In Indonesia, Environmentalists See a Disaster in the Making

Aceh, the northern province on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, is a region made famous by separatist conflict and natural disasters, calamities that long held back economic development but helped preserve one of the world’s richest ecosystems. Now conservationists say the rapid clearing of virgin forest is paving the way for environmental catastrophe, turning critically endangered orangutans, tigers and elephants into refugees, and triggering landslides and flash floods http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/12/world/asia/in-indonesia-environmentalists-see-a-disaster-in-the-making.html?ref=science Article courtesy of The New York Times by Sara Schonhardt

Bulgaria’s Air Is Dirtiest in Europe, Study Finds, Followed by Poland

Bulgaria has the highest concentrations of the two major varieties of particulate matter, which are tiny airborne droplets or gas particles that come from smokestacks, vehicle tailpipes or a variety of other sources. They can lead to health problems from asthma to cancer. Bulgaria also has the highest concentrations of carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide, according to the report by the European Environment Agency http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/15/business/international/bulgarias-air-is-dirtiest-in-europe-study-finds-followed-by-poland.html?ref=science&_r=0 Article courtesy of The New York Times by Danny Hakim

Government shutdown hits fishermen, farmers, physicists

WASHINGTON — The crabbers are getting, well, crabby. With the offices of the National Marine Fisheries Service closed because of the federal government shutdown, fishermen have been unable to get permits for the Alaska king crab season, which begins Tuesday http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-shutdown-impacts-20131012,0,1327984.story Article courtesy of The Los Angeles Times by Richard Simon

California's alternative-energy program under scrutiny

California is spending nearly $15 million to build 10 hydrogen fueling stations, even though just 227 hydrogen-powered vehicles exist in the state today. It's a hefty bet on the future, given that government officials have been trying for nine years, with little success, to get automakers to build more hydrogen cars.http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-energy-subsidies-20131014,0,1024399.story Article courtesy of The Los Angeles Times by Ralph Vartabedian and Evan Halper

BART unions extend talks for one day, avert Monday strike

OAKLAND – Less than 90 minutes before a midnight strike deadline for the Bay Area’s commuter rail system, union leaders agreed to extend negotiations for one more day, sparing 200,000 round-trip riders the anxiety of a scramble for alternative transportation on a Monday. The surprise twist came after a marathon weekend of negotiations in which BART management and union leaders – as well as state and local elected officials who had streamed into Caltrans headquarters to help achieve resolution – described developments as "hopeful." http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-bart-strike-averted-20131013,0,789923.story Article courtesy of The Los Angeles Times-LA NOW by Lee Romney

Rotating Dynamic Tower in London, England

This tower is not yet built, but the proposed 80-floor skyscraper (formerly planned to be built in Dubai), promises to be a marvel of efficiency. What makes this architectural design so impressive? The floors will rotate—slow enough that the tower’s occupants won’t be able to notice but fast enough to rotate turbines that will power the entire building. ARticle courtesy of The Los Angeles Times

We Know You Have a Favorite Airline

Flying has its environmental cost, but you don’t have to forgo your environmental sensibilities -- or the fun of travel altogether -- to maintain some sense of ecological righteousness. Ranking 15 major airlines, the International Council on Clean Transportation found whopping differences in the fuel efficiency of carriers, even among those flying identical routes. The most efficient airline overall, based on 2010 data, was Alaska Airlines; the least efficient, Allegiant. Alaska was 26 percentage points more efficient than Allegiant. http://sierraclub.typepad.com/sierradaily/2013/09/we-know-you-have-a-choice-in-airlines.html?utm_source=insider&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter Article courtesy of Sierra Club newsletter by Reed McManus

San Francisco Parklet Manual

A parklet repurposes part of a street into a space for people, providing an economical solution to the need for increased public open space. The San Francisco Parklet Manual is a comprehensive overview of the goals and guidelines for creating parklets in San Francisco. The Manual also serves as a resource for those outside of San Francisco working to establish parklet programs in their own cities. For more information: http://sfpavementtoparks.sfplanning.org/docs/SF_P2P_Parklet_Manual_1.0_FULL.pdf Article courtesy of Smartgrowth online newsletter

Greendot implimentation plan

On June 2, 2010, MassDOT launched GreenDOT, a comprehensive environmental responsibility and sustainability initiative that will make MassDOT a national leader in “greening” the state transportation system. GreenDOT will be driven by three primary goals: Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions Promote the healthy transportation options of walking, bicycling, and public transit Support smart growth development In May of 2012, MassDOT released a Draft GreenDOT Implementation Plan for public review. The Plan was written to embed the sustainability vision of GreenDOT into the core business practices of MassDOT. MassDOT received over 350 public comments on the draft version of the Plan. http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/GreenDOT.aspx Article courtesy of MassDOT website

The Return on Investment in Parks and Open Space in Massachusetts

A new study by the American Farmland Trust found that every $1 invested in land conservation by Massachusetts returns $4 in economic value of natural goods and services. The study also found that 12 to 14 new jobs would be created for every $1 million invested in land conservation. Conservation lands also contribute to the economic well-being of the state by supporting local farmers, forest products workers, and fishermen; and by attracting visitors who spend money in local communities. For more information: http://action.farmland.org/site/R?i=6RK18QKL6WvEDmy1xEnOJA Article courtesy of Smarthgrowth online newsletter