L.A. Times - Environment

Climate change bill is in trouble

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Political tactics tie up the Senate version, and efforts to salvage it may be too little too late.

If you think the partisan divide over healthcare reform is ugly, take a look at the animus in the Senate as debate continues on a key climate change bill. So wide is the gulf that long-held Senate traditions on decorum are breaking down. And as Washington fiddles, the Earth burns.

Wildlife filmmakers focusing on endangered cats

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Dereck and Beverly Joubert, who have spent 25 years documenting Africa's most iconic animals, have teamed with National Geographic on the Big Cats Initiative in an attempt to stop their extinction.

South African wildlife photographers and authors Dereck and Beverly Joubert have worked in some of Africa's most remote areas for more than 25 years, recording the life cycles and decline of some of the continent's most iconic animals, in the process winning five Emmys, a Peabody and a Wildscreen Panda Award.

Senate panel OKs sweeping climate bill

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Democrats bypass a Republican boycott and approve a plan to limit greenhouse gases. The GOP wanted more cost analysis. Backers say the move gives the U.S. credibility ahead of talks in Copenhagen.

In a move that stoked optimism for global climate negotiations but raised tempers on Capitol Hill, Democrats on a key Senate committee swept aside a Republican boycott Thursday to pass a far-reaching plan to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

Dow agrees to address pollution at Midwest site

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The chemical firm is a major employer in the Michigan region but is responsible for fouling a river valley.

Every spring, Dow Chemical sponsors a fishing tournament "celebrating all things walleye" on the river that flows past its sprawling world headquarters.

Developer ordered to pay settlement for draining Huntington Beach wetland

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Beachfront Village LLC agrees to pay the $250,000 penalty for draining, filling in and leveling a marsh next to the Cabrillo Mobile Home Park. It also must restore the environmentally sensitive area.

A developer was ordered Thursday to pay coastal regulators a $250,000 settlement for draining a Huntington Beach wetland and trying to build a parking lot in its place.

California legislators strike a final water deal

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The package includes an $11-billion bond measure, groundwater monitoring and a conservation plan. Some critics call the policy changes weak and harmful to salmon fisheries.

Lawmakers capped months of discussions, weeks of tedious negotiations and years of chasing a water deal with approval of major legislation in a marathon session that ended Wednesday as the sun rose.

Mike Roselle and 'Tree Spiker'

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

In his book, Roselle details his work with Earth First! and other direct-action environmental groups.

Mike Roselle is in his element -- fighting a controversial coal industry practice called mountaintop removal mining in the town of Rock Creek, W. Va. "I had to bail some people out of jail," the 55-year-old rumbles happily by phone from the office of Climate Ground Zero. "We've been unleashing hippie hell on them."

Brazil raises cane over U.S. ethanol tariff

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Brazilian sugar producers say sugar-based fuel is more environmentally sound than electricity or corn ethanol as an alternative for powering cars. But the odds are long for a change.

Who could resent the attention being showered on electric cars? Stylish and clean, they're the darling of the renewable-energy crowd, which is hailing the scheduled rollout of several e-powered models next year as a major blow against global warming.

Senate Republicans boycott climate meeting

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Their move, shortly before German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Congress to act on the issue, underscores the difficulty of negotiating legislation on global warming.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Congress on Tuesday to take dramatic action to stop climate change, but the political difficulties were evident as Republicans boycotted a Senate committee meeting on a global warming bill.

California Legislature passes state water conservation bill

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 22:47:00 -0800

The legislation, part of a larger package, mandates a statewide drop in per capita water use by targeting urban areas. The Assembly is still considering other measures already approved by the Senate.

The state Legislature finished with one piece of a multi-part water package Tuesday when the Assembly approved a bill mandating a statewide drop in per capita water use.