In response to the plan, Natural Resource Defense Council Director of Programs Wesley Warren said “With this budget, President Obama is starting to usher in a clean energy economy. That means more jobs, less carbon pollution and a more secure nation.His budget promotes America’s energy independence by reducing our reliance on foreign oil, starting the transition away from dirty fossil fuels, and investing in conservation and clean power like wind and solar. Cutting harmful greenhouse pollution and ramping up renewable energy will secure our nation and foster innovation that will make our economy more competitive. Now it’s up to Congress to deliver on the president’s funding priorities for a cleaner, more secure America.”

The highlights of his speech included the following:

Provides $3.3 billion total for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds.

This will allow States and Tribes to initiate approximately 800 clean water and 500 drinking water projects nationally, continuing a major Federal commitment to water infrastructure investment.

• Provides new funding to support the Administration’s commitment to mitigate climate change.

Obama wants Congress to enact forward-looking energy legislation that kicks off our development of advanced, clean energy technologies to reduce our dependence on oil, strengthen our energy and national security, create new jobs and restore the U.S. spot as a global leader in mitigating climate change.

• Continues support for collaborative, interagency ecosystem restoration efforts in the Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay and Mississippi River Basin.

Obama’s plan gives $300 million towards the Great Lakes, $17 million for the Mississippi River and increases Chesapeake Bay support by $13 million. The Great Lakes money will focus on contaminated sediments and toxics, nonpoint source pollution, habitat degradation and loss and invasive species. The Mississippi project will target nonpoint source reduction practices on agricultural land to reduce nutrient loadings. The Chesapeake money will support the Presidents Day May 2009 Chesapeake Bay Restoration Executive Order and enables the EPA to conduct robust regulatory, permitting, modeling and reporting efforts.

• Provides grants for States and Tribes to administer delegated environmental programs at $1.3 billion, the highest level ever.

Environmentalism has helped lead this FY to have the highest budget for environmental programs, 14% higher than 2010 FY. The budget recognized state fiscal restraints and provides increases for select state and tribal programs, including a $45 million increase for state water pollution control grants and a $58 million increase for air quality management grants.

• Supports economic growth and job creation in hard hit regions by bolstering Brownfield’s cleanup.

Brownfields are lightly contaminated sites-many in economically hard hit regions- that pollution may keep from being used productively. This green legislation increases the spending available to help clean up these areas. Obama gave an estimated $3,000 more for these projects than FY 2009.

Source: GoAccess.gov

Last week President Obama and his administration outlined changes that would greatly alter the fuel economy and emissions standards of the auto industry. Not only would these changes reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted into the air by cars, but they would also save the average car buyer thousands of dollars in fuel.

So far both environmental organizations and lobby groups seem to be on board for the car fuel economy changes.

Last week President Obama and his administration outlined changes that would greatly alter the fuel economy and emissions standards of the auto industry. Not only would these changes reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted into the air by cars, but they would also save the average car buyer thousands of dollars in fuel.

So far both environmental organizations and lobby groups seem to be on board for the car fuel economy changes.

The best fuel economy standards?

So, what makes the 1,200 page fuel economy and emissions standards document so great for everyone? Besides completely altering the current rules of the Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency, these rules will also:

• Push for a 5% increase in fuel economy standards per year from 2011 to 2016
• Increase  automobile fuel standards from 27.3 mpg in 2011 up to 35.5 mpg in 2016
• Ensure that cars with model year 2016 would have to meet an average limit of 250 grams of carbon emitted per mile driven

These are all great changes that could help everyone reduce their carbon footprint. The government even says that these would:

• Save car buyers $3,000 in fuel costs over the life of a vehicle
• Reduce CO2 emissions about 950 million metric tons
• Greatly reduce US dependence on foreign oil by about 1.8 billion barrels

Overall, this sounds like a great green initiative, and we hope that it will help us reach the best fuel economy standards in a reasonable amount of time.

What do you think? Are these goals within reach?

