http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/environmental_policy/ Environmental Policy. Read policy recommendations from scientists and scientific organizations on many aspects of environmental policy. Background research available. en-us Mon, 13 Oct 2008 05:05:01 EDT Mon, 13 Oct 2008 05:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/environmental_policy/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081012105113.htm Half to three-quarters of major Antarctic penguin colonies face decline or disappearance if global temperatures are allowed to climb by more than 2°C. Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081012105113.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081002091915.htm A group has filed a scientific petition with the federal government seeking endangered species protection for the Atlantic wolffish, a fish threatened with extinction due to years of overharvesting and habitat loss due to modern fishing gear. If the petition is successful, this will be the first listing of a marine fish as an endangered in New England. Mon, 13 Oct 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081002091915.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081008150459.htm Researchers are homing in on the hurricane-prone Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea to assess the likely changes, between now and the middle of the century, in the frequency, intensity, and tracks of these powerful storms. Initial results are expected early next year. Sun, 12 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081008150459.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081008150522.htm An anticipated increased incidence of climate-related extreme rainfall events in the Great Lakes region may raise the public health risk for the 40 million people who depend on the lakes for their drinking water, according to a new study. Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081008150522.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081009144331.htm Society is in a race to find renewable sources of carbon-neutral energy. Cellulose-based biofuels hold promise, but we need to proceed cautiously and with an eye toward minimizing long-term ecological impacts. Without a sound plan, we could wind up doing more environmental harm than good. Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081009144331.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081008091123.htm Alternative sources of fossil fuels such as oil sands and coal-to-liquids have significant economic promise, but the environmental consequences must also be considered, according to a new study. Wed, 08 Oct 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081008091123.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081006093024.htm One of the smallest seals -- the Caspian -- has joined a growing list of mammal species in danger of extinction. Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081006093024.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081007073928.htm A new report lists 12 pathogens that could spread into new regions as a result of climate change, with potential impacts to both human and wildlife health and global economies. Wed, 08 Oct 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081007073928.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081007120419.htm The coming three decades will determine whether the population of the world comes into balance with the capacity of the biosphere to support it, or whether catastrophic changes in the environment brought on by climate change, losses of biodiversity, pollution of air and water, and overharvesting of natural resources will lead to the end of the improvement of wellbeing that has characterized the Modern Era. Current indicators are alarming. Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081007120419.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081003191744.htm If current levels of smoking and biomass and coal fuel use in homes continues, between 2003 and 2033 there will be an estimated 65 million deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 18 million deaths from lung cancer in China, accounting for 19 percent and 5 percent of all deaths in that country during this period. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081003191744.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924075311.htm Researchers have found that the main source of food for many fish -- including cod -- in the North Atlantic appears to adapt in order to survive climate change. Billions of Calanus finmarchicus, a plankton species, which are just a few millimeters in size, live in the waters of the North Atlantic where the research was carried out. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924075311.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081002172607.htm In his State of the Union Address on Jan. 23, 2007, President Bush stated that, in order to substantially lower foreign oil imports, "We must increase the supply of alternative fuels, by setting a mandatory fuels standard to require 35 billion gallons of renewable and alternative fuels in 2017." Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081002172607.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081002172438.htm As the United States and other nations commit to the path of biofuels production, 23 scientists call for sustainable practices in an industry that will, as one of them says, "reshape the Earth's landscape in a significant way." Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081002172438.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924111015.htm Scientists have released two new studies, including a report finding that climate change will cause significant impacts on Florida's coastlines and economy due to increased sea level rise and hurricane storm surge. Property damage is expected to increase. A second study recommends that the state of Florida adopt a series of policy programs aimed at adapting to these large coastal and other impacts as a result of climate change. Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924111015.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924190637.htm Counting on wetlands restoration projects to protect storm buffeted infrastructure along the Louisiana Coast is likely to be a "losing battle" that provides "false hope" and prevents endangered communities from clearly planning for their future, says a researcher from Western Carolina University (WCU). Tue, 30 Sep 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924190637.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924162938.htm Despite widespread concern about climate change, annual carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels and manufacturing cement have grown 38 percent since 1992, from 6.1 billion tons of carbon to 8.5 billion tons in 2007. Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924162938.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080926100703.htm Tourism on Antarctica is increasing and that can form a threat for the vulnerable South Pole area. New research provides a possible solution: market the visitor rights to the highest bidder. Mon, 29 Sep 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080926100703.