Thursday the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency made available the most recent reporting on the amount of toxic chemicals released into the U.S. environment. According to the EPA’s Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), the latest data, from the calendar year 2007, show an overall decrease of five percent in releases since 2006. Releases to air decreased seven percent and releases to water decreased five percent.

The report shows increases in the releases of persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals like lead, dioxin, mercury and PCBs. Overall PBTs releases increased one percent. The increases were primarily due to a handful of facilities, and most of the releases reported were not to the air or water. (more…)

The White House announcement of a new Middle Class Task Force, run by Vice President Joe Biden, shows that even with the main focus on healing our ailing economy, the campaign promises of a greener economy remain a focus of the new administration.

“The task force’s first focus will be green jobs as a pathway to a strong middle class,” according to a White House Statement released with the task force materials. “Green jobs are jobs that provide products and services which use renewable energy resources, reduce pollution, conserve energy and natural resources and reconstitute waste.”

“At a time when good jobs at good wages are harder and harder to come by, it is critical we find new and innovate ways to create more such jobs. Building a new power grid, manufacturing solar panels, weatherizing homes and office buildings, and renovating schools are just a few examples of ways to create new good quality jobs – green jobs – and strengthen the foundation of this country at the same time. (more…)

Phrases like “real food” and “farm-to-table” may sound like elitist jargon tossed around at upscale restaurants. But the country’s top chefs, several of whom traveled to Washington for Obama’s inauguration this week, hope that Obama’s flair for good food will encourage people to expand their horizons when it comes to what they eat.

These chefs tout locally grown, environmentally friendly and — most importantly — nutritious food. They urge diners, even those who may never be able to afford to eat at their restaurants, to grow their own vegetables, shop at farmer’s markets and pay attention to where their food comes from. (more…)

Every black cloud……….

In the western United States over the past few decades, wildfires have/are
burning more area for longer periods of time. Scientists have correlated the
rampant blazes with warmer temperatures and earlier snow melt.

The global average temperature in the past 100 years has risen 1.3 degrees F. (more…)

How are the Candidates Going to Clean America?

The method in which America creates energy has been a hot topic during the 2008
presidential election. For most, a primary concern deals with how we can keep prices
down at the pump while eliminating our need for foreign oil. This desire has lead to the
“drill here, drill now” crowd calling for domestic offshore drilling (among other things).
While everyone agrees that energy independent principles are vital to revving
up the American economy, there are big differences in how to accomplish this task.

Notably, when it comes to the energy resources and environmental protection standards,
there are fundamental differences in Barack Obama’s and John McCain’s interests.
Additionally, when it comes to bills in congress addressing consumer protection, (more…)