The Most Important Environmental Stories of 2007

Here is a list of the top environmental stories for this year.

1. Beginnings of a Backlash Against Coal Industry - California, Kansas, and, quite amazingly, Texas, prevented expansion of coal power plants. Even here in Wyoming, the capital of coal in the Western Hemisphere, the construction of two coal-powered electricity generating plants were cancelled. And globally, more people became aware of the global warming effects coal has. Research continued on developing a cleaner burning coal plant technology through Carbon Capture Sequestration of emissions, and converting coal to either diesel fuel or gasoline to replace dirtier, greater warming petroleum based motor vehicle fuels and lubricants. A plant to do just that is about to be start construction along I-80 in far eastern Carbon County in south central Wyoming. And Illinois will also see the construction of a clean coals plant in the next year or two.

2. Politicos Across the US Begin to Talk About and Encourage Environmental Responsibility and the Idea of Changes in Energy Policy - Most Democrats jumped on board if they had not already, and even some noteworthy Republicans like John McCain, Mike Huckabee, Arnold Schwartzenegger, and Charlie Crist changed their tune at least somewhat. Environmental and Energy Policy would seem to be one of the biggest seven issues on the minds of the American electorate as the 2008 primaries neared and the general elections appear on the horizon.

3. Environmental Movements and Organizations Start to Rise - A number of new organizations (Step It Up, Power Shift, Climate Action Network, & 1Sky) were spawned and saw growth in participation and influence. Older organizations saw increases in interest, memberships, funding, and endowments. In a nutshell - there was an awakening by many, particularly those of a younger generation.

4. Media Awareness of Environmentalism Increases - This is still in its beginnings but nevertheless underway. Media organizations such as NPR, CNN, NBC, Discovery, Sundance, and, horror of horrors, Fox, made some journalistic, programming, and reporting efforts concerning environmental issues.

5. Weather Extremes More Noticeable and Documented - An awareness of the changing of the climate with strongly and strangely unusual weather phenomena occurring with droughts, fire, floods, ice storms, and heat waves being observed in places and at times of the year that was quite out of the ordinary and normal for recorded climatological history.

6. The Greening of the Public Green - Investments in new generation environmental technology grew with conscious population areas such as Silicon Valley leading the way in both product development and in example. Renewable energy technology promises to be among the technological leaders in product development for the coming years.

7. Unity in the Scientific Community on Global Warming - After years of influential contrarians still holding a significant voice in the media, government, and corporacy, near universal agreement was reached on the important critical issue of global warming and recommendations were made that had near complete support of the professional mainstream scientific community.

8. The Warnings and Voice of Al Gore on Global Warming Gained Greatly in Attention and Acceptance - Everywhere and everytime one looked, it seemed as if Al Gore was in the spotlight with his efforts to make the citizenry aware of global warming and to encourage changes in public policy and lifestyles. Expect him to remain on center stage for quite some time as the changes due to warming begin to occur with harsh regularity.

9. Interest Grows on Consuming Local Foods - This was all but unheard of before 2007. In many communities and regions, this movement took off in the minds of the environmentally conscious and even in some ordinary unsophisticated citizens. Look for an increase in gardens and greenhouses by both homeowners and in communities alike.

10. Compact Fluorescent Lights Becoming the New Standard - CFLs are the new wave of light bulbs, though LEDs will eclipse them before long. Legislation passed by Congress in December spelled out the end of the incandescent light bulb, which will largely disappear within a decade.

11. Bush Junta Crushed by Court Decisions on Environmental Cases- Judges in many courts made rulings contrary to the Administrations positions on such issues as endangered fish, greenhouse gases, power-plant pollution, hydroelectric dams, forest management, and even Navy sonar. Expect more judicial decisions of these sorts in the coming years.

12. Growing Controversy over Ethanol - One of the wonder fuels has been found to have a very deep dark side particularly in relation to pollution and its effect on food prices, both for humans and livestock. I believe ethanol will go the way of nuclear in just a few years as awareness of its harsh costs become more evident.

13. Chinese Lead Poisoning Plagues Imported Goods, Particularly Childrens Toys - Another enormous consequence of the demise of American manufacturing became frightenly obvious with the findings of widespread lead contamination in Chinese made goods imported into the US and elsewhere. Numerous recalls occurred, and many conscious parents determined a complete boycott of Chinese made goods was necessary when there were children present in their homes. American corporations were given the blame and were subjected to harsh strong negative publicity for their greed and incompetence on this matter.

14. Climate Skeptics Begin to Fade Away in Importance and Influence - The modern day version of flat earthers strongly took it on the chin and were widely exposed on a number of fronts for false studies, questionable at best research, and out-and-out lying. The most noteworthy of these, Oklahoma US Senator James Imhofe, was humiliated or rebuked in many quarters, including the floor of the US Senate.

