Upper atmosphere facilitates changes that let mercury enter food chain
Humans pump thousands of tons of vapor from the metallic element mercury into the atmosphere each year, and it can remain suspended for long periods before being changed into a form that is easily removed from the atmosphere. New research shows that the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere work to transform elemental mercury into oxidized mercury, which can easily be deposited into aquatic ecosystems and ultimately enter the food chain.
Stage set for Keystone XL debate in 2012
U.S. President Obama and the Congress concluded the last contentious battle of 2011, the payroll tax cut debate, by reaching a short-term agreement to extend the tax cut for two months until a more permanent compromise could be reached. That same deal included the Keystone XL oil pipeline provision, which requires the president to make a decision on the pipeline within the next 60 days.
Oil spills costly to companies and environment, yet seem inevitable
The transport of oil is big money. But so is a pipeline spill — something Enbridge Inc., proponent of the $5.5-billion Northern Gateway pipeline project in Canada, knows painfully well.
Three ideas that are good for the economy and the environment
Cutting carbon emissions is thought to cost economic growth, but there is economic opportunity.
