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Here are items that are of current, local or special interest.  Submissions welcome (send to mailto:pmmckerc@ucsc.edu). Updates will be infrequent during the summer so see also [http://ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/News Other green news sources], [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/New_and_Cool New and Cool], and [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Good_News Good News]
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Here are items that are of current, local or special interest.  Submissions welcome (send to mailto:pmmckerc@ucsc.edu). Updates will be infrequent during the summer so see also [[News|Other green news sources]], [[New_and_Cool|New and Cool]], and [[Good_News|Good News]]
  
  
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'''Current News'''
 
'''Current News'''
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/12/24/climate-news-2015/ 15 Big Climate News Stories of 2015].
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/important-environmental-stories-2644100405.html Welcome to 2020: 8 Important Environmental Stories to Follow This Year] 1/20.
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2016/01/29/brockovich-colbert-flint-water-crisis/ Erin Brockovich to Stephen Colbert]: ‘Flint, Michigan Is the Tip of the Iceberg’ Lead poisoning.
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/trump-environment-infrastructure-review-2644664081.html 'No Other President Has Had the Gall': Environmental Groups Balk as Trump Proposes Major Rollback of Infrastructure Review Process] 1/20.
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2016/01/20/more-plastic-than-fish-in-ocean More plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050], warned the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in a report, The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking the Future of Plastics 1/16.
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[https://insideclimatenews.org/news/26112019/unep-emissions-gap-report-paris-climate-greenhouse-gas-peak-2030 World’s Emissions Gap Is Growing, with No Sign of Peaking Soon, UN Warns] 11/19.
  
[http://grist.org/climate-energy/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-paris-climate-agreement/ We have a climate deal] in Paris COP21!  Yes Oui Can! [http://grist.org/climate-energy/activists-on-the-street-have-the-last-word-in-paris/ Activists take the streets] despite ban after attacks to [http://grist.org/climate-energy/world-leaders-adopt-1-5-c-goal-and-were-damn-well-going-to-hold-them-to-it/ push for accountability and improvements].  [http://grist.org/climate-energy/check-out-these-9-climate-art-projects-that-are-wowing-people-in-paris/ Activist art] see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Multimedia#Art Art]. [http://ecowatch.com/2015/12/17/fraudulent-science-cop21 Soil can take CO2 out of atmosphere].
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[https://insideclimatenews.org/news/27112019/fossil-fuel-air-pollution-hospital-increase-underlying-kidney-skin-blood-illness Study Links Short-Term Air Pollution Exposure to Hospitalizations for Growing List of Health Problems]: The Harvard researchers focused on a tiny, troublesome air pollutant that comes primarily from vehicles, power plants and wildfires. 11/19  see [https://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Air#News.2C_Articles_and_Reports Air].
  
[http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/obama-rejects-keystone-xl-pipeline-victory-environmental-activists Obama Rejects Keystone XL Pipeline in Victory for Environmental Activists] whoohoo!
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[https://insideclimatenews.org/news/20112019/china-ramps-coal-power-despite-pressure-cut-emissions China Ramps Up Coal Power Again, Despite Pressure to Cut Emissions] 11/19 see [https://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/China#Air China] and [https://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Global_Warming Global Warming].
  
[http://www.alternet.org/environment/cancer-study-concludes-environment-not-bad-luck-mainly-blame-cancer Study Concludes That Environment, Not Bad Luck, Is Mainly to Blame for Cancer]. see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Chemicals Chemicals].
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/us-pesticide-usage-bans-2638789192.html U.S. Annually Uses 388 Million Pounds of Potentially Fatal Pesticides Banned in the EU, China and Brazil] 12/19. see [https://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Chemicals Chemicals] and [https://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Food_Safety Food Safety].
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/12/15/shrimp-peeled-by-slaves/ Supermarkets Selling Shrimp Peeled by Slaves] 12/15 see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php?title=Labor Labor].
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/floating-solar-farms-climate-crisis-2638980599.html Giant Floating Solar Farms Could Make Fuel and Help Solve the Climate Crisis, Says Study] 11/19 see [https://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Bio-fuels#Bio-Fuels Bio-Fuels] and [https://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Solar Solar].
  
[http://grist.org/food/antibiotic-use-went-up-last-year-should-we-be-freaking-out/ Antibiotic use went up last year. Should we be freaking out?] 12/15. See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Food#Specific_Foods Food].
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change-planting-trees-2639092782.html Planting Billions of Trees Is the 'Best Climate Change Solution Available Today,' Study Finds] from [https://www.ecowatch.com/ Eco-Watch] 11/19 see [https://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Forests#News Forests] and [https://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Global_Warming Global Warming].
  
[http://time.com/4155365/china-red-alert-smog/ China Issues ‘Red Alert’ Over Devastating Air Pollution] so [http://ecowatch.com/2015/12/19/china-buys-air-from-canada/ 4,000 Bottles of Fresh Air Shipped to China,] Company Struggling to Keep Up With Demand. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k22ejJ_fvc video on effects]. see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Air Air] and [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/China China].
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[https://www.alternet.org/2019/11/thousands-of-scientists-warn-of-untold-human-suffering-as-they-declare-climate-emergency/ Thousands of scientists warn of ‘untold human suffering’ as they declare climate emergency] see also [https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/05/climate-crisis-11000-scientists-warn-of-untold-suffering excellent charts] 11/19 see [https://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Global_Warming Global Warming].
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/11/09/monsanto-mexican-court-gmos Monsanto Handed ‘Double Whammy’ by Mexican Courts Over Planting GMOs] also GMO salmon approved for sale, see below. see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Genetically_Modified_Organisms GMO's].
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[https://time.com/5679965/university-of-california-fossil-fuel-investments/ The University of California Is Dumping Fossil Fuel Investments] Whoohoo, huge win! Students were key, Fossil Free UC.  To see why see [https://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Eco-heroes Bill McKibben], who pioneered divestment with 7 of his college students who created [https://350.org/ 350.org].  
  
[http://www.globalpossibilities.org/the-most-brazen-corporate-power-grab-in-american-history/ The Trans-Pacific Partnership]—a trade and investment agreement involving 12 countries comprising nearly 40 percent of global output—confirms what even its most apocalyptic critics feared in terms of labor and environmental law.  See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Economics Economics]. 11/15.
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[https://theconversation.com/nail-salon-workers-suffer-chemical-exposures-that-can-be-like-working-at-a-garage-or-a-refinery-118152 Nail salon workers suffer chemical exposures that can be like working at a garage or a refinery] 11/19 see  see [[Chemicals|chemicals]] and [https://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Environmental_Justice Environmental Justice].
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/11/10/climate-change-extreme-poverty/ Climate Change Poised to Push 100 Million Into ‘Extreme Poverty’ by 2030] see also [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/The_Grapes_of_Wrath#Migration Migration].
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[https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2019/10/24/20927103/air-pollution-study-deaths-elderly-obama-trump Rising levels of tiny particle air pollution across the US killed an additional 9,700 people in 2018] than in 2016, say researchers in a newly published study. Their analysis points to three likely reasons why, reports Vox: expanding economic activity, wildfires, and lax enforcement of clean air regulations going back to 2013. 11/19 see [https://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Air#News.2C_Articles_and_Reports Air].
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/11/13/snowpack-decline-climate-change/ 2 Billion People to Face Water Shortages as Snowpack Declines] 11/15 see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Water Water].
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[https://theconversation.com/california-wildfires-signal-the-arrival-of-a-planetary-fire-age-125972 California wildfires signal the arrival of a planetary fire age] 11/19 see [https://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Fire#Wildfires Wildfires].
  
[http://www.alternet.org/food/new-gmo-free-zone-will-protect-traditional-farmers-colorado New GMO-Free Zone Will Protect Traditional Farmers in Colorado]:
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[https://www.alternet.org/2019/11/cdc-the-number-of-americans-dying-from-antibiotic-resistant-superbugs-vastly-underestimated/ CDC: The number of Americans dying from antibiotic-resistant ‘superbugs’ vastly underestimated] 11/19 see [https://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Food_Safety Food Safety].
The zone will help traditional and organic farmers avoid the risk of transgenic contamination from nearby GE crops, particularly GE corn. 11/15.
 
  
[http://www.alternet.org/food/fda-approves-aquabountys-genetically-engineered-salmon-despite-widespread-opposition FDA Approves AquaBounty’s Genetically Engineered Salmon Despite Widespread Opposition]; [http://ecowatch.com/2015/11/20/fda-sued-gmo-salmon/ good analysis/background] see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php?title=Category:Genetically_Modified_Organisms GMO's].
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[https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/03/ocean-cleanup-device-successfully-collects-plastic-for-first-time Ocean cleanup device successfully collects plastic for first time] 10/19  see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Plastic Plastic].
  
[http://www.alternet.org/environment/pesticide-exposure-linked-abnormal-sperm Pesticide Exposure Linked to Abnormal Sperm] 11/15. See EJ and [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Chemicals Chemicals].
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[https://www.alternet.org/2019/10/horrifying-new-research-shows-rising-sea-levels-could-wipe-out-major-cities-and-displace-150-million-people-by-2050/ ‘Horrifying’ new research shows rising sea levels could wipe out major cities and displace 150 million people by 2050] 10/19 see [https://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Sea_Level_Rise Sea Level Rise].
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/11/11/national-parks-fail-ozone-standard/ 26 National Parks Fail EPA’s New Ozone Standard] 11/15.  See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php?title=Category:Air Air].
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/toyota-mirai-electric-car-2640583126.html Meet The Electric Car That Doesn't Need To Be Plugged In] 9/19 see [https://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Hydrogen Hydrogen power].
  
[http://www.alternet.org/krugman-theres-darkness-spreading-over-our-society A new paper by two economists, "showing that mortality among middle-aged white Americans has been rising] since 1999 [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/09/opinion/despair-american-style.html?_r=0 analysis]. 10/15
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[https://www.alternet.org/2019/09/new-report-details-10-critical-transitions-to-tackle-the-climate-crisis-and-feed-the-world/ New report details 10 ‘critical transitions’ to tackle the climate crisis and feed the world] [https://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Food#UCSC_People_and_Local_Organizations UCSC agro-ecology work] is key. 9/19
  
[http://www.alternet.org/environment/indoor-air-pollution-negatively-impact-human-cognition Being Inside Is Making Us Stupid: How Indoor Air Pollution ] Impacts the Function of Our Brains see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php?title=Category:Air Air]. 10/15.
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[https://www.alternet.org/2019/09/un-climate-report-on-oceans-and-frozen-regions-warns-unprecedented-transitions-in-all-aspects-of-society-needed-to-sustain-life-on-earth/ UN climate report on oceans and frozen regions warns: ‘Unprecedented transitions in all aspects of society’ needed to sustain life on Earth], [https://www.ecowatch.com/oceans-climate-change-un-report-2640601157.html related] 9/19. see also [https://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Global_Warming Global Warming].
  
[http://www.latimes.com/local/education/la-me-ln-uc-coal-20150909-story.html UC sells off $200 million in coal and oil sands investments] whoohoo! [http://www.fossilfreeuc.org/campuses/fossil-free-ucsc FossilFree UC]: UC Santa Cruz became an active campaign in 2012. Since then we passed a resolution through the student senate and had the Board of Trustees agree to write a letter in support of the campaign to urge the Reagents to divest. Currently, the Fossil Free Campaign at UC Santa Cruz is working to build support among stakeholders within the student body, faculty, and alumni organizations. We aim to collaborate with other campaigns and our community to keep the pressure on to divest from a future of dirty energy. If you want to get involved, or just learn more, feel free to contact aphinney@ucsc.edu.
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[https://insideclimatenews.org/news/06072019/plastic-waste-ocean-global-summit-industry-solutions-recycling-climate-change What’s Worrying the Plastics Industry? Your Reaction to All That Waste, for One] 6/19
  
[http://insideclimatenews.org/news/29102015/warming-waters-have-thwarted-efforts-save-cod Rapidly Warming Waters Have Thwarted Efforts to Save the Cod] 10/15. See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Global_Warming Global Warming].
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[https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/06/ocean-microplastic/591094/ We Were Missing Most of the Plastic in the Ocean]: The highest levels of microplastics are found more than 650 feet below the surface. UC San Diego research [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga_y6E9qh8Y video] 6/19 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Plastic Plastic].
  
[http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Marine_Mammals#Specific_Species Whales:] [http://ecowatch.com/2015/10/09/california-ban-captive-breeding-seaworld/ Orcas]: The California Coastal Commission has approved a $100 million plan to to double the size of SeaWorld San Diego’s orca tanks but there was one major condition: No more captive breeding. But [http://ecowatch.com/2015/10/29/algal-blooms-whale-die-off dead zones] and plastic plague them.  
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[https://bigthink.com/politics-current-affairs/india-trash-mountain Just how big is India's 'Mount Everest of Trash'?] The Ghazipur dump keeps growing and growing every year, catching fire and leaching toxins into the ground. What can be done about it? 6/19 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Solid_Waste#News_Articles_and_Reports Solid Waste] and [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/India India].
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/09/28/shell-abandons-arctic-drilling-2 Shell Abandons Arctic Drilling Following ‘Disappointing’ Results] whoohoo! 9/15. Obama pause 2 years.
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[https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/6/headlines/un_report_1_million_species_at_risk_of_extinction U.N. Report: 1 Million Species at Risk of Extinction] especially mammals and insects 5/19 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Bio-diversity Bio-diversity].
  
[http://www.alternet.org/food/epas-new-pesticide-protections-are-game-changer-americas-farm-workers 6 Things to Know About the EPA’s New Pesticide Rules]
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/plastic-pollution-agreement-2636986814.html Historic Agreement on Plastic Pollution Reached by 180+ Countries Without the U.S.] 5/19 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Plastic#News.2FArticles Plastic].
For the first time since 1992, the EPA has updated rules governing the use of pesticides, which will protect the more than 2 million workers who produce America's food. 10/15
 
  
[http://www.alternet.org/environment/us-china-climate-announcements-5-things-you-need-know China progress on climate].
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[https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/18/a_message_from_the_future_with “A Message from the Future with AOC”: New Film Imagines World Transformed by the Green New Deal] video 4/19.
  
[http://www.alternet.org/environment/bottled-water-americas-destructive-love-affair Nestlé bottled water] is tapping springs in the San Bernardino National Forest in southern California using a permit that expired 27 years ago... company’s CEO Tim Brown "... In fact, if I could increase it, I would.” 9/15.
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/greta-thunberg-nobel-peace-prize-2631637803.html Greta Thunberg—Swedish Teen who Inspired School Climate Strikes—Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize] 3/19 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Eco-heroes Eco-Heroes].
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/09/08/california-senate-microbeads California Senate Passes Nation’s Strictest Ban on Microbeads] 9/15 see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php?title=Plastic Plastic].
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/arctic-climate-change-2634032427.html Researchers Warn Arctic Has Entered 'Unprecedented State' That Threatens Global Climate Stability] 4/19 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Global_Warming Global Warming].
  
[http://www.alternet.org/environment/citi-report-slowing-global-warming-would-save-tens-trillions-dollars Citbank (America’s third-largest bank), recently published a report looking at the economic costs and benefits of a low-carbon future]. ..because of savings due to reduced fuel costs and increased energy efficiency, the Action scenario is actually a bit cheaper than the Inaction scenario. 9/15
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/wolves-habitat-netherlands-2634212168.html Wolves ‘Established’ in Netherlands for First Time in 140 Years] 4/19 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Wildlife#Specific_Species Woves].
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/08/23/worlds-oceans-in-peril/?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=6debe1783b-Top_News_8_24_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-6debe1783b-85920373 The world’s oceans on which much of human life depends are under severe pressure, a new report says].  Overfishing has dramatically reduced fish stocks. The thousands of tonnes of rubbish dumped in the oceans wreak havoc on marine life, while climate change is warming and acidifying them, putting them under further stress.
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/pathogen-amphibian-species-2633136756.html 'Most Destructive Pathogen Ever' Has Created Zombie-Like Apocalypse for World's Amphibians] 3/19 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Bio-diversity#Amphibians Amphibians].
  
[http://www.globalpossibilities.org/new-monsanto-spray-kills-bugs-by-messing-with-their-genes/ NEW MONSANTO SPRAY KILLS BUGS BY MESSING WITH THEIR GENES] 8/15.
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/plastics-toxic-chemicals-health-risks-2629698471.html ‘Plastic Is Lethal’: Groundbreaking Report Reveals Health Risks at Every Stage in Plastics Life Cycle] but [https://www.ecowatch.com/europe-plastics-ban-2633124406.html EU Parliament Bans Plastics Responsible for 70% of Ocean Trash] 3/19 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Plastic#News.2FArticles Plastic].
  
[http://www.alternet.org/environment/amazing-new-process-treats-wastewater-captures-carbon-and-producing-renewable-energy Amazing New Process Treats Wastewater, Captures Carbon and Makes Renewable Energy]:
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[https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2019/06/8-must-watch-environmental-documentaries-to-kick-off-your-summer/ 8 Must-Watch Environmental Documentaries to Kick Off Your Summer] 6/19 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Environmental_Films Environmental Films].
An electrochemical reaction that absorbs more CO2 than it releases while creating renewable energy could transform emission-heavy industries. 8/15.
 
  
[http://www.ewg.org/research/california-s-toxic-fracking-fluid-chemical-recipe “California’s Toxic Fracking Fluids: The Chemical Recipe.] see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php?title=Category:Fracking Fracking] 8/15.
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/tesla-model-3-electric-car-2630376229.html Tesla’s $35,000 Electric Car Is Finally Here] 2/19 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Transportation#Electric_Vehicles Electric Vehicles]. but [https://www.ecowatch.com/trump-electric-car-market-2633034895.html Trump and Big Oil Want to Pull the Plug on the Electric Car Market].
  
[http://www.alternet.org/environment/activists-score-victory-effort-stop-government-killing-millions-animals Activists Score Victory in Effort to Stop the Government Killing of Millions of Animals] see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Wildlife Wildlofe]. 8/15.
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/vaquita-extinction-cartels-2630379398.html Vaquita Still Doomed Without Further Disruption of Totoaba Cartels] 3/19 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Marine_Mammals#Specific_Species Marine Mammals].
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/08/13/deadly-heat-waves-sweep-globe/ Deadly Heat Waves Sweep the Globe] 8/15 see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Environmental_Science_and_Skeptical_Challenges Climate].
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/trump-border-wall-endangered-species-2410320620.html Border Wall Threatens 93 Endangered Species] 2/19 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Wildlife Wildlife].
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/08/12/japan-restarts-nuclear-reactor Japan Restarts First Nuclear Reactor Since Fukushima Disaster, Protests Erupt] 8/15, see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Nuclear#News Nuclear Power].
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/epa-pollution-heath-2629720153.html EPA Adopts Fringe Science Claim That Small Doses of Pollution Are Healthy] 2/19 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/mediawiki/index.php?title=Chemicals Chemicals].
  
[http://www.ewg.org/research/rethinking-carcinogens?inlist=Y EWG’s latest analysis, “Rethinking Carcinogens],” takes a close look at new research on chemical exposures and cancer conducted by the Halifax Project, which involves hundreds of cancer researchers and scientists from around the globe.  The findings of the Halifax Project add to long overlooked evidence that combinations of chemicals may cause cancer.One in three Americans will be diagnosed with cancer, yet nearly half of all cancers are preventable. Along with genetics, diet, lifestyle and viruses, exposures to toxic chemicals clearly contribute to this epidemic. 8/15 see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Chemicals Chemicals].
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[https://earthjustice.org/news/press/2019/gray-wolves-will-keep-california-endangered-species-protection Victory: A state court judge today upheld protection for gray wolves under the California Endangered Species Act] 1/19 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Wildlife#Specific_Species Wolves].
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/07/14/china-chicken-export-import-deal What’s the Beef with the U.S./China Chicken Deal?] 7/15. See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Food_Safety#News_on_Meat_Industry Food].
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/endangered-species-act-turtles-marine-mammals-2626362898.html Marine Mammals and Turtles Protected by the Endangered Species Act Are Bouncing Back] 1/19 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Marine_Mammals Marine Mammals].
  
[http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/long-legal-fight-bp-agrees-largest-environmental-settlement-u-s-history/ BP Gulf oil spill legal settlement] (PBS video) and [http://www.propublica.org/article/bp-accidents-past-and-present update on causes]. 7/15.
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/pentagon-report-on-climate-change-2626395731.html Pentagon: Climate Change Is Real and a 'National Security Issue'] 1/19.
  
