Gulf Doctors Advised to...

Photo via News One Less dramatic than the fiery explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig and the multiple month-spanning underwater oil geyser that followed it are many of the BP Gulf spill’s side effects. And oil-related sicknesses are undoubtedly among the thorniest — many fishermen-turned cleanup workers have already been afflicted by close contact with oil and the chemical dispersents used to combat it. But there will probably be many … Read the full story on...

Small Networks of Marin...

photo: Johnny Bahru via flickr. Large marine reserves aren’t working to protect fish or coral–and therefore fishermen’s livelihoods in the long term–and we should collectively shift towards more small reserves with fishing allowed in between. That’s the word from the UN University Institute for Water, Environment and Health ’s Peter Sale. … Read the full story on TreeHugger Read more here: Small Networks of Marine Reserves Better Than...

Obama Aims $50 Billion ...

Image via California High-Speed Rail Authority In his Labor Day speech two days ago, the president announced plans for a $50 billion stimulus package that would take aim at updating the country’s lagging transportation infrastructure. He called for Congress to approve an infusion of funds for highway, air traffic control, and, yes, high speed rail projects, that would lead to the “immediate” creation of jobs and give a boost to the economy. Obama said that the bill...

If Obama Had Chosen Ene...

Photo via MSNBC’s Cosmic Blog It’s an interesting question for followers of both politics and climate issues: How would things have turned out if Obama had thrown his weight behind clean energy legislation instead of health care reform? Would we now be looking at a freshly passed law designed to map out the future of the American energy economy and to stimulate job growth in sustainable sectors — while curbing greenhouse gas pollution and ramping up renewables?...

Invasive Quagga Mussels...

photo: Wikipedia Forget about the potential damage by invasive Asian carp, another invasive species, the quagga mussel is likely to destroy the Lake Michigan ecosystem long before the bottom-feeding fish do. That’s the word of Michigan Tech biologist W. Charles Kerfoot , who says the proliferating mussels are eating up so much phytoplankton that, through an interesting chain of events, View original here: Invasive Quagga Mussels Could Eat Lake Michigan Ecosystem to Point of...

Better Than Bamboo: Flo...

Bamboo is round and hollow while floors are flat and solid, so to make bamboo floors they cut the stuff up into strips and compress it with resin into solid chunks, that can be sliced into flooring. They make a lot of it in China; they also make a lot of regular furniture and produce a lot of waste. Somebody had the idea of taking that scrap and compressing it into chunks and voila: EcoTimber Strand Poplar Flooring was born. … Read the full story on TreeHugger Read the rest...

Northern Countries to G...

A University of California LA geographer notes in book that northern countries such as Canada, Scandinavia and Russia are likely to thrive and become formidable economic powers. Laurence C. Smith writes in “The World in 2050: Four Forces Shaping Civilizations Northern Future” that northern countries and some northern states of the US will become large economic powers and migration magnets. “In many ways, the New North is well positioned for the coming century even as its...

New US Tennis Associati...

Like other sports such as baseball and golf, the tennis circuit is looking a little greener around the edges, particularly in light of the United States Tennis Association’s adoption of sweeping environmental initiatives which 30 Rock standout Alec Baldwin is currently promoting in a new set of public service announcements. Working closely with GreenSlam, Eco Evolutions and the Natural Resources Defense Council, the organization has established a sizable collection of green goals...

Versailles-Inspired Tyv...

Images: Artecnica Spun out of synthetic, high-density polyethylene fibers that give it its characteristic durability and lovable crinkly texture, Tyvek is a surprisingly polyvalent material, though it’s typically thought of as house wrap. But there’s a world of recycled Tyvek out there: it’s also popped up as upcycled wallets , Go here to read the rest: Versailles-Inspired Tyvek Chandeliers by Paula...

Finance Site Lists Most...

Credit: Mike Baird Asian carp aren’t the only invasive species causing trouble in the United States. While the monster fish captures headlines as it inches toward the Great Lakes, other species have already colonized other parts of the country, and are costing plenty of money to control. A finance website has totaled up the toll, listing “10 Invasive Species That Cost the U.S. a Bundle.” See if you agree, disagree, or are just surprised by some of the choices....