Northern California Students Call for Freedom From Fossil Fuels – May 6, 2013

Political support for divestment grows as more campuses and cities join the movement

Student groups at more than 60 colleges and universities across the country hosted events last Thursday, May 2, declaring “fossil freedom” as part of 350.org’s Fossil Freedom Day of Action. The “Day of Action” was meant to highlight the work students — often in partnership with alumni, faculty, and administrators — have done over the past six months to persuade their institutions to divest from fossil fuels.

Photo courtesy 350.orgStudents say the fossil fuel divestment campaign gives them the opportunity to take action
on climate change.

The largest event took place at the steps of San… more

by: Daniel Adel

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40 US Mines are Causing Water Pollution that Will Last for Centuries, Says New Report – May 2, 2013

Water treatment for these mines could cost as much as $67 billion per year

In the midst of declining fresh water supplies, an increasing number of hard rock mining companies are causing water pollution that will last for hundreds or thousands of years, says a new report published yesterday.

Photo by Maryland Attorney General/Doug GanslerAn acid drainage from an abandoned coal mine pollutes a creek in Barton, Maryland.
Acid mine drainage is the primary cause of lasting pollution of water sources
from mining operations.

The report by the mining watchdog group Earthworks, reveals that an estimated 17 to 27 billion gallons of polluted water will be generated by 40 existing… more

by: Daniel Adel

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Activists Call on National Parks to Stop Selling Single Use Water Bottles – April 3, 2013

Campaigners from Corporate Accountability International complain of Coca-Cola’s influence in the parks

With their labels depicting pristine pools of spring water near majestic alpine peaks, some people might still be under the illusion that bottled water is somehow superior to plain old tap water. But if you just look here, here, and here, you’ll see that in fact bottled water isn’t safer than tap water, creates unnecessary plastic waste, and costs thousands of times more than what comes out of your faucet.

Photo by Leonard John MatthewsSince bottled water suddenly became popular 20 years ago, they have become a significant burden
on our parks’ trash disposal and recycling… more

by: Daniel Adel

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Carbon Tax and Dividend Scheme Offers a New Way Forward on Climate Policy – March 12, 2013

Boxer-Sanders legislation is a smart policy, but odds of passage are long

When the American Clean Energy and Security Act (AKA the Waxman-Markey comprehensive climate bill) died in the Senate in 2010, some people blamed the failure on the inherent weaknesses of the legislation: The cap and trade system was too complicated and had too many giveaways for big polluters, critics said. At that time, two Senators — Democrat Maria Cantwell of Oregon and Republican Susan Collins of Maine — floated a different policy proposal that they said would be far simpler. Known as “cap and dividend,” their plan would have put a tight lid on greenhouse gas emissions and then directed the revenues from the program to citizens via a rebate… more

by: Daniel Adel

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Want to Stall Climate Change and be Happier? Just Work Less – February 20, 2013

Shorter works hours could lead to significant cuts in carbon emissions, says new study

Saving our environment need not mean sacrifice. Rather, it could mean substantial improvements in our quality of life. A new study says that significant reductions in carbon emissions are possible if we all worked a little less.

Photo by Johanna LoockSlowing down to smell the flowers will not only make us happier, it could also help fight
global warming, says report by economist David Rosnick.

The study by the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR), titled “Reduced Work Hours as a Means of Slowing Climate Change,” finds that 8 to 22 percent of every degree of warming through 2100… more

by: Daniel Adel

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