[http://www.alternet.org/environment/california-finds-several-negative-impacts-fracking-approves-offshore-frack-jobs-anyway California Finds Several Negative Impacts of Fracking, Approves Offshore Frack Jobs Anyway]. 7/15
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/poachers-attack-sea-shepherd-vaquita-2625725135.html Poachers Ambush Sea Shepherd Vessel Protecting Nearly Extinct Vaquita] 1/19 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Marine_Mammals#Specific_Species Dolphins].
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The environmental organization Sea Shepherd Conservation Society says its crew was attacked Wednesday by roughly 35 fishing boats inside a vaquita refuge in Mexico's Gulf of California.  Sea Shepherd released a video showing fishermen shouting, hurling objects and trying to foul the propellors of the M/V Farley Mowat, a Sea Shepherd vessel used in campaigns against illegal fisheries activities.
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/07/02/coal-no-longer-king/ Coal is no longer king in America.] That’s the latest findings from the U.S. Energy Information Administration; it lost its number one spot as the nation’s top electricity source for the first time on record this April.  See  [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Fossil_Fuels#Coal Fossil Fuels] 7/15.
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/the-anthropocene-project-2621865706.html The Anthropocene—Coming Soon to a Theater (and Museum, and Bookshelf) Near You ] 12/18 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/The_Big_Picture#Anthropocene Anthropocene].
  
[http://grist.org/news/the-u-n-surprises-everyone-with-a-breakthrough-deal-to-slow-deforestation/ Some progress at G-7 on climate] and [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Forests forests]. 6/15.
+
[https://www.ecowatch.com/bluefin-tuna-carl-safina-ecowatch-2625614406.html Ocean Conservation Expert Carl Safina on the Tuna That Sold for $3 Million] 1/19 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Overfishing overfishing].
  
[http://grist.org/climate-energy/this-is-crazy-but-we-actually-have-good-news-about-climate-change/ This is crazy, but we actually have good news about climate change] 6/15 see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/China#Articles China].
+
[https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jan/08/george-the-snail-tree-snail-hawaiian-islands-biodiversity 'Voice of the forest': George the snail, last of his kind, dies at age 14]
 +
Climate change and invasive predators have taken a heavy toll on native animals and insects in the Hawaiian Islands 1/19 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Bio-diversity Bio-diversity].
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/03/23/monsanto-roundup-glyphosate-cancer/ Monsanto’s Roundup — Most Popular Weed Killer in U.S. — ‘Probably’ Causes Cancer, WHO Report Says] see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Genetically_Modified_Organisms GMO's] 3/15.
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/greenland-melting-overdrive-2622570930.html Greenland Melting Is ‘Off the Charts’] 12/18 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Sea_Level_Rise Sea Level Rise].
  
[http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2015/03/02/study_climate_change_helped_spark_syrian_civil_war.html New Study Says Climate Change Helped Spark Syrian Civil War] (and thus ISIS?) [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/03/science/earth/study-links-syria-conflict-to-drought-caused-by-climate-change.html?_r=0 NYT] see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Global_Warming Global Warming].
+
[https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/dec/05/brutal-news-global-carbon-emissions-jump-to-all-time-high-in-2018 'Brutal news': global carbon emissions jump to all-time high in 2018]: Rapid cuts needed to protect billions of people from rising emissions due to increase in use of cars and coal 12/18 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Global_Warming Global Warming].
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/13/us-megadroughts-study_n_6671812.html U.S. 'Megadroughts' Are Likely Later This Century, Study Finds] 2/15.
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[https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/dec/06/global-warming-extinction-report-the-great-dying The 'great dying': rapid warming caused largest extinction event ever, report says]:
 +
Up to 96% of all marine species and more than two-thirds of terrestrial species perished 252m years ago.
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/13/world-ocean-plastic-trash_n_6674182.html World's Oceans Clogged By Millions Of Tons Of Plastic Trash] scientists estimating that a staggering 8 million metric tones of plastic pollution enter the oceans each year from the world's 192 coastal countries based on 2010 data. Based on rising waste levels, they estimated that more than 9 million tons would end up in the oceans in 2015. 2/15
+
[https://www.ecowatch.com/scallops-absorb-microplastics-2622356072.html Scallops Absorb Billions of Microplastics in Just 6 Hours], [https://www.ecowatch.com/corona-biodegradable-beer-rings-2622389922.html Corona Becomes First Big Beer Brand to Trial Plastic-Free Rings] 12/18 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Plastic Plastic].
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/02/11/nas-geoengineering-not-answer-to-climate-change/ National Academy of Sciences Says Geoengineering Is Not the Answer to Climate Change] 2/15. See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Plastic Plastic].
+
[https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/27/magazine/insect-apocalypse.html The Insect Apocalypse Is Here] What does it mean for the rest of life on Earth? 11/18 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Bio-diversity#Insects Insects].
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/02/06/divestment-movement-heats-up Norway first country to divest] 2/15. See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Europe#Scandanavia Scandanavia].
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/926f-wolf-killed-2621990786.html Iconic Yellowstone Wolf Shot Dead in Legal But 'Senseless Killing'] 2/18 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Wildlife#Specific_Species Wolves].
  
Top Green stories of 2014 includes [http://ecowatch.com/2014/1/23/environmental-stories-2014/3/ Wolf OR7 has three pups in Oregon] which will be safe from hunters if they wander in CA; also one in Grand Canyon.  see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Wildlife#Specific_Species Wolves].
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[https://theconversation.com/how-advertising-shaped-thanksgiving-as-we-know-it-86819 How everything about Thanksgiving as we know it was shaped by the marketing industry] 11/18.
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/01/06/market-breakthroughs-2014 9 Big Market Breakthroughs of 2014].
 
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/22/doomsday-clock-climate-change_n_6527714.html Scientists Warn We're Ever-Closer To The Apocalypse], see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Global_Warming Global Warming].
+
[https://www.alternet.org/californians-are-now-lab-rats-long-term-effects-toxic-wildfire-smoke Californians are now lab rats for the long-term effects of toxic wildfire smoke]
 +
As air quality hits hazardous levels in the Bay Area, scientists say we’re descending into unknown territory 11/18 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/California California] and [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Air air].
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/01/16/2104-hottest-year-on-record Update] 1/15 [http://www.alternet.org/environment/2014-likely-hottest-year-record-ocean-temps-spike 2014 Will Likely Be The Hottest Year on Record, Ocean Temps Spike].  High sea temperatures contributed to exceptionally heavy rainfall and floods in many countries and extreme drought in others. see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Global_Warming Global Warming].
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[https://insideclimatenews.org/news/13112018/california-deadliest-wildfire-climate-change-warnings-firefighting-costs-too-conservative-scientists California’s Wildfire and Climate Change Warnings Are Still Too Conservative, Scientist Says]:
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Another hot, dry year is fueling the state’s deadliest, most destructive wildfire. Scientists say wildfires here are consistently surpassing their projections. 11/18  See [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Fire#Wildfires Fire] and [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/California California].
  
[http://ecowatch.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=214ab5fbb3f6015d74ffab4ec&id=d858dc1552&e=c2e8fdabfa Two Dozen Coyotes Killed in ‘Wolf-Kill Derby’ Hunting Contest.  ]The second-annual hunting derby of Idaho's coyotes and wolves just ended... See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Wildlife#Specific_Species Wolves].  
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/beluga-orcas-russia-trapped-jail-2618694294.html 90 Belugas, 11 Orcas Trapped in 'Whale Jail' off Russian Coast] 11/18 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Marine_Mammals Whales].
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2014/12/29/vermont-yankee-shuts-down/ Activists Permanently Shut Down Vermont Yankee Nuke Plant] see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Nuclear Nuclear power] 1/15.
+
[https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-oceans-are-heating-up-faster-than-expected/ The Oceans Are Heating Up Faster Than Expected]:
 +
The planet may be more sensitive to warming that previously thought, making climate goals more difficult to meet ([https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-018-0651-8 original paper]) 11/18.
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2013/10/03/report-calculates-damage-by-fracking/ Groundbreaking Report Calculates Damage Done by Fracking] includes  280 billion gallons of toxic wastewater generated by fracking in 2012—enough to flood all of Washington, DC, in a 22-foot deep toxic lagoon. See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Fracking Fracking].
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/earths-wildlife-wiped-out-since-1970-2616534688.html Humanity 'Sleepwalking Towards the Edge of a Cliff': 60% of Earth's Wildlife Wiped Out Since 1970] 11/18 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Bio-diversity Bio-Diversity].
  
[http://ecowatch.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=214ab5fbb3f6015d74ffab4ec&id=11648af45b&e=c2e8fdabfa UK Wind Power Smashes Records As Scotland Eyes Fossil-Free Future] Across the board, UK wind power generation is breaking records. December generation broke records, with... See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Wind#News.2FReports wind] 1/15.
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/china-tigers-rhinos-poaching-2616544365.html New Chinese Law a ‘Death Warrant’ for Endangered Rhinos and Tigers]:
 +
China alarmed animal rights activists around the world Monday when it weakened a 25-year-old ban on the trading of tiger bone and rhinoceros horn.
  
[http://www.alternet.org/environment/lima-climate-talks-produce-weak-draft-global-treaty Lima Peru climate talks] lead to Paris next year.
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[https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/07/world/climate-change-new-ipcc-report-wxc/index.html Planet has only until 2030 to stem catastrophic climate change, experts warn] 101/8.
  
[http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/11/12/3591284/us-china-climate-deal We Have A Deal: The U.S. And China Agree To Historic Emission Reduction Targets] 11/14.
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/things-you-can-do-to-avoid-climate-catastrophe-2611451663.html 6 Things You Can Do to Avoid Climate Catastrophe] 10/18.
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2014/11/02/ipcc-climate-change-report/ New IPCC report on global warming] and [http://ecowatch.com/2014/11/02/bill-mckibben-ipcc-report Bill McKibben's take](350.org) see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Global_Warming Global Warming]. 11/14.
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/eating-organic-slashes-cancer-risks-2614544867.html Massive Study Finds Eating Organic Slashes Cancer Risks] 10/18 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Food Food].
  
[http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/11/05/3589525/bumper-month-for-wind-in-scotland/ Scotland Produced Enough Wind Energy To Power Every Home In October] 11/14.  See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php?title=Category:Wind Wind].
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[https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/26/warning-bells-going-noaa-forecasts-entire-great-barrier-reef-risk-coral-bleaching "Warning Bells Going Off' as NOAA Forecasts Entire Great Barrier Reef at Risk of Coral Bleaching and Death] 10/18 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Acidification/Coral_Reefs#News.2FReports Coral Reefs].
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2014/11/11/renewable-energy-jobs/ Renewable Energy ‘Creates More Jobs Than Fossil Fuels’] 11/14. See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Economics Economics].
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/microplastics-food-human-stools-2614537742.html Microplastics Detected in Human Stool Samples for First Time] 10/18 see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Plastic Plastic].
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2014/10/03/ocean-health-d-report-card/ Ocean Health Gets ‘D’ Grade in New Global Index] 9/14. see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Ocean Ocean]
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/extinction-evolution-biodiversity-2613026936.html Humans Are Wiping Out Species So Fast That Evolution Can't Keep Up] 10/18, see [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Category:Wildlife Wildlife].
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2014/10/29/palm-oil-ebola/ Is Palm Oil Explosion Driving Ebola Outbreak?] 10/14 see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Forests Forests].
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/trump-house-brain-damaging-pesticides-2613568873.html Trump White House Pushes to Let Minors Spray Brain-Damaging Pesticides on Farms] 10/18.  See [http://rachelcarson-wiki.lt.ucsc.edu/wiki/Chemicals pesticides].
  
[http://www.desmog.uk/2014/11/06/climate-change-may-cause-bees-fall-out-sync-flowers-study-shows Climate change could be disrupting the relationship between bees and plants], according the research from the University of East Anglia (UEA). 11/14.
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/scientists-warn-hothouse-earth-2593568878.html Scientists Warn We May Be on Track for 'Hothouse Earth'] 8/18 see [[:Category:Global_Warming|Global Warming]]. Don't say no one gave you a headsup.  This is your official wakeup call.
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2014/10/29/flupyradifurone-bad-news-bees/ New ‘F’ Word Means More Bad News for Bees] 10/14 see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Bio-diversity#Insects Bees].  
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[http://bigthink.com/brandon-weber/new-study-the-true-cost-of-global-warming-much-higher-than-estimates Experts "grossly underestimate" the economic cost of global warming] 6/18 see [[:Category:Global_Warming|Global Warming]].
  
[http://www.globalpossibilities.org/fracking-threatens-millions-of-californians/ Fracking Threatens Millions of Californians] A new report shows that 5.4 million Californians—more than 14 percent of its 38.3 million population—live within a mile of an oil or gas well, and almost four million of those, or nearly 70 percent, are Hispanic, Asian or African-American, according to a new Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) report Drilling in California: Who’s at Risk? Non-whites make up slightly more than 40 percent of California’s total population. 10/14. see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php?title=Category:Fracking Fracking].
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/biodiversity-climate-change-2569991831.html Tens of Thousands of Species at Risk if Warming Exceeds 1.5°C] 5/18 see [[:Category:Global_Warming|Global Warming]].
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2014/09/29/extreme-weather-climate-change/ "Smoking gun"]: For years scientists have had to (or felt obligated to) put a caveat in front of every statement that it's almost impossible to say climate change is responsible for any given storm.  Now we can. 10/14. ***
+
[https://www.ecowatch.com/protected-areas-degraded-by-humans-2569960309.html One-Third of Protected Areas 'Highly Degraded' By Humans, Study Finds] 5/18.
  
[http://www.alternet.org/print/environment/its-official-california-bans-plastic-grocery-bags It's Official: California Bans Plastic Grocery Bags] 10/14 see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Plastic Plastic].
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/phononic-fridge-2569712764.html The most effective way to fight climate change is to make a better fridge] 5/18  see [[:Category:Global_Warming|Global Warming]].
  
[http://www.350siliconvalley.org/west_coast_people_s_climate_rally Big action had 400K people in NYC, 4K in Oakland 9/21/14.][http://www.democracynow.org/live/peoples_climate_march video] see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Environmental_Science_and_Skeptical_Challenges Global Warming]
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/india-more-renewables-than-coal-2565598027.html In Energy Breakthrough, India Added More Renewable Than Fossil Fuel Capacity for the First Time Last Year]:
 +
India added more energy capacity from renewable energy sources last year than from conventional sources like coal for the first time, an important breakthrough for a country that struggles with high greenhouse gas emissions and deadly air pollution. See [[India|India]] and [[:Category:Energy|Energy]].
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/09/greenhouse-gas-levels_n_5788788.html?utm_hp_ref=climate-change Greenhouse Gas Levels In Atmosphere Surged To New High In 2013, World Meteorological Organization Reports], so [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/09/climate-change-birds_n_5788134.html?utm_hp_ref=climate-change More Than Half Of North American Birds In Trouble Thanks To Climate Change] but [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/10/californians-reduce-water-use_n_5798444.html Californians saved 17 billion gallons of water in July, enough to fill 26,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools], see also [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/The_Big_Picture#Fire_.28climate_change_and_wildfires.29 Yosemite burns] 9/14.  [http://www.350siliconvalley.org/west_coast_people_s_climate_rally Big action 9/21.] See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Activism Activism].
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/gmo-food-labels-qr-codes-2565811298.html Proposed GMO Food Labeling Could Leave 100 Million Americans in the Dark]  see [[:Category:Genetically_Modified_Organisms#News.2FArticles|GMO's]] 5/18.
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2014/09/04/bp-2010-gulf-oil-rig-explosion/ BP Found Guilty of ‘Gross Negligence’ and ‘Willful Misconduct’ in 2010 Gulf Oil Disaster] 9/14 but offshore drilling is expanding into deeper water, Atlantic and Arctic.  See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php?title=Fossil_Fuels Oil].
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/plastics-pact-companies-uk-2563573289.html More Than 40 Companies Sign Onto Historic UK Plastics Pact ],  a groundbreaking alliance of companies, non-governmental organizations and governments working to transform packaging in the UK by 2025. 4/18 Earth Day focus.
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/02/polar-vortex-melting-sea-ice_n_5753476.html Study Links Polar Vortex Chills To Melting Sea Ice] . See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Global_Warming Global Warming].
+
[https://www.ecowatch.com/great-barrier-reef-risk-collapse-2561472988.html Great Barrier Reef at ‘Unprecedented’ Risk of Collapse After Major Bleaching Event] 4/18 but [https://www.ecowatch.com/great-barrier-reef-50-years-2561790398.html Hope for Great Barrier Reef? New Study Shows Genetic Diversity of Coral Could Extend Our Chance to Save It] 4/18.[[:Category:Ocean#Acidification.2FCoral_Reefs|Coral Reefs]].
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2014/09/02/wind-power-beats-coal-nukes/ UK Wind Power Beats Coal and Nukes] 9/14.
+
[https://www.ecowatch.com/state-of-global-air-report-2018-2560935673.html 95% of World's Population Breathes Unsafe Air] 4/18 see [[:Category:Air|Air]].
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2014/08/30/california-bans-plastic-bags California Bans Plastic Bags] .  The bill, which passed both houses of the California State Legislature now heads to the Governor’s desk. If signed, California will become the first state in the U.S. to ban what advocates call “the most ubiquitous consumer item on the planet.” 9/14  see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Plastic Plastic].
+
[https://www.ecowatch.com/atlantic-ocean-currents-weaken-amoc-2559304530.html Slow Motion Ocean: Why Are North Atlantic Currents Weakening?] chaotic climate and sea level rise 3/18.
  
[http://motherboard.vice.com/en_uk/read/insecticides-are-causing-widespread-damage-at-the-bottom-of-the-food-chain Bee update on Neo-nics, the new DDT].  8/14  See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Bio-diversity#Insects Bees].
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/solar-capacity-2017-2556858644.html Solar Capacity Exceeded All Other Fuel Sources Combined in 2017, Study Finds]
 +
In 2017, the world invested more in solar power than it did in any other energy technology and installed more new solar capacity than all other energy sources combined, including fossil fuels 3/18 see [[:Category:Solar|Solar]].
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/04/ohio-water-ban_n_5646766.html Ohio Water Ban Lifted; Toledo Mayor Says City's Water Is Safe] after climate change and agricultural runoff combine in toxic algae bloom [http://www.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2014/08/toledos-tapwater-troubles-raise-hard-questions-about-our-ag-system update and analysis]. 8/14. See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Water Water].
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/minke-whales-killed-japan-2555581472.html Another 333 Minke Whales Killed by Japanese Fleet] 3/18 see [[:Category:Marine_Mammals|Marine Mammals]].
  
[http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2014/20140717_stateoftheclimate.html 2013 NOAA climate report], trend of new records continues. 7/14 See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Global_Warming Global Warming].
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/endangered-species-ryan-zinke-2556479220.html Proposed Rule Change Would Be 'Death Sentence' for Nearly 300 Species, Activists Warn] 3/18 see [[:Category:Wildlife|Wildlife]].
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/17/australia-repeals-carbon-tax_n_5593843.html Australia Repeals Maligned 2-Year-Old Carbon Tax] 7/14.
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[https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/03/the-trump-administration-might-let-the-worlds-rarest-marine-mammal-go-extinct/ The Trump Administration Might Let the World’s Rarest Marine Mammal Go Extinct] 3/18 see [[:Category:Marine_Mammals|Marine Mammals]].
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2014/07/08/protecting-parrotfish-caribbean-coral-reefs/ Protecting Parrotfish Could Slow Decline of Caribbean Coral Reefs] 7/14 see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Ocean#Acidification.2FCoral_Reefs Coral Reefs].
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[https://www.alternet.org/culture/dont-want-robot-replace-you-start-reading-literature Robot-Proof]: As co-authors Morton Schapiro and Gary Saul Morson argue in their new book, "Cents and Sensibility," an education in humanities may provide the greatest form of job security in an increasingly automated world. see [[Counter-History#Future_History|Future History]].
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2014/07/11/pipeline-rupture-beneath-great-lakes-devastate-people-planet Rupture of Aging Tar Sands Pipeline Beneath Great Lakes Would Devastate People, Planet and Economy] 7/14.
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/oceans-plastic-pollution-2550762861.html Ocean Plastic Projected to Triple Within Seven Years] 3/18 see [[Plastic|Plastic]].
  
[http://www.alternet.org/print/environment/solar-powered-water-wheel-can-clean-50000-lbs-trash-day How a Solar-Powered Water Wheel Can Clean 50,000 Pounds of Trash Per Day] From Baltimore’s Inner Harbor 6/14 see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Plastic Plastic].
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/forests-climate-change-biodiversity-2549845735.html Earth's Intact Forests Are Invaluable, and in Danger] 3/18.
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/26/california-wind-farm-eagles_n_5533982.html California Wind Farm Will Become First To Avoid Prosecution For Eagle Deaths] see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Wind#Birds wind ] and [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Wildlife#Specific_Species Birds].
+
[https://insideclimatenews.org/news/03102017/infographic-ocean-heat-powerful-climate-change-evidence-global-warming The Most Powerful Evidence Climate Scientists Have of Global Warming]: The oceans hold the story of a planet warming as fossil fuels are burned. Here is what scientists have discovered, in four charts. 2/18 see [[Environmental_Science_and_Skeptical_Challenges|Global Warming]].
  
[http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/blogs/could-whale-watching-replace-whaling-in-japan#ixzz35qoKJSBY Could whale-watching replace whaling in Japan?]
+
[https://insideclimatenews.org/news/20022018/global-warming-solutions-carbon-storage-farm-soil-crushed-volcanic-rock-research How Crushed Volcanic Rock in Farm Soil Could Help Slow Global Warming — and Boost Crops]:
The newly created Japan Whale and Dolphin Watching Council will promote marine mammal eco-tourism, offering a lucrative alternative as Japan loses its taste for hunting wild cetaceans. 6/14 see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Marine_Mammals#Specific_Species Whales].
+
A new study explores how planet-warming carbon dioxide could be absorbed using ‘enhanced rock weathering,a natural process sped up to fight climate change.
  
