Obama takes aim at climate-warming car emissions

President Barack Obama took aim at climate-warming greenhouse gases on Tuesday and ordered the struggling auto industry to make more fuel-efficient cars under tough new national standards to cut emissions and increase gas mileage.

Canada details fund for carbon capture, clean energy

The Canadian government announced details on Tuesday of the C$1 billion ($860 million) clean energy fund it promised in February, with the lion’s share of the cash going to support the development of carbon capture and storage projects.

Indonesia: Orangutan Sanctuary Threatened

One of the world’s largest paper companies plans to clear a large area of unprotected forest in Indonesia being used as a sanctuary for endangered orangutans, according to environmental groups working in the area.

EPA sued over acid oceans

Mounting scientific concerns over the acidification of the ocean and its impact on marine life and fishing stocks could soon be voiced in court after non-profit environmental group the Center for Biological Diversity announced it is to sue the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over ocean water quality levels.

Lakes face 'complex' challenges

Urgent measures are needed to protect lakes in England and Wales from pollution and climate change, according to the Environment Agency.

Lakes face ‘complex’ challenges

Urgent measures are needed to protect lakes in England and Wales from pollution and climate change, according to the Environment Agency.

Glaciers go, leaving drought, conflict and tension in Andes

ICA, Peru — Two decades ago, the strip of sand between the Pacific Ocean and the Andean foothills was empty except for the occasional fig or carob tree. But the northern end of perhaps the world’s driest desert – a harsh and unforgiving clime — is now the center of Peru’s export agriculture industry.

New fuel efficiency standards: Too much or not enough?

The new standards would avoid tailpipe emissions of 890 million metric tons of greenhouse gases by bringing vehicle emissions down from roughly 400 grams per mile today—the equivalent of taking 177 million cars off the road (more than two-thirds of the entire American auto fleet) or shutting down 194 coal-fired power plants.

Baltic Sea dying, coastal states must act: Finnish PM

Pollution is killing the Baltic Sea and coastal states must mount an urgent salvage operation, Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen said Tuesday.

Global warming could be twice as bad as forecast

Global warming’s effects this century could be twice as extreme as estimated just six years ago, scientists reported on Tuesday.

Microscopic manufacturers produce eco-friendly plastics

Last year’s energy crisis highlighted an unforseen by-product of the looming fuel shortages of the 21st century. Petroleum-based products such as plastics that society takes for granted but now requires to function will run out with the oil. Scientists are looking to microorganisms to pick up the slack and help produce environmentally friendly plastics, according to research presented today at the 109th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.

It's not so easy being in a green buiding

Designing green buildings sounds like a great idea. But the reality is that energy-efficient buildings often sound downright crummy to the people inside them.