The outlook for emperor penguins is grim, but mountain gorillas in the Congo could be making a comeback… read on for this morning’s enviro-news from cyberspace.

• Penguin Death March? New research says emperor penguins could be 95 percent extinct by 2100 if Antarctic ice continues to melt. C’mon people, we need to save the penguins!
• Your Year Is Up: In 2008, Spain instituted a law that required utilities to buy solar panels. Seems like a great idea, doesn’t it? Only problem is the law only lasted for one year.
• The Short End of the Stick: Why is biomass receiving less government money than other renewable energy sources like solar, wind and geothermal?
• Turbine Recycling: Yep, wind farms have been around long enough that it’s time to start recycling old turbines. Luckily, there are companies out there willing to take the old, refurbish them and put ’em back to use.
• Special Envoy for Climate Change: Obama has appointed Todd Stern to this special position, where Stern will be the chief climate change negotiator at UN meetings and the like. (Hat-tip: Hill Heat.)
• Lisa and Lisa: And Georgetown law professor Lisa Heinzerling will reportedly be joining the EPA as climate change advisor to head Lisa Jackson.
• Oceans in the Future: Oceans could be worse than they are now – a new study shows that carbon dioxide could stay in the oceans for up to 100,000 years.
• Who Will Rule the Arctic? Check out this video clip from a new documentary about the race to map the Arctic.
• A Whale of a Compromise? Talks between pro- and anti- whaling countries seem to have reached new ground, reports the BBC’s Richard Black.
• No More Heel Dragging: In a press conference yesterday, Obama announced plans for developing renewable energy and jobs in that sector.
• Gorilla Baby Boom: Mountain gorillas in the Congo have been just one of many victims in that country’s ongoing war, but a new survey reveals gorilla births in Virunga National Park are up 13 percent.
• Sunny CA: A community-based program is organizing mass solar installation in California, first in San Francisco and now Los Angeles.
• Bathroom Reading: A study in Japan showed that people use less toilet paper in public stalls where messages have been posted that discourage excessive paper use.
• Speed Dating for Birds: New data proves that a bird species called “white eyes” is the fastest evolving bird on the planet.

(Image: Emperor penguins and chick. Credit: Giuseppe Zibordi/NOAA.)

Posted: January 27th, 2009 under Animals, Arctic, Birds, Climate Change, Conservation Issues, Cool Green Morning, Energy, Oceans & Coasts, Policy, Science, United States.
Tags: Arctic, biomass, California, Climate Change, Emperor penguins, Lisa Heinzerling, mountain gorillas, solar panels, Todd Stern, whaling, white eyes, wind energy

Comments

Comment from philip kidi
Time January 29, 2009 at 4:56 pm

Its good news to hear about the gorilla baby boom and despite the turmoil in the Congo.There is always that light at the end of the tunnel & so the war to green the earth continues. We shall win it. Trust me and God.