[http://www.alternet.org/print/environment/autism-risk-higher-near-pesticide-treated-fields-study-says Autism Risk Higher Near Pesticide-Treated Fields, Study Says] 6/14 see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php?title=Chemicals Chemicals].
+
[https://www.ecowatch.com/arctic-plastic-pollution-2532782515.html 'Plastic in All Sizes' Found Everywhere in Once Pristine European Arctic] 2/18 see [[Plastic|Plastic]].
  
[http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-will-propose-vast-expansion-of-pacific-ocean-marine-sanctuary/2014/06/16/f8689972-f0c6-11e3-bf76-447a5df6411f_story.html Obama proposes vast expansion of Pacific Ocean sanctuaries for marine life] (EPA stepped up on coal too, which will reduce acidification and mercury) 6/14  See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php?title=Category:Ocean Ocean].
+
[https://www.ecowatch.com/monsanto-roundup-microbes-2526878891.html Monsanto's Roundup Destroys Healthy Microbes in Humans and in Soils] 1/18. see [[Chemicals|Chemicals]] and [[:Category:Genetically_Modified_Organisms|GMO's]], as well as [[The_Big_Picture#Earth|Soil]].
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2014/06/14/fukushima-children-dying/ Some 39 months after the multiple explosions at Fukushima, thyroid cancer rates among nearby children have skyrocketed to more than forty times (40x) normal].  More than 48 percent of some 375,000 young people—nearly 200,000 kids—tested by the Fukushima Medical University near the smoldering reactors now suffer from pre-cancerous thyroid abnormalities, primarily nodules and cysts. The rate is accelerating....The nuclear industry and its apologists continue to deny this public health tragedy. Some have actually asserted that “not one person” has been affected by Fukushima’s massive radiation releases, which for some isotopes exceed Hiroshima by a factor of nearly 30. See also [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Nuclear Nuclear energy]
+
[https://www.ecowatch.com/plastic-pollution-mcdonalds-2525962206.html Two Major Food Companies Announce War on Packaging Waste] 1/18 see [[:Category:Solid_Waste|Solid Waste]] and [[Plastic|Plastic]].
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/05/natural-disaster-cost_n_5451640.html?view=print&comm_ref=false Natural Disaster Costs Have Quadrupled In Past 3 Decades] 6/14.
+
[https://www.alternet.org/environment/what-planet-would-be-without-trees This Is What the Planet Would Be Like Without Trees]: The Earth is losing a forest area the size of Panama every year 1/18 see [[:Category:Forests|Forests]].
  
[http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/05/31/3443533/dengue-latin-america/ Dengue Surges In Latin America:] As officials in Brazil frantically mount a last-minute campaign to combat the recent outbreak of dengue fever in the country before the beginning of the World Cup, new data has been released documenting the shocking resurgence of the disease. 5/14  See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Global_Warming Global Warming].
+
[https://www.ecowatch.com/epa-toxic-chemicals-2524874491.html EPA Rule Change Would Expose Teenagers to Highly Toxic Chemicals] 1/18 see [[Chemicals|Chemicals]].
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/24/states-without-water_n_5386035.html?view=print&comm_ref=false 7 States Running Out Of Water] 5/14  [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php?title=Category:Water Water].
+
[https://www.ecowatch.com/ecowatch-year-in-review-2017-2521757205.html Year in Review], [https://www.ecowatch.com/environmental-journalism-2017-2520097629.html Our Favorite Environmental Journalism of 2017] includes great map, [https://projects.propublica.org/bombs/#b=32.486357477368344,-152.2734375,56.1545708456787,-81.9609375&c=shrink Bombs in your backyard] by ProPublica, see also [[By_place|Maps]].
  
[http://act.350.org/sign/KernCounty/?t=3&akid=4636.182885.jZefgU Governor Jerry Brown thinks fracking has "zero impact]," but we know a few towns in the Central Valley that beg to differ.  Kern County is California's most-fracked county. It also has the worst air quality in the nation, as well as highly elevated rates of cancer and respiratory illness.  See also [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Environmental_Justice Environmental Justice]. 5/14.
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/polar-vortex-climate-change-2522395530.html Polar Vortex,' 'Winter Storm Grayson' and 'Bombogenesis': What Do They Mean?] 1/17 see [[:Category:Global_Warming|global warming]] and [https://webbrain.com/brainpage/brain/E212D5AA-EEF5-535C-9D0D-27920B094E45#-9275 Global Weirding].
  
[http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_25810989/fracking-new-monterey-shale-oil-estimate-rocks-californias New Monterey Shale oil estimate rocks California's expectations] see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Fracking Fracking].
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/oceans-oxygen-levels-2522696200.html Oceans Losing Oxygen at Breathtaking Speeds]: Ocean dead zones quadrupled in size since 1950,  see [[:Category:Food#Specific_Foods|Meat]] and [[:Category:Ocean|Ocean]]. 1/18.
  
[http://ecowatch.com/2014/05/16/usda-honeybee-death-rate-too-high/ USDA Reports Honeybee Death Rate Too High for Long-Term Survival] See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Bio-diversity#Insects Bees].
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/scott-pruitt-epa-2522698573.html EPA Under Siege: The New Assault on the U.S. Environmental Protection System] 1/18.
  
[http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/05/13/3436923/germany-energy-records/ Germany gets 3/4 of its energy from renewables!] 5/14.  
+
[https://www.alternet.org/books/theres-shocking-lack-rigorous-testing-and-regulation-chemicals-united-states Chemicals in America Are Woefully Unregulated]: The EPA, FDA and USDA have not been exercising adequate oversight to protect Americans' health. 12/17 see [[Chemicals|Chemicals]].
  
[http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/05/16/3438810/china-solar-goals/ In Latest Step In Its ‘War On Smog’ Effort, China Says It Will Triple Solar Capacity By 2017] 5/14.
+
[https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/09/16/health/brazil-obesity-nestle.html How Big Business Got Brazil Hooked on Junk Food] 12/17 see [[Food_Safety|Food]].
  
[http://grist.org/news/the-12-things-the-obama-administration-wants-you-to-know-about-climate-change/  “Climate change, once considered an issue for a distant future], has moved firmly into the present,” says the latest National Climate Assessment, published by the White House. First specifics on regional effects. 5/14. [http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/daily_videos/new-government-report-warns-of-imminent-danger-caused-by-climate-change/ PBS NewsHour video] See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Global_Warming Global Warming].
+
[https://www.ecowatch.com/environmental-stewardship-examples-2520328397.html 10 Ways to Be a Better Environmental Steward in 2018], including [https://www.ecowatch.com/food-waste-2520333799.html food waste]. 12/17.
  
[http://www.alternet.org/print/environment/all-california-now-under-drought-conditions-and-thats-bad-news-all-us All of California Is Now Under Drought Conditions,] and That's Bad News for All of Us. 5/14.  See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php?title=Category:Water Water].
+
[https://www.ecowatch.com/ocean-news-2017-2520451366.html Top 10 Ocean News Stories of 2017] 12/17 see [[:Category:Ocean|Ocean]].
  
[http://www.projectcoyote.org/newsreleases/news_ca_fish_game_vote_to_ban_killing_contests.html California Fish & Game Commission Votes 3 to 2 to Move Forward with Proposal to Ban Predator Killing Contests] 4/14. See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Wildlife#Specific_Species Wildife].
+
[https://www.ecowatch.com/climate-influencers-2017-2519436816.html 14 Notable Climate Influencers of 2017  ] includes  Attenborough who told Greenpeace of the "heartbreaking" footage he recorded of mother birds feeding their babies plastic, an iconic moment for him that pushed him to speak up about plastic pollution in oceans.12/17  See [[Plastic|Plastic]] and [[Eco-heroes|Eco-Heroes]] as well as [[:Category:Global_Warming#Headlines|Climate]].
  
[http://grist.org/news/what-the-u-n-s-new-climate-report-says-about-north-america/ The latest report from the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change] warns of a world wracked by hunger, violence, and extinctions. But the IPCC also dedicates chapters to impacts that are underway and anticipated in individual regions and continents.  For North America, the report states there is “high confidence” of links between climate change and rising temperatures, ravaging downpours, and declining water supplies. 4/14.
+
[https://www.ecowatch.com/plastics-in-the-ocean-2520118637.html Oil Giants Invest $180B in Plastics, Propelling Oceans Toward 'Near-Permanent' Pollution] 12/17 see [[Plastic|Plastic]].
  
[http://www.democracynow.org/2014/4/16/killing_natures_defenders_study_finds_global Global Witness report] documents surge of killing of green activists, particularly in [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php?title=Latin_America South America].  See also [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Human_Rights Human Rights] 4/14.
+
[https://www.ecowatch.com/electric-buses-in-china-2518662677.html Chinese City to Become World's First to Switch Entire Bus Fleet to Electric] 12/17 see [[China|China]] and [[Transportation#Electric_Vehicles|Electric Vehicles]].
  
[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-26818863?print=true Japan accepts court ban on Antarctic whaling] 3/14.
+
[https://www.ecowatch.com/apple-iphones-slow-down-2519096622.html Why Apple Deliberately Slowing Down iPhones Is Harming the Environment] 12/17 see [[:Category:Solid_Waste#E-waste|E-Waste]].
  
[http://www.alternet.org/print/environment/disturbing-new-report-air-pollution-killed-7-million-people-2012-or-about-1-8-premature Disturbing New Report: Air Pollution Killed 7 Million People in 2012—Or About 1 in 8 Premature Deaths] 3/14 see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Air Air]
+
[https://insideclimatenews.org/news/18102017/california-wildfires-global-warming-drought-wind-climate-change-fire As 'Epic Winds' Drive California Fires, Climate Change Fuels the Risk] current fire in SoCal will not be contained till January.12/17 see [[The_Big_Picture#Fire_.28climate_change_and_wildfires.29|Fire]].
  
[http://baykeeper.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=1782&qid=391678  Baykeeper] recently helped scuttle proposals by developers for two dangerous new facilities to export dirty coal from the Port of Oakland. Coal breaks apart easily, forming dust that contains mercury, arsenic, uranium, and other toxic substances. Transporting millions of tons of coal in mile-long open car trains to the port, and then loading it onto ships, would send toxic dust into the Bay. It would also further pollute the air of nearby communities already suffering from disproportionate pollution. 3/14.
+
[https://www.ecowatch.com/electric-vehicles-cost-2514158061.html Going From Pump to Plug: How Much Money Can Electric Vehicles Save Drivers?] 12/17 see [[Transportation#Automobiles|Cars]].
  
[http://www.alternet.org/us-solar-industry-had-record-shattering-year-2013 U.S. Solar Industry Had Record-Shattering Year in 2013] 3/14.
+
[https://www.alternet.org/environment/antidepressants-are-accumulating-brains-fish-and-its-making-them-homicidal Science Suggests We're Making Fish Homicidal Through Antidepressants We Flush Into the Water] 12/17 see [[:Category:Water|Water]].
  
[http://insideclimatenews.org/breaking-news/20140228/los-angeles-city-council-approves-ban-fracking Los Angeles City Council Approves Ban on Fracking] 3/14.
+
[https://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/congress-preparing-sacrifice-entire-whale-species-so-fossil-fuel-industry-can Congress Is Preparing to Sacrifice an Entire Whale Species So Fossil Fuel Industry Can Search for Offshore Oil] 11/17. see [[:Category:Marine_Mammals#Articles.2FReports|Marine Mammals]].
  
[http://insideclimatenews.org/news/20140225/california-startup-turns-old-wind-turbines-gold California Startup Turns Old Wind Turbines Into Gold] 3/14. See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php?title=Category:Wind Wind]
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[https://grist.org/briefly/bad-news-global-emissions-are-on-the-rise-again/ Bad news: Global emissions are on the rise again]: A multi-year period of global economic growth and stable carbon emissions, heralded as a potential peak of humanity’s contribution to climate change, is over. Emissions are up again this year by an estimated 1 to 3 percent, now at the highest point in history, according to a new report 11/17. see [[:Category:Global_Warming|Global Warming]].
  
[http://grist.org/list/climate-change-is-going-to-cause-1-3-million-extra-burglaries-before-2099/ Climate change is going to cause 1.3 million extra burglaries before 2099] see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Global_Warming Global Warming]
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[https://www.alternet.org/environment/climate-change-creating-global-pest-problem-will-spread-disease-and-threaten-food Climate Change Is Creating a Global Pest Problem That Will Spread Disease and Threaten Food Production]
 +
The future could hold less coffee and more Zika. 11/17 see [[Chemicals|Chemicals]].
  
[http://grist.org/news/solar-is-keeping-californias-lights-on-as-hydro-dries-up/ Solar is keeping California’s lights on as hydro dries up] 2/14
+
[https://www.ecowatch.com/pesticides-lower-fertility-rates-2505371114.html New Study Confirms High-Pesticide Produce Linked to Lower Fertility Rates] 11/17 see [[Chemicals|Chemicals]].
  
[http://grist.org/news/new-york-california-move-to-ban-beauty-products-containing-microbeads/ New York, California move to ban beauty products containing microbeads] see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Plastic Plastic].
+
[https://grist.org/article/john-kerry-is-plotting-a-renewable-energy-future-starting-in-vietnam/ John Kerry is plotting a renewable energy future … starting in Vietnam] 11/17.
  
[http://www.propublica.org/article/a-new-road-rage?utm_source=et&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailynewsletter Hydrogen car fueling problems] 2/14 see also [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php?title=Category:Hydrogen Hydrogen]
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/west-coast-drift-gillnet-fishery-2504503658.html Whales, Sea Turtles Threatened by Trump Administration Proposal] 11/17.
  
[http://insideclimatenews.cmail1.com/t/t-l-ydldtkl-hdtyujtt-jy/ Report Describes the Unfathomable Cost of Inaction on Rising Seas] 2/14 see also [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Sea_Level_Rise Sea Level Rise].
+
[https://www.alternet.org/environment/tyson-foods-linked-largest-toxic-dead-zone-us-history Tyson Foods Linked to the Largest Toxic Dead Zone in U.S. History] America's largest meat producer must clean up its act. 10/17 see [[:Category:Food#Specific_Foods|Meat]] and [[:Category:Ocean#News.2FArticles|Ocean]].
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/11/us-ivory-ban_n_4768315.html?view=print&comm_ref=false U.S. Prepares To Crack Down On Illegal Ivory Trade As Elephant Populations Dwindle] see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Wildlife#Specific_Species Wildlife].
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/air-pollution-deaths-2498942499.html Air Pollution Kills 9 Million, Costs $5 Trillion Per Year] 10/17. see [[:Category:Air#News.2C_Articles_and_Reports|Air]].
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/31/great-barrier-reef-sedime_n_4699624.html?view=print&comm_ref=false Great Barrier Reef Sediment Dump Approved For One Of World's Most Fragile Ecosystems] (in case you still think elections don't matter, the last government passed a carbon tax). 1/14.
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/north-atlantic-right-whale-population-2493743084.html North Atlantic Right Whale Population Dips Below 450 After 'Deadliest Year' Since Whaling Era] 10/17. see [[:Category:Marine_Mammals|Marine Mammals]].
  
[http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/24/science/earth/threat-to-bottom-line-spurs-action-on-climate.html?hpw&rref=us&_r=1 Industry Awakens to Threat of Climate Change] 1/14
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change-costs-2490572146.html New Report Predicts Climate Change Could Cost U.S. $360 Billion Per Year] 9/17 see [[:Category:Global_Warming|Global Warming]]
  
[http://blogs.kqed.org/newsfix/2014/01/16/california-drought-update-governor-jerry-brown-declaring-drought-emergency California Drought Update: Gov. Brown Declares Emergency]:  Gov. Jerry Brown says California is in an "unprecedented, very serious situation," and calls for voluntary 20 percent statewide reduction in water consumption.
+
[https://www.ecowatch.com/nicaragua-paris-agreement-2487905844.html Nicaragua to Sign Paris Agreement, Leaving Trump Alone With Syria] but...
  
[http://www.californiareport.org/archive/R201401160850/a State Officials Back Away From Outlawing Coyote-Killing Contests] 1/14
+
[https://www.ecowatch.com/states-paris-agreement-2487907526.html 14 States On Track to Meet Paris Targets] [https://www.ecowatch.com/us-climate-alliance-2487955480.html video] 9/17 see [[:Category:Global_Warming|Global Warming]]
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/15/california-drought_n_4605146.html?view=print California Has Driest Year Ever -- And It May Get Worse] 1/14. See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/California California] and [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Water Water].
+
[https://www.ecowatch.com/san-francisco-sue-2487934170.html Bay Area is First Major U.S. City to Sue Fossil Fuel Industry Over Costs of Climate Change] 9/17.
  
[http://www.alternet.org/print/environment/elephants-pushed-toward-extinction-terrorist-groups-bankroll-regimes-ivory-trade Elephants Pushed Toward Extinction as Terrorist Groups Bankrolled With Ivory Trade to US and China] 1/14. see [Elephants].
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/senate-bill-intrastate-species-2490613995.html Senate Bill Aims to Strip Protections From 1,098 Endangered Species Including Utah Prairie Dog, Florida Panther] 9/17 see [[:Category:Wildlife|Wildlife]].
  
[http://www.alternet.org/print/labor/after-20-years-nafta-thanks-nafta-what-happened-mexican-factory-workers-rosa-moreno NAFTA effect on worker safety] in Mexico.  [http://www.democracynow.org/2014/1/3/nafta_at_20_lori_wallach_on Overall effect] (video) 12/13 [http://www.citizen.org/documents/NAFTA-at-20.pdf 20th anniversary report] (which could have lessons for current TPP).  NAFTA sparked [http://www.democracynow.org/2014/1/3/zapatista_uprising_20_years_later_how Zapatista uprising] in Mexico.
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/prison-locations-environmental-justice-2488013644.html EPA Adds Prison Locations to Its Environmental Justice Mapping Tool] see [[:Category:Environmental_Justice|EJ]].
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/31/climate-change-worse_n_4523828.html?view=print&comm_ref=false Climate Change Worse Than We Thought, Likely To Be 'Catastrophic Rather Than Simply Dangerous'] while our models get better all the time, clouds have been a kind of wild card (skeptics suggest they might help cool), but new research suggests reasons for concern. 12/13.
+
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/earth-enters-sixth-mass-extinction_us_5964f79fe4b03f144e2e0c0f Earth Has Entered Its Sixth Mass Extinction Event, Report Asserts]:
 +
We’re witnessing a “frightening assault on the foundations of human civilization,” the authors say.  Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, biologists from Stanford University and the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México investigated the health of Earth’s vertebrate population and described their findings as “biological annihilation.” 7/16.
  
[http://www.yesmagazine.org/people-power/10-things-that-happened-in-2013 10 Hopeful Things That Happened in 2013]
+
[http://www.alternet.org/animal-rights/critically-endangered-california-condors-oregons-hunters-may-pose-gravest-threat For Critically Endangered California Condors, Oregon's Hunters May Pose the Gravest Threat] 9/17 see [[:Category:Wildlife#Specific_Species|Wildlife]].
  
[http://www.alternet.org/print/environment/13-major-clean-energy-breakthroughs-2013 Big energy breakthroughs of 2013.] see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Energy Energy].
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[https://www.ecowatch.com/renewables-beat-nuclear-2448462807.html Huge Milestone: Renewables Now Provide More Electricity Than Nuclear Power ] 6/17.
  
[http://www.alternet.org/print/environment/45-fossil-fuel-disasters-industry-doesnt-want-you-know-about What A Year: 45 Fossil Fuel Disasters the Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know About] 12/13 see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Fossil_Fuels#Fossil_Fuels Fossil Fools].
+
[http://www.ecowatch.com/glacier-retreat-climate-change-2345873774.html Trump and Pruitt roll back progress on climate] 3/17.
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/13/hole-ozone-layer-recovery-2070_n_4441460.html Hole In Ozone Layer Expected To Make Full Recovery By 2070: NASA] because of international treaty that could be a model for global warming fight 12/13.
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[http://www.ecowatch.com/coral-reef-bleaching-2408656490.html Coral Reefs Generate Half of Earth's Oxygen ... and They Could All Die Off by 2050] see [[:Category:Ocean|Ocean]]. 5/17.
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/12/climate-change-arctic-melting_n_4434053.html?view=print&comm_ref=false Arctic catches a break, but ...] 12/13.
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[http://www.alternet.org/environment/how-supermarket-sales-gimmick-has-become-major-driver-climate-chnge How a Supermarket Sales Gimmick Has Become a Major Driver of Climate Change]: As uneaten food rots in landfills, it releases a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide.
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/03/abrupt-climate-change_n_4378864.html?view=print&comm_ref=false Climate Change's Biggest Threats Are Those We Aren't Ready For: Report].The paper focuses on those impacts due to climate change that can happen most quickly. Among these are the rapid decline in Arctic sea ice that scientists have seen in the last decade and increased extinction pressure on plants and animals caused by the rapidly warming climate. The paper did offer two bits of good news. One, scientists don't believe that climate change is likely to shut down the Atlantic jetstream, a possibility that had been discussed in some scientific research. They also don't believe that large, rapid emissions of methane from ice and Arctic soil will pose a serious threat in the short term, as had been considered previously. 12/13.
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[http://www.ecowatch.com/caterpillar-solve-plastic-problem-2378111186.html This Tiny Caterpillar Could Help Solve the World's Plastic Crisis] 4/17 see  [[Plastic#News.2FArticles|Plastic]] and [[:Category:Sustainability#Inspired_By_Nature_.28Bio-mimicry.29|Bio-remediation]].
  
