en-us Copyright Sightline Daily - all rights reserved newsfeeds@sightline.org newsfeeds@sightline.org Most recent Climate headlines from Sightline Daily, the Northwest news that matters http://daily.sightline.org Plone http://daily.sightline.org/logo.gif 427 69 The number of miles Californians drive is growing almost twice as fast as the state's population, as housing developments sprout farther and farther from commercial centers. Not only does this urban sprawl put upward pressure on gasoline prices, it creates freeway gridlock, worsens air pollution and makes fighting global warming next to impossible. California lawmakers have tried and failed for decades to bring sprawl under control, but they may finally be on the verge of success. http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-planning28-2008aug28,0,1924756.story?track=rss Climate Policy Solutions Sprawl & Transportation California 08/28/2008 Los Angeles Times More ominous signs Wednesday have scientists saying a global-warming "tipping point" in the Arctic seems to be happening before their eyes: Sea ice in the Arctic Ocean is at its second- lowest level in about 30 years. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008143445_ice28.html?syndication=rss Climate Environment 08/28/2008 Seattle Times You know your shoe size. But you probably don't know your carbon footprint, particularly the footprint of your home. Breaking old habits is not easy, but experts say the rewards are worth it, not only for the environment but also for the pocketbook. Those who reduce their carbon footprint by decreasing their energy use, they say, usually reduce their energy costs as well. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/28/garden/28fix.html Climate Economy Energy United States 08/28/2008 New York Times Utility officials have the responsibility to protect their customers against excessive risk. That means they should plan as if global warming is real and make sure they are prepared. While some understand this, the comments I received, and the silence of others, suggests that not all utilities have come to this conclusion. http://www.registerguard.com/rg/EditorialsLetters/story.csp?cid=128331&sid=5&fid=2 Climate Energy Environment Oregon 08/28/2008 Eugene Register Guard China is taking the soot-covered gold. A new report says the electric utilities of the Olympics host will emit more greenhouse gases this year than any other country, including the United States. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/376739_emissionsed.html Climate Environment Pollution & Toxics United States 08/28/2008 Seattle Post-Intelligencer The thousands of recently planted green and purple shrublike sedum lining the roof of Con Edison’s training center in Long Island City look a bit out of place in the shadow of Manhattan’s skyline. But the tiny absorbent leaves and modest but hardy roots of the sedum — typically found in desert climates — are at the center of a growing effort to reduce greenhouse gases, rainwater runoff and electricity demand in New York. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/28/nyregion/28roof.html Climate Energy Environment Solutions Sustainable Living 08/28/2008 New York Times The National Snow and Ice Data Center has reported that sea ice in the Arctic now covers about 2.03 million square miles. The lowest point since satellite measurements began in 1979 was 1.65 million square miles, last September. With about three weeks left in the Arctic summer, this year could wind up breaking that record, scientists said. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/28/science/earth/28seaice.html Climate Environment 08/28/2008 New York Times Once again in the absence of leadership from the federal government and Bush administration on environmental issues, the states have had to step into the breach. Twelve states have joined a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency for its refusal to enforce its own rules on refinery pollution. Washington on Monday signed up along with California, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and two cities, New York and Washington, D.C. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2008143748_suited28.html?syndication=rss Climate Policy California Oregon Washington 08/28/2008 Seattle Times Republicans started making the final changes to their party platform today in Minneapolis, hammering out a staunchly-conservative document that calls for constitutional amendments banning abortion and gay marriage while leaving decisions about how to pursue the war in Iraq up to the next president. But the 48-page document -- which is roughly half as long as the party's 2004 platform -- does reflect certain priorities of the presumptive GOP nominee John McCain, by highlighting issues such as the environment. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/08/26/in_a_first_draft_gop_platform_1.html Climate Environment Policy United States 08/27/2008 Washington Post