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Earth Systems Science Series Part 1: NASA's Earth Science InitiativeJune 30th, 2009 at 5:20 pm EDT
The NASA Earth systems science initiative just entered its 20th year, and to mark the occasion, NASA held a symposium at the National Academy of Science to review some of the scientific accomplishments made possible through the endeavor. Over the course of the three day symposium, scientists presented their research and discussed the impact of the NASA earth systems science initiative on the current understanding for a wide range of social, scientific and economic issues. Stabilization Wedges: Technologies and Practices for Climate StabilizationJune 25th, 2009 at 5:57 pm EDT The size and scope of actions necessary to address climate change can cause paralysis and inaction. In the absence of public policy, emissions would grow to around 60 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide by the middle of this century from current emissions of roughly 30 billion metric tons per year. In order to achieve climate stabilization, most analysis recommends an emission reduction target of 50% to 100% by 2050 from today's levels. Politically, there has been progress. The United States House of Representatives recently passed the climate and energy bill, known as the American Clean Energy and Security Act. The incredible difference between the do-nothing, status quo trajectory and these targets can be daunting. This month on EarthTrends we will give an overview of the most commonly discussed technologies and practices that get us from here to there as well as a consideration of the associated costs of implementing these solutions. Mainstreaming Environmental Sustainability: Local Action with International PassionJune 19th, 2009 at 5:43 pm EDT
What may be the largest barrier to connecting communities to international environmental sustainability objectives is cultural integration. Already environmental sustainability is influencing our cultural lifestyle choices, from the food we eat to the way we travel. However, to what extent is it impacting how we are entertained? Biodiversity and Tourism in Mauritius and ReunionJune 8th, 2009 at 12:10 pm EDT
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What is EarthTrends?EarthTrends is a comprehensive online database, maintained by the World Resources Institute, that focuses on the environmental, social, and economic trends that shape our world. Quick LinksEarthTrends Delivered: Monthly UpdatesSubscribe to EarthTrends' free monthly newsletter. Click here.View past issues. Did You Know?Annual subsidies to conventional energy are estimated to have been $250-300 billion in the mid-1990s.Source: Millennium Assessment |