[http://www.alternet.org/print/environment/ticking-time-bomb-could-cause-such-rapid-global-warming-wed-be-unable-prevent-extinction Methane: the 'Ticking Time Bomb' That Could Cause Such Rapid Global Warming We'd Be Unable to Prevent Extinction] 11/13. or maybe not, see above.
+
[http://www.alternet.org/environment/how-factory-farms-are-pushing-jaguar-extinction How Factory Farms Are Pushing the Jaguar to Extinction] 4/17 see [[:Category:Wildlife#Specific_Species|Wildlife]].
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/22/duke-energy-bird-fine_n_4326596.html?view=print&comm_ref=false Duke Energy Renewables Guilty Plea Nets Big Fine For Bird-Killing Wind Turbines] 11/13.  see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Wind#Birds wind].
+
[http://www.ecowatch.com/mexico-sea-shepherd-vaquita-2349791590.html Mexican Government Stands in Solidarity With Sea Shepherd to Save Nearly Extinct Vaquita] 4/17 see [[:Category:Marine_Mammals#Specific_Species|Dolphins]].
  
[http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/print/341035 Update] on [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/07/super-typhoon-haiyan_n_4232240.html?view=print&comm_ref=false Thousands Flee As Super Typhoon Rages Toward Philippines] global [http://www.sciencefriday.com/segment/11/15/2013/gauging-the-impact-of-climate-change-on-hurricanes.html warming a factor] (audio discussion), 200 mph winds, more to come. 11/13.
+
[http://www.ecowatch.com/seismic-testing-whales-dolphins-2344214359.html Noise Pollution Forces Whales and Dolphins From Their Homes] 4/17 see [[:Category:Marine_Mammals|Marine Mammals]].
  
[http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/11/14/brazil-amazon-destruction/3541703/ Brazil weakens rainforest protection,] losses up 25%. 11/13. see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Forests Forests].
+
[http://www.ecowatch.com/desalination-seawater-drinking-water-2345907880.html Desalination Breakthrough Turns Seawater Into Drinking Water] 4/17.
  
[http://www.alternet.org/print/environment/antibiotics-creating-superbugs-nature How Drugs Given to Humans and Livestock May Be Creating Superbugs in Nature] (salmonella in Costco chicken). see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Food_Safety Food]
+
[http://www.ecowatch.com/wmo-global-warming-report-2323211476.html Planet Enters 'Uncharted Territory'] 3/17. see [[Environmental_Science_and_Skeptical_Challenges|Global Warming]].
  
[http://www.treehugger.com/tag/bees/ Treehugger coverage on bees] includes [http://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/scientists-discover-another-cause-bee-deaths-and-its-really-bad-news.html bad news update] 11/13. see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Bio-diversity#Insects More].
+
[http://www.ecowatch.com/pesticides-un-report-2307662827.html Pesticides Cause 'Catastrophic' Harm to People and Planet, UN Report Says] 3/17 see [[Chemicals|Chemicals]].
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/07/super-typhoon-haiyan_n_4232240.html?view=print&comm_ref=false Thousands Flee As Super Typhoon Rages Toward Philippines] global warming a factor, 200 mph winds, more to come.
+
[http://www.ecowatch.com/fukushima-radiation-robots-2280538279.html Radiation Levels at Fukushima Is So High It Killed Two Robots] but not wild boars! 2/17 see [[:Category:Nuclear|Nuclear]].
  
[http://www.loe.org/shows/segments.html?programID=13-P13-00044&segmentID=1 The US states of California, Oregon, Washington and the Canadian province of British Columbia have signed a pact to reduce carbon dioxide emission]. 11/13.
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[http://www.ecowatch.com/seed-vault-arctic-2280412421.html 50,000 Seeds Deposited to 'Doomsday Vault' Housing World's Largest Collection of Crop Diversity].
  
[http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/11/02/a-closer-look-at-climate-panels-findings-on-global-warming-impacts/?_r=0 A Closer Look at Climate Panel’s Findings on Global Warming Impacts] 11/13. see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Global_Warming Global Warming page]. [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/08/climate-change-chemicals_n_4240450.html?view=print&comm_ref=false impacts on food supply and surprising news on toxins].
+
[[Epistle|Epistle to the Ecotopians]]:  
 +
Ernest Callenbach (1929-2012), author of the classic environmental novel [[Ecotopia|Ecotopia]] among other works, died at 83 on April 16th, leaving behind this document on his computer.  It provides [[Good_News#News_Stories|hope]] and guidance. [[:Category:Systems_Thinking|Joanna Macy]] helps with [http://www.questformeaning.org/quest-article/working-environmental-despair-excerpt/ despair].
  
[http://www.alternet.org/print/environment/will-congress-blow-great-chance-propel-green-jobs Will Congress Blow a Great Chance to Propel Green Jobs?]
+
[https://www.oxfamamerica.org/explore/stories/just-8-people-now-have-the-same-wealth-as-the-poorest-36-billion According to Oxfam’s new report Switzerland, eight men own the same wealth as the 3.6 billion people who make up the poorest half of humanity]: The gap between rich and poor is far greater than had previously been estimated, with big business and the super-rich fueling the inequality crisis by dodging taxes, driving down wages, and using their power to influence politics. 1/17.
The wind industry's robust job growth has been dogged by a boom and bust cycle that parallels the extension and expiration of the Production Tax Credit. see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Wind Wind]
 
  
[http://www.globalpossibilities.org/major-pension-funds-push-fossil-fuel-companies-to-address-how-theyll-deal-with-climate-change/ Major Pension Funds Push Fossil Fuel Companies To Address How They’ll Deal With Climate Change] see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Activism Activism page], 350.org [http://ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Eco-heroes#People Bill McKibben]. 10/13.
+
[http://www.ecowatch.com/nuclear-revival-bleak-2188785870.html Nuclear Revival Looks Bleak as Solar and Wind Costs Continue to Drop] 1/17. see [[:Category:Nuclear|Nukular]].[sic]
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/18/canada-fracking-protests_n_4118301.html?view=print&comm_ref=false Canada Fracking Protests Turn Violent; 40 Arrested After Police Cars Set On Fire] 10/13
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[http://www.ecowatch.com/seismic-airgun-blasting-2182297209.html Obama Denies All Pending Permits for Seismic Airgun Blasting in Atlantic Ocean] see [[:Category:Marine_Mammals|Marine Mammals]].
  
[http://grist.org/news/frackers-are-flushing-radioactive-waste-into-rivers/ Frackers are flushing radioactive waste into rivers] 10/13.
+
[http://www.ecowatch.com/2016-hottest-year-on-record-2176895643.html Scientists Say 2016 Is Hottest Year Ever Recorded] but
  
[http://grist.org/news/for-energy-efficiency-americans-deserve-a-big-thumbs-up/ For energy efficiency, Americans deserve a big thumbs-up]
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[http://www.ecowatch.com/trump-epa-scott-pruitt-2176944176.html If Trump's Nominee Scott Pruitt Is Confirmed, 'EPA Would Stand for Every Polluter's Ally']: Nominating oil state Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to run the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gives lie to Donald Trump's claim that he is serious about protecting the public from pollution. While the president-elect has waffled on climate change, he has been unequivocal about toxics.
By John Upton. America’s population and economy are both growing, yet its energy appetite is falling. That’s because of substantial energy-efficiency gains made in recent decades.  Those gains are helping the country reduce oil imports, save money on power bills, and move toward meeting a goal set by President Obama of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent between 2005 and 2020.  The news is laid out in a Natural Resources Defense Council report cheerily titled America’s (Amazingly) Good Energy News.10/13.
 
  
[https://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/10/05?print Swiss Showing the World How to Take on Pay Inequality A growing movement]. Switzerland is one of Europe's richest countries but does not have a minimum wage law.  But growing public activism over pay inequality since the 2008 financial crisis has already led to two referendum drives on CEO pay.  In March 2013, Swiss voters overwhelmingly passed one of the world's strictest controls on executive pay, forcing public companies to give shareholders a binding vote on compensation. Voters ignored the business lobby's claim that such curbs would undermine the country’s investor-friendly image.  Next month, November 24, a separate proposal to limit monthly executive pay to no more than what the company's lowest-paid staff earn in a year, the so-called 1:12 initiative, faces a popular vote. Now, on Friday, Swiss activists submitted over 130,000 signatures to the Swiss Parliament likely forcing another referendum - this one to create a new law guaranteeing all Swiss nationals a basic income of CHF 2,500 a month ($2,756 US). 10/13.
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[http://www.ecowatch.com/most-read-posts-of-2016-2167037881.html Eco-Watch 20 Most Read Posts of the Year].
  
[http://www.alternet.org/print/food/get-ready-extra-helpings-feces-pus-and-chlorine-your-plate-america-deregulating-its-meat Get Ready for Extra Helpings of Feces, Pus and Chlorine on Your Plate — America is Deregulating Its Meat Industry] 10/13. See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Food_Safety Food Safety].
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[http://www.ecowatch.com/tesla-gigafactory-elon-musk-2180108430.html Tesla Flips Switch on Gigafactory to Accelerate World's Transition to Renewable Energy] :Elon Musk's Tesla and Panasonic have officially kicked off the mass production of lithium-ion battery cells at the massive Gigafactory outside Sparks, Nevada. 1/17. [[Transportation#Electric_Vehicles|Electric Cars]].
  
[http://www.alternet.org/print/environment/15-things-you-should-know-about-major-new-report-climate-science 15 Things You Should Know About the Major New Report on Climate Science] 9/13.  
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[http://www.ecowatch.com/obama-offshore-oil-2158891291.html Eyeing Trump, Obama Bans Arctic Drilling] (also off the East Coast). 12/16. See [[Arctic|Arctic]]. Creates two new national monuments/parks.
  
[http://www.thebraiser.com/pink-slime-beef-school-lunches/ 7 States Resume Buying ‘Pink Slime’ for School Lunches,] Point to Budget Cuts, Nutritional Standards as Culprit. 9/13.  see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Food_Safety Food Safety].
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[http://www.ecowatch.com/navy-dolphins-mexican-porpoises-2178558141.html U.S. Navy-Trained Dolphins to Round Up Nearly Extinct Vaquita in Controversial Plan] 1/17 see [[:Category:Marine_Mammals|Marine Mammals]].
  
[http://www.alternet.org/print/environment/5-things-you-should-know-about-colorados-1000-year-flood-jaw-dropping-photos 5 Things You Should Know About Colorado's '1,000 Year Flood'] (with Jaw-Dropping Photos) 9/13.
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[http://www.globalpossibilities.org/the-staggering-social-and-environmental-costs-of-food-waste/  THE STAGGERING SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS OF FOOD WASTE]: During this season of charitable spirit, holiday meal preparation, and reckless consumer behavior, the amount of food we throw in the trashcan deserves a moment of our attention. Fifty-two million tons of food are wasted by consumers and consumer-facing businesses annually — over 80 percent of all U.S. food waste. Currently, less than 10 percent of that food is recovered by reaching the 1 in 7 Americans without enough to eat.
 +
Food that goes to landfills breaks down in a heap without oxygen, producing methane, a gas with 86 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. These emissions are no small matter. Considered on a national scale, organic matter rotting in landfills accounts for 1/5 of methane emissions. In fact, if global food loss and waste were its own country, it would be the world’s third largest source of greenhouse gases. 12/16 see [[:Category:Solid_Waste|Solid waste]].
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/12/environmental-fracking-bill_n_3916763.html?view=print&comm_ref=false Environmental Groups Bail On California Fracking Bill] 9/13.
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[http://www.ecowatch.com/fracking-california-threatens-water-supply-2147086816.html Fracking California Threatens Water Supplies] see [http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/13/us/reversing-course-epa-says-fracking-can-contaminate-drinking-water.html?_r=0 new EPA report] 12/16 see [[:Category:Fracking|Fracking]].
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/13/climate-change-report-un_n_3918823.html?view=print&comm_ref=false Climate Change Report From UN Introduces Purple Color To Depict Worsening Climate Risks] 9/13.
+
[http://www.alternet.org/environment/huge-win-oceans-and-wildlife-california-phases-out-plastic-bags In Huge Win for Oceans and Wildlife, California Phases Out Plastic Bags] 11/16.
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/10/climate-change-west-nile-spread-mosquitoes_n_3896027.html?view=print&comm_ref=false How Climate Change May Affect West Nile Spread] 9/13.
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[http://www.alternet.org/environment/nestle-and-coca-cola-attempt-block-national-parks-banning-bottled-water-sales Nestlé and Coca-Cola Attempt  to Block National Parks From Banning Bottled Water Sales ] 11/16. see [[Plastic|Plastic]] 11/16.  
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/09/buddhist-monks-snow-leopards_n_3893952.html?view=print&comm_ref=false Buddhist Monks And Snow Leopards Become Surprising Allies] 9/13. See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Wildlife#Specific_Species Wildlife].
+
[http://www.democracynow.org/topics/dakota_access Native people resist Dakota Access pipeline] 9/16. [http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/12/04/dakota-access-pipeline-permit-denied  12/16 UPDATE: WIN!]  [http://www.ecowatch.com/josh-fox-deia-schlosberg-arrest-2044387167.html Reporters arrested]; [http://www.alternet.org/environment/clear-evidence-emerges-outrageous-militarized-police-collaboration-mining-companies military tactics deployed] [http://www.ecowatch.com/dakota-access-pipeline-protest-photos-2068408834.html images],[http://www.ecowatch.com/indigenous-women-dakota-access-pipeline-2069613663.html women leaders] 10/16.  [https://democracynow.org/topics/dakota_access 11/16 update] water cannon with mace sprayed in below freezing temps, fractures from projectile weapons.
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/03/mercury-levels-fish_n_3840699.html?view=print&comm_ref=false Study Links Mercury Levels In Fish To Coal-Fired Power Plants] 9/13.
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[http://www.alternet.org/environment/heres-how-rising-sea-will-remake-coastlines-endangered-us-states-and-drown-much-world Here's How the Rising Sea Will Remake the Coastlines of Endangered U.S. States and Drown Much of the World We Know] see [[Sea_Level_Rise|Sea Level Rise]] 11/16.
  
[http://science.kqed.org/quest/2013/06/21/tesla-unveils-90-second-battery-swap-technology/ Tesla Unveils 90-Second Battery Swap Technology] 8/13.
+
[http://www.alternet.org/environment/extinction-crisis-signals-its-time-change-course New Bio-Diversity report].  11/16 see [[:Category:Bio-diversity|Bio-diversity]].
  
[http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2013/06/climate-change-making-wildfires-worse Yosemite Is Burning...Here's How Climate Change Makes Wildfires Worse] 8/13. [http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2013/08/explained-90-seconds-how-climate-change-fuels-wildfires Explained in 90 Seconds: How Climate Change Fuels Wildfires]: Higher temperatures, prolonged drought, and fire suppression policy combine to make fires worse. video. see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/The_Big_Picture#Fire_.28climate_change_and_wildfires.29 Fire].
+
[http://www.ecowatch.com/wildfires-drought-southeast-2094301912.html Record-Breaking Drought and Wildfires Plague Southeast] 11/16.
  
[http://www.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2013/08/gulf-of-mexico-dead-zone-growth Why This Year's Gulf Dead Zone Is Twice As Big As Last Year's] but smaller than predicted. 8/13. See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Ocean Ocean].
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[http://www.latimes.com/politics/essential/la-pol-ca-essential-politics-updates-gov-jerry-brown-says-californians-1478821311-htmlstory.html Gov. Jerry Brown warns Trump that California won't back down on climate change].  
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/22/sea-turtles-eating-plastic_n_3790853.html?view=print&comm_ref=false Sea Turtles Eating Plastic At Record Rates Amid Surge In Pollution] 8/13.
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[http://www.desmogblog.com/2016/08/18/california-s-climate-policies-good-gold-state-s-economy According to the analysis from Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) analysis, CA AB 32 and related climate policies have pumped some $48 billion into the state economy over the past decade while helping create about 500,000 jobs.]Assembly Bill 32, also known as AB 32 or the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, requires California to reduce climate-cooking greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 — which meant cutting emissions about 25 percent from where they were at in 2006, when AB 32 was passed by the California State Legislature and signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.  see [[California|CA]].
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/20/california-whale-protections_n_3785686.html?view=print&comm_ref=false California Whale Protections Suggestions Rejected By U.S. Navy ]8/13
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[https://webbrain.com/brainpage/brain/E212D5AA-EEF5-535C-9D0D-27920B094E45#-3486 Iceland's] [http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-iceland-election-20161030-story.html Upstart Pirate Party makes waves in election] ally of Green, while the election didn't bring a Pirate revolution, it did see the emergence of new parties, a decline in support for traditional ones, and a record number of seats for [[Women|women]] — 30 out of 63. Crowdsouncing its constitution. 10/16.
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/06/fox-news-climate-change_n_3714802.html?view=print&comm_ref=false Fox News' Climate Change Coverage Could Increase Viewers' Skepticism, New Study Finds] See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Plastic Plastic].
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[http://www.alternet.org/food/big-ag-asked-congress-taxpayers-fund-public-education-about-gmos The biotech industry has failed to deliver on its promises for GMO crops.] The NYT article followed less than a month after the biotech industry asked congressional leaders for $3 million in taxpayer-provided funding to “educate” the public about biotechnology and agricultural production. see [[:Category:Genetically_Modified_Organisms|GMO's]]. 11/16.
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/06/record-arctic-ice-melt_n_3715226.html?view=print&comm_ref=false Records For Arctic Ice Melt, Greenhouse Gas Emissions In 2012 As World Continues To Warm: Report ] 8/13.
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[http://www.alternet.org/environment/superstorm-sandys-surge-was-extreme-it-could-become-new-normal Superstorm Sandy’s Surge Was Extreme, but It Could Become the New Normal]:
 +
[[:Category:Global_Warming|Climate change]] means Sandy-level flooding could could occur once every 23 years—as opposed to once every 400. 10/16.
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/03/obama-executive-order-wildlife-trafficking_n_3536536.html?view=print&comm_ref=false Obama's Executive Order To Combat Wildlife Trafficking Lauded By Conservation Groups] 7/13 see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Wildlife#News_Articles Wildlife]
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[http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2016/10/31/Two-billion-children-worldwide-affected-by-air-pollution-UNICEF-study-says/8321477925237/ Two billion children worldwide affected by air pollution, UNICEF study says]
 +
A report released Monday said one in seven children lives in areas of high air pollution. see [[:Category:Air|Air]].
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/03/climate-change-study-wmo_n_3539545.html?view=print&comm_ref=falseClimate Change Study From World Meteorological Organization Reveals Unprecedented Extremes Since 2001] 7/13
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[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/06/first-mammal-extinct-climate-change-bramble-cay-melomys/ First mammal lost].
  
 +
[http://www.globalpossibilities.org/the-west-coasts-largest-estuary-is-being-starved-of-water/ THE WEST COAST’S LARGEST ESTUARY IS BEING STARVED OF WATER] 10/16 see [[:Category:Water#California|CA Water]].
  
{{Event|Here’s how the world can get on track with climate goals  | 6/11| ...During U.N. climate negotiations held in Copenhagen in 2009, most of the world agreed to aim for a post-Industrial Revolution temperature rise of no more than 2 degrees Celsius. But if the world keeps traveling along its current path, the International Energy Agency warns in a new report that long-term average temperature increases of between 3.6 and 5.3 degrees C are more likely.
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[http://www.alternet.org/environment/germany-wants-ban-fossil-fuel-powered-cars The upper house of Germany’s parliament, passed a resolution on Monday that calls for the elimination of vehicles powered by gasoline and diesel engines by 2030]. 10/16  Germany has led because of the Green Party inspired by [[Ecotopia|Ecotopia.]]
  
Climate negotiations are underway to agree on a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, which could help stem the tide of rising emissions. But no new agreement is expected to come into force until 2020 — and who knows if it would even be strong enough to make a difference... But in its new report, the IEA outlines four strategies that countries could pursue during the next seven years to help spare us the “royally fucked” scenario of skyrocketing temperatures — all at zero net economic cost.
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[http://www.alternet.org/books/climate-change-biggest-threat-national-security Global Warming ripple effects by Michael Mann] see [[:Category:Global_Warming|Global Warming]] 10/16.
  
