Quebec Government Sues MM&A for Oil Train Disaster in Lac-Mégantic

The Lac-Mégantic crude oil train disaster is not only tragic for the 47 people who lost their lives, it is a costly environmental calamity that decimated a significant part of the small town. The government of Quebec is the latest to add its name to those seeking compensation from the now insolvent Montreal, Maine & Atlantic (MM&A) railroad company. MM&A along with 3 employees are also facing criminal charges in the case.

On Monday June 16 the government said it is seeking $409 million from the MM&A for expenses associated with the tragedy. According to June 13 claim by Quebec's justice ministry the province has already spent $126 million in public funds. They expect to spend an additional $283 million. Justice is seeking compensation so that Quebec taxpayers are not left to foot the bill.

Independence Day 2013: Declaration of Freedom from Fossil Fuels

Two hundred and thirty seven years ago, US colonies freed themselves from the injustice of British rule, now America needs to free itself from the injustice of fossil fuels. The United States' Declaration of Independence is a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. On that day, thirteen American colonies proclaimed their freedom from Great Britain. On the fourth of July 2013, America needs to start thinking seriously about a declaration of freedom from fossil fuels.

A few years after the American revolution, the industrial revolution dawned, beginning America's meteoric rise to global dominance. However, fossil fuels are the engine that drove this growth and they are also the leading cause of climate change.

Satellite Animation: Review of Extreme Weather in 2012 (Video)

Watch the nearly year-long satellite animation as Weather Underground calls out the most significant weather events of the past year, including Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Isaac.

Climate Change is Already Killing 400,000 People Annually

Climate change is killing 400,000 people per year including 1,000 children a day and costing the global economy $1.2 trillion a year (which amounts to 1.6 percent of economic output). These are the findings of a September 2012 study called "Climate Vulnerability Monitor" (PDF).

The Problems and Solutions of e-Waste (Video)

This video reviews the issues related to e-waste, it also addresses some of the solutions. This video specifically reviews how Sprint, through its buy-back program, is helping to solve the monumental problem of e-waste.

Since 2001, Sprint's takeback program has collected more than 4,000 metric tons of electronic waste which comprises more than 40 million wireless devices. These programs not only keep phones out of landfills they have helped the company avoid more than $1 billion in costs. In 2011 Sprint recycled more than 11 million wireless devices, over 211,000 on average per week. Sprint is the first and only US wireless carrier to outline specific commitments that address electronic waste (e-waste) holistically.

US e-waste is Polluting Toxic Dumps in Ghana (Video)

How are the west's 'recycled' TVs and computers ending up in a toxic dump in Ghana? Dateline investigates the trade in e-waste which is poisoning a once picturesque part of Africa.

The US Desire to be "Green" is Causing an e-waste Hell China (Video)

The best intentions to be green can flow from the United States into a e-waste hell. In with the new, means out with the old. The US throws out over 100 million cell phones per year and while people may think they are disposing of the phones in an eco-friendly fashion, the truth of where this waste actually ends up is a far different story.

Greenpeace e-Waste Investigation (Video)

Greenpeace has been investigating the immoral and illegal e-waste dumping in developing countries since 2002. After China, India, Pakistan and Ghana, this is the story of how one very broken TV managed to avoid being tested and recycled according to EU regulations and instead ended up in Nigeria as "second hand goods.

Free Energy 101 Webinar: Calculating Savings (M&V) for Energy Efficiency Projects

On Thursday, October 25, 2012 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT, a webinar titled Free Energy 1: Calculating Savings for Energy Efficiency Projects. Need to calculate the actual energy savings from efficiency projects? Want to determine if the realized savings met or exceeded your project savings estimates? If so, this one-hour free webinar is for you. During the webinar, Noesis energy experts will discuss industry standards for assessing energy savings and demonstrate how to perform project measurement and verification (often referred to as M&V).

Specifically, the webinar will provide an in-depth look at IPMVP's Option C (Whole Building) for calculating project savings using meter or invoice data. During the webinar they will walk through a real life example and use the free Noesis energy management website to automatically determine the savings from a past retrofit. In addition, there will be a Q&A.

The Financial Costs of Biodiversity Loss

The loss of biodiversity is a tragedy for everyone. We often forget that nature provides a plethora of services all for free. A 2012 report indicates that the world's biodiversity is down 30 percent since the 1970s. Humanity is outstripping the Earth's resources by 50 percent — essentially using the resources of one and a half Earths every year, according to the 2012 Living Planet Report, produced by conservation agency the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

As we undermine natural systems we are incurring immense costs. This is the central premise of a BBC News article by Richard Anderson.

Independence Day 2012: Declaration of Freedom from Fossil Fuels

Two hundred and thirty six years ago, the colonies freed themselves from the injustice of British rule, now America needs to free itself from the injustice of fossil fuels. The United States' Declaration of Independence is a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. On that day, thirteen American colonies proclaimed their freedom from Great Britain. On the fourth of July 2012, America needs a declaration of freedom from fossil fuels.

A few years after the American revolution, the industrial revolution dawned, beginning America's meteoric rise to global dominance. However, fossil fuels are the engine that drove this growth and they are also the leading cause of climate change.

Success of #EndFossilFuelSubsidies Twitter Storm Directed at Rio+20

On Monday June 18, climate change activists used Twitter to send a message to end fossil fuel subsidies that has echoed around the world. People all over the planet understand that it's simply wrong to be spending tax dollars off to the richest industry in the world, an industry that's wrecking the atmosphere and endangering our shared future. The 24-hour "Twitter storm" garnered the support of hundreds of thousands of people and was the top ranked tweet of the day. According to the Guardian this was the top trending topic in the  US and second place globally while Topsy.com reported that it was the #1 story in the world. Politicians have also joined the storm, with messages streaming in from Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi in the US and former Prime Minister Helen Clark of New Zealand.

End One Trillion Dollars of Annual Fossil Fuel Subsidies

Although governments try to hide the exact amount, an analysis by Oil Change International indicates that global oil subsidies total at least $775 billion to as much as $1 trillion or more in 2012. Rather than pay for an industry that is destroying the planet and compromising the lives of all of its inhabitants, this money could be put to better use for renewable energy, education, hunger and poverty.

Rio+20: 350.org Campaign to End Fossil Fuel Subsidies

As people converge in Rio for the "Earth Summit," it is time to pressure world leaders to end fossil fuel subsidies. Ending Fossil Fuel Subsidies topped the UN Rio Dialogues online vote, but the official UN text still lacks clear commitments. That stalwart friend of the environment, 350.org is partnering with Avaaz to promote a massive social media storm designed to pressure world leaders to put an end to fossil fuel subsidies.

Global Warming and the Shortage of Mistletoe

The effects of climate change are ubiquitous, and this year it is even impacting the availability of mistletoe. Droughts, one of the corollaries of global warming, is behind the shortage. The small parasitic plant grows on trees in humid climates in Europe and the US. Because of dry conditions in the southern US, and Texas in particular, most of this years crop comes from Europe.