15. The Bees Disappear - The most alarming report of the year concerned the rising occurence of Colony Collapse Disorder. The theories for this phenomena were disparate and conflicting, but a firm conclusive reason for the mass disappearance of our apian friends so essential to the efficient and productive food system we enjoy and require remains to be determined.

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Paul Potts - A Wonderful Poignant Story to Read

I caught this story on Nightline on Friday night 21 December and wanted to share it. To hear this man sing operatic music is truly amazing and stirring, and his story on how he was able to get recognition for his incredible talent is one for the ages. A great moving story as Christmas is upon us.

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/FallConcert/story?id=4036131&page=1

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/06/20/084600.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Potts

If you google Paul Potts you will get some youtube video links to see him performing his operatic arias.

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At Least Somewhere it is Warm...

While the vast majority of the nation is experiencing winter weather and cold, one place is enjoying a heat wave: Galveston, TX. They have had five straight days of record heat. McAllen and Harlingen, TX, have also enjoyed record highs in the last few days. So there is hope for the rest of us that winter will abate someday. When it is this cold and for so long across much of the US, global warming cannot come soon enough.

SXUS74 KHGX 230828
RERGLS
RECORD EVENT REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON/GALVESTON TX
227 AM CST SUN DEC 23 2007

...RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE SET AT GALVESTON...
A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 74 DEGREES WAS SET AT GALVESTON YESTERDAY. THIS TIES THE OLD RECORD OF 74 SET IN 1933.

$$



SXUS74 KHGX 222211
RERGLS
RECORD EVENT REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON/GALVESTON TX
400 PM CST SAT DEC 22 2007

...RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE TIED AT GALVESTON...
GALVESTON`S HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 74 DEGREES THIS AFTERNOON HAS TIED THE PREVIOUS RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 74 DEGREES SET IN 1933...WHICH WAS 74 YEARS AGO.

$$



SXUS74 KHGX 210835
RERGLS
RECORD EVENT REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON/GALVESTON TX
235 AM CST FRI DEC 21 2007

...RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE SET AT GALVESTON...
A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 80 DEGREES WAS SET AT GALVESTON YESTERDAY. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 77 SET IN 1916.

$$



SXUS74 KHGX 202313
RERGLS
RECORD EVENT REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON/GALVESTON TX
447 PM CST THU DEC 20 2007

...NEW RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE SET AT GALVESTON...
A NEW RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 80 DEGREES WAS SET AT GALVESTON TODAY. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 77 SET IN 1916.

$$



SXUS74 KHGX 200009
RERGLS
RECORD EVENT REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON/GALVESTON TX
347 PM CST WED DEC 19 2007

...NEW RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE SET AT GALVESTON...
A NEW RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 79 DEGREES WAS SET AT GALVESTON TODAY. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 76 SET IN 1916.

$$

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Another Strong Example of Rampant Texan Stupidity

This is one of the most ridiculous taxes I have ever heard of. Sure it goes to a good cause but Texas should have put the assessment on liquor, soda pop, beef, fast food, premium cable TV service, and movie rentals. These products are much more likely to be playing a role in a sex crime than going to a nightclub. One would think the tax will be declared unconstitutional in the courts in the coming months.

http://www.ksat.com/news/14908589/detail.html

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Iran Will Be a Nuclear Nation by March '08

This is a report to keep in the back of your mind and recall when events and circumstances occur after the Vernal Equinox by US military forces.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/12/23/iran.nuclear/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

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Big Explosion on Mars Coming on 30 January

We all remember when the comet hit Jupiter in 1994 that created some spectacular images. It will be interesting to see if this asteroid collision will create a noticeable change on Mars. It is doubtful it can be seen without a really good telescope. And besides, often the weather interferes with astronomical observations.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071221/ap_on_sc/mars_asteroid_12;_ylt=Avr4t02JKqsFJHrlFWupscwE1vAI

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The Sad Plague of Adultery Among the Powerful and Wealthy in Our Society

This is a very sad and disturbing problem in our society and nation. We probably need to return to laws criminalizing this behavior and activity as existed in the past less than fifty years ago. The harm it does to other people, particularly innocent children of the offenders, is vast and eternal. It is amazing the right wing Christian zealots do not talk about this, but maybe not, as they probably commit this moral crime and sin as much as everyone else does, which is estimated to be over 50 % of all men and 35 % of all women in married relationships in the United States. In regards to politicians and rich corporate types, money and power has a very strong way of corrupting and immoralizing them to a level of evil not so evident before they achieved their wealth and power and the rate is higher among these types.

http://www.pensitoreview.com/2007/12/29/2007-gop-adulterers-hall-of-fame-nominees/

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George Bush, His Junta, and the Destruction of America

Unfortunately, we still have 393 days left of this junta working to destroy America and its middle class citizenry (to say nothing of the poor) and enrich corporations and the wealthy. The price we all will pay for his treachery and evil will be seemingly eternal. George Bush has worked very hard to make us know what it means to have hell on earth... and he is succeeding.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-dreier/bushs-class-warfare_b_77910.html

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