“Despite the insufficiency of global action to date, limiting the global temperature rise to 2 °C remains still technically feasible, though it is extremely challenging,” states the report, titled “Redrawing the Energy-Climate Map.”[http://grist.org/news/heres-how-the-world-can-get-on-track-with-climate-goals/ More]}}
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[http://www.alternet.org/environment/climate-impacts-double-us-forest-fires  Climate Impacts Double U.S. Forest Fires]. See [[The_Big_Picture#Fire_.28climate_change_and_wildfires.29|Fire]] and [[:Category:Forests|Forests]].
  
 +
[http://www.ecowatch.com/hurricane-matthew-flooding-factory-farms-2045975366.html Billions of Gallons of Animal Waste From Factory Farms Poses Health Risks in Wake of Hurricane Matthew] see climate change and [[:Category:Food|Food]] and [[:Category:Water|Water]] 10/16.
  
{{Event|Bee-killing pesticide companies are pretending to save bees | 6/12|
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[http://www.desmogblog.com/2016/07/28/color-pollution-how-environmental-contamination-targets-people-color The Color of Pollution: How Environmental Contamination Targets People of Color] With about 42,000 active wells, Kern County, California is home to three-quarters of California's oil drilling and 95 percent of the state’s hydraulic fracturing (fracking) activity. This mainly rural region is the largest oil-producing county in the U.S. The influence of oil and gas is so great here that in late 2015 the county board of supervisors approved a new ordinance to allow drilling permits for tens of thousands of new wells to be fast tracked. Time span for the new ordinance? Two decades. Ongoing environmental review? None. Public participation? Not allowed. see [[:Category:Environmental_Justice|Environmental Justice]].
By John Upton
 
  
Even as bees drop dead around the world after sucking down pesticide-laced nectar, pesticide makers are touting their investments in bee research.
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[http://www.ecowatch.com/seaworld-corky-orca-killer-whale-2038076445.html Protesters Demand SeaWorld 'Send Corky Home' ] 10/16 see [[:Category:Marine_Mammals#Specific_Species|Whales]].
Nearly a third of commercial honeybee colonies in U.S. were wiped out last year, for a complicated array of reasons, scientists say: disease, stress, poor nutrition, mite infestations, and — yes — pesticides. Neonicotinoid pesticides seem to be particularly damaging to bees, so much so that the European Union is moving to ban them (but the U.S. is not).
 
  
Now the two main manufacturers of neonicotinoids, Bayer CropScience and Syngenta, are promoting their commitments to bee health, as is agro-giant Monsanto. From a feature story in the St. Louis Post Dispatch:
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[http://www.ecowatch.com/algae-blooms-climate-change-2017383600.html Toxic Algae Blooms Set Historic Records From Coast to Coast] UCSC has experts 9/16. see [[:Category:Ocean]].
Monsanto Co., which two years ago bought an Israeli bee research company, hosts an industry conference on bee health at its headquarters in Creve Coeur this month. Bayer CropScience is building a 5,500-square-foot “bee health center” in North Carolina, and with fellow chemical giant, Syngenta, has developed a “comprehensive action plan” for bee health. [http://grist.org/news/bee-killing-pesticide-companies-are-pretending-to-save-bees/ More]}}
 
  
 +
[http://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change-tipping-point-2014030487.html Earth Could Reach Critical Climate Threshold in a Decade, Scientists Warn] see [[:Category:Global_Warming|Global Warming]].
  
{{Event|San Onofre nuclear power plant to be closed permanently  | 6/7|
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[http://news.ucsc.edu/2016/09/cool-schools.html UC Santa Cruz among greenest universities in Sierra Club ranking] 8/16.
Southern California Edison announced Friday it is permanently shutting down the troubled San Onofre nuclear plant, ending the region's four-decade venture into nuclear energy production. The decision caps a 16-month debate about San Onofre's future but leaves the utility and state regulators grappling with who will ultimately pay more than $1 billion in costs.
 
  
One key question is whether Edison's ratepayers will see their bills increase as a result of either the shutdown or the need to purchase more expensive imported electricity to make up for what was lost from San Onofre. Edison cited the mounting costs of the outage as the driving reason for retiring the plant.
+
[http://www.ecowatch.com/nestle-bottled-water-drought-2012310851.html Nestlé Can Keep Piping Water Out of Drought-Stricken California Despite Permit Expiring in 1988] 9/16 see [[:Category:Water#News|Water]].
  
The decision to close the plant for good means state officials must now move ahead with plans for a long-term energy future without the facility that once supplied power to about 1.4 million homes. The shutdown also means that 1,100 workers at the plant will lose their jobs.  The San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station has been closed for more than a year after a tube in its newly replaced steam generator system leaked a small amount of radioactive steam into the atmosphere. [http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jun/07/local/la-me-0608-san-onofre-20130608 More]}}
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[http://www.ecowatch.com/wild-salmon-climate-change-2011395747.html World's Biggest Sockeye Run Shut Down as Wild Pacific Salmon Fight for Survival] 9/16.  See [[Overfishing|Fishing]].
  
 +
[http://www.ecowatch.com/joined-paris-climate-agreement-2011335413.html 60 Countries Representing 48% of Emissions Have Officially Joined Paris Climate Agreement] 9/16.
  
{{Event|California, Illinois lawmakers welcome frackers| 6/5|Lawmakers rolled out red carpets for frackers last week in California and Illinois.  California’s Assembly rejected, by a 37-24 vote, AB 1323, which would have imposed a moratorium on fracking until state regulators issue environmental and safety guidelines. Apparently the rush to cash in on oil and gas deposits just cannot wait for such trivial matters. “Let’s unleash this magnificent potential for jobs,” Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R) said, according to the AP. Related: Climate change a death knell for most Californian [http://grist.org/news/climate-change-a-death-knell-for-most-californian-fish/ fish]
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[http://www.ecowatch.com/north-america-birds-2006600969.html 1.5 Billion Birds Lost in North America Since 1970s] see [[:Category:Wildlife#Specific_Species|Wildlife]].
[http://grist.org/news/california-illinois-lawmakers-welcome-frackers/ More]. see [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Fracking Fracking].}}
 
  
 +
[http://www.ecowatch.com/bayer-syngenta-honeybees-2012410286.html Greenpeace Investigation Uncovers Studies Showing Neo-nic Pesticides Pose Serious Harm to Honeybees] 9/16. see [[:Category:Bio-diversity#Insects|Bees]] (thanks Sabra)
  
{{Event|Native People and British Columbia stop big tar-sands pipeline | 6/3|The Canadian province of British Columbia has come out in formal opposition to a plan for a massive pipeline system that would carry bitumen from Alberta's tar-sands fields to a coastal port, pointing out the significant dangers of oil spills. But we're not talking about the Keystone XL pipeline here.  We're talking about Enbridge's Northern Gateway project, a pair of pipelines proposed to carry tar-sands oil west across B.C. to a port in the town of Kitimat -- effectively a backup system in case America rejects Keystone XL. A new shipping terminal in Kitimat would feed oil onto ships headed for Asia.[http://grist.org/news/british-columbia-opposes-big-tar-sands-pipeline/ More]}}  [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Native_Americans#News See Native People] page.
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[http://www.ecowatch.com/ocean-warming-climate-change-1998229846.html Ocean Warming Is 'Greatest Hidden Challenge of Our Generation'] 8/16 see [[:Category:Global_Warming|Global Warming ]] and [[:Category:Ocean|Ocean]].
  
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[http://www.ecowatch.com/paul-allen-elephant-census-1993894628.html Paul Allen's 'Great Elephant Census' Shows Catastrophic Decline in Africa] 8/16 see [[:Category:Wildlife#Specific_Species|Wildlife]].
  
{{Event|Illegal Monsanto GMO wheat found in Oregon  | 6/1|A farmer in Oregon found a patch of wheat growing like a weed where it wasn’t expected, so the farmer sprayed it with the herbicide Roundup. Surprisingly, some of the wheat survived.  The startled farmer sent samples of the renegade wheat to a laboratory, which confirmed something that should have been impossible: The wheat was a genetically engineered variety that had never been approved to be grown in the U.S., nor anywhere else in the world.  [http://grist.org/news/connecticut-will-label-gmos-if-you-do-too/ Connecticut] has passed the 1st GMO labelling bill (CA got punked by 46 million in agribiz negative ads at the last minute), and the current farm bill will be key in terms of GMO's, food justice and even climate change, so [http://www.hungercoalition.org/policy-center/farm-bill-2012 get on it]).[http://grist.org/news/illegal-monsanto-gmo-wheat-found-in-oregon/ More]}}[http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Genetically_Modified_Organisms GMO's] page
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[http://www.globalpossibilities.org/obamas-new-so-called-gmo-labeling-law-is-a-gift-to-industry/ Obama’s New So-Called GMO “Labeling” Law Is a Gift to Industry] 8/16 see [[:Category:Genetically_Modified_Organisms|GMO's]].
  
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[http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/05/21/1527027/-The-Transportation-Roundup-Hype-r-loop Hype(r)loop], Elon Musk mass transit concept [http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/l-a-to-san-francisco-by-train-in-30-minutes-a-pipe-dream-indeed/ PBS video]. 5/16.  See [[Transportation#Mass_Transit|Transit]].
  
{{Event|U.S. Climate Change Plan Would Let All Countries Set Their Own Goals, Gains Grudging Support At UN Talks  | 5/10| [http://grist.org/news/america-wants-kyoto-protocol-replaced-with-peer-pressure-campaign/ More]}} Related: Artic plan schizophenic [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/14/us-arctic-policy_n_3274566.html?view=print&comm_ref=false more]
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[http://ecowatch.com/2016/06/08/norway-bans-deforestation/ Norway Becomes World’s First Country to Ban Deforestation] see [[:Category:Forests|Forests]].
  
 +
[http://ecowatch.com/2016/06/03/u-s-bans-ivory-trade/ Huge News for Elephants: U.S. Bans Ivory Trade] two rare baby rhinos born 6/16 see [[:Category:Wildlife#Specific_Species|Elephants]].
  
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[http://ecowatch.com/2016/05/19/edible-six-pack-ring/ First Ever 100% Edible Six-Pack Ring Feeds Marine Animals Instead of Killing Them] 5/16
  
{{Event|Shell to drill world’s deepest offshore oil well in Gulf of Mexico | 5/10|
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[http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/05/20/1527153/-Daily-Bucket-when-good-forests-go-bad-an-obituary-for-California-oak-trees when good forests go bad - an obituary for California oak trees]: Related to a disease that caused the 1840’s potato famine in Ireland, sudden oak death (SOD) was first noticed in Marin County in 2000 when residents asked for help with tanoak trees that suddenly died. Tanoaks are crooked trees with porous wood grain and unsuitable for timber, unprofitable so their deaths didn’t receive much attention5/16
By John Upton
 
It's getting harder to find the oil needed to fill 'er up.Shutterstock / TupungatoIt's getting harder to find the oil to fill 'er upRoyal Dutch Shell plans to stick its oil-extracting tentacles deeper under the Gulf of Mexico than any oil company ever has.
 
  
Shell is preparing to drill 9,500 feet -- nearly two miles -- beneath the surface of the sea to suck oil out of a reserve that was discovered eight years ago, 200 miles southeast of New Orleans. The deepest oil well currently in operation, at 8,000 feet deep, is operated nearby in the Gulf, also by Shell.  The quest for deeper wells reflects advancing technology and increasing desperation as shallower reserves dry up [http://grist.org/news/new-record-for-shell-worlds-deepest-oil-well-planned-for-gulf-of-mexico/ More]}}
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[http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/05/20/1528745/-1-000-000-000-Birds-Just-Gone 1,000,000,000 Birds - Just Gone] ; [http://www.audubon.org/news/report-climate-change-threatens-most-worlds-bird-species Audubon on climate].
  
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[https://www.newscientist.com/article/2087440-a-fifth-of-all-plants-threatened-as-habitats-shrink-worldwide/ A fifth of all plants threatened as habitats shrink worldwide] 5/16 see [[:Category:Wildlife|Bio-diversity]].
  
{{Event|Atmospheric CO2 Concentrations Surpass 400 PPM Milestone | 5/10|
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[http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/environment/2016/03/18/agency-proposes-5-year-nestle-bottled-water-permit/81968534/ For 28 years, the U.S. Forest Service allowed Nestlé to pump water out of the San Bernardino National Forest] under an expired permit, virtually free of charge, for bottled water.  
Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide surpassed a notable milestone this week.  They reached a daily average above 400 parts per million, reported NOAA, for the first time in human history.
 
  
The milestone, hit on May 9, may be symbolic, notes Climate Central, but manmade CO2 emissions from the burning of fossil fuels continue to rise, bringing greater atmospheric warming and exacerbating the effects of climate change. Scientists argue we've loaded the "climate dice" in favor of more weather anomalies and extreme heat waves.
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[http://ecowatch.com/2016/04/09/endangered-species-threatened-pesticides/ 97% of Endangered Species Threatened by 3 Common Pesticides] 4/16.
  
Research also shows that continued emissions of long-lived greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide will mean "largely irreversible" climate change for 1,000 years even after we curtail emissions. "The last time we're confident that CO2 was sustained at these levels is more than 10 million years ago, during the middle of the Miocene period," climate scientist Michael Mann told The Huffington Post in an email. "This was a time when global temperatures were substantially warmer than today, and there was very little ice around anywhere on the planet."
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[http://ecowatch.com/2016/04/11/wwf-dicaprio-tiger-numbers-grow/ WWF and Leonardo DiCaprio: Wild Tiger Populations Increase for First Time in 100 Years] 4/16 see [[:Category:Wildlife#Specific_Species|Big Cats]].
  
Readings are taken at the NOAA-operated Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii and form part of the Keeling Curve -- a continuous record of CO2 measurements dating back to 1958. Bubbles found inside Antarctic ice core samples provide a longer record of CO2 in the air for the past 800,000 years.
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[http://grist.org/news/say-goodbye-to-major-cities-if-these-scientists-are-right-about-antarcticas-collapsing-ice/ Say goodbye to major cities if these scientists are right about Antarctica’s collapsing ice] 4/16 see [[Sea_Level_Rise|Sea Level Rise]].
  
CO2 measurements surpassed 400 ppm in the Arctic last summer, but the readings from Hawaii mark the first time prolonged levels above 400 ppm have been observed at more moderate latitudes.
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[http://ecowatch.com/2016/03/16/who-deaths-environmental-factors/ 1 in 4 Deaths Worldwide Caused by Preventable Environmental Factors] 3/16.
  
Global carbon dioxide levels fluctuate over the course of the year, reaching an annual peak in May. LiveScience explains that the cycle reveals how trees and vegetation remove more CO2 from the air during the summer, until the annual minimum is reached in October.
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[http://ecowatch.com/2016/03/15/obama-offshore-drilling-plan/ Offshore oil drilling limited].
  
"Take this day and the milestone it represents to reflect on the fragility of our civilization and and the planetary ecosystem on which it depends," Al Gore urged on Friday. "We must take immediate action to solve this crisis. Not tomorrow, not next week, not next year. Now."
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In honor of  fifth anniversary of the Fukushima disaster [http://ecowatch.com/2016/03/11/nuclear-power-plants-map/ Interactive Map Details What You Need to Know About the World’s Nuclear Power Plants] see [[:Category:Nuclear|Nuclear Power]].
  
[http://400.350.org/ 350.org] founder Bill McKibben said in a statement emailed to HuffPost, "The only question now is whether the relentless rise in carbon can be matched by a relentless rise in the activism necessary to stop it." Related:  and [http://grist.org/news/joe-biden-opposes-keystone-xl-pipeline-maybe-sorta/ XL update]}}
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[http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2016/02/flint-lead-poisoning-america-toxic-crisis Lead poisoning] in [https://webbrain.com/brainpage/brain/E212D5AA-EEF5-535C-9D0D-27920B094E45#-5660 Flint Michigan] because [https://webbrain.com/brainpage/brain/E212D5AA-EEF5-535C-9D0D-27920B094E45#-6441 Koch] backed governor takes over the city, [https://webbrain.com/brainpage/brain/E212D5AA-EEF5-535C-9D0D-27920B094E45#-3068 undermining democracy].
 
  
{{Event|ExxonMobil’s tar-sands pipeline leaks again| 4/20|
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[http://ecowatch.com/2016/02/11/california-gov-brown-doesnt-want-you-to-know/ CA irrigating our crops with benzene and arsenic laden wastewater] left over from fracking 1/16 see [[:Category:Environmental_Justice|Environmental Justice]].
By John Upton
 
  
ExxonMobil’s 1940s-era Pegasus pipeline has been shut down since it ruptured more than a month ago in the Arkansas town of Mayflower, spilling tar-sands oil and making a big mess. But the company is legendary when it comes to spilling oil, and it wasn’t going to let a little pipeline shutdown hold back its oil-spilling ways.  The very same pipeline that blackened Mayflower has leaked oil into a yard and killed plants in Doniphan, Mo., some 170 miles northeast of Mayflower. Co claims it's part of new great distribution strategy [http://www.treehugger.com/culture/comedy-video-skewers-exxon-over-mayflower-arkansas-oil-spill.html link] Update:  [http://insideclimatenews.org/slideshow/exxon-arkansas-oil-spill-photographs-maps SlideShow] of Annotated Photographs and Maps
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[http://ecowatch.com/2015/12/24/climate-news-2015/ 15 Big Climate News Stories of 2015].
  
[http://grist.org/news/oil-spills-from-exxonmobils-disabled-pegasus-line/ More]}}
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[http://ecowatch.com/2016/01/29/brockovich-colbert-flint-water-crisis/ Erin Brockovich to Stephen Colbert]: ‘Flint, Michigan Is the Tip of the Iceberg’ Lead poisoning.
  
 +
[http://ecowatch.com/2016/01/20/more-plastic-than-fish-in-ocean More plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050], warned the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in a report, The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking the Future of Plastics 1/16.
  
{{Event|U.S. Climate Change Plan Would Let All Countries Set Their Own Goals, Gains Grudging Support At UN Talks | 5/2|
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[http://grist.org/climate-energy/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-paris-climate-agreement/ We have a climate deal] in Paris COP21!  Yes Oui Can! [http://grist.org/climate-energy/activists-on-the-street-have-the-last-word-in-paris/ Activists take the streets] despite ban after attacks to [http://grist.org/climate-energy/world-leaders-adopt-1-5-c-goal-and-were-damn-well-going-to-hold-them-to-it/ push for accountability and improvements][http://grist.org/climate-energy/check-out-these-9-climate-art-projects-that-are-wowing-people-in-paris/ Activist art] see [[Multimedia#Art|Art]].  [http://ecowatch.com/2015/12/17/fraudulent-science-cop21 Soil can take CO2 out of atmosphere].
  
By Environment Correspondent Alister Doyle
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[http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/obama-rejects-keystone-xl-pipeline-victory-environmental-activists Obama Rejects Keystone XL Pipeline in Victory for Environmental Activists] whoohoo!
  
BONN, Germany, May 2 (Reuters) - A U.S.-led plan to let all countries set their own goals for fighting climate change is gaining grudging support at U.N. talks, even though the current level of pledges is far too low to limit rising temperatures substantially.
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[http://www.alternet.org/environment/cancer-study-concludes-environment-not-bad-luck-mainly-blame-cancer Study Concludes That Environment, Not Bad Luck, Is Mainly to Blame for Cancer]. see [[Chemicals|Chemicals]].
  
The approach, being discussed this week at 160-nation talks in Bonn, Germany, would mean abandoning the blueprint of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which set central goals for industrialised countries to cut emissions by 2012 and then let each work out national implementation.
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[http://ecowatch.com/2015/12/15/shrimp-peeled-by-slaves/ Supermarkets Selling Shrimp Peeled by Slaves] 12/15 see [[Labor|Labor]].
  
Attempts to agree a successor to Kyoto have foundered above all on a failure to agree on the contribution that developing countries should make to curbing the industrial emissions responsible for global warming - greenhouse gases. The next ministerial conference to try to reach a deal is scheduled for Paris in 2015.  The United States, recently overtaken by China as the world's biggest carbon polluter, never ratified Kyoto because it set no binding emissions cuts for rapidly growing economies such as China and India.  President Barack Obama's administration now says each nation should define its "contribution" to a new U.N. accord - a weaker word than past U.S. demands for national "commitments".  
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[http://grist.org/food/antibiotic-use-went-up-last-year-should-we-be-freaking-out/ Antibiotic use went up last year. Should we be freaking out?] 12/15. See [[:Category:Food#Specific_Foods|Food]].
  
 +
[http://time.com/4155365/china-red-alert-smog/ China Issues ‘Red Alert’ Over Devastating Air Pollution] so [http://ecowatch.com/2015/12/19/china-buys-air-from-canada/ 4,000 Bottles of Fresh Air Shipped to China,] Company Struggling to Keep Up With Demand.  [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k22ejJ_fvc video on effects]. see [[:Category:Air|Air]] and [[China|China]].
  
A BIG 'BUT'
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[http://ecowatch.com/2015/11/09/monsanto-mexican-court-gmos Monsanto Handed ‘Double Whammy’ by Mexican Courts Over Planting GMOs] also GMO salmon approved for sale, see below. see [[:Category:Genetically_Modified_Organisms|GMO's]].
  
