http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/environmental_policy/ Read the latest news on environmental policy. Read scientific findings relating to conservation, environmental issues and biodiversity. en-us Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:05:01 EST Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/environmental_policy/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120210111256.htm Invasive species which have the potential to destroy biodiversity and influence global change could be tracked and controlled in the same way as wanted criminals, according to new research. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:12:12 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120210111256.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120209135331.htm Economists have developed a financial market "seismograph" that can measure the interconnections between stock markets across the globe. Their research has the potential to serve as an early warning system and provide measures to manage and mitigate the spread of financial crisis. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:53:53 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120209135331.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120206144127.htm In his State of the Union address, President Barack Obama praised the potential of the country's tremendous supply of natural gas buried in shale. But the "Halliburton exclusion" passed by Congress says gas companies don't have to disclose the chemicals used in fracturing fluids. That was a real mistake because it makes the public needlessly paranoid, says a geophysicist. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:41:41 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120206144127.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120201105227.htm Tropical cyclones will cause $109 billion in damages by 2100, according to researchers in a new paper. That figure represents an increased vulnerability from population and especially economic growth, as well as the effects of climate change. Greater vulnerability to cyclones is expected to increase global tropical damage to $56 billion by 2100 -- double the current damage -- from the current rate of $26 billion per year if the present climate remains stable. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:52:52 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120201105227.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120130171913.htm Two decades after the United Nations established the Framework Convention on Climate Change in order to "prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system", the Arctic shows the first signs of a dangerous climate change. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:19:19 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120130171913.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120126223609.htm The economic pain of a flattening oil supply will trump the environment as a reason to curb the use of fossil fuels, say scientists. Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:36:36 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120126223609.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120126100641.htm People living in countries with low carbon emissions can attain a reasonably high life expectancy, but cannot generally achieve high levels of income. Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:06:06 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120126100641.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120125202759.htm A team of resource economist researchers has revised the cost burden sharply upward for childhood asthma and for the first time include the number of cases attributable to air pollution, in a new study. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:27:27 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120125202759.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120124184152.htm Access to sanitation facilities, such as latrines, reduces by half the risk of becoming infected by parasitic worms that are transmitted via soil, according to a new study. Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:41:41 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120124184152.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120124151945.htm The fate of the world's great whale species commands global attention as a result of heated debate between pro and anti-whaling advocates, but the fate of smaller marine mammals is less understood, specifically because the deliberate and accidental catching and killing of dolphins, porpoises, manatees, and other warm-blooded aquatic species are rarely studied or monitored. Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:19:19 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120124151945.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120122152615.htm Carbon dioxide emissions have been increasing over the past decades, causing Earth to get hotter and hotter. There are concerns that a continuation of these trends could have catastrophic effects. This has led some to explore drastic ideas for combating global warming, including the idea of counteracting it by reflecting sunlight away from the Earth. However, it has been suggested that reflecting sunlight away from Earth might itself threaten the food supply. New research examines the potential effects that geoengineering the climate could have on global food production and concludes that sunshade geoengineering would be more likely to improve rather than threaten food security. Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:26:26 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120122152615.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120120010357.htm Biodiversity is declining rapidly throughout the world. The challenges of conserving the world's species are perhaps even larger than mitigating the negative effects of global climate change, experts say. Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:03:03 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120120010357.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120119143328.htm While recent climate negotiations in Durban made incremental progress toward helping farmers adapt to climate change and reduce agriculture's climate footprint, a group of international agriculture experts urges scientists to lay the groundwork for more decisive action on global food security in environmental negotiations in 2012. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:33:33 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120119143328.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120113204935.htm Implementing 14 key air pollution control measures could slow the pace of global warming, new research suggests. Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:49:49 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120113204935.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120113102056.htm New research has found that individuals and the private sector have an important role to play in the provision of public policies to help society adapt to the impacts of climate change. Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:20:20 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120113102056.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120112193442.htm Scientists have detailed 14 key air pollution control measures that, if implemented, could slow the pace of global warming, improve health and boost agricultural production. Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:34:34 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120112193442.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120109155712.htm By combining detailed chemical measurements in the deep ocean, in the oil slick, and in the air, NOAA scientists and academic colleagues have independently estimated how fast gases and oil were leaking during the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The new chemistry-based spill rate estimate, an average of 11,130 tons of gas and oil compounds per day, is close to the official average leak rate estimate of about 11,350 tons. Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:57:57 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120109155712.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120105131649.htm The draft ten-year strategic plan for the US Global Change Research Program -- which shapes and coordinates climate and related global environmental change research efforts of numerous agencies and departments across the federal government -- is "evolving in the right direction," but several key issues could strengthen these planning efforts, says a new report. Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:16:16 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120105131649.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111228111727.htm New research suggests that China's impressive feat of cutting Beijing's pollution up to 50 percent for the 2008 Summer Olympics had some help from Mother Nature. Rain just at the beginning and wind during the Olympics likely contributed about half of the effort needed to clean up the skies, scientists found. The results also suggest emission controls need to be more widely implemented than in 2008 if pollution levels are to be reduced permanently. Wed, 28 Dec 2011 11:17:17 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111228111727.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111221140623.htm Scientists have written an expanded review of six new air quality regulations by the EPA. These include the first national standards in the U.S. for reducing dangerous emissions of mercury and other toxic pollutants from power plants. Though the cost of implementing is about $195 billion over the next two decades, the economic, environmental and health benefits amount to well over $1 trillion, considerably outweighing the control costs. Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:06:06 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111221140623.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111215095501.htm Tackling rising CO2 emissions from the residential sector could make a vital contribution towards mitigating climate change, according to a new report. Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:55:55 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111215095501.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111212144242.htm A new analysis shows that solar photovoltaic systems are very close to achieving the tipping point in many regions: they can make electricity that's as cheap -- sometimes cheaper -- than what consumers pay their utilities. Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:42:42 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111212144242.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111212132632.htm Many of the animal species at risk of extinction in the United States have not made it onto the country's official Endangered Species Act list, according to new research. Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:26:26 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111212132632.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111208121024.htm The concept of the hydrogen economy (HE), in which hydrogen would replace the carbon-based fossil fuels of the twentieth century was first mooted in the 1970s. Today, HE is seen as a potential solution to the dual global crises of climate change and dwindling oil reserves. A research article suggests that HE is wrong and SHE has the answer in the sustainable hydrogen economy. Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:10:10 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111208121024.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111207132916.htm The public is being kept in the dark about the viability of solar photovoltaic energy, according to a new study. Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:29:29 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111207132916.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111206102527.htm Global carbon dioxide emissions increased by a record 5.9 per cent in 2010 following the dampening effect of the 2008-2009 Global Financial Crisis, according to scientists working with the Global Carbon Project. Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:25:25 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111206102527.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111205140613.htm The sharp decrease in global carbon dioxide emissions attributed to the worldwide financial crisis in 2009 quickly rebounded in 2010, according to researchers. Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:06:06 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111205140613.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111204144648.htm Global carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels have increased by 49 percent in the last two decades, according to the latest figures by an international team of scientists. Sun, 04 Dec 2011 14:46:46 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111204144648.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111201132521.htm Despite aggressive demand-management policies announced in recent years, China's oil use could easily reach levels comparable to today's US levels by 2040, according to a new energy study. Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:25:25 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111201132521.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111201112651.htm Clean energy can help meet growing electricity demand and minimize pollution in the Southern United States, but progress to adopt renewable energy strategies has been hindered by a number of myths, according to a new study. Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:26:26 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111201112651.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111129123255.htm A new study questions the cost-effectiveness of biofuels and says they would barely reduce fossil fuel use and would likely increase greenhouse gas emissions. Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:32:32 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111129123255.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111128115407.htm Researchers have created "shadow models" and a type of software that calculates the amount of solar radiation that reaches streets and buildings in high resolution. According to new results, they could help to optimize the energy consumption of cities. Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:54:54 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111128115407.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111123133035.htm A new study predicts severe negative impacts, including loss and alteration of habitats, smaller and less-diverse fish stocks, and coral bleaching, and urges prompt action to help fisheries prepare. Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:30:30 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111123133035.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111121194043.htm Global food demand could double by 2050, according to a new projection. Producing that amount of food could significantly increase levels of carbon dioxide and nitrogen in the environment and cause the extinction of numerous species. But this can be avoided, the article shows, if the high-yielding technologies of rich nations are adapted to work in poor nations, and if all nations use nitrogen fertilizers more efficiently. Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:40:40 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111121194043.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111121115102.htm People who believe there is a lot of disagreement among scientists about global warming tend to be less certain that global warming is happening and less supportive of climate policy, researchers report. Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:51:51 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111121115102.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111121104157.htm While the price of oil has risen in recent years, it has not affected the price of goods as much as in the past, according to new research. More than that, the prices of many goods -- such as clothing or vacations -- are actually deflating instead of inflating because of improved technology and reduced energy costs. Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:41:41 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111121104157.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111116162244.htm Emissions regulations do have an environmental impact, according to a long-term study of acidic rainfall. A report detailing trends in acidic rainfall frequency and concentration over 25 years found that as sulfur and nitrogen emissions have dropped in response to the Clean Air Act, acid ions in rainwater have dropped by similar magnitudes. Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:22:22 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111116162244.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111113142747.htm Policies to protect the global climate and limit global temperature rise offer the most effective entry point for achieving energy sustainability, reducing air pollution, and improving energy security, according to a new article. By adopting an integrated perspective on energy and climate policy, one that simultaneously addresses three of the key objectives for energy sustainability, major synergies and cost co-benefits can be realized. Sun, 13 Nov 2011 14:27:27 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111113142747.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111109093852.htm A recent report provides new ideas regarding carbon and energy benefits forests and forest products provide. The report summarizes and analyzes the most recent science regarding forests and carbon accounting, biomass use, and forest carbon offsets. Wed, 09 Nov 2011 09:38:38 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111109093852.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111108115947.htm Carbon monoxide (CO) -- a tasteless, colorless and odorless gas -- is not only a danger to the environment but also highly toxic to human beings. Found in the exhaust of vehicles and generators, CO has been dubbed the "silent killer" because excessive inhalation is lethal, poisoning the nervous system and heart. Now, in a surprising twist, a researcher says that low levels of the poisonous gas carbon monoxide actually have a narcotic effect that helps city-dwellers cope with environmental stress in an urban setting. Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:59:59 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111108115947.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111107155412.htm New demographic analysis reveals that the carbon dioxide emissions of the average American increase until around the age of 65, and then start to decrease. For the United States this means that, although the aging of the population will lead to a slight overall rise in CO₂ emissions over the next four decades, the long-term trends indicate that increasing life expectancy will result in a reduction in emissions. Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:54:54 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111107155412.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111106192624.htm Scientists investigated how California's interconnected San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (the Bay-Delta system) is expected to change from 2010 to 2099 in response to both fast and moderate climate warming scenarios. Results indicate that this area will feel impacts of global climate change in the next century with shifts in its biological communities, rising sea level, and modified water supplies. Sun, 06 Nov 2011 19:26:26 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111106192624.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111106151312.htm Over the past 50 years, 60 percent of all ecosystem services have declined as a direct result of the conversion of land to the production of foods, fuels and fibers. This should come as no surprise, say seven of the world's leading environmental scientists, who met to collectively study the pitfalls of utilizing markets to induce people to take account of the environmental costs of their behavior and solutions. We are getting what we pay for. Sun, 06 Nov 2011 15:13:13 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111106151312.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111104091650.htm Much less attention is paid to conservation of freshwater fish and shellfish species that to marine species, although freshwater species may be relatively more threatened. Awareness and certification schemes that have had some success raising awareness of threats to marine fishes could be adapted for the benefit of freshwater species, according to a new article. Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:16:16 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111104091650.