| How much in subsidies do fossil fuels get anyway? At least some members of the Obama Administration plan to call for an end to fossil fuel subsidies as part of next week's G20 economic leaders summit, citing positive impacts ranging from improved energy security to combating climate change. But how much does the U.S. government pay? Well, according to a new analysis from the Environmental Law Institute released today, roughly $72 billion between 2002 and 2008. [More] rss.sciam.com |
One-Quarter of World's Population Lacks Electricity Some 130 years since Thomas Edison's breakthrough with artificial light, nearly a quarter of humanity still lacks electricity, a fact officials here want delegates to the upcoming U.N. climate talks to consider.Vast swaths of the world also have no access to modern fuels like natural gas, kerosene or propane, relying instead on wood or charcoal as principal sources of energy. Switching to energy sources that are more efficient and less detrimental to human health is a prerequisite for raising billions out of poverty as nations promised to do, U.N. officials point out. [More] rss.sciam.com |
What is sickening and killing California's brown pelicans? Hundreds of brown pelicans ( Pelecanus occidentalis ) have been found sick or dead off the coasts of California in the past month, the victims of a mysterious ailment that has scientists baffled. [More] rss.sciam.com |
Endangered Parks As states look for ways to slash budgets during these recessionary times, state parks are in serious trouble. nytimes.com |
Survival denied: Birds, fish, plant, pygmy rabbits lose out on endangered species protection A variety of rare and threatened species have been denied protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in recent weeks, including North America's smallest rabbit and a plant that may already be extinct in the wild.The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), which makes the final determination on which species get protected status, ruled that some of these species deserve protection, although not as much as other, higher priority species. FWS also said it lacks the funding to add some of these species to the endangered species list at this time. [More] rss.sciam.com |