Morning y’all. Read on for interesting tidbits from blogs we like:

• Porcupine Gets the Pink Slip: The Wildlife Conservation Society envisions animal layoffs at New York’s zoos and aquariums if proposed budget cuts go through — watch their video at Dot Earth.

• The Best Way to Save the Planet? Thomas Friedman says voting for a green leader is far more important than developing a top-10 list of green resolutions. (Hat-tip: BlogFish.)

• A Bird in the Cup: Bird lovers and coffee addicts unite! If you drink coffee that’s certified bird-friendly (and why not?) and have wondered how the birds benefit, Coffee and Conservation has the answer.

• Hope for Glaciers? A new study says the rapid disappearance of Greenland’s glaciers could be short-lived, shedding some light on how glacial melt might contribute to sea level rise in the future.

• Green Jobs Suffer: The leading company turning algae into biofuel announced cuts of 19 staff this week, reports GreenTech.

• What a Mug! Researchers have rediscovered a population of Hispaniolan solenodons in Haiti. Looking like a cross between a rat and a shrew, this ugly but endangered critter has a cool power: it’s the only mammal that can inject venom through its teeth.

• Shrinking Species: Richard Black at the BBC comments on a new study showing that species are getting smaller and smaller. The reason? Researchers speculate that modern-day hunting and fishing practices have taken out the biggest fish in the pond, leaving the smallest ones to reproduce and evolove into… well, smaller species.

• What Did You Say? Bloggers at RealClimate review a new book on how to communicate about the science of climate change.

• Cure for Cold Toes: CleanTechnica raves about a portable radiant floor system that keeps the feet warm and the energy bill low.

• Across the Pond… The EU is planning to ban most plasma TVs by next spring, reports GoodCleanTech. Just another step on their road to reducing energy consumption.

• $$ Not to Drive: To reduce traffic from heavily-polluting cars in Beijing, China will pay people not to drive and will fine those who continue driving cars that don’t meet emissions standards.

(Image:  A porcupine feasting on wild rosebush in Montana. Image source: Janet Haas.)

Posted: January 13th, 2009 under Animals, Birds, Climate Change, Energy, Policy.
Tags: Birds, China, Cool Green Morning, Energy, Glaciers, Green Contest, Green Living, Porcupines, species discovery