Elliot Diringer, executive director of a Washington-based think-tank, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, said there was "a growing acceptance of nationally defined approaches, with a big 'But'".
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[http://www.globalpossibilities.org/the-most-brazen-corporate-power-grab-in-american-history/ The Trans-Pacific Partnership]—a trade and investment agreement involving 12 countries comprising nearly 40 percent of global output—confirms what even its most apocalyptic critics feared in terms of labor and environmental law.  See [[:Category:Economics|Economics]]. 11/15.
  
Trigg Talley, head of the U.S. delegation, noted that the agreement "will need to be applicable to all".
+
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/11/10/climate-change-extreme-poverty/ Climate Change Poised to Push 100 Million Into ‘Extreme Poverty’ by 2030] see also [[The_Grapes_of_Wrath#Migration|Migration]].
  
And even if all countries agree to participate, all sides say the initial national promises will be insufficient to rein in greenhouse gases, which are rising by about 3 percent a year even though economic growth is weak in many regions.
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[http://ecowatch.com/2015/11/13/snowpack-decline-climate-change/ 2 Billion People to Face Water Shortages as Snowpack Declines] 11/15 see [[:Category:Water|Water]].
  
Under the U.S. plan, contributions might be submitted 6 months before the Paris summit, giving some time for a non-binding review to strengthen plans. The pact is due to enter into force from 2020.
+
[http://www.alternet.org/food/new-gmo-free-zone-will-protect-traditional-farmers-colorado New GMO-Free Zone Will Protect Traditional Farmers in Colorado]:
 +
The zone will help traditional and organic farmers avoid the risk of transgenic contamination from nearby GE crops, particularly GE corn. 11/15.
  
Christiana Figueres, head of the U.N. Climate Change Secretariat, said it was already clear that promised emissions cuts would fall short of the level needed to prevent the global temperature rising more than 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial times.
+
[http://www.alternet.org/food/fda-approves-aquabountys-genetically-engineered-salmon-despite-widespread-opposition FDA Approves AquaBounty’s Genetically Engineered Salmon Despite Widespread Opposition]; [http://ecowatch.com/2015/11/20/fda-sued-gmo-salmon/ good analysis/background] see [[:Category:Genetically_Modified_Organisms|GMO's]].
  
Temperatures are already up by about 0.8 degree C (1.4F).
+
[http://www.alternet.org/environment/pesticide-exposure-linked-abnormal-sperm Pesticide Exposure Linked to Abnormal Sperm] 11/15. See EJ and [[Chemicals|Chemicals]].
  
"The challenge for the 2015 agreement is precisely to bridge that gap," she said. "The process is not on track with respect to the demands of science."
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[http://ecowatch.com/2015/11/11/national-parks-fail-ozone-standard/ 26 National Parks Fail EPA’s New Ozone Standard] 11/15. See [[:Category:Air|Air]].
  
International scientists say it is highly likely that high levels of greenhouse gases are already changing the climate and that it is at least 90 percent probable that human activities are the main cause. In Geneva, the World Meteorological Organization said on Thursday that 2012 was the ninth warmest year since records began in the 19th century. Among extremes, Arctic sea ice shrank to a record low and Superstorm Sandy battered the United States.
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[http://www.alternet.org/krugman-theres-darkness-spreading-over-our-society A new paper by two economists, "showing that mortality among middle-aged white Americans has been rising] since 1999 [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/09/opinion/despair-american-style.html?_r=0 analysis]. 10/15
  
 +
[http://www.alternet.org/environment/indoor-air-pollution-negatively-impact-human-cognition Being Inside Is Making Us Stupid: How Indoor Air Pollution ] Impacts the Function of Our Brains see [[:Category:Air|Air]]. 10/15.
  
NEGOTIATING DANCE
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[http://www.latimes.com/local/education/la-me-ln-uc-coal-20150909-story.html UC sells off $200 million in coal and oil sands investments] whoohoo! [http://www.fossilfreeuc.org/campuses/fossil-free-ucsc FossilFree UC]: UC Santa Cruz became an active campaign in 2012. Since then we passed a resolution through the student senate and had the Board of Trustees agree to write a letter in support of the campaign to urge the Reagents to divest. Currently, the Fossil Free Campaign at UC Santa Cruz is working to build support among stakeholders within the student body, faculty, and alumni organizations. We aim to collaborate with other campaigns and our community to keep the pressure on to divest from a future of dirty energy. If you want to get involved, or just learn more, feel free to contact aphinney@ucsc.edu.
  
Many emerging nations are still holding out in Bonn for binding common targets, especially for rich countries. But securing a bigger role by the United States might mean accepting a relatively weak accord in 2015.
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[http://insideclimatenews.org/news/29102015/warming-waters-have-thwarted-efforts-save-cod Rapidly Warming Waters Have Thwarted Efforts to Save the Cod] 10/15. See [[:Category:Global_Warming|Global Warming]].
  
Jennifer Morgan of the World Resources Institute think-tank said the negotiation process was a "dance""People want to make sure the United States is in, but many are deeply worried about what that may mean," she said.
+
[[:Category:Marine_Mammals#Specific_Species|Whales:]] [http://ecowatch.com/2015/10/09/california-ban-captive-breeding-seaworld/ Orcas]: The California Coastal Commission has approved a $100 million plan to to double the size of SeaWorld San Diego’s orca tanks but there was one major condition: No more captive breedingBut [http://ecowatch.com/2015/10/29/algal-blooms-whale-die-off dead zones] and plastic plague them.  
  
The United States and China did agree last month to work more closely together on climate change, saying they hoped it would inspire action by others. Many delegates welcomed the plan, but said the two emitters have not led in the past.}} [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/02/us-climate-change-plan-goals_n_3200831.html?view=print&comm_ref=false More]
+
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/09/28/shell-abandons-arctic-drilling-2 Shell Abandons Arctic Drilling Following ‘Disappointing’ Results] whoohoo! 9/15. Obama pause 2 years.
  
 +
[http://www.alternet.org/food/epas-new-pesticide-protections-are-game-changer-americas-farm-workers 6 Things to Know About the EPA’s New Pesticide Rules]
 +
For the first time since 1992, the EPA has updated rules governing the use of pesticides, which will protect the more than 2 million workers who produce America's food. 10/15
  
{{Event| 2012 Was Ninth-Hottest Year Since 1850, 'Worrisome Sign' Of Climate Change, UN's Weather Agency Says | 5/2|
+
[http://www.alternet.org/environment/us-china-climate-announcements-5-things-you-need-know China progress on climate].
  
GENEVA (AP) — The World Meteorological Organization says last year was the ninth-warmest since record-keeping began in 1850, despite the cooling effect of the weather pattern called La Nina. The U.N.'s weather agency says this marks the 27th year in a row the global average temperature — 58 degrees Fahrenheit (14.45 degrees Celsius) in 2012 — surpassed the 1961-1990 average.
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[http://www.alternet.org/environment/bottled-water-americas-destructive-love-affair Nestlé bottled water] is tapping springs in the San Bernardino National Forest in southern California using a permit that expired 27 years ago... company’s CEO Tim Brown "... In fact, if I could increase it, I would.” 9/15.
  
WMO said in annual climate report Thursday the years from 2001 to 2012 were all among the top 13 warmest on record — the hottest being 2010, when the average temperature was 58.2 degrees F (14.6 degrees C).  WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud says "sustained warming of the lower atmosphere is a worrisome sign" of global warming despite La Nina, which is the flip side of El Nino and generally cools the oceans globally.}}
+
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/09/08/california-senate-microbeads California Senate Passes Nation’s Strictest Ban on Microbeads] 9/15 see [[Plastic|Plastic]].
  
 +
[http://www.alternet.org/environment/citi-report-slowing-global-warming-would-save-tens-trillions-dollars Citbank (America’s third-largest bank), recently published a report looking at the economic costs and benefits of a low-carbon future]. ..because of savings due to reduced fuel costs and increased energy efficiency, the Action scenario is actually a bit cheaper than the Inaction scenario. 9/15
  
{{Event|Solar panels could destroy U.S. utilities, according to U.S. utilities | 4/20|
+
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/08/23/worlds-oceans-in-peril/?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=6debe1783b-Top_News_8_24_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-6debe1783b-85920373 The world’s oceans on which much of human life depends are under severe pressure, a new report says]. Overfishing has dramatically reduced fish stocks. The thousands of tonnes of rubbish dumped in the oceans wreak havoc on marine life, while climate change is warming and acidifying them, putting them under further stress.
  
Solar power and other distributed renewable energy technologies could lay waste to U.S. power utilities and burn the utility business model, which has remained virtually unchanged for a century, to the ground. That is not wild-eyed hippie talk. It is the assessment of the utilities themselves. [http://grist.org/climate-energy/solar-panels-could-destroy-u-s-utilities-according-to-u-s-utilities/ More]}}
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[http://www.globalpossibilities.org/new-monsanto-spray-kills-bugs-by-messing-with-their-genes/ NEW MONSANTO SPRAY KILLS BUGS BY MESSING WITH THEIR GENES] 8/15.
  
 +
[http://www.alternet.org/environment/amazing-new-process-treats-wastewater-captures-carbon-and-producing-renewable-energy Amazing New Process Treats Wastewater, Captures Carbon and Makes Renewable Energy]:
 +
An electrochemical reaction that absorbs more CO2 than it releases while creating renewable energy could transform emission-heavy industries. 8/15.
  
{{Event|Meat Safety | 4/20| 87 percent of supermarket meat — including beef, pork, chicken, and turkey products — tests positive for normal and antibiotic-resistant forms of Enterococcus bacteria.
+
[http://www.ewg.org/research/california-s-toxic-fracking-fluid-chemical-recipe “California’s Toxic Fracking Fluids: The Chemical Recipe.”] see [[:Category:Fracking|Fracking]] 8/15.
[http://grist.org/food/buggin-out/ More]}}
 
  
 +
[http://www.alternet.org/environment/activists-score-victory-effort-stop-government-killing-millions-animals Activists Score Victory in Effort to Stop the Government Killing of Millions of Animals] see [[:Category:Wildlife|Wildlofe]]. 8/15.
  
{{Event|A River of Tar Sands Crude Floods an Arkansas Town  | 4/19| 20 homes were evacuated as the result of a major blowout along ExxonMobil’s Pegasus pipeline, which pushes up to 90,000 barrels of heavy Canadian tar sands crude from terminals in Illinois to refineries in Texas. Officials estimate the spill released more than 200,000 gallons of the thick tar sands oil from  Alberta, Canada—referred to by Exxon as Wabasca Heavy crude but considered tar sands by authorities in Canada. The carbon-rich oil is mixed with chemical additives called diluents to flow though pipelines.}} [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rocky-kistner/a-river-of-tar-sands-crud_b_3115998.html?view=print&comm_ref=false More]
+
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/08/13/deadly-heat-waves-sweep-globe/ Deadly Heat Waves Sweep the Globe] 8/15 see [[Environmental_Science_and_Skeptical_Challenges|Climate]].
  
 +
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/08/12/japan-restarts-nuclear-reactor Japan Restarts First Nuclear Reactor Since Fukushima Disaster, Protests Erupt] 8/15, see [[:Category:Nuclear#News|Nuclear Power]].
  
{{Event|Monsanto Announces $1.48 Billion Profit Amid 'Monsanto Protection Act' Controversy  | 3/18|Monsanto says its net income increased 22 percent in the second quarter on strong sales of its biotech seeds.
+
[http://www.ewg.org/research/rethinking-carcinogens?inlist=Y EWG’s latest analysis, “Rethinking Carcinogens],” takes a close look at new research on chemical exposures and cancer conducted by the Halifax Project, which involves hundreds of cancer researchers and scientists from around the globe.  The findings of the Halifax Project add to long overlooked evidence that combinations of chemicals may cause cancer.One in three Americans will be diagnosed with cancer, yet nearly half of all cancers are preventable. Along with genetics, diet, lifestyle and viruses, exposures to toxic chemicals clearly contribute to this epidemic. 8/15 see [[Chemicals|Chemicals]].
  
The agricultural products company boosted its full-year earnings guidance, citing its strong performance in the first two quarters.
+
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/07/14/china-chicken-export-import-deal What’s the Beef with the U.S./China Chicken Deal?] 7/15. See [[Food_Safety#News_on_Meat_Industry|Food]].
  
The news of the profit boost comes as critics slam lawmakers for including in legislation a provision, dubbed the "Monsanto Protection Act," that would shield the company from lawsuits over health risks related to genetically modified seeds, according to CBS News.
+
[http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/long-legal-fight-bp-agrees-largest-environmental-settlement-u-s-history/ BP Gulf oil spill legal settlement] (PBS video) and [http://www.propublica.org/article/bp-accidents-past-and-present update on causes]. 7/15.
  
Critics claim the provision would put the company and other similar firms above the law by eliminating officials' ability to block the sale of the seeds even if they prove dangerous to consumers, according to CBS.
+
[http://www.alternet.org/environment/california-finds-several-negative-impacts-fracking-approves-offshore-frack-jobs-anyway California Finds Several Negative Impacts of Fracking, Approves Offshore Frack Jobs Anyway]. 7/15
  
The St. Louis company says it earned $1.48 billion, or $2.74 per share in the three months ended Feb. 13. That compares to earnings of $1.21 billion, or $2.24 per share, a year ago.
+
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/07/02/coal-no-longer-king/ Coal is no longer king in America.] That’s the latest findings from the U.S. Energy Information Administration; it lost its number one spot as the nation’s top electricity source for the first time on record this April. See  [[Fossil_Fuels#Coal|Fossil Fuels]] 7/15.
  
Revenue climbed 15 percent to $5.47 billion.
+
[http://grist.org/news/the-u-n-surprises-everyone-with-a-breakthrough-deal-to-slow-deforestation/ Some progress at G-7 on climate] and [[:Category:Forests|forests]]. 6/15.
  
Analysts polled by FactSet expected Monsanto to report earnings of $2.56 per share on sales of $5.27 billion in revenue for the quarter.
+
[http://grist.org/climate-energy/this-is-crazy-but-we-actually-have-good-news-about-climate-change/ This is crazy, but we actually have good news about climate change] 6/15 see [[China#Articles|China]].
  
Monsanto has dominated the bioengineered-seed business for more than a decade. In recent years the company has focused on growing business in emerging markets like Argentina, Brazil and other Latin American countries.}}
+
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/03/23/monsanto-roundup-glyphosate-cancer/ Monsanto’s Roundup — Most Popular Weed Killer in U.S. — ‘Probably’ Causes Cancer, WHO Report Says] see [[:Category:Genetically_Modified_Organisms|GMO's]] 3/15.
  
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/03/monsanto-profit_n_3006157.html?view=print&comm_ref=false More]
+
[http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2015/03/02/study_climate_change_helped_spark_syrian_civil_war.html New Study Says Climate Change Helped Spark Syrian Civil War] (and thus ISIS?) [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/03/science/earth/study-links-syria-conflict-to-drought-caused-by-climate-change.html?_r=0 NYT] see [[:Category:Global_Warming|Global Warming]].
  
 +
[https://www.nasa.gov/press/2015/february/nasa-study-finds-carbon-emissions-could-dramatically-increase-risk-of-us U.S. 'Megadroughts' Are Likely Later This Century, Study Finds] 2/15.
  
{{Event|Whole Foods will grow rooftop greens in a Superfund site | 4/2|
+
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/13/world-ocean-plastic-trash_n_6674182.html  World's Oceans Clogged By Millions Of Tons Of Plastic Trash] scientists estimating that a staggering 8 million metric tones of plastic pollution enter the oceans each year from the world's 192 coastal countries based on 2010 data. Based on rising waste levels, they estimated that more than 9 million tons would end up in the oceans in 2015. 2/15
By Sarah Laskow
 
  
The Whole Food site in Gowanus, Brooklyn, doesn't look like much yet. Actually, in general, Gowanus doesn't look like much these days -- it's a once-industrial neighborhood that's increasingly being taken over by pickling factories and music studios. You can walk whole blocks without passing by much except maybe a coffin wholesaler, and then hit upon a corner where there's a pie place, a barbecue joint, and a home-brew shop.
+
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/02/11/nas-geoengineering-not-answer-to-climate-change/ National Academy of Sciences Says Geoengineering Is Not the Answer to Climate Change] 2/15. See [[Plastic|Plastic]].
  
It also smells bad, fairly often. Because this is where the Gowanus Canal is, and that’s still a Superfund site. The city's sewage system still dumps overflow into it during storms. It is actually possible, if you're lucky, to see poop float by.
+
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/02/06/divestment-movement-heats-up Norway first country to divest] 2/15. See [[Europe#Scandanavia|Scandanavia]].
  
So, here comes Whole Foods, a company that likes to talk about being local and green, and on top of its new, big store here, it's going to build a rooftop farm. A 20,000-square-foot rooftop farm.[http://grist.org/list/whole-foods-will-grow-rooftop-greens-in-a-superfund-site/ More]}}
+
Top Green stories of 2014 includes [http://www.kgw.com/news/local/southern-oregon/oregon-wolf-or-7-now-has-n-california-grandkids/454627083 Wolf OR7 has three pups in Oregon] which will be safe from hunters if they wander in CA; also one in Grand Canyonsee [[:Category:Wildlife#Specific_Species|Wolves]].  
 
+
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/01/06/market-breakthroughs-2014 9 Big Market Breakthroughs of 2014].
 
 
{{Event|Gene discovery could breed veggies for a warmer planet  | 4/2|
 
By Susie Cagle
 
 
 
The nearly $2 billion lettuce industries of California and Arizona are likely to get mighty wilted as temperatures in those hot states continue to rise. But science is here to save the day -- with GMOs.
 
 
 
A research team with USDA and National Science Foundation funding has identified a lettuce gene and enzyme that make the plants stop germinating when it's too hot -- so now scientists hope to tweak those lettuces to grow even when they naturally wouldn't. Currently growers have to cool soil and seeds with extra cool water, at great expense. The study, published in the journal The Planet Cell, was a collaboration between scientists at India's Ranga Agricultural University, the University of California at Davis, and scientists from Arcadia Biosciences. [http://grist.org/news/gene-discovery-could-breed-veggies-for-a-warmer-planet/ more]}}  See also [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Genetically_Modified_Organisms GMO's]
 
 
 
 
 
{{Event|An urban farming oasis is saved from the bulldozer blade  | 3/26|
 
By Laura Onstot
 
 
 
There is one thing no gardener wants to hear: “Don’t plant this spring.” But that’s the word Angela Stanbery-Ebner received in February while plotting out the year’s crops at her garden in urban Cincinnati. No tomatoes this year, no chard, no selling at the farmers market, no community-supported agriculture operation run by neighborhood youth for low-income families.
 
 
 
Stanbery-Ebner’s garden, known as the Eco Garden, isn’t your standard backyard fare. It’s an agricultural oasis in a Cincinnati neighborhood better known for its crime than its heirloom carrots. Unfortunately for the Eco Garden, it doesn’t own the land on which it sits, the city does. This year, as part of its initiative to encourage urban development — known as CitiRama — the city started eyeing it for housing.
 
 
 
When the gardeners got the news, “we were basically devastated,” Stanbery-Ebner says. Out went the emails, an online petition, and calls to the city council in an effort to save one of the most vibrant corners of a rough-around-the-edges neighborhood. [http://grist.org/people/in-cincinnati-urban-farmers-stand-their-ground/ more]}}
 
 
 
{{Event|EPA sued over failure to protect bees from pesticides    | 3/26|The battle for the bees is headed to court.  Beekeepers and activist groups, fed up with the wanton use of insecticides that kill bees and other pollinators, filed a federal lawsuit Thursday. They are suing to try to force the EPA to ban or better regulate neonicotinoids and other pesticides that kill bees and butterflies and lead to colony collapse disorder.
 
 
 
From a press release put out by the Center for Food Safety, one of the plaintiffs in the case:
 
 
 
“Beekeepers and environmental and consumer groups have demonstrated time and time again over the last several years that EPA needs to protect bees. The agency has refused, so we’ve been compelled to sue,” said Center for Food Safety attorney, Peter T. Jenkins. “EPA’s unlawful actions should convince the Court to suspend the approvals for clothianidin and thiamethoxam products until those violations are resolved.” [http://grist.org/news/epa-sued-over-failure-to-protect-bees-from-pesticides/ More]}}
 
 
 
{{Event|Dean Kamen's Slingshot Aims To Bring Fresh Water To The World  | 3/26|
 
A recent invention called the Slingshot could provide freshwater to those with some of the most limited access. Inventor Dean Kamen, best known as the man behind the Segway, has partnered with Coca-Cola to place his machines throughout developing nations in Africa and Central America in hopes of eliminating the millions of deaths each year related to waterborne disease.
 
 
 
More than 783 million people don't have access to clean water and 37 percent don't have access to sanitation facilities, facts highlighted by the UN during World Water Day last week.  The device can take any form of potentially contaminated liquid and distill it into something safe to drink -- by evaporating the water and then condensing the steam, leaving pathogens behind. Kamen even joked in a 2008 interview with Steven Colbert that the Slingshot could sanitize a 50-gallon drum of urine. [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/25/dean-kamen-slingshot-inventor_n_2951354.html More]}}
 
 
 
{{Event|Summer rains in Southwest arriving late because of climate change  | 3/18|
 
As if the parched Southwestern U.S. didn't have enough problems already, here's another one.  The quenching storms that take the edge off the scorching heat near parts of the U.S.-Mexico border during the hottest months are arriving later than they used to. New research indicates that climate change could push their arrival back nearly until the fall by the end of the century.
 