Source: Matter Network

From 1998 to 2005 scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, an organization whose mission is to provide scientific information to describe the earth, studied over 1000 fish from 291 streams across the nation, and what they found in regards to high mercury levels was pretty astounding.

Every fish that was sampled had some of the toxic mercury substance in it, and that raises concern over the rising amount of pollution in water across the country.

From 1998 to 2005 scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, an organization whose mission is to provide scientific information to describe the earth, studied over 1000 fish from 291 streams across the nation, and what they found in regards to high mercury levels was pretty astounding.

Every fish that was sampled had some of the toxic mercury substance in it, and that raises concern over the rising amount of pollution in water across the country.

Mercury Health Hazards

In a previous blog post we wrote about The Hazards of Eating Sushi. One of the most dangerous elements of eating sushi is the amount of mercury that can be found in it, and that means all types of fish are susceptible to the hazardous element, which is known to damage the central nervous system and cause birth defects in children.

So, what is the cause of this type of water pollution? Mercury is usually emitted by coal-fired power plants or smokestacks that release this toxic element into surrounding lakes and streams. The spreading of the mercury in the water makes it impossible for the fish to avoid.

Highest Level Mercury Areas

Here are some states that had the highest level of mercury found in the fish:

• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Georgia
• Florida
• Louisiana

As far as the western states go, high levels of mercury pollution in the water were found in Dayton, Nevada.

With these findings almost all of the U.S. states, except Alaska and Wyoming, have enacted fish-consumption warnings to advise people about the hazards of mercury. Mercury is a hazardous water pollution problem, so by bringing attention to it we hope that the U.S. Geological Survey will inspire all U.S. states to find a way to clean up their streams and waterways.

Source: Yahoo! News

According to a report by the Pew Charitable Trusts, a non-profit organization that provides grants to improve public policy, the U.S. states of Oregon, Colorado and Tennessee have emerged as the top leaders for job growth in the clean-energy sector.

The study looked at green job growth in 38 states from 1998 to 2007.

According to a report by the Pew Charitable Trusts, a non-profit organization that provides grants to improve public policy, the U.S. states of Oregon, Colorado and Tennessee have emerged as the top leaders for job growth in the clean-energy sector.

The study looked at green job growth in 38 states from 1998 to 2007.

Some other findings from the Pew report are:

• At least 7 states and the District have gained green energy employment opportunities
• Virginia and Maryland had overall job increases that exceeded clean-energy job growth
• The green sector has created an array of new jobs that generate incomes from $21,000-$111,000
• States are set to receive $85 billion from federal stimulus money in direct spending and tax incentives for energy and transportation-related programs
• Twenty-three states have created regional incentive programs to reduce pollution from power plants
• Forty-six states will offer tax incentives geared to renewable energy use

In conclusion, the report says that the clean-energy economy “generates jobs, businesses and investments while expanding clean-energy production, increasing energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, waste and pollution and conserving water and other natural resources.”

The future looks good for green energy. Now let’s just see if we can keep it green.

Source: The Washington Times

Along with the U.S., China is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases in the world. In 2006 the World Bank, which offers financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world, declared that 16 out of 20 of the world’s most polluted cities are in China.

So last Friday China announced that it is considering collecting environmental taxes from polluting companies.

Along with the U.S., China is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases in the world. In 2006 the World Bank, which offers financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world, declared that 16 out of 20 of the world’s most polluted cities are in China.

So last Friday China announced that it is considering collecting environmental taxes from polluting companies.

The Chinese government, along with several environmental departments, are working together to see when the conditions will be right to actually impose an environmental tax in China. But it doesn’t look like they will need to search long with information like this:

• Last year the air quality in 2 out of 5 Chinese cities ranted from “polluted” to “hazardous”
• Surface water pollution is still a huge problem
• Coastal water suffers from light pollution
• City air pollution is still hazardous
• Rural environmental problems are increasing

It is obvious that the environment in China is not in good shape, but hopefully with an environmental tax the once flourishing study abroad location can become a healthier place for its residents and for tourists.

