Green Super Bowls and carbon-neutral cell phones… what’s next? Find out in this morning’s round-up from enviro blogs.

• Super Bowl Goes Green: The NFL will expand its environmental program to include renewable energy and carbon offsets to help power this year’s Super Bowl.

• Get Out the Books: The European Commission will be holding a summer school to help teach officials from other countries how to operate cap-and-trade systems.

• Wind Growth Slows in California: While 2008 saw record growth in wind energy and 2009 looks to be similar, one anomaly stands out: California. Kate Galbrath explores why.

• Economy Stimulus: Tax credits of up to $7,500 for plug-in vehicles are part of the Senate’s proposed tax stimulus plan. This effort would double the number of cars eligible for credits.

• It Just Goes to Show: The Guardian reports that big British companies (read: heavy polluters) are abusing the EU’s emissions trading system by cashing in for quick $$, causing a fall in carbon prices. (Hat-Tip: The Vine.)

• Eco-Cellphone? Motorola just launched what they’re calling a “carbon neutral” phone — using carbon offsets, they’ve accounted for the manufacturing and distribution activities of the phone. Bonus: it’s made from recycled water bottles.

• The Word from Al: The Obama economic stimulus plan has a friend in Al Gore, who says it will help fight climate change. Dot Earth and Bright Green Blog report.

• Green Light: Two weeks ago a German research group was asked to halt its study of algal blooms in nutrient-deficient ocean areas until an environmental assessment could be conducted. Now it has the go-ahead to dump 20 tons of iron sulphate into the ocean to see what happens.

• Could a Slow Economy Help Rainforests? Mongabay suggests that the economic downturn might offer rainforests a break from heavy deforestation.

• The Question of Science: Chris Rowan debates a question raised by Obama’s inaugural speech: What is the rightful place of science?

• Solar Panels at the White House: Installed in 1979 at the request of Jimmy Carter, taken down by Ronald Reagan in 1980… what’s become of the White House solar panels? And will Obama put them back up?

• Karaoke Saves the Day: A chemist working in Cambodia is helping to teach people about water quality issues with karaoke videos.

• G’Day Sunshine: Australia has invested AUD $100 million in a new solar research and development center.

(Image: Super Bowl XLII. Source: jwinfred, via a Creative Commons license.)

Posted: January 29th, 2009 under Australia, Business, Carbon Markets, Conservation Issues, Cool Green Morning, Energy, Europe, Forests, Green Living, Green Technology, Oceans & Coasts, Policy, Rainforests, Science, United States.
Tags: Al Gore, algal blooms, Australia, cap-and-trade, cell phones, karaoke, solar panels, Super Bowl