AlterNet.org: Water

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Damning New Letter from NY State Insider: 'Hydraulic Fracturing as It's Practiced Today Will Contaminate Our Aquifers'

Karen McVeigh, The Guardian — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:00:01 PST

A former technician responsible for investigating and managing groundwater contamination for New York State opens up about risks from fracking.

How Activists Can 'Occupy' Their Cities with New Legal Structures That Empower Communities Over Corporations

Jeff Reifman, Thomas Linzey, YES! Magazine — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:00:01 PST

A bill of rights that protects the rights of people and nature, but removes them from corporations? Here's how your community could be next.

Hope for Salmon as Dams Come Down

Jennifer Kaye, YES! Magazine — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:00:01 PST

The destruction of two Washington State dams will restore depleted fisheries, create jobs, and maybe even change how we manage our rivers.

US Eyes First BP Criminal Charges Over Gulf Spill

AFP — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 08:00:01 PST

The prosecutors are focusing on US-based BP engineers and at least one supervisor who they say may have provided false information to regulators on drilling risks.

How Canada's Become a Home for Some of the Biggest Fracking Projects

Nicholas Kusnetz, ProPublica — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 08:00:01 PST

As furious debate over fracking continues in the United States, it is instructive to look at how a similar gas boom is unfolding for our neighbor to the north.

L.A.'s Dirty Coal Addiction Is Killing Arizona

Joshua Frank, AlterNet — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 07:00:01 PST

A large percentage of the power Angelenos depend on comes from coal plants, which spew their filth hundreds of miles away, across state lines in Indian country.

The Fight Over Keystone XL Now Has A 60-Day Deadline -- Is This Good or Bad?

Brad Johnson, ThinkProgress — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 07:00:01 PST

With the new rush to approve TransCanada's tar sands pipeline, let's review some key facts that should underlie any analysis of the proposed 1700-mile project.

Goodbye 'Shop Til You Drop' Mentality: Renegade Band of Economists Call for 'Degrowth' Economy

Christine MacDonald, AlterNet — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:00:01 PST

The road to prosperity and happiness doesn't lead to the shopping mall, as most economists would have you believe.

Most Important Book of 2011: Kivalina, a Climate Change Story

Jeff Biggers, AlterNet — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:00:01 PST

Kivalina should be required reading for all power brokers in the climate change debate â€” in particular, President Obama and the dawdling U.S. Congress.