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080926100629.htm Cities are being unfairly blamed for most of humanity's greenhouse gas emissions and this threatens efforts to tackle climate change, warns a new study. Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080926100629.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080925072440.htm The Global Carbon Project posted the most recent figures for the worlds' carbon budget, a key to understanding the balance of carbon added to the atmosphere, the underpinning of human induced climate change. Despite the increasing international sense of urgency, the growth rate of emissions continued to speed up, bringing the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration to 383 parts per million in 2007. Emissions growth for 2000-2007 was above even the most fossil fuel intensive scenario of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Sun, 28 Sep 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080925072440.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080922122427.htm A potentially deadly fungus that can kill frogs and toads was inadvertently introduced into Mallorca by a captive breeding program that was reintroducing a rare species of toad into the wild, according to a new study in the journal Current Biology. Sat, 27 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080922122427.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924125045.htm The economic impact of climate change will cost a number of US states billions of dollars, and delaying action will raise the price tag, concludes the latest series of reports produced by the University of Maryland's Center for Integrative Environmental Research. The new reports project specific long-term direct and ripple economic effects on North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. In most cases, the price tag could run into billions of dollars. Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924125045.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080925144824.htm By better managing environmental issues during deployments, US Army units can gain tactical and strategic advantages that will help in combat and post-conflict operations, and boost overall mission success, according to a new RAND Corporation study. Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080925144824.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080911142413.htm Many groups are promoting the use of alternative fuels in the transport sector. Nevertheless, there are many obstacles that arise with any serious intention to make alternative fuels increase their market share; with cost, performance, and reliability being the key factors for the economical success of alternative fuels in road transport. Wed, 24 Sep 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080911142413.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080919075127.htm Conservationists at the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), University of Kent, are celebrating a double achievement – the success of a conservation program in Rwanda that has helped turn gorilla poachers into ecotourism guides, and a major international award for the program’s founder, alumnus Edwin Sabuhoro. Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080919075127.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080919142548.htm Declining agricultural productivity and continued growing demand have brought the world food situation to a crossroads. Failure to act now through a wholesale reinvestment in agriculture -- including research into improved technologies, infrastructure development, and training and education of agricultural scientists and trainers -- could lead to a long-term crisis that makes the price spikes of 2008 seem a mere blip. Mon, 22 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080919142548.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080919142602.htm Current measures to prevent and reduce marine debris are inadequate, and the problem will likely worsen, says a new congressionally mandated report. Sun, 21 Sep 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080919142602.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080921201714.htm Global corporations view climate change as a driver of risk and opportunity and have cited clear regulation as key to managing the impacts, in this year's findings from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), which includes exclusive data from 1550 of the world's major companies on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change related strategies. Sun, 21 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080921201714.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080917145141.htm A nationwide study of nitrate trends in the ground water of the United States was recently completed by scientists at the US Geological Survey. Nitrate is the most common chemical contaminant found in ground water, and is related to infant health and possible cancer risks. The study focused on 24 well networks in the US from 1988 to 2004, of which seven well networks showed statistically significant increases in concentrations of nitrate during this period. Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080917145141.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080916101152.htm A new report from the Center for International Forestry Research, the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and partners warns that an upsurge in hunting bushmeat -- including mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians -- in tropical forests is unsustainable, and that it poses serious threats to food security for poor inhabitants of forests in Africa, who rely largely on bushmeat for protein. Thu, 18 Sep 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080916101152.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080916154724.htm Houses made of hemp, timber or straw could help combat climate change by reducing the carbon footprint of building construction, according to researchers at the University of Bath. Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080916154724.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915121221.htm The continued expansion of oil palm plantations will worsen the dual environmental crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, unless rainforests are better protected, warn scientists in the most comprehensive review of the subject to date. Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915121221.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915121227.htm Researchers are helping to develop new rechargeable batteries that could improve hybrid electric cars in the future. For hybrid cars, new materials are crucial to make the batteries lighter, safer and more efficient in storing energy. Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915121227.