Hawaii Senate Says Cutting Back on Paper Has Saved $1.2 Million

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/07/us/07hawaii.html?ref=earth

February 6, 2010
The New York Times
By The Associated Press

Brief Summary:
Two years ago, the Senator of Hawaii decided to work on targeting the production of paper and used the two years to save $1.2 million which was nearly 8 million pages or 800 trees. They reduced the use of heavy duty copy machines and came to the conclusion that they could generate the paper themselves and take that responsibility.

Short Response:
They came up with the idea that no paper should be used unless absolutely necessary, and this could actually be something to learn a lesson from. If other countries could take action like this, we could save many trees and make a difference.

China Tries a New Tack to Go Solar

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/09/business/energy-environment/09solar.html?ref=earth

January 8, 2010

The New York Times

By Keith Bradsher

Brief Summary:

China is attempting to master an alternative energy industry. This is by using mirrors to capture sunlight, produce steam and generate electricity. This is by concentrating solar power.

Short Response:

Concentrating solar power is not suitable for China. The technology will be useful in a large scale in China, and there are many obstacles that will be faced.

E.P.A. Seeks Stricter Rules to Curb Smog

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/08/science/earth/08smog.html?ref=earth

January 7, 2010

The New York Times

By John M. Broder

Brief Summary:

A much stricter standard for smog causing pollutants has been proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency. If used, it would benefit the health of millions of Americans. It would replace that which was adopted under the Bush administration.

Short Response:

If adopted, this would impose large costs on industry and local governments. The current standard was challenged in court because it was thought to be too weak to fully protect human health and the environment.

Geothermal Project in California Is Shut Down

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/12/science/earth/12quake.html?_r=1&ref=earth

December 11, 2009

The New York Times

By James Glanz

Brief Summary:

Renewable energy from hot bedrock deep in the earth could be removed to test geothermal energy as an alternative to fossil fuels. However, Altarock Energy, the company in charge, has informed federal officials that the project will not happen anymore.

Short Response:

The bedrock could have potentially been a clean and limitless energy source, saving us many worries about the earth and how to get resources. It would definitely be in our best interest to attempt this project sometime in the near future.

Tally of CO2 Pledges Misses ‘Safe’ Zone

http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/tally-of-co2-pledges-falls-short-of-safe-zone/

December 13, 2009

The New York Times

By Andrew C. Revkin

Brief Summary:

Quickly responding tools have been developed to determine the climatic significance of new national emissions pledges. "C-ROADS" models are able to examine how all proposals for emissions reductions have been made by individual nations which are now on the table at Copenhagen.

Short Response:

With the rate of these emissions being determined it is very useful to our future. It is also a way we can try to reduce global warming and become more aware.

Michigan: Fear Over Asian Carp Brings Request to Close Waterways

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/03/science/earth/03brfs-FEAROVERASIA_BRF.html?_r=1&ref=earth

December 2, 2009

The New York Times

By The Associated Press

Brief Summary:

There are demands that Michigan government will close the waterways that connect the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. This is in fear that voracious Asian carp will enter into the Great Lakes and kill off all the other fish that inhabit these lakes.

Short Response:

Granholm refers to this as an ecological disaster, and I have to agree that this is potentially what it could be. The killing off of these species could affect many others, which in turn could create a real disaster.

Water Heater Efficiency Rules Draw Criticism

http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/04/water-heater-efficiency-rules-draw-criticism/

December 4, 2009

The New York Times

By Todd Woody

Brief Summary:

Obama's administration has proposed energy efficiency standards for home water heaters. The standards don't take advantage of the advanced technology where the large savings are, leaving environmentalists with a hesitant reaction.

Short Response:

Regardless of what environmentalists think, the standards seem to be very helpful because they save consumers over $15 billion over a 30 year time span. They also prevent emissions of 154 tons of carbon dioxide.