AlterNet.org: Environment

Why the Battle Over Canada's Tar Sands Is an American Issue

Asher Miller, Post Carbon Institute — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:00:01 PST

For starters, the energy and environmental impacts of tar sands production are not limited to within the borders of Canada. But the trouble doesn't end there.

Gasland Director Josh Fox: Obama's Support for Natural Gas Drilling 'A Painful Moment' for Communities Exposed to Fracking

Amy Goodman, Juan Gonzalez, Democracy Now! — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:00:01 PST

Fox talks with Democracy Now following his arrest Wednesday while trying to film a Congressional hearing.

Was Lou Gehrig's ALS Caused by Drinking Water?

Wendee Holtcamp, Miller-McCune Magazine — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:00:01 PST

A toxic molecule found in pond scum may trigger neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and Parkinson's. A group of scientists could hold the key to a cure.

Conservatives Use Creationist Playbook to Attack Climate Change Education in Schools

Bill Walker, AlterNet — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:00:01 PST

The overwhelming scientific evidence that says humans are causing the warming of the planet has emerged as the new battlefield in middle and high schools in the U.S.

Anti-Wolf Movie 'The Grey' Plays Up Misconceptions About Wolves -- At a Time When Wolves Are More At Risk Than Ever

Wayne Pacelle, AlterNet — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:00:01 PST

"The Grey" rivals "Jaws" for its sheer ignorance and folly in terms of natural history and the human-animal relationship.

Nukespeak: The Selling of Nuclear Technology from the Manhattan Project to Fukushima

Richard C. Bell, Stephen Hilgartner, Rory O'Connor, AlterNet — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:00:01 PST

In the end, the answer to the mystery of why nuclear power in the United States is still afloat comes down to money.

State Of The Union: President Obama Blames Congress for Inaction on Climate Change, While Calling for Increase in Fossil Fuel Production

Brad Johnson, ThinkProgress — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:00:01 PST

Here's the problem with Obama's "all-of-the-above" energy strategy.

Fracking's "Little Revolution": How a People-Powered Movement Fights Big Business for Clean Water

Ellen Cantarow, TomDispatch.com — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:00:01 PST

Consider this, then, an environmental Occupy Wall Street. It knows no divisions of social class or political affiliation. Everyone, after all, needs clean water.

An Interesting New Way to Look at the Economy: Are Economies Like Ecosystems?

Jon Rynn, AlterNet — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:00:01 PST

Progressives have a golden opportunity to challenge conservative economic orthodoxy with a fresh, sustainable approach to creating prosperity.

Why a Likely Natural Event Could Cause Nuclear Reactors to Melt Down and Our Grid to Crash

Matthew Stein, AlterNet — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:00:01 PST

Unless we take significant protective measures, this apocalyptic scenario is actually possible.

Sugar High: The Dark History and Nasty Methods Used to Feed Our Sweet Tooth

Jill Richardson, AlterNet — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:00:01 PST

Sugar is now 20 percent of the American diet, but it's not just our health that suffers from its pervasiveness.

The Uphill Battle Against Citizens United: Tricky Legal Terrain and No Easy Fixes

Steven Rosenfeld, AlterNet — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:00:01 PST

Is there anything in the years to come that can lead to a victory against the notorious Supreme Court decision?

3 Ways Laws Are Stacked to Favor Fracking Companies -- And How We Can Change That

Peter Montague, AlterNet — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:00:01 PST

The U.S. legal system is strongly biased in favor of economic growth, even if it harms human health and the environment.

Despite Obama's Decision on Keystone Pipeline, the Fight Against Tar Sands Is Far From Over

Bill Walker, Climate Central — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:00:01 PST

Obama's rejection of the pipeline won't stop tar sands oil from flowing, or even keep it out of the United States.

New Tool Reveals Country's Most Polluted Places: How Close Do You Live?

Scott Thill, AlterNet — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:00:01 PST

Thanks to a new tool from the EPA, you can see how close you live to the country's biggest polluters.

The Essentials for the Necessary Transition to a Renewable Energy Economy

Jon Rynn, AlterNet — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 23:00:01 PST

Unless we want to be indentured to an energy-military-financial complex, we need to build a new infrastructure for renewable energy.

Oil Lobby Threatens Obama Over Keystone Pipeline: Here's Just How Much Financial Firepower the Industry Has in Washington

Suzanne Goldenberg, The Guardian — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:00:01 PST

An independent research group that tracks the influence of money in politics has conducted an analysis of oil industry contributions to members of Congress supporting the pipeline.

3 Places Where a Looming Energy War Could Mean Global Economic Disaster in 2012

Michael T. Klare, TomDispatch.com — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:00:01 PST

With energy demand on the rise and sources of supply dwindling, we are entering a new epoch in which disputes over vital resources will dominate world affairs.

One More Day to Act: Gas Drilling May Begin in New York Soon

Sabrina Artel, AlterNet — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:00:01 PST

It's down to the final wire for public comments on the proposed regulations to allow for industrial gas drilling and fracking in New York.

Fracking on Shaky Ground: How Our Latest Fossil Fuel Addiction Is Linked to Earthquakes

Scott Thill, AlterNet — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:00:01 PST

When the mayor of Youngstown, Ohio decides to buy earthquake insurance, you know we've got a big problem.