Environmental Sciences Information

“Established in 1998, the Pfleger Institute of Environmental Research (PIER) is a non-profit organization ‘dedicated to education and research of the marine environment.’ From their headquarters in Oceanside, California, their team of scientists continues to work on a variety of studies on thresher sharks, roosterfish, and the giant sea bass. One rather nice highlight of the site is the ‘Field Notes’ area. Here visitors can learn about some of their ongoing research projects, which have included work on the swimming muscle physiology of the common thresher shark and the fine-scale movements of roosterfish. Visitors can also click on the “Publications” section to read the results of some of their scientific endeavors over the years. [KMG]” From The Scout Report, Oct. 5th.

EPA LIBRARY CLOSURES HAMPERING AGENCY WORK, ARBITRATOR FINDS EPA Guilty of Bad Faith and Unfair Labor Practice in Shutting Agency Libraries

Washington, DC - A federal arbitrator has found the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guilty of unfair labor practices and acting in bad faith in its national series of library closures, according to a ruling posted today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). EPA is ordered to bargain with affected public employee unions before making any further changes in its library network. During the past two years, EPA has closed or reduced access to much of its network of libraries which serve both its own specialists and the public. Altogether, access to EPA libraries in 23 states has been completely lost, and several specialized collections have been shuttered, including its headquarters library.

Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:45:19 -0500 From: Lynne E. Bradley lbradley@alawash.org From: Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER)

For Immediate Release: Thursday, February 28, 2008 Contact: Carol Goldberg (202) 265-7337

The EPA National Library Network Report to Congress has been released.

It is dated March 26, 2008.

http://www.epa.gov/natlibra/documents/LibraryReportto_Congress.pdf

In the report it states that the EPA will receive S1 million to reopen the following libraries, which it hopes to do by September 30, 2008: EPA Libraries in Regions 5, 6 & 7, Chicago, Dallas, & Kansas City respectively, and the EPA Headquarters Repository and Chemical Library in Washington, D.C.

From The Scout Report, March 7, 2008 — A little out of scope, but food for thought:

Ecology, Art, and Technology [Macromedia Flash Player, iTunes, Quick Time] http://www.ecoarttech.net/

“The intersection between ecology, art, and technology is a complex one, and one that provides the inspiration for the EcoArtTech organization. The organization was created in 2005 and they are primarily interested in “working with digital, networked, and sustainable technologies and contemporary environments to create art about the environmentality of modern life.” Their work is funded by Colgate University, the Turbulence Commission, and the Pine Lake Environmental Campus of Hartwick College. From the homepage, visitors can learn about some recent projects, view video podcasts of installations, and learn more about upcoming events and exhibits. The projects include “Frontier Mythology” which is a mobile, solar-powered environmental digital video and FM radio installation made of recycled shipping pallets. Visitors can watch the Quick Time documentary that profiles this installation, and they may want to mention it to friends and colleagues. Overall, it’s a fine site and one that is quite thought provoking.” [KMG]

REN21 - Renewables 2007 Global Status Report Source: Worldwatch Institute

This is taken directly from docuticker — a service which offers free alerts and collects selected documents from government agencies, think tanks, and NGOs. (The same group produces the ResourceShelf.) April 13, 2008 at 11:51 am · Filed under Energy, Environment, International

“The Renewables 2007 Global Status Report provides an integrated perspective on the global renewable energy situation. It gives testimony of the undeterred growth of electricity, heat, and fuel production capacities from renewable energy sources, including solar PV, wind power, solar hot water/heating, biofuels, hydropower, and geothermal.

The report is the product of an international team of over 140 researchers and contributors from both developed and developing countries, drawing upon wide-ranging information and expertise across technologies, markets, and countries. Sections include: Global Market Overview, Investment Flows, Industry Trends, Policy Landscape, and Rural (Off-Grid) Renewable Energy. The policy section provides overviews of: policy targets for renewable energy, power generation promotion policies, solar hot water/heating policies, biofuels policies, municipal policies, and green power purchasing and renewable electricity certificates.”

• Executive Summary
• Full Report (PDF; 480 KB)
• Past years’ reports

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Article and Video: This Green House (~6 min.) from the New York Times, May 26, 2008

A day with the environmentally conscious students living in the ‘sustainability house’ at Oberlin College.

HTML - http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-22468.htm

PDF - http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-22468.pdf

“SUMMARY - EPA is enhancing access to library services for the public and Agency staff. EPA will open previously closed libraries in its National Library Network, with walk-in access for the public and EPA staff. Other library locations will expand staffing, operating hours, or services. This notice [from the Federal Register] provides information regarding how members of the public can access the libraries and services beginning September 30, 2008.”

With thanks to Dorothy Alibrando, from the NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection, who sent this information to the Special Libraries group, Environment & Resource Management Division.

“Citing budget constraints, the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) announced this week it will shut down its Center for Capacity Building, a small group of experts headed by Dr. Michael “Mickey” Glantz, a 35-year veteran of NCAR and a well-known champion of helping human beings adapt to climate change. The Center was dedicated to assisting communities in Asia, Africa, and other areas less fortunate than the US in dealing with the societal impacts of weather and climate. The abrupt announcement was met with vociferous protest within the social science community and amongst colleagues in the climate policy arena. What does this move say about overall support for the role of social sciences in climate research and policy development?” ClimateScienceWatch, is the newsletter for “Promoting integrity in the use of climate science in government”.

Posted on Friday, August 08, 2008.

Read the whole entry.