Environmental Politics

"The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) on Thursday announced president Frances Beinecke will retire at the end of 2014.

"The U.S. and European Union blocked a proposal supported by 130 nations including Brazil and China that would use pollution levels dating back to the industrial revolution to help set limits on emissions in the future."

"WASHINGTON -– Walmart, the world's largest retailer, has received positive press in recent years for its promises to go green. The company began issuing an annual Global Responsibility Report in 2005. It announced plans to slash emissions in its supply chain in 2010. The company pledged this year to expand the use of renewable energy. But according to a report released Wednesday, Walmart's green pledges remain more hype than reality."

As science celebs praised Carl Sagan for the opening of a collection of his papers at the Library of Congress, they also lamented the mounting attacks on science by opponents of climate change controls.

"House lawmakers are expressing optimism about a landmark Senate compromise to reform the country’s chemical safety law."

"Study suggests far-reaching acceptance of climate change in traditionally Republican states such as Texas and Oklahoma"

"Huge proposed coal export terminals at Longview and Cherry Point, north of Bellingham, must get “exhaustive and independent review” of potential environmental, economic and climate change impacts, Washington’s four Catholic bishops said in a statement adopted Friday."

"The Obama administration may be about to hand the oil industry a major victory by reducing the federal requirement for blending ethanol into fuel — a decision with big implications for farm-state politics, food prices and the nation’s energy markets."

"US officials fear the devastating impact of Typhoon Haiyan will overshadow core issue of climate change prevention."

"WARSAW -- US officials fear that international climate change talks will become focused on payouts for damage caused by extreme weather events excacerbated by global warming, like the category 5 Typhoon Haiyan that hit the Philippines last week killing thousands of people and causing what is expected to be billions of pounds of damage.

"CORYDON, Iowa -- The hills of southern Iowa bear the scars of America's push for green energy: The brown gashes where rain has washed away the soil. The polluted streams that dump fertilizer into the water supply."