America.gov-Environment: Introduction

U.S. Agencies Help Indonesia Build Tsunami Warning Capability

Lea Terhune — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:35:46 GMT

The island nation of Indonesia, the most tsunami-prone country on Earth, adds to its growing instrument network two more deep-ocean tsunami warning devices, one of them provided by the U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration with funding from the U.S. State Department.

Botanic Energy Resources Make Hot Research Topics

Lea Terhune — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:20:17 GMT

The U.S. National Arboretum’s exhibit Power Plants features flora from around the world used or being considered for renewable energy sources. “We have 21 plants on display here that are currently being used to produce ethanol and biodiesel or have the potential to do so,” Arboretum Director Thomas S. Elias says.

Wildlife Trafficking Is a Serious Problem, Lucrative Business

Lea Terhune — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:45:39 GMT

Illegal wildlife products share trade routes with narcotics, guns and humans, trafficking experts say, within a sophisticated network to move illicit commodities for money. America.gov talks with Interpol’s Peter Younger and author Moises Nam about the multibillion-dollar criminal enterprise of trafficking in endangered species.

World Bank Focuses on Plight of Tiger

Lea Terhune — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:07:25 GMT

The World Bank, with support from Hollywood, launches an initiative to save tigers. “The crisis facing tigers overwhelms local capabilities and transcends national boundaries. … It requires an alliance of strong local commitment backed by deep international support,” says bank President Robert B. Zoellick.

Convergence of Food and Fuel Is “Historic Opportunity”

Lea Terhune — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:27:28 GMT

The food and fuel crises present historic opportunities for farmers and innovators globally, according to agriculture official Thomas C. Dorr. He sees the current situation as a transitional phase in which “[t]he challenge is to provide both food and fuel for a growing world on a sustainable basis.”

Actor Harrison Ford Speaks Out Against Wildlife Trafficking

Lea Terhune — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:45:18 GMT

The U.S. State Department escalates its battle against wildlife trafficking with new videos starring actor Harrison Ford. The United States, a leader against illegal trