You want the good news or the bad news first this morning? OK, I’ll put the good news in the first two links — ahead of how water scarcity is spurring domestic abuse, melting Arctic ice might release deadly influenza, and why problem bears are exploding in number across the western United States. (See photo above for a hint on the last one.) Have a nice holiday weekend…

1. The climate bill called the American Clean Energy and Security Act (formerly known as Waxman-Markey, now known inside the Beltway as “ACES”) was passed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee last night. Nature Conservancy policy experts think this means the United States is serious about getting a world climate change agreement. Grist’s Kate Sheppard reviews other reactions and the road ahead for the bill.
2. Recycled furniture that glows and is filled with air? Inhabitat reviews the latest green goodness from the Milan Furniture Fair.
3. Could water scarcity lead to domestic abuse? Circle of Blue says it’s happening in southeastern Uganda, where women have to spend so much time walking to find water that their husbands think they’re having affairs. (Hat tip: Treehugger.)
4. The next thing to worry about: Climate change might release influenza virus genes long-frozen in now-melting glaciers or lakes above the Arctic Circle — viruses we have no immunity to — say researchers at Bowling Green State University. (Hat tip: Wired Science.)
5. Many bears have become addicted to garbage and bird seed from feeders in the western United States, say scientists at the 10th Western Black Bear Workshop — and the number of “problem bears” has skyrocketed in the last three decades as a result. (Hat tip: 60-Second Science.)

(Image: Black bear at squirrel feeder. The feeder broke about three minutes after this photo was taken, the photographer reports. Credit: artinfiber through a Creative Commons license.)

Posted: May 22nd, 2009 under Africa, Animals, Arctic, Carbon Markets, Climate Change, Climate Science & Research, Cool Green Morning, Energy, Green Living, Policy, Science, The Nature Conservancy, United States, Water Conservation.
Tags: 60-Second Science, ACES, American Clean Energy and Security Act, Arctic melting, bears, Bowling Green State, Circle of Blue, Climate Change, Grist, House Energy and Commerce, influenza, influenza Arctic, influenza melting, Inhabitat, Kate Sheppard, Milan Furniture Fair, problem bear, Treehugger, Uganda, Via Lattea, water scarcity domestic abuse, Waxman-Markey, Western Black Bear Workshop, Wired Science