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111103120223.htm The debate may largely be drawn along political lines, but the human role in climate change remains one of the most controversial questions in 21st century science. Experts argue that the evidence for anthropogenic climate change is now so clear that the burden of proof should lie with research which seeks to disprove the human role. Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:02:02 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111103120223.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111102161250.htm Maryland's plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by 2020 meets a series of benchmark tests set by state lawmakers, concludes a new pair of new studies. The findings should help clear the way for adoption of a full Climate Action Plan next year, the researchers say. Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:12:12 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111102161250.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111028121228.htm As the global media speculate on the number of people likely to inhabit the planet on October 31 an international team of population and development experts argue that it is not simply the number of people that matters but more so their distribution by age, education, health status and location that is most relevant to local and global sustainability. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 12:12:12 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111028121228.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111027145858.htm Governments around the world must be prepared for mass migrations caused by rising global temperatures or face the possibility of calamitous results, say scientists. Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:58:58 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111027145858.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111027112328.htm Climate scientists say the world's target to stay below a global warming of 2 degrees, made at the United Nations conference in Copenhagen in 2009 and Cancun 2010 will require decisive action this decade. Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:23:23 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111027112328.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111024084714.htm Research on geoengineering appears to have broad public support, as a new, internationally representative survey revealed that 72 percent of respondents approved research into the climate-manipulating technique. Mon, 24 Oct 2011 08:47:47 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111024084714.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111024084236.htm An environmental science researcher in Sweden has examined the geochemical status of the natural environment in the Amazonas Region, and to what extent it has been impacted by deforestation and altered land use. Mon, 24 Oct 2011 08:42:42 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111024084236.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111017155618.htm It is difficult to measure accurately each nation's contribution of carbon dioxide to the Earth's atmosphere. Carbon is extracted out of the ground as coal, gas, and oil, and these fuels are often exported to other countries where they are burned to generate the energy that is used to make products. In turn, these products may be traded to still other countries where they are consumed. A team tracked and quantified this supply chain of global carbon dioxide emissions. Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:56:56 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111017155618.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111013141811.htm An international effort to replace smoky, inefficient household stoves that people commonly use in lower and middle income countries with clean, affordable, fuel efficient stoves could save nearly 2 million lives each year, according to experts. Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:18:18 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111013141811.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111012185658.htm Democrats who took "green" positions on climate change won much more often than did Democrats who remained silent in 2008 and 2010, according to researchers. Republicans who took "not-green" positions won less often than Republicans who remained silent, the researchers found. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:56:56 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111012185658.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111011112809.htm The end of a California program granting free access to carpool lanes by solo drivers of hybrid cars has unintentionally slowed traffic in all lanes, according to a new report. It turns out that when regular-use lanes became more congested with the addition of more hybrids, the carpool lanes slowed down as well. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:28:28 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111011112809.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111011112308.htm The scope and intensity of mercury pollution in the Great Lakes region is much greater than previously reported, but additional mercury controls should bring needed improvement, according to a new summary of scientific research on the subject. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:23:23 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111011112308.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111011101957.htm The lack of a settled legal framework that balances private property rights while maximizing the public good ultimately hinders the large-scale commercial deployment of geologic carbon sequestration, according to research by an agricultural law expert. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:19:19 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111011101957.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111010104042.htm Can the rapidly expanding automobile industry in China leapfrog to electric vehicles and so avoid the environmental harm that further decades of internal combustion engine use could cause? In a new paper, management researchers explain how China could make such a leap by setting standards. Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:40:40 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111010104042.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111010074840.htm Central bankers are right to avoid being completely clear about the state of the economy, according to a game theory expert in the UK. Mon, 10 Oct 2011 07:48:48 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111010074840.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111007103233.htm Biological invasions, i.e., the spread of introduced, non-native species, not only serve as ecological model systems, but also bring out the importance of economic activities on ecological processes. Fri, 07 Oct 2011 10:32:32 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111007103233.htm