When you think of agencies that were created to protect our water sources from pollution, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has to top that list.  While states are supposed to be responsible for making sure that the water we drink is safe, the EPA is the agency that used to oversee the states and oversaw the waterways used as a source for the water we drink, bath in, wash our dogs and children in, and use to cook our food.  Well, the House GOP has taken those responsibilities away from the EPA.

Parts of the United States are suffering through a terrible heat wave.  Other parts of the United States are also suffering from a severe drought.  Last year was one of the hottest summers on record, but this summer isn’t over.  It is just a continuation of severe weather that has encompassed record numbers of tornados and floods, and now heat and drought.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) was host to former Michigan Governor Granholm who spoke at MIT’s reception on clean-energy innovation.  During her speech, she set out a plan that she said would get support from both Democrats and Republicans.

The European Union (EU) Commission is proposing an ambitious transportation that will transform the way goods and people travel.  The proposal calls for investments in infrastructure as well as changes in systems and policies.

Nuclear energy is currently on the ropes after the ongoing destruction of several reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.  Both the United States and Japanese governments are reevaluating the safety of nuclear power plants.  The European Union is calling for nuclear plant stress tests.  So the question really becomes, what risks are we willing to take when it comes to nuclear power?

Researchers Mark Delucchi and Mark Jacobson conducted a study of what renewable energy resources would be required to meet world demand by 2030.  The number of wind and solar installations required is astonishing.  It can be done but the policy changes required of political is more than likely insurmountable.

Three Universities in Iowa were asked to study the effects of climate change in the state by the state legislature.  The three Universities that conducted the study are Iowa State University, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa. The study shows mixed results. 

Asheville, NC has a $500,000 grant that will allow 25 charging stations to be installed in the city and the surround area.  The charging stations will be manufactured by Eaton Corporation in its Arden, NC plant.  This means that electric vehicles won’t be confined to the West Coast or big cities.  Asheville has an estimated population of 76,636 which puts it in the small town range.

Must of us are too young to remember World War II rationing but climate scientists are calling for it in rich countries.  The idea is to stop economic growth in developed countries to allow developing countries to continue to advance.  Residents and businesses in countries like America and Germany would be asked to sacrifice to improve the lives of those living in poorer sections of the world.

The Climate Change Conference in Cancun, Mexico is relying on new studies that show that climate change may be worse than initially thought.  If you remember the goal at the Copenhagen conference was to reach an agreement to limit global temperature rise to two degrees Centigrade.  Now scientists are saying that reaching the two degree mark is not likely.  Instead scientists expect it to reach closer to three or four degrees.  If nothing is done, we will probably see a rise of seven degrees.