Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences / by Eric F. Lambina and Patrick Meyfroidtb (doi: 10.1073/ pnas.1100480108; March 1, 2011 v108 n9 p3465-3472) http://www.pnas.org/content/108/9/3465.full Open access article [Abstract] A central challenge for sustainability is how to preserve forest ecosystems and the services that they provide us while enhancing food production. This challenge for developing … Continue reading »
Posted on March 3, 2011 …
Genetic Manipulation of Lignin Reduces Recalcitrance and Improves Ethanol Production from Switchgrass
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences / by Chunxiang Fua, Jonathan R. Mielenzb, Xirong Xiaoa,Yaxin Gea, Choo Y. Hamiltonb, Miguel Rodriguez, Jr., Fang Chenc, Marcus Fostonc, Arthur Ragauskasc and Joseph Boutona, et al. (doi: 10.1073/ pnas.1100310108; March 1, 2011 v108 n9 p3803-3808) Open access article http://www.pnas.org/content/108/9/3803.short?rss=1 [Abstract] Switchgrass is a leading dedicated bioenergy feedstock … Continue reading »
Tar Sands Pipelines Safety Risks
The Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, Pipeline Safety Trust, and National Wildlife Federation http://www.sierraclub.org/dirtyfuels/downloads/2011-02-safety.pdf The report by the Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, Pipeline Safety Trust, and National Wildlife Federation, Tar Sands Pipeline Safety Risks, shines a light on the dangers of transporting diluted bitumen, or tar sands crude. Because it is significantly … Continue reading »
R&D Dashboard (U.S. Federal Investments in Science and Research)
The National Coordination Office (NCO) for Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) http://rd-dashboard.nitrd.gov/ …the R&D Dashboard beta web site provides an initial look at U.S. Federal Investments in Science and Research from two agencies; the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) from years 2000-2009. The R&D Dashboard will … Continue reading »
Economic Report of the President 2011
Executive Office of the President, Council of Economic Advisers http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/cea/economic-report-of-the-President The Economic Report of the President is an annual report written by the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers. An important vehicle for presenting the Administration’s domestic and international economic policies, it provides an overview of the nation’s economic progress with text and extensive … Continue reading »
Public-Private Partnerships to Revamp U.S. Infrastructure
Brookings Institution / by Eduardo Engel, Ronald Fischer, and Alexander Galetovic (Hamilton Project Discussion Paper 2011-02) http://tinyurl.com/5wzqvbp Public-private partnerships are often touted as a “best-of-both-worlds” alternative to public provision and privatization. But in practice, they have been dogged by contract design problems, waste, and unrealistic expectations. Governments sometimes opt for a public-private partnership, for example, … Continue reading »
Scanning the Conservation Horizon: A Guide to Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
National Wildlife Federation / edited by Patty Glick, Bruce A. Stein, and Naomi A. Edelson http://www.treesearch.fs.fed.us/pubs/37406 Rapid climate change is the defining conservation issue of our generation. The effects of climate change are increasingly apparent, from drowned coastal marshes and drying prairie potholes to melting glaciers. These climate-driven changes will profoundly affect our ability to … Continue reading »
Understanding the Earth’s Deep Past: Lessons for Our Climate Future
National Academies Press (download pre-pub version by chapter with free registration) www.nap.edu/catalog/13111.html There is little dispute within the scientific community that humans are changing Earth’s climate on a decadal to century time-scale. By the end of this century, without a reduction in emissions, atmospheric CO2 is projected to increase to levels that Earth has not … Continue reading »
Suit Announced to Limit Illegal Dumping of Sewage from Chicago’s Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
Natural Resources Defense Council www.nrdc.org/media/2011/110301a.asp (press release) http://docs.nrdc.org/water/wat_11030101.asp (documents) [From Press Release] Water pollution illegally dumped from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s (MWRD’s) three sewage treatment plants and combined sewer overflow pipes has created a plume of harmful impacts stretching from Chicago all the way to the Gulf of Mexico according to notice of a … Continue reading »
National Enforcement and Compliance Strategy Informational Background for Energy Extraction FY2010
US EPA via the New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/02/27/us/natural-gas-documents-1.html#document/p1 [Introduction] Over the past nine months, The Times reviewed more than 30,000 pages of documents obtained through open records requests of state and federal agencies and by visiting various regional offices that oversee drilling in Pennsylvania. Some of the documents were leaked by state or federal officials. … Continue reading »
