Green Politics

At the opening of climate change talks in Bonn, Germany, New Zealand announced its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10 to 20 percent below 1990 levels by 2020. It will reach this goal through emission reductions, storage of carbon in forests and purchasing emissions reductions in other countries.

Seeking to provide more incentives for purchases of fuel-efficient vehicles, Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) on Aug. 6 introduced the Efficient Vehicle Leadership Act of 2009.

Senate Bill 1620, co-sponsored by Senators Richard Lugar (R-IN) and John Kerry (D-MA), calls for a program to reward Americans with fuel performance rebates

As we increasingly wonder whether our air, water or proximity to certain elements cause asthma, cancer, birth defects or even lower IQs, a national coordinated network may be formed to track the link between environmental hazards and public health issues.

A new report released Aug. 4 by the Energy Information Agency, an independent, non-partisan group, finds that the American Clean Energy and Security Act will cost Americans about as much as a postage stamp, 23 cents, per day.

In an effort to jumpstart alternative energy production in the United States, the Department of the Interior recently announced about 670,000 acres of land as potential areas for solar energy production. The move toward energy efficiency has made desert and wind swept lands much more desirable to developers and the government alike.

After hearing from Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood that the popular ‘Cash for Clunkers’ program was running out of money, Congress rushed to authorize a $2 billion injection that would keep the program afloat as more and more Americans take advantage of the service.

In an effort to fend off a projected temperature rise in London in the next several decades, the mayor of London’s environment advisor announced a plan to increase the amount of trees

An international cap and trade scheme on carbon may be the most effective way to reduce our global footprint. UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has proposed a global system for trading carbon emissions, claiming it is our solution for preventing disastrous climate change.

Britain’s government announced July 15 measures to cut carbon dioxide emissions to the tune of 85 million metric tonnes by 2020 and promote public transportation and low-emission cars.

While hearings take place this week before the Senate Judiciary Committee to determine whether to appoint President Obama’s selection of Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court, much punditry in the greensphere has been dedicated to Sotomayor’s environmental record as a federal judge.