Source: Yahoo! News

Want to read other blog posts on China? Check these out:

• Beer Bottles Used in China for Solar Power
• Clean Air for the Olympic Games in China?
• China Bans Retailer Plastic

Today is Earth Day, a special day that raises awareness about the environment. It’s also a great day for thanking everyone whose environmental initiatives are having a positive impact on the preservation of the planet.

Today is Earth Day, a special day that raises awareness about the environment. It’s also a great day for thanking everyone whose environmental initiatives are having a positive impact on the preservation of the planet.

So, what are you doing today to help out the environment? If you don’t know what you can do, check out the list below.  Each blog post offers advice on how you can make Earth Day, and every day, a green one.

• 10 Ways to Make Your Work Area Green
• Green Thrift Store Shopping Tips
• 10 Ways to Green Your Kitchen
• How to Green Your Lunch
• 10 Green New  Year’s Resolutions
• How to Find a Green Hotel
• 11 Ways to Be a Green Student
• Tips for an Eco-Friendly Move

We hope that you found some new and unique ways to celebrate Earth Day in the above posts. Just remember that you can incorporate all of these green practices into your every day routine.

Using data from river groups, local governments and environmental organizations, American Rivers, the top conservation organization in the U.S. that supports healthy rivers, has determined the 10 most endangered rivers in the nation.

These endangered rivers are not just threatened by water pollution, but also by dams, industries, development, or all three.

Using data from river groups, local governments and environmental organizations, American Rivers, the top conservation organization in the U.S. that supports healthy rivers, has determined the 10 most endangered rivers in the nation.

These endangered rivers are not just threatened by water pollution, but also by dams, industries, development, or all three.

According to the annual endangered rivers report, these 10 rivers are in danger because of decisions that will be made this year. The most endangered American rivers of 2009 are:

• California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin River System
• Georgia’s Flint River
• Idaho, Washington and Oregon’s Snake River
• Maryland’s Mattawoman Creek
• Montana’s North Fork of the Flathead River
• South Carolina’s Saluda River
• Pennsylvania’s Laurel Hill Creek
• Alaska’s Beaver Creek
• Mississippi’s Pascagoula River
• Minnesota and Wisconsin’s Lower St. Croix National Scenic Riverway

If any of these rivers are located near your home, you should definitely do something to bring attention to their conservation.

Want to learn more about the American Rivers organization? Check out this 35^th anniversary video:

Source: CNN

The first attempt to turn the White House into a green house occurred in the 1970’s when President Jimmy Carter installed a solar energy water-heating system. The system cost $30,000 to install and only saved $1,000 a year. That was obviously a failure.

Twenty-three years later in 1993 Bill Clinton successfully saved more than $1.4 million in six years thanks to his “greening the White House” project. Now it’s Barack Obama’s turn to show America that anyone can turn their home into a green home.

The first attempt to turn the White House into a green house occurred in the 1970’s when President Jimmy Carter installed a solar energy water-heating system. The system cost $30,000 to install and only saved $1,000 a year. That was obviously a failure.

Twenty-three years later in 1993 Bill Clinton successfully saved more than $1.4 million in six years thanks to his “greening the White House” project. Now it’s Barack Obama’s turn to show America that anyone can turn their home into a green home.

Lead by Example

From the moment that Obama took office he wanted to create a plan that would reduce the carbon footprint of the 132-room White House mansion. He basically wanted to show the American people that if he cares enough to do it, so should they.

So, what two major changes have the Obama’s already made to turn their home into a green house?

• Michelle Obama planted an organic and herb vegetable garden in the South Lawn (you can read more here)
• They built an eco-friendly wooden swing set with recycled rubber tire cushioning

There are still many other plans to turn the White House into a green house, such as using green and natural cleaning products and promoting recycling, but Obama won’t give any specific details yet.

That’s okay because it’s good to know that the President is going green and proving to be a positive example for the green movement.

Source: MSNBC

Since its creation in 1999, the G-20 (the Group of Twenty Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors) has helped to strengthen the economic stability of nations around the world.

