definitions for 'green jobs'.

Younger Generation Passes on 'Green' to Save Cash

Environmental Leader - Though conventional wisdom suggests that the Millennial generation (ages 13-29) is leading the charge to make Earth a better place, a survey from Generate Insight finds that despite being the most environmentally educated, younger members of this generation are not taking action on what they know because they are often confused about green products.

Microsoft Cutting CSR PR Budget

Environmental Leader - Microsoft is cutting its European PR budget for corporate social responsibility activities, instead applying funds to promoting products like Windows 7, Office and Xbox, reports PRWeek. PRWeek reports that similar cuts are in the works in Asia and that they are "imminent" in the United States.

Climate change could speed up as pollution decreases

Telegraph.co.uk - Global warming could speed up as the world becomes cleaner scientists have warned after new research found plants absorb more greenhouse gases when the air is polluted.

River levels, climate change linked in study

ABC - Scientists say water levels in some of the world's most important rivers have fallen sharply in recent decades.

Why Antarctic ice is growing despite global warming

Environmental News Network - It's the southern ozone hole whatdunit. That's why Antarctic sea ice is growing while at the other pole, Arctic ice is shrinking at record rates. It seems CFCs and other ozone-depleting chemicals have given the South Pole respite from global warming.

EPA to Begin Energy Star Ratings for Data Centers

Environmental Leader - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is developing an energy performance rating system for data centers, tentatively planned for early 2010, according to a ComputerWorld article written by Michael Zatz, manager of Energy Star commercial buildings at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. With the rating system, data center operators will be able to assess the energy use

Prince Charles to publish attack on big business in eco book and documentary

The Guardian - The Prince of Wales is to make a scathing attack on big business' environmental impact with the launch of a new book and documentary film. The book, called Harmony, is due to be published in 2010 by HarperCollins and the prince is reportedly waiving his author's fee, although royalties will go to his charitable foundation, The Prince's Trust.

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