Even Antarctica is now feeling the heat of climate change
It’s official: there is nowhere left to hide from global warming. The notion that Antarctica is the last continent not to be heating up because of climate change is dead, according to a new study. 

Japan launches rocket with greenhouse-gas probe
The first satellite dedicated to monitoring carbon dioxide emissions was launched into space Friday from a center in Japan, where officials hope to gather information on climate change — and help the country compete in the lucrative satellite-launching business. The satellite — named “Ibuki,” which means “breath” — was sent into orbit along with seven other piggyback probes on a Japanese H2A rocket.

Reflective Crops Could Counteract Climate Change
Sometimes, the best solutions are the ones that nature gives us. Researchers at the University of Bristol in England think that one easy way to counteract global warming is to plant crops that reflect more sunlight.

Global warming blamed for tree death in West
Tree mortality rates have doubled in old-growth forests across the Sierra Nevada and western United States because of rising temperatures associated with climate change, a new study has found.

While Everything Else Stops, Green Still Means Go
Despite the economy, investment in short term green initiatives is still going strong as companies realize how quickly they can cut costs through efficiency projects.

Appeal of ‘green products’ growing despite recession – survey
Greenwire, 21 January 2009 – “Green products” became more popular last year, according to a new survey by researchers who see the trend continuing despite the sharp global economic downturn. The Boston Consulting Group survey of some 9,000 consumers in East Asia, Europe and North America found that more shoppers deliberately sought and bought green products in 2008 than in the year before. Their research also suggests consumers are becoming more willing to pay higher prices for green products than they were in the past.

New IBM Consulting Service Finds Savings Throughout Supply Chains
OAKLAND, Calif. — IBM’s SNOW consulting offering gives a holistic look at supply chains, identifying ways to cut costs and lower environmental impacts, from product materials to distribution routes.

Study: Cleaner air adds 5 months to U.S. lifespan
Take a deep breath and enjoy the fresh air a little longer.

Alaskans protest coal-fired power plant
Chanting “No coal! No secrets!” through their face masks, more than 75 protesters demonstrated in Homer, Alaska, on Wednesday against a new deal that would commit Homer Electric Association to buying half the future output of a coal-fired power plant.

The Climate Group to Develop Low Carbon Cities in China
BEIJING, CHINA — The Climate Group plans to develop 15 to 20 low carbon cities in China as part of the organization’s drive to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and battle climate change.

Californians look to Obama to clear path for emissions law
WASHINGTON — With a new occupant in the White House, California could soon start enforcing its 2002 law that requires a sharp reduction in vehicle emissions.

EU wants “zero-waste, zero-emission” goal for ships
ENDS Europe Daily, 21 January 2009 – The European commission has issued a plan to increase the competitiveness of the EU maritime sector and improve its environmental performance by 2018. The plan is also intended to meet objectives in other sectors such as energy and road transport. The commission calls for an ambitious long-term “zero-waste, zero-emission” goal for the maritime sector.

Wave power project planned in California
Green Wave Energy Solutions LLC earlier this month completed a 60-day comment period on its proposal to harvest wave energy in 17 square miles of ocean a couple miles off Montana de Oro State Park on California’s Central Coast.

Wal-Mart Cuts Ribbon on Giant PV Array in Mexico, Canada’s First Green Store Prototype
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart’s international operations have installed the largest photovoltaic solar power system in Latin America and opened Canada’s first store to serve as a high-performance prototype for green building.

Solarmer Energy Developing Plastic Solar Cells for Portable Electronics
Plastic solar cells are coming soon to a portable gadget near you thanks to University of Chicago researchers and Solarmer Energy. Solarmer’s prototype plastic cell measures 8 square inches and is expected to have 8 percent efficiency as well as a three-year lifespan. Until now, plastic solar cells have only been able to reach 5 to 6 percent efficiency

Korean Seaweed Biofuel not Using Usable Lands for Crops
Korea Institute of Technology in South Korea patented the use of freshwater algae to obtain biofuel. The scientists developed a method to use marine algae or seaweed to produce bioethanol and avoid using productive lands.

GEM Machine Produces Energy and Heat from Garbage
The company IST Energy has developed a shipping container called Green Energy Machine (GEM) which can turn trash into electricity and heat. The machine is very useful for office parks, universities, hospitals and town municipality which could get their electricity from their own garbage disposal. A major factor is reduced costs from garbage disposal and as well reduced CO2 emissions from combustion. The machine does pollute as it’s using a process called gasification but not as much as combustion.

Australia to Use ‘Talking’ Fridges to Reduce Global Warming
Australian researchers have figured out a cool new way to tackle the threat of global warming, by setting up a network of ‘talking’ fridges . But wait, the idea isn’t as crazy as it might sound. The fridges feature cutting-edge technology enabling them to communicate with each other via a network to share and store energy from renewable energy sources such as solar panels or wind turbines.

Chemical Engineers Build World’s Smallest Fuel Cell
US chemical engineers have built the world’s smallest fuel cell, clocking in at only 9 cubic millimeters (3mm). While the hydrogen-fueled cell is currently a prototype, it could one day replace batteries in portable electronics.

Baby beetles inspire Pitt researchers to build ‘mini boat’ powered by surface tension
Inspired by the aquatic wriggling of beetle larvae, a University of Pittsburgh research team has designed a propulsion system that strips away paddles, sails, and motors and harnesses the energy within the water’s surface. The technique destabilizes the surface tension surrounding the object with an electric pulse and causes the craft to move via the surface’s natural pull.

Architect Proposes Human-Powered River Gym in NYC
Just looking at this mock-up of a human-powered river gym makes me seasick, but architect Mitchell Joachim and personal trainer Douglas Joachim’s design won third place in New York Magazine’s “Create a Gym Contest”. The gym’s creators explain, “Often the average urbanite exercising at the gym performs controlled repetitive single plane movements using industrial fitness equipment. All of this energy is summarily dissipated and ultimately exhausted for the sake of a single individual’s wellbeing. Other potentials exist to harness this vast human expenditure of caloric energy. Why not have the simple transfer of this workout vigor supply New York with needed supplemental transport and amenities?”

Mayor Newsom launches Green Rental Car incentive program
The office of the San Francisco Mayor issued the following news release: San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is launching the nation’s first Green Rental Car program that rewards customers for renting “green” alternative-fueled vehicles and rental car companies for increasing rentals of high mileage and alternative-fuel vehicles.

Are Old-Growth Forests Protected in the U.S.?
Protecting remaining old-growth forest is important for many reasons. These areas provide some of the cleanest drinking water in the world, critical salmon and wildlife habitat, world-class recreational opportunities and critical carbon storage in our fight against global warming.

Clorox Expands Green Works Line, Gives $470K to Sierra Club
OAKLAND, Calif. — Clorox has added biodegradable wipes to its line of Green Works cleaners and announced how much it is giving the Sierra Club as part of their marketing relationship.

Opportunities for Green Meetings Increase
PORTLAND, Ore. — As more companies consider the impacts of their meetings, more chances arise to reduce resources consumed by events while cutting costs and expanding access.

White House puts a hold on plan to remove wolves from endangered species list
The decision to remove Rocky Mountain gray wolves from the endangered species list is now on hold.

Salmonella Common In U.S. Poultry 
2 outbreaks highlight the dangers of infection from live birds, report shows.