This week on April 2, the summit will not only tackle the financial crisis, but it will also try to develop a stimulus plan to tackle global climate change.

Since its creation in 1999, the G-20 (the Group of Twenty Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors) has helped to strengthen the economic stability of nations around the world.

This week on April 2, the summit will not only tackle the financial crisis, but it will also try to develop a stimulus plan to tackle global climate change.

This week’s meeting

One of the hopes of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown for the summit is to deal directly with the threat of climate change, which has become a huge factor in the economic downfall of many countries. Due to climate change, some countries have been unable to produce crops, they don’t have access to clean drinking water and homes have been destroyed.

This week’s G-20 meeting all comes before a new climate treaty that hopes to be signed in Copenhagen next week. This treaty hopes to create a $2-3 trillion global stimulus on green causes, such as building wind energy farms that will create new jobs and focus more on green energy.

So, how else would bringing up the topic of global climate change positively affect the economy? Governments could benefit from investing in green bonds that are invested in clean energy.

What do you think about a global climate change stimulus? After spending trillions to bail out banks, some countries may need more than just some convincing.

Source: Reuters

Yesterday President Obama signed a $787 billion stimulus plan that would help get the U.S. economy back on its feet again. One of the best parts of the plan was the $78.6 billion that Obama promised to spend towards clean renewable energy and green vehicles.

Our friend Susan Torres from Environment Massachusetts, a citizen-based environmental advocacy organization in Massachusetts working for clean air, clean water, and open space, sent us this great information…

Yesterday President Obama signed a $787 billion stimulus plan that would help get the U.S. economy back on its feet again. One of the best parts of the plan was the $78.6 billion that Obama promised to spend towards clean renewable energy and green vehicles.

Our friend Susan Torres from Environment Massachusetts, a citizen-based environmental advocacy organization in Massachusetts working for clean air, clean water, and open space, sent us this great information about Obama’s green renewable energy plans:

‘Today, President Obama signed an economic recovery plan that delivers $78.6 billion in clean energy, energy efficiency, and green transportation. These provisions will reduce pollution and save energy while creating jobs. When fully implemented, these provisions will prevent approximately 68 million tons of global warming pollution annually, reduce oil consumption by 15 million barrels per year, and create more than 1.5 million jobs.

‘President Obama’s election campaign was powered by the energy of millions of Americans who support a clean energy future. Now, his economic recovery plan will repower America and recharge our economy by investing in solar and wind, more efficient homes and public transit,’ said Environment Massachusetts Field Organizer Winston Vaughan.

Environment Massachusetts applauded both the president and Congress for delivering a plan that will put Americans to work in good jobs weatherizing homes and federal buildings, installing renewable energy projects, and expanding our public transit capacity to meet growing demand.

The final bill invests $32.80 billion in clean energy, $26.86 billion in energy efficiency, and $18.95 billion in green transportation. Environment Massachusetts highlighted the following provisions out of a long list of clean energy projects funded by the plan

‘ Providing $5 billion for the Weatherization Assistance Program, enough to prevent 2 million tons of global warming pollution, create 375,000 jobs, and weatherize more than a million homes.

‘ Investing $8.4 billion in public transit, $1.3 billion in Amtrak and intercity rail, and $8 billion in new high speed rail, which combined will save 14 million barrels of oil per year and create or preserve nearly 296,000 jobs.

‘ Extending and ‘recession proofing’ the renewable energy incentives, which will prevent 61 million tons of global warming pollution per year by the end of the three year extension and create or protect 670,000 jobs in the near term;

‘The president’s recovery plan is a down payment on a clean energy transformation of our economy that will help solve global warming, reduce our dependence on oil and create more jobs,’ concluded Vaughan.

Environment Massachusetts’ summary of economic and environmental benefits of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is posted at: http://www.environmentmassachusetts.org/ARRA_chart_2009-2-17.’

Green Student U would like to thank Susan Torres, Winston Vaughn and the rest of the Environment Massachusetts team for this amazing update.

It’s good to see that Obama is keeping his word to expand green initiatives, and we hope that everyone will work together to keep America green.