Environmental Sciences Information

The US Census Bureau has been compiling and publishing this valuable resource since 1878. It is an excellent starting place when looking for statistical data. Search the database, or browse through categories of data such as: Energy & Utilities, Geography & Environment, Natural Resources, Science & Technology. References for these data are always cited, and via the Excel spreadsheets are directly linked to the more complete resources on the web. The PDFs give the URLs for “cutting and pasting”.

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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Shirl Kennedy has written in the Resource Shelf this week about resources for keeping tabs on the global food crisis.

This Week’s Report, from the CQ Researcher weekly alert:

“Reducing Your Carbon Footprint” by Thomas J. Billitteri, December 5, 2008

Can individual actions reduce global warming?

As climate change rises closer to the top of the government’s policy agenda - and an economic crisis intensifies - more and more consumers are trying to change their behavior so they pollute and consume less. To reduce their individual “carbon footprints,” many are cutting gasoline and home-heating consumption, choosing locally grown food and recycling. While such actions are important in curbing global warming, the extent to which consumers can reduce or reverse broad-scale environmental damage is open to debate. Moreover, well-intentioned personal actions can have unintended consequences that cancel out positive effects. To have the greatest impact, corporate and government policy must lead the way, many environmental advocates say.

Are measures of individual carbon emissions valid? Should government do more to encourage individuals to reduce their carbon footprints? Can individual action significantly reduce global climate change?

To view this week’s entire report on CQ Researcher Online, click here.