 
 
That's because it's becoming more difficult for rain-forming clouds to materialize until the atmosphere becomes saturated later in the summer season, when the skies finally explode in rainstorms over parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and northwestern Mexico.
 
 
 
The fallout from a substantially delayed monsoon season, which is predicted in a new study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research, could include crop failures and increasingly uncomfortable summers.}}[http://grist.org/news/summer-rains-in-southwest-arriving-late-because-of-climate-change/ More] See also [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Global_Warming Global Warming]
 
 
 
 
 
{{Event| Whole Foods, Trader Joe's And Others Vow Not To Sell GMO Fish  | 3/21|
 
If it gets final approval from the Food and Drug Administration, the salmon would be the first genetically engineered animal to enter this country's human food supply. The United States already is the world's largest market for foods made with genetically altered plant ingredientsAquaBounty says its "AquAdvantage Salmon" can grow to market size in half the time of conventional salmon, saving time and resources. The fish is essentially Atlantic salmon with a Pacific salmon gene for faster growth and a gene from the eel-like ocean pout that promotes year-round growth.
 
 
 
Critics say such genetically modified products are not sufficiently tested for safety, carry allergy risks and should be labeled. Proponents disagree and say the products are safe.}}
 
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/20/genetically-modified-seafood_n_2912684.html?view=print&comm_ref=false More]  See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Genetically_Modified_Organisms GMO's]
 
 
 
 
 
{{Event|Green Job Growth Outpaced All Other Industries 2010-2011  | 3/21|
 
For people looking to put their finances in the black, a new report suggests they may be wise to look green.
 
 
 
That's according to a report released Tuesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics that breaks down employment in green goods and services through 2011. As first pointed out by the LA Times, the report shows "green jobs" growing from 2010 through 2011 at a rate 4 times faster than all other industries combined.
 
 
 
The BLS defines green jobs as those that produce goods or services "that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources," or jobs "in which workers' duties involve making their establishment's production processes more environmentally friendly or use fewer natural resources."
 
 
 
As of 2011, green jobs accounted for 2.6 percent of all jobs in the economy, for a total just north of 3.4 million jobs. Construction lead the charge in the private sector, with an employment increase from 7.0 to 8.9 percent (slightly more than 100,000 jobs) between 2010 and 2011. }}[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/20/green-job-growth-2010-2011_n_2915737.html?view=print&comm_ref=false More] See [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Category:Economics Economics]
 
 
 
 
 
{{Event|Frankenfoods hitch a ride through Congress | 3/18|Remember that one time? In Congress? When an anonymous group of House Republicans tried and failed to sneak a rider into the farm bill that would have exempted agribusiness from liability for biotech crops and all but eliminated the government’s power to regulate them? Good times.
 
 
 
Well, the implosion of the farm bill did nothing to stop Monsanto, Syngenta, DuPont, et al’s quest to insulate themselves from lawsuits. Maybe it has something to do with the rise of superweeds and superbugs resistant to their products and the fact that commodity farmers are just maybe starting to take a hard look at the costs versus the benefits of the current and coming crop of genetically modified seeds. Or perhaps it’s simply a desire to complete their dominance of U.S. agriculture.
 
 
 
Whatever the reason, the so-called “Monsanto rider” is back, this time thanks to an anonymous senator, or group of senators, who have attached it to the must-pass “Continuing Resolution” that will keep the government operating as of March 27. Let me just say that when it comes to Congress — which is chockablock with men and women desperate for media attention — whenever you hear the word “anonymous” attached to anything, you know you there’s something sketchy going on. [http://grist.org/food/frankenfoods-hitch-a-ride-through-congress-but-you-can-help-stop-them/ More]}}
 
 
 
 
 
{{Event|A Green Pope?  | 3/18| VATICAN CITY, March 19 (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Tuesday issued a strong appeal for the protection of the environment and the defence of the weakest members of society, urging the world to shun, "the omens of destruction and death".
 
 
 
"It means respecting each of God's creatures and respecting the environment in which we live. It means protecting people, showing loving concern for each and every person, especially children, the elderly, those in need, who are often the last we think about," he said in the homily of his inaugural Mass.
 
 
 
Francis, the former Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina, took his name in honour of St. Francis of Assisi, a symbol of poverty, charity and love of nature. (Reporting By Philip Pullella and Catherine Hornby)}}
 
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/19/pope-francis-environment_n_2905800.html?view=print&comm_ref=false More]
 
 
 
 
 
{{Event|Storm Surge Risk Amplified By Climate Change, Study Finds  | 3/15|
 
 
 
Global warming has already doubled the risk of Hurricane Katrina-magnitude storm surges in the U.S., according to a new study published Monday.  The study, which was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, estimates that for every 1.8°F increase in global average surface temperatures, there could be a two-fold to seven-fold increase in the risk of Katrina-magnitude surge events.  The latest climate projections call for the globe to warm by between 3.2°F and 7.2°F by 2100, depending on future greenhouse gas emissions and the precise sensitivity of the climate system to such pollutants.}} [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/18/storm-surge-risk_n_2902823.html?view=print&comm_ref=false more]
 
 
 
 
 
{{Event|Extreme weather and GMO crops devastate monarch butterfly migration  | 3/15|
 
It's not so much the butterfly effect as the butterfly affected: We knew monarchs had it bad as of late, but there was some hope for their winter migration -- until scientists conducted a census.  In just two years, the annual migration of North American monarch butterflies has declined by 59 percent, and scientists are blaming extreme weather and "changed farming practices," according to the New York Times. In other words, monster storms and monster Monsanto. [http://grist.org/news/extreme-weather-and-gmo-crops-devastate-monarch-butterfly-migration/]}}
 
 
 
 
 
{{Event|U.N. to poor people: Sorry, pollution and warming will hit you hardest  | 3/15|
 
By Susie Cagle
 
 
 
It's that time of year again. You're enjoying unseasonably warm weather / digging out from under an unexpected snow storm, looking forward to a summer full of invasive mosquitos, and oh, what's this? Why, it's another U.N. Human Development Report with terrible news about the planet!  The report celebrates advances in developing countries, improved conditions for the poor, and the "dramatic rebalancing of economic power" worldwide, i.e. the rise of Brazil, China, and India to crush Western white people. But it warns all that could be lost with climate change, deforestation, and air and water pollution. As usual, and as noted in past U.N. reports, the poor have the most to lose. [http://grist.org/news/u-n-to-poor-people-sorry-pollution-and-warming-will-hit-you-hardest/ More]}}
 
 
 
 
 
{{Event|Wind power is poised to kick nuclear’s ass  | 3/15|In 2012, wind energy became the fastest-growing source of new electricity generation in the U.S., providing 42 percent of new generation capacity, according to the American Wind Energy Association.  Wind power is becoming so cheap and so commonplace that it appears poised to help blow up the country's nuclear power sector, according to a recent Bloomberg article (which you really should read in full). [http://grist.org/news/wind-power-is-poised-to-kick-nuclears-ass/ More]}}
 
 
 
 
 
{{Event|Calories make you fat, but sugary calories make you fat and diabetic  | 3/11|  Two new books out this week on sugar and processed foods. Related: NYC [http://grist.org/news/nyc-judge-throws-out-bloombergs-big-sugar-drink-ban/ judge] throws out Bloomberg’s big sugar drink ban [http://www.democracynow.org/2013/3/1/salt_sugar_fat_ny_times_reporter more]}}
 
  
[http://grist.org/news/calories-make-you-fat-but-sugary-calories-make-you-fat-and-diabetic/ More] See also [http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Food_Safety Food]
+
[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/22/doomsday-clock-climate-change_n_6527714.html Scientists Warn We're Ever-Closer To The Apocalypse], see [[:Category:Global_Warming|Global Warming]].
  
 +
[http://ecowatch.com/2015/01/16/2104-hottest-year-on-record Update] 1/15 [http://www.alternet.org/environment/2014-likely-hottest-year-record-ocean-temps-spike 2014 Will Likely Be The Hottest Year on Record, Ocean Temps Spike].  High sea temperatures contributed to exceptionally heavy rainfall and floods in many countries and extreme drought in others. see [[:Category:Global_Warming|Global Warming]].
  
[http://www.ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/News_Archive Older Stories]
+
[http://ecowatch.us7.list-manage.com/track/click

Latest revision as of 16:40, 12 January 2020

Here are items that are of current, local or special interest. Submissions welcome (send to mailto:pmmckerc@ucsc.edu). Updates will be infrequent during the summer so see also Other green news sources, New and Cool, and Good News


Current News

Welcome to 2020: 8 Important Environmental Stories to Follow This Year 1/20.

'No Other President Has Had the Gall': Environmental Groups Balk as Trump Proposes Major Rollback of Infrastructure Review Process 1/20.

World’s Emissions Gap Is Growing, with No Sign of Peaking Soon, UN Warns 11/19.

Study Links Short-Term Air Pollution Exposure to Hospitalizations for Growing List of Health Problems: The Harvard researchers focused on a tiny, troublesome air pollutant that comes primarily from vehicles, power plants and wildfires. 11/19 see Air.

China Ramps Up Coal Power Again, Despite Pressure to Cut Emissions 11/19 see China and Global Warming.

U.S. Annually Uses 388 Million Pounds of Potentially Fatal Pesticides Banned in the EU, China and Brazil 12/19. see Chemicals and Food Safety.

Giant Floating Solar Farms Could Make Fuel and Help Solve the Climate Crisis, Says Study 11/19 see Bio-Fuels and Solar.

Planting Billions of Trees Is the 'Best Climate Change Solution Available Today,' Study Finds from Eco-Watch 11/19 see Forests and Global Warming.

Thousands of scientists warn of ‘untold human suffering’ as they declare climate emergency see also excellent charts 11/19 see Global Warming.

The University of California Is Dumping Fossil Fuel Investments Whoohoo, huge win! Students were key, Fossil Free UC. To see why see Bill McKibben, who pioneered divestment with 7 of his college students who created 350.org.

Nail salon workers suffer chemical exposures that can be like working at a garage or a refinery 11/19 see see chemicals and Environmental Justice.

Rising levels of tiny particle air pollution across the US killed an additional 9,700 people in 2018 than in 2016, say researchers in a newly published study. Their analysis points to three likely reasons why, reports Vox: expanding economic activity, wildfires, and lax enforcement of clean air regulations going back to 2013. 11/19 see Air.

California wildfires signal the arrival of a planetary fire age 11/19 see Wildfires.

CDC: The number of Americans dying from antibiotic-resistant ‘superbugs’ vastly underestimated 11/19 see Food Safety.

Ocean cleanup device successfully collects plastic for first time 10/19 see Plastic.

‘Horrifying’ new research shows rising sea levels could wipe out major cities and displace 150 million people by 2050 10/19 see Sea Level Rise.

Meet The Electric Car That Doesn't Need To Be Plugged In 9/19 see Hydrogen power.

New report details 10 ‘critical transitions’ to tackle the climate crisis and feed the world UCSC agro-ecology work is key. 9/19

UN climate report on oceans and frozen regions warns: ‘Unprecedented transitions in all aspects of society’ needed to sustain life on Earth, related 9/19. see also Global Warming.

What’s Worrying the Plastics Industry? Your Reaction to All That Waste, for One 6/19

We Were Missing Most of the Plastic in the Ocean: The highest levels of microplastics are found more than 650 feet below the surface. UC San Diego research video 6/19 see Plastic.

Just how big is India's 'Mount Everest of Trash'? The Ghazipur dump keeps growing and growing every year, catching fire and leaching toxins into the ground. What can be done about it? 6/19 see Solid Waste and India.

U.N. Report: 1 Million Species at Risk of Extinction especially mammals and insects 5/19 see Bio-diversity.

Historic Agreement on Plastic Pollution Reached by 180+ Countries Without the U.S. 5/19 see Plastic.

“A Message from the Future with AOC”: New Film Imagines World Transformed by the Green New Deal video 4/19.

Greta Thunberg—Swedish Teen who Inspired School Climate Strikes—Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize 3/19 see Eco-Heroes.

Researchers Warn Arctic Has Entered 'Unprecedented State' That Threatens Global Climate Stability 4/19 see Global Warming.

Wolves ‘Established’ in Netherlands for First Time in 140 Years 4/19 see Woves.

'Most Destructive Pathogen Ever' Has Created Zombie-Like Apocalypse for World's Amphibians 3/19 see Amphibians.

‘Plastic Is Lethal’: Groundbreaking Report Reveals Health Risks at Every Stage in Plastics Life Cycle but EU Parliament Bans Plastics Responsible for 70% of Ocean Trash 3/19 see Plastic.

8 Must-Watch Environmental Documentaries to Kick Off Your Summer 6/19 see Environmental Films.

Tesla’s $35,000 Electric Car Is Finally Here 2/19 see Electric Vehicles. but Trump and Big Oil Want to Pull the Plug on the Electric Car Market.

Vaquita Still Doomed Without Further Disruption of Totoaba Cartels 3/19 see Marine Mammals.

Border Wall Threatens 93 Endangered Species 2/19 see Wildlife.

EPA Adopts Fringe Science Claim That Small Doses of Pollution Are Healthy 2/19 see Chemicals.

Victory: A state court judge today upheld protection for gray wolves under the California Endangered Species Act 1/19 see Wolves.

Marine Mammals and Turtles Protected by the Endangered Species Act Are Bouncing Back 1/19 see Marine Mammals.

Pentagon: Climate Change Is Real and a 'National Security Issue' 1/19.

Poachers Ambush Sea Shepherd Vessel Protecting Nearly Extinct Vaquita 1/19 see Dolphins. The environmental organization Sea Shepherd Conservation Society says its crew was attacked Wednesday by roughly 35 fishing boats inside a vaquita refuge in Mexico's Gulf of California. Sea Shepherd released a video showing fishermen shouting, hurling objects and trying to foul the propellors of the M/V Farley Mowat, a Sea Shepherd vessel used in campaigns against illegal fisheries activities.

The Anthropocene—Coming Soon to a Theater (and Museum, and Bookshelf) Near You 12/18 see Anthropocene.

Ocean Conservation Expert Carl Safina on the Tuna That Sold for $3 Million 1/19 see overfishing.

'Voice of the forest': George the snail, last of his kind, dies at age 14 Climate change and invasive predators have taken a heavy toll on native animals and insects in the Hawaiian Islands 1/19 see Bio-diversity.

Greenland Melting Is ‘Off the Charts’ 12/18 see Sea Level Rise.

'Brutal news': global carbon emissions jump to all-time high in 2018: Rapid cuts needed to protect billions of people from rising emissions due to increase in use of cars and coal 12/18 see Global Warming.

The 'great dying': rapid warming caused largest extinction event ever, report says: Up to 96% of all marine species and more than two-thirds of terrestrial species perished 252m years ago.

Scallops Absorb Billions of Microplastics in Just 6 Hours, Corona Becomes First Big Beer Brand to Trial Plastic-Free Rings 12/18 see Plastic.

The Insect Apocalypse Is Here What does it mean for the rest of life on Earth? 11/18 see Insects.

Iconic Yellowstone Wolf Shot Dead in Legal But 'Senseless Killing' 2/18 see Wolves.

How everything about Thanksgiving as we know it was shaped by the marketing industry 11/18.

Californians are now lab rats for the long-term effects of toxic wildfire smoke As air quality hits hazardous levels in the Bay Area, scientists say we’re descending into unknown territory 11/18 see California and air.

California’s Wildfire and Climate Change Warnings Are Still Too Conservative, Scientist Says: Another hot, dry year is fueling the state’s deadliest, most destructive wildfire. Scientists say wildfires here are consistently surpassing their projections. 11/18 See Fire and California.

90 Belugas, 11 Orcas Trapped in 'Whale Jail' off Russian Coast 11/18 see Whales.

The Oceans Are Heating Up Faster Than Expected: The planet may be more sensitive to warming that previously thought, making climate goals more difficult to meet (original paper) 11/18.

Humanity 'Sleepwalking Towards the Edge of a Cliff': 60% of Earth's Wildlife Wiped Out Since 1970 11/18 see Bio-Diversity.

New Chinese Law a ‘Death Warrant’ for Endangered Rhinos and Tigers: China alarmed animal rights activists around the world Monday when it weakened a 25-year-old ban on the trading of tiger bone and rhinoceros horn.

Planet has only until 2030 to stem catastrophic climate change, experts warn 101/8.

6 Things You Can Do to Avoid Climate Catastrophe 10/18.

Massive Study Finds Eating Organic Slashes Cancer Risks 10/18 see Food.

"Warning Bells Going Off' as NOAA Forecasts Entire Great Barrier Reef at Risk of Coral Bleaching and Death 10/18 see Coral Reefs.

Microplastics Detected in Human Stool Samples for First Time 10/18 see Plastic.

Humans Are Wiping Out Species So Fast That Evolution Can't Keep Up 10/18, see Wildlife.

Trump White House Pushes to Let Minors Spray Brain-Damaging Pesticides on Farms 10/18. See pesticides.

Scientists Warn We May Be on Track for 'Hothouse Earth' 8/18 see Global Warming. Don't say no one gave you a headsup. This is your official wakeup call.

Experts "grossly underestimate" the economic cost of global warming 6/18 see Global Warming.

Tens of Thousands of Species at Risk if Warming Exceeds 1.5°C 5/18 see Global Warming.

One-Third of Protected Areas 'Highly Degraded' By Humans, Study Finds 5/18.

The most effective way to fight climate change is to make a better fridge 5/18 see Global Warming.

In Energy Breakthrough, India Added More Renewable Than Fossil Fuel Capacity for the First Time Last Year: India added more energy capacity from renewable energy sources last year than from conventional sources like coal for the first time, an important breakthrough for a country that struggles with high greenhouse gas emissions and deadly air pollution. See India and Energy.

Proposed GMO Food Labeling Could Leave 100 Million Americans in the Dark see GMO's 5/18.

More Than 40 Companies Sign Onto Historic UK Plastics Pact , a groundbreaking alliance of companies, non-governmental organizations and governments working to transform packaging in the UK by 2025. 4/18 Earth Day focus.

Great Barrier Reef at ‘Unprecedented’ Risk of Collapse After Major Bleaching Event 4/18 but Hope for Great Barrier Reef? New Study Shows Genetic Diversity of Coral Could Extend Our Chance to Save It 4/18.Coral Reefs.

95% of World's Population Breathes Unsafe Air 4/18 see Air.

Slow Motion Ocean: Why Are North Atlantic Currents Weakening? chaotic climate and sea level rise 3/18.

Solar Capacity Exceeded All Other Fuel Sources Combined in 2017, Study Finds In 2017, the world invested more in solar power than it did in any other energy technology and installed more new solar capacity than all other energy sources combined, including fossil fuels 3/18 see Solar.

Another 333 Minke Whales Killed by Japanese Fleet 3/18 see Marine Mammals.

Proposed Rule Change Would Be 'Death Sentence' for Nearly 300 Species, Activists Warn 3/18 see Wildlife.

The Trump Administration Might Let the World’s Rarest Marine Mammal Go Extinct 3/18 see Marine Mammals.

Robot-Proof: As co-authors Morton Schapiro and Gary Saul Morson argue in their new book, "Cents and Sensibility," an education in humanities may provide the greatest form of job security in an increasingly automated world. see Future History.

Ocean Plastic Projected to Triple Within Seven Years 3/18 see Plastic.

Earth's Intact Forests Are Invaluable, and in Danger 3/18.

The Most Powerful Evidence Climate Scientists Have of Global Warming: The oceans hold the story of a planet warming as fossil fuels are burned. Here is what scientists have discovered, in four charts. 2/18 see Global Warming.

How Crushed Volcanic Rock in Farm Soil Could Help Slow Global Warming — and Boost Crops: A new study explores how planet-warming carbon dioxide could be absorbed using ‘enhanced rock weathering,’ a natural process sped up to fight climate change.

'Plastic in All Sizes' Found Everywhere in Once Pristine European Arctic 2/18 see Plastic.

Monsanto's Roundup Destroys Healthy Microbes in Humans and in Soils 1/18. see Chemicals and GMO's, as well as Soil.

Two Major Food Companies Announce War on Packaging Waste 1/18 see Solid Waste and Plastic.

This Is What the Planet Would Be Like Without Trees: The Earth is losing a forest area the size of Panama every year 1/18 see Forests.

EPA Rule Change Would Expose Teenagers to Highly Toxic Chemicals 1/18 see Chemicals.

Year in Review, Our Favorite Environmental Journalism of 2017 includes great map, Bombs in your backyard by ProPublica, see also Maps.

Polar Vortex,' 'Winter Storm Grayson' and 'Bombogenesis': What Do They Mean? 1/17 see global warming and Global Weirding.

Oceans Losing Oxygen at Breathtaking Speeds: Ocean dead zones quadrupled in size since 1950, see Meat and Ocean. 1/18.