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080909111035.htm The forecast for clear skies and smooth sailing for oceanic vessels has been impeded by worldwide concerns of their significant contributions to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions that impact the Earth's climate. Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080909111035.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915162428.htm Arctic sea ice may well have reached its lowest volumes ever, as summer ice coverage of the Arctic Sea looks set to be close to last year's record lows, with thinner ice overall. Final figures on minimum ice coverage for 2008 are expected in a matter of days, but they are already flirting with last year's record low of 1.59 million square miles, or 4.13 million square kilometers. Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915162428.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080909074102.htm Widespread use of nanoscale silver will challenge regulatory agencies to balance important potential benefits against the possibility of significant environmental risk, highlighting the need to identify research priorities concerning this emerging technology, according to a new report. Mon, 15 Sep 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080909074102.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080911103918.htm Hydrogen may well be the new gasoline. But where's the nearest "gas" station where you can pull up and refuel your energy-efficient vehicle? Will hydrogen stations be strategically convenient -- located on street corners and travel-stop locations around the globe? In a new study, RIT professor James Winebrake and Patrick Meyer consider the number of barriers to overcome before the hydrogen-fuel infrastructure becomes efficient, affordable and publicly accepted. Mon, 15 Sep 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080911103918.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080909104206.htm The United States faces challenges in utilizing Earth science information to manage resources and protect public health, according to a NASA-sponsored report issued by the U.S. Climate Change Science Program. The report examines the computer-based decision support tools that many government agencies use to make predictions and forecasts in areas such as agricultural productivity, air quality, renewable energy resources, water management, and the prevention of vector-borne disease. Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080909104206.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080908225740.htm Deposits of undiscovered copper, molybdenum, gold and silver may be present in the Andes Mountains of South America, according to a new scientific assessment. Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080908225740.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080907123702.htm Consideration of international law and policy issues in polar regions is urgently needed as climate change opens the Arctic Ocean to shipping, fishing, and other resource exploitation, and as growing numbers of bioprospectors, researchers and tourists flock to Antarctica, all with potentially serious environmental consequences in these highly fragile ecosystems. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080907123702.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080905153801.htm It appears that aerosol effects on clouds can induce large changes in precipitation patterns, which in turn may change not only regional water resources, but also may change the regional and global circulation systems that constitute the Earth's climate. A group of scientists have proposed a new framework to account more accurately for the effects of aerosols on precipitation in climate models. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080905153801.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080830191841.htm Nine Baltic sea states all scored failing grades in an annual WWF evaluation of their performance in protecting and restoring the world's most damaged sea. Wed, 03 Sep 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080830191841.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080822120140.htm When done correctly, public participation improves the quality of federal agencies' decisions about the environment, says a new report from the National Research Council. Sun, 31 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080822120140.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080828120326.htm Biologists have discovered surprisingly large populations of two globally threatened primates in a protected area in Cambodia. The report counted 42,000 black-shanked douc langurs along with 2,500 yellow-cheeked crested gibbons in Cambodia's Seima Biodiversity Conservation Area, an estimate that represents the largest known populations for both species in the world. Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080828120326.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080827204904.htm Is your alma mater among those stepping up to green their campuses? Are our colleges preparing students for a greener future? You can find out in National Wildlife Federation's just-released Campus Environment 2008 Report Card, a comprehensive look at nationwide trends in sustainability among America's institutions of higher learning. The report compares findings with the previous study conducted in 2001. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080827204904.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080826205932.htm Conservation zones are in the wrong place to protect vulnerable coral reefs from the effects of global warming, an international team of scientists warned today. Now the team say that urgent action is needed to prevent the collapse of this important marine ecosystem. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080826205932.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080827195740.htm The Carbon Disclosure Project, a collaboration of some 385 institutional investors including Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs, Barclays and HSBC, has extended its traditional work in the private sector to the public sector where it is actively assisting government and local government organizations to assess greenhouse gas emissions through their supply chains. Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080827195740.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080825210415.htm An aerial survey by government scientists in Alaska's Chukchi Sea this week found at least nine polar bears swimming in open water -- with one at least 60 miles from shore -- raising concern among wildlife experts about their survival. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080825210415.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080825194318.htm Small scale fisheries produce as much annual catch for human consumption and use less than one-eighth the fuel as their industrial counterparts, but they are dealt a double-whammy by well-intentioned eco-labelling initiatives and ill-conceived fuel subsidies, according to a University of British Columbia study. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080825194318.htm