Environmental News: December 11th-December 16th 2009

Emissions Rights Could Negate New Climate Pact: EU
Date: 16-Dec-09
Michael Szabo and Pete Harrison
COPENHAGEN - Trade in controversial carbon rights under the Kyoto Protocol after 2012 could undermine emissions targets agreed under a new global climate pact, the European Union environment commissioner said on Tuesday.
Read more here.

U.S. political stars storm global climate stage
U.S. political stars storm global climate stage
Date: 16-Dec-09

Richard Cowan and Anna Ringstrom
COPENHAGEN - As negotiators from more than 190 countries fought over details of a climate deal on Tuesday, U.S. political celebrities stole the limelight with high profile calls for action.
Read more here.

Anti-Whaling Activists Joined By Daryl Hannah
Date: 16-Dec-09
Country: AUSTRALIA
Author: Rob Taylor
CANBERRA - Hardline anti-whaling activists prepared on Tuesday to pursue Japan's Antarctic whaling fleet with support from Daryl Hannah, who criticized Greenpeace for opting out of the annual chase.
Read more here.

Australia 'Seriously' Considering Whaling Challenge
Date: 16-Dec-09
Country: AUSTRALIA
Author: Rob Taylor
CANBERRA - An international legal challenge to Japan's yearly whale hunt near Antarctica is being seriously considered by Australia, with the controversial cull set to begin in weeks, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said on Friday.
Read more here.

Gore calls for July summit to finish climate treaty
December 15, 2009
by Staff Writers
Former US vice president and environmental activist Al Gore called Tuesday for world leaders to meet in Mexico City in July to complete a climate treaty under negotiation in Copenhagen.
Read more here.

Record levels of toxic algae hurt coastline
By Rick Jervis, USA TODAY
Large swaths of toxic algae have punished U.S. coastal towns at record levels this year, shutting down shellfish harvests and sickening swimmers from Maine to Texas to Seattle.
Read more here.

Brazil Moves To Cut Amazon Destruction By Ranchers
December 15, 2009
MARABA, Brazil - Brazil took a step forward in protecting the Amazon rainforest on Wednesday, starting satellite surveillance of the cattle ranches that are among the chief culprits in the forest's destruction.
Read more here.

Climate Talks Near Deal to Save Forests
By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL
Published: December 15, 2009
COPENHAGEN — Negotiators have all but completed a sweeping deal that would compensate countries for preserving forests, and in some cases, other natural landscapes like peat soils, swamps and fields that play a crucial role in curbing climate change.
Read more here.

World’s Largest Wind Farm to Be Built in the US
December 14, 2009
The United States has steadily outsourced record-breaking feats of engineering over the years, or stood by as other countries have eagerly grasped trophies for the world’s tallest building, biggest dam, longest bridge, or what have you.
Read more here.

Octopus snatches coconut and runs
December 14, 2009
An octopus and its coconut-carrying antics have surprised scientists.
Underwater footage reveals that the creatures scoop up halved coconut shells before scampering away with them so they can later use them as shelters.
WATCH THE HILARIOUS VIDEO:
Read more here.

Submersibles find new coral, sponge species northwest of main Hawaiian islands
December 14, 2009
Associated Press
HONOLULU (AP) — New and dramatic species of coral and sponges have been found in the Pacific during deep sea dives near the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, scientists said Monday.
Read more here.

Pentagon, CIA Eye New Threat: Climate Change
by TOM GJELTEN
Global warming is now officially considered a threat to U.S. national security.
For the first time, Pentagon planners in 2010 will include climate change among the security threats identified in the Quadrennial Defense Review, the Congress-mandated report that updates Pentagon priorities every four years.
Read more here.

Copenhagen climate summit negotiations 'suspended'
Negotiations at the UN climate summit have been suspended after developing countries withdrew their co-operation.
Read more here.

Copenhagen climate protesters rally
December 12, 2009
Bibi van der Zee Copenhagen, David Batty and agencies
guardian.co.uk,
Thousands of people march as part of a global protest to demand that governments agree a new climate deal.
Read more here.

New CDC Survey Tracks Mercury Levels in Americans
By SARA GOODMAN of Greenwire
Published: December 11, 2009
Mercury exposure in the United States increases with age, then starts tapering off when people turn 50, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found in a study released today.
Read more here.