EPA Under Siege: The New Assault on the U.S. Environmental Protection System 1/18.

Chemicals in America Are Woefully Unregulated: The EPA, FDA and USDA have not been exercising adequate oversight to protect Americans' health. 12/17 see Chemicals.

How Big Business Got Brazil Hooked on Junk Food 12/17 see Food.

10 Ways to Be a Better Environmental Steward in 2018, including food waste. 12/17.

Top 10 Ocean News Stories of 2017 12/17 see Ocean.

14 Notable Climate Influencers of 2017 includes Attenborough who told Greenpeace of the "heartbreaking" footage he recorded of mother birds feeding their babies plastic, an iconic moment for him that pushed him to speak up about plastic pollution in oceans.12/17 See Plastic and Eco-Heroes as well as Climate.

Oil Giants Invest $180B in Plastics, Propelling Oceans Toward 'Near-Permanent' Pollution 12/17 see Plastic.

Chinese City to Become World's First to Switch Entire Bus Fleet to Electric 12/17 see China and Electric Vehicles.

Why Apple Deliberately Slowing Down iPhones Is Harming the Environment 12/17 see E-Waste.

As 'Epic Winds' Drive California Fires, Climate Change Fuels the Risk current fire in SoCal will not be contained till January.12/17 see Fire.

Going From Pump to Plug: How Much Money Can Electric Vehicles Save Drivers? 12/17 see Cars.

Science Suggests We're Making Fish Homicidal Through Antidepressants We Flush Into the Water 12/17 see Water.

Congress Is Preparing to Sacrifice an Entire Whale Species So Fossil Fuel Industry Can Search for Offshore Oil 11/17. see Marine Mammals.

Bad news: Global emissions are on the rise again: A multi-year period of global economic growth and stable carbon emissions, heralded as a potential peak of humanity’s contribution to climate change, is over. Emissions are up again this year by an estimated 1 to 3 percent, now at the highest point in history, according to a new report 11/17. see Global Warming.

Climate Change Is Creating a Global Pest Problem That Will Spread Disease and Threaten Food Production The future could hold less coffee and more Zika. 11/17 see Chemicals.

New Study Confirms High-Pesticide Produce Linked to Lower Fertility Rates 11/17 see Chemicals.

John Kerry is plotting a renewable energy future … starting in Vietnam 11/17.

Whales, Sea Turtles Threatened by Trump Administration Proposal 11/17.

Tyson Foods Linked to the Largest Toxic Dead Zone in U.S. History America's largest meat producer must clean up its act. 10/17 see Meat and Ocean.

Air Pollution Kills 9 Million, Costs $5 Trillion Per Year 10/17. see Air.

North Atlantic Right Whale Population Dips Below 450 After 'Deadliest Year' Since Whaling Era 10/17. see Marine Mammals.

New Report Predicts Climate Change Could Cost U.S. $360 Billion Per Year 9/17 see Global Warming

Nicaragua to Sign Paris Agreement, Leaving Trump Alone With Syria but...

14 States On Track to Meet Paris Targets video 9/17 see Global Warming

Bay Area is First Major U.S. City to Sue Fossil Fuel Industry Over Costs of Climate Change 9/17.

Senate Bill Aims to Strip Protections From 1,098 Endangered Species Including Utah Prairie Dog, Florida Panther 9/17 see Wildlife.

EPA Adds Prison Locations to Its Environmental Justice Mapping Tool see EJ.

Earth Has Entered Its Sixth Mass Extinction Event, Report Asserts: We’re witnessing a “frightening assault on the foundations of human civilization,” the authors say. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, biologists from Stanford University and the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México investigated the health of Earth’s vertebrate population and described their findings as “biological annihilation.” 7/16.

For Critically Endangered California Condors, Oregon's Hunters May Pose the Gravest Threat 9/17 see Wildlife.

Huge Milestone: Renewables Now Provide More Electricity Than Nuclear Power 6/17.

Trump and Pruitt roll back progress on climate 3/17.

Coral Reefs Generate Half of Earth's Oxygen ... and They Could All Die Off by 2050 see Ocean. 5/17.

How a Supermarket Sales Gimmick Has Become a Major Driver of Climate Change: As uneaten food rots in landfills, it releases a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide.

This Tiny Caterpillar Could Help Solve the World's Plastic Crisis 4/17 see Plastic and Bio-remediation.

How Factory Farms Are Pushing the Jaguar to Extinction 4/17 see Wildlife.

Mexican Government Stands in Solidarity With Sea Shepherd to Save Nearly Extinct Vaquita 4/17 see Dolphins.

Noise Pollution Forces Whales and Dolphins From Their Homes 4/17 see Marine Mammals.

Desalination Breakthrough Turns Seawater Into Drinking Water 4/17.

Planet Enters 'Uncharted Territory' 3/17. see Global Warming.

Pesticides Cause 'Catastrophic' Harm to People and Planet, UN Report Says 3/17 see Chemicals.

Radiation Levels at Fukushima Is So High It Killed Two Robots but not wild boars! 2/17 see Nuclear.

50,000 Seeds Deposited to 'Doomsday Vault' Housing World's Largest Collection of Crop Diversity.

Epistle to the Ecotopians: Ernest Callenbach (1929-2012), author of the classic environmental novel Ecotopia among other works, died at 83 on April 16th, leaving behind this document on his computer. It provides hope and guidance. Joanna Macy helps with despair.

According to Oxfam’s new report Switzerland, eight men own the same wealth as the 3.6 billion people who make up the poorest half of humanity: The gap between rich and poor is far greater than had previously been estimated, with big business and the super-rich fueling the inequality crisis by dodging taxes, driving down wages, and using their power to influence politics. 1/17.

Nuclear Revival Looks Bleak as Solar and Wind Costs Continue to Drop 1/17. see Nukular.[sic]

Obama Denies All Pending Permits for Seismic Airgun Blasting in Atlantic Ocean see Marine Mammals.

Scientists Say 2016 Is Hottest Year Ever Recorded but

If Trump's Nominee Scott Pruitt Is Confirmed, 'EPA Would Stand for Every Polluter's Ally': Nominating oil state Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to run the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gives lie to Donald Trump's claim that he is serious about protecting the public from pollution. While the president-elect has waffled on climate change, he has been unequivocal about toxics.

Eco-Watch 20 Most Read Posts of the Year.

Tesla Flips Switch on Gigafactory to Accelerate World's Transition to Renewable Energy :Elon Musk's Tesla and Panasonic have officially kicked off the mass production of lithium-ion battery cells at the massive Gigafactory outside Sparks, Nevada. 1/17. Electric Cars.

Eyeing Trump, Obama Bans Arctic Drilling (also off the East Coast). 12/16. See Arctic. Creates two new national monuments/parks.

U.S. Navy-Trained Dolphins to Round Up Nearly Extinct Vaquita in Controversial Plan 1/17 see Marine Mammals.

THE STAGGERING SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS OF FOOD WASTE: During this season of charitable spirit, holiday meal preparation, and reckless consumer behavior, the amount of food we throw in the trashcan deserves a moment of our attention. Fifty-two million tons of food are wasted by consumers and consumer-facing businesses annually — over 80 percent of all U.S. food waste. Currently, less than 10 percent of that food is recovered by reaching the 1 in 7 Americans without enough to eat. Food that goes to landfills breaks down in a heap without oxygen, producing methane, a gas with 86 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. These emissions are no small matter. Considered on a national scale, organic matter rotting in landfills accounts for 1/5 of methane emissions. In fact, if global food loss and waste were its own country, it would be the world’s third largest source of greenhouse gases. 12/16 see Solid waste.

Fracking California Threatens Water Supplies see new EPA report 12/16 see Fracking.

In Huge Win for Oceans and Wildlife, California Phases Out Plastic Bags 11/16.

Nestlé and Coca-Cola Attempt to Block National Parks From Banning Bottled Water Sales 11/16. see Plastic 11/16.

Native people resist Dakota Access pipeline 9/16. 12/16 UPDATE: WIN! Reporters arrested; military tactics deployed images,women leaders 10/16. 11/16 update water cannon with mace sprayed in below freezing temps, fractures from projectile weapons.

Here's How the Rising Sea Will Remake the Coastlines of Endangered U.S. States and Drown Much of the World We Know see Sea Level Rise 11/16.

New Bio-Diversity report. 11/16 see Bio-diversity.

Record-Breaking Drought and Wildfires Plague Southeast 11/16.

Gov. Jerry Brown warns Trump that California won't back down on climate change.

According to the analysis from Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) analysis, CA AB 32 and related climate policies have pumped some $48 billion into the state economy over the past decade while helping create about 500,000 jobs.Assembly Bill 32, also known as AB 32 or the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, requires California to reduce climate-cooking greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 — which meant cutting emissions about 25 percent from where they were at in 2006, when AB 32 was passed by the California State Legislature and signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. see CA.

Iceland's Upstart Pirate Party makes waves in election ally of Green, while the election didn't bring a Pirate revolution, it did see the emergence of new parties, a decline in support for traditional ones, and a record number of seats for women — 30 out of 63. Crowdsouncing its constitution. 10/16.

The biotech industry has failed to deliver on its promises for GMO crops. The NYT article followed less than a month after the biotech industry asked congressional leaders for $3 million in taxpayer-provided funding to “educate” the public about biotechnology and agricultural production. see GMO's. 11/16.

Superstorm Sandy’s Surge Was Extreme, but It Could Become the New Normal: Climate change means Sandy-level flooding could could occur once every 23 years—as opposed to once every 400. 10/16.

Two billion children worldwide affected by air pollution, UNICEF study says A report released Monday said one in seven children lives in areas of high air pollution. see Air.

First mammal lost.

THE WEST COAST’S LARGEST ESTUARY IS BEING STARVED OF WATER 10/16 see CA Water.

The upper house of Germany’s parliament, passed a resolution on Monday that calls for the elimination of vehicles powered by gasoline and diesel engines by 2030. 10/16 Germany has led because of the Green Party inspired by Ecotopia.

Global Warming ripple effects by Michael Mann see Global Warming 10/16.

Climate Impacts Double U.S. Forest Fires. See Fire and Forests.

Billions of Gallons of Animal Waste From Factory Farms Poses Health Risks in Wake of Hurricane Matthew see climate change and Food and Water 10/16.

The Color of Pollution: How Environmental Contamination Targets People of Color With about 42,000 active wells, Kern County, California is home to three-quarters of California's oil drilling and 95 percent of the state’s hydraulic fracturing (fracking) activity. This mainly rural region is the largest oil-producing county in the U.S. The influence of oil and gas is so great here that in late 2015 the county board of supervisors approved a new ordinance to allow drilling permits for tens of thousands of new wells to be fast tracked. Time span for the new ordinance? Two decades. Ongoing environmental review? None. Public participation? Not allowed. see Environmental Justice.

Protesters Demand SeaWorld 'Send Corky Home' 10/16 see Whales.

Toxic Algae Blooms Set Historic Records From Coast to Coast UCSC has experts 9/16. see Category:Ocean.

Earth Could Reach Critical Climate Threshold in a Decade, Scientists Warn see Global Warming.

UC Santa Cruz among greenest universities in Sierra Club ranking 8/16.

Nestlé Can Keep Piping Water Out of Drought-Stricken California Despite Permit Expiring in 1988 9/16 see Water.

World's Biggest Sockeye Run Shut Down as Wild Pacific Salmon Fight for Survival 9/16. See Fishing.

60 Countries Representing 48% of Emissions Have Officially Joined Paris Climate Agreement 9/16.

1.5 Billion Birds Lost in North America Since 1970s see Wildlife.

Greenpeace Investigation Uncovers Studies Showing Neo-nic Pesticides Pose Serious Harm to Honeybees 9/16. see Bees (thanks Sabra)

Ocean Warming Is 'Greatest Hidden Challenge of Our Generation' 8/16 see Global Warming and Ocean.

Paul Allen's 'Great Elephant Census' Shows Catastrophic Decline in Africa 8/16 see Wildlife.

Obama’s New So-Called GMO “Labeling” Law Is a Gift to Industry 8/16 see GMO's.

Hype(r)loop, Elon Musk mass transit concept PBS video. 5/16. See Transit.

Norway Becomes World’s First Country to Ban Deforestation see Forests.

Huge News for Elephants: U.S. Bans Ivory Trade two rare baby rhinos born 6/16 see Elephants.

First Ever 100% Edible Six-Pack Ring Feeds Marine Animals Instead of Killing Them 5/16

when good forests go bad - an obituary for California oak trees: Related to a disease that caused the 1840’s potato famine in Ireland, sudden oak death (SOD) was first noticed in Marin County in 2000 when residents asked for help with tanoak trees that suddenly died. Tanoaks are crooked trees with porous wood grain and unsuitable for timber, unprofitable so their deaths didn’t receive much attention. 5/16

1,000,000,000 Birds - Just Gone ; Audubon on climate.

A fifth of all plants threatened as habitats shrink worldwide 5/16 see Bio-diversity.

For 28 years, the U.S. Forest Service allowed Nestlé to pump water out of the San Bernardino National Forest under an expired permit, virtually free of charge, for bottled water.

97% of Endangered Species Threatened by 3 Common Pesticides 4/16.

WWF and Leonardo DiCaprio: Wild Tiger Populations Increase for First Time in 100 Years 4/16 see Big Cats.

Say goodbye to major cities if these scientists are right about Antarctica’s collapsing ice 4/16 see Sea Level Rise.

1 in 4 Deaths Worldwide Caused by Preventable Environmental Factors 3/16.

Offshore oil drilling limited.

In honor of fifth anniversary of the Fukushima disaster Interactive Map Details What You Need to Know About the World’s Nuclear Power Plants see Nuclear Power.

Lead poisoning in Flint Michigan because Koch backed governor takes over the city, undermining democracy.

CA irrigating our crops with benzene and arsenic laden wastewater left over from fracking 1/16 see Environmental Justice.

15 Big Climate News Stories of 2015.

Erin Brockovich to Stephen Colbert: ‘Flint, Michigan Is the Tip of the Iceberg’ Lead poisoning.

More plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050, warned the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in a report, The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking the Future of Plastics 1/16.

We have a climate deal in Paris COP21! Yes Oui Can! Activists take the streets despite ban after attacks to push for accountability and improvements. Activist art see Art. Soil can take CO2 out of atmosphere.

Obama Rejects Keystone XL Pipeline in Victory for Environmental Activists whoohoo!

Study Concludes That Environment, Not Bad Luck, Is Mainly to Blame for Cancer. see Chemicals.

Supermarkets Selling Shrimp Peeled by Slaves 12/15 see Labor.

Antibiotic use went up last year. Should we be freaking out? 12/15. See Food.

China Issues ‘Red Alert’ Over Devastating Air Pollution so 4,000 Bottles of Fresh Air Shipped to China, Company Struggling to Keep Up With Demand. video on effects. see Air and China.

Monsanto Handed ‘Double Whammy’ by Mexican Courts Over Planting GMOs also GMO salmon approved for sale, see below. see GMO's.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership—a trade and investment agreement involving 12 countries comprising nearly 40 percent of global output—confirms what even its most apocalyptic critics feared in terms of labor and environmental law. See Economics. 11/15.

Climate Change Poised to Push 100 Million Into ‘Extreme Poverty’ by 2030 see also Migration.

2 Billion People to Face Water Shortages as Snowpack Declines 11/15 see Water.

New GMO-Free Zone Will Protect Traditional Farmers in Colorado: The zone will help traditional and organic farmers avoid the risk of transgenic contamination from nearby GE crops, particularly GE corn. 11/15.

FDA Approves AquaBounty’s Genetically Engineered Salmon Despite Widespread Opposition; good analysis/background see GMO's.

Pesticide Exposure Linked to Abnormal Sperm 11/15. See EJ and Chemicals.

26 National Parks Fail EPA’s New Ozone Standard 11/15. See Air.

A new paper by two economists, "showing that mortality among middle-aged white Americans has been rising since 1999 analysis. 10/15

Being Inside Is Making Us Stupid: How Indoor Air Pollution Impacts the Function of Our Brains see Air. 10/15.

UC sells off $200 million in coal and oil sands investments whoohoo! FossilFree UC: UC Santa Cruz became an active campaign in 2012. Since then we passed a resolution through the student senate and had the Board of Trustees agree to write a letter in support of the campaign to urge the Reagents to divest. Currently, the Fossil Free Campaign at UC Santa Cruz is working to build support among stakeholders within the student body, faculty, and alumni organizations. We aim to collaborate with other campaigns and our community to keep the pressure on to divest from a future of dirty energy. If you want to get involved, or just learn more, feel free to contact aphinney@ucsc.edu.

Rapidly Warming Waters Have Thwarted Efforts to Save the Cod 10/15. See Global Warming.

Whales: Orcas: The California Coastal Commission has approved a $100 million plan to to double the size of SeaWorld San Diego’s orca tanks but there was one major condition: No more captive breeding. But dead zones and plastic plague them.

Shell Abandons Arctic Drilling Following ‘Disappointing’ Results whoohoo! 9/15. Obama pause 2 years.

6 Things to Know About the EPA’s New Pesticide Rules For the first time since 1992, the EPA has updated rules governing the use of pesticides, which will protect the more than 2 million workers who produce America's food. 10/15

China progress on climate.

Nestlé bottled water is tapping springs in the San Bernardino National Forest in southern California using a permit that expired 27 years ago... company’s CEO Tim Brown "... In fact, if I could increase it, I would.” 9/15.

California Senate Passes Nation’s Strictest Ban on Microbeads 9/15 see Plastic.

Citbank (America’s third-largest bank), recently published a report looking at the economic costs and benefits of a low-carbon future. ..because of savings due to reduced fuel costs and increased energy efficiency, the Action scenario is actually a bit cheaper than the Inaction scenario. 9/15

The world’s oceans on which much of human life depends are under severe pressure, a new report says. Overfishing has dramatically reduced fish stocks. The thousands of tonnes of rubbish dumped in the oceans wreak havoc on marine life, while climate change is warming and acidifying them, putting them under further stress.

NEW MONSANTO SPRAY KILLS BUGS BY MESSING WITH THEIR GENES 8/15.

Amazing New Process Treats Wastewater, Captures Carbon and Makes Renewable Energy: An electrochemical reaction that absorbs more CO2 than it releases while creating renewable energy could transform emission-heavy industries. 8/15.

“California’s Toxic Fracking Fluids: The Chemical Recipe.” see Fracking 8/15.

Activists Score Victory in Effort to Stop the Government Killing of Millions of Animals see Wildlofe. 8/15.

Deadly Heat Waves Sweep the Globe 8/15 see Climate.

Japan Restarts First Nuclear Reactor Since Fukushima Disaster, Protests Erupt 8/15, see Nuclear Power.

EWG’s latest analysis, “Rethinking Carcinogens,” takes a close look at new research on chemical exposures and cancer conducted by the Halifax Project, which involves hundreds of cancer researchers and scientists from around the globe. The findings of the Halifax Project add to long overlooked evidence that combinations of chemicals may cause cancer.One in three Americans will be diagnosed with cancer, yet nearly half of all cancers are preventable. Along with genetics, diet, lifestyle and viruses, exposures to toxic chemicals clearly contribute to this epidemic. 8/15 see Chemicals.

What’s the Beef with the U.S./China Chicken Deal? 7/15. See Food.

BP Gulf oil spill legal settlement (PBS video) and update on causes. 7/15.

California Finds Several Negative Impacts of Fracking, Approves Offshore Frack Jobs Anyway. 7/15

Coal is no longer king in America. That’s the latest findings from the U.S. Energy Information Administration; it lost its number one spot as the nation’s top electricity source for the first time on record this April. See Fossil Fuels 7/15.

Some progress at G-7 on climate and forests. 6/15.

This is crazy, but we actually have good news about climate change 6/15 see China.

Monsanto’s Roundup — Most Popular Weed Killer in U.S. — ‘Probably’ Causes Cancer, WHO Report Says see GMO's 3/15.

New Study Says Climate Change Helped Spark Syrian Civil War (and thus ISIS?) NYT see Global Warming.

U.S. 'Megadroughts' Are Likely Later This Century, Study Finds 2/15.

World's Oceans Clogged By Millions Of Tons Of Plastic Trash scientists estimating that a staggering 8 million metric tones of plastic pollution enter the oceans each year from the world's 192 coastal countries based on 2010 data. Based on rising waste levels, they estimated that more than 9 million tons would end up in the oceans in 2015. 2/15

National Academy of Sciences Says Geoengineering Is Not the Answer to Climate Change 2/15. See Plastic.

Norway first country to divest 2/15. See Scandanavia.

Top Green stories of 2014 includes Wolf OR7 has three pups in Oregon which will be safe from hunters if they wander in CA; also one in Grand Canyon. see Wolves. 9 Big Market Breakthroughs of 2014.

Scientists Warn We're Ever-Closer To The Apocalypse, see Global Warming.

Update 1/15 2014 Will Likely Be The Hottest Year on Record, Ocean Temps Spike. High sea temperatures contributed to exceptionally heavy rainfall and floods in many countries and extreme drought in others. see Global Warming.

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