TODAY'S NEWS
'It Begins with Energy'
Obama names climate and energy as priorities in first address to Congress
President Barack Obama devoted a significant portion of his Congressional address last night to energy and environmental concerns, talking up the need for energy investments and calling on legislators to send him a cap-and-trade bill. Listing energy as his top priority going forward, followed by health care and education, Obama pledged to double the use of renewables and invest $15 billion in the development of new technologies each year -- including wind, solar, advanced biofuels, more fuel-efficient automobiles, and "clean coal." He called on Congress to end wasteful spending, pledged to "end direct payments to large agribusinesses that don't need them," and even gave a shout-out to Greensburg, Kan., which has made green a core part of its well publicized post-tornado reconstruction project. Delivering the official Republican response, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal heartily agreed that America needs a comprehensive new energy plan -- one that includes more nukes and more oil and gas drilling. Kate Sheppard reports on Obama's speech and Jindal's response.
Water Over the Ridge
Newly mapped 'Antarctic Alps' could shed light on climate history. Read more.
The Sun Rises in the East
Japan plans to require electricity companies to buy surplus power generated by household solar panels at about twice the current price. Read more.
Sea Sickness
Capt. Charles Moore describes sailing the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Read more.
Get Scareder -- Againer
The risk posed to humankind by even small changes in average global temperatures is much higher than believed even a few years ago, a new study says. Read more.
Tailpipe Dream
The White House is considering a national fuel-efficiency standard, to the purported relief of automakers craving "certainty and consistency" rather than a patchwork of state regulations. Read more.
TODAY IN GRIST
All Set
On LCD vs. plasma TVs
Q. Dear Umbra,
My husband and I are going to be buying a new television soon. Between an LCD and a plasma set, which is the more environmentally friendly?
Lorraine B.
Ossining, N.Y.
A. Dearest Lorraine,
Welcome to the promised follow-up to our previous examination of the digital television revolution. This week we finally take an opportunity for tortured reference to the revolution being digitized. I suppose everyone is probably making that joke ...
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Read the rest of Umbra's answer.
Coming Thursday: Foraging for the first of spring's wild greens
Grist: Environmental News and Commentary
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