America's Top 10 Polluters

It just got a whole lot easier for Americans to find out which power plants and industrial sites are releasing the most emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency recently released its greenhouse gas database, and included some great tools for tracking polluters. While it doesn't include any requirements to reduce those emissions, it could be a first step in that direction by simply making clear who is releasing it and how much is being released. After the Toxics Release Inventory was created in the 80's, companies - under pressure from the public - began cutting even before mandatory reductions were phased in. After all, no one wants to be called out for farting at the party, so to speak.

The full list:
http://motherjones.com/slideshows/2012/01/worst-emissions-pollutors/scherer-plant-juliette-georgia

Julianne Moore: Tell Washington to support clean air for our kids

It's time for moms to roar! Join Julianne and the Moms Clean Air Force: http://www.momscleanairforce.org/roar

Actress and mother Julianne Moore released a new video calling on parents to join the fight against toxic air pollution. In the video, which endorses a nonpartisan grassroots group called the Moms Clean Air Force, Moore appears along with the heroine of her popular children's books, Freckleface Strawberry.

Moms are becoming a powerful force in American politics. They are telling Washington that they will not allow their children's health to be compromised by dirty fossil fuel power plants, the single largest source of pollution in the U.S. The Moms Clean Air Force is a growing community of tens of thousands of moms— from all across the political spectrum and all across the country—uniting to make their voices heard to protect their children's health. "Clean air should be above politics," Moore said. "The discussion about regulations to protect our air has gotten so polarized that we have forgotten an important thing: We all breathe the same air. And all our children suffer because of pollution. We don't have to choose between a healthy economy and a healthy environment. We can have both. We can have what's best for all our children."

President Richard Nixon signed the Clean Air Act into law in 1970 with overwhelming support from Democrats and Republicans; however, the law is now under dangerous political attack. The new mercury and air toxics standards signed in December, after 21 years of planning, are already under political attack, with some politicians in Congress and lobbyists for the utility and coal industries calling to annul it or defund the Environmental Protection Agency.

Responding to this threat, Moms Clean Air Force is bringing parents together in support of a simple idea: That every child has the right to breathe clean air.

Self-parking electric cars, fuel efficient sports hybrids and hydrogen battery-charged motors are being showcased at this year's very green Tokyo Motor Show.

Plastic bags and the environment

CNN's Amber Lyon examines the effect plastic bags have on the ocean.

CURE - Clean Up the River Environment

This short documentary shows the work being done by CURE to bring together farmers and down-stream citizens to work on pollution issues involving the Minnesota River. CURE won a 2010 InCommons grant for their great work

Apple Criticized for Environmental Pollution

A group of Chinese environmental activists have accused Apple Inc. of turning a deaf ear to pollution hazards created by the manufacturing of its iconic iPhones, iPads, and other Apple merchandise.

A report published Wednesday accused Apple of violating its own corporate responsibility standards by using manufacturers that disregard anti-pollution laws.

According to Reuters, the 46-page report, published on the Beijing-based Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs' website (www.ipe.org.cn), stated that toxic discharges from Apple suppliers jeopardize public health and safety.

But Apple is defending itself. The tech giant said Thursday that it strives in "driving the highest standards of social responsibility."

According to Associated Press and Reuters, Apple stated that it requires its suppliers to provide safe working conditions, treat workers with dignity and respect, and utilize environmentally responsible production methods to make Apple products.

Reuters reported that this is not the first time Apple has been targeted for using suppliers that do not comply with anti-pollution regulations.

Scientist Discovers New Use for Industrial Fly Ash

A new coal waste product is being mixed with magnesium and aluminum to create a lightweight, yet strong substitute for heavy metal products, like certain car parts. Dr. Nikhil Gupta from New York University's Polytechnic Institute believes the material could also be used to reduce the weight of everyday structures like park benches and lamp posts.

My Water's On Fire Tonight (The Fracking Song)

"My Water's On Fire Tonight" is a product of Studio 20 NYU in collaboration with ProPublica.org. The song is based on ProPublica's investigation on hydraulic fractured gas drilling (read the full investigation here: http://bit.ly/15sib6).

Music by David Holmes and Andrew Bean
Vocals and Lyrics by David Holmes and Niel Bekker
Animation by Adam Sakellarides and Lisa Rucker

How much progress have we made in "going green?"

As people around the world celebrate Earth Day, some wonder if we've really made any progress since the first Earth Day on 1970.  According to some experts, the report card isn't looking so good.

The Story of Electronics

The Story of Electronics employs the Story of Stuff style to explore the high-tech revolution's collateral damage -- 6 billion tons of e-waste and counting, poisoned workers, and a public left holding the bill. Host Annie Leonard takes viewers from the mines and factories where our gadgets begin to the horrific backyard recycling shops in China where many end up. The film concludes with a call for a green 'race to the top' where designers compete to make long-lasting, toxic-free products that are fully and easily recyclable.

This isn't your typical pooper scooper

Man's best friend isn't always friendly to our lakes and streams. In our "Living Green" series, we found a Missouri man on a mission to stop dog feces from becoming an environmental pollutant.

 

Chevron vs. the Amazon

In one of largest environmental judgements ever, a court in Ecuador ordered Chevron to pay $8.6 billion in reparations to the victims of oil pollution in a remote rainforest in Ecuador. Chevron calls the court system in Ecuador corrupt, and it could interrupt the day to day business. Investigative Journalist Greg Pallast says President Obama told BP immediately to pony up money to pay for the damage to the gulf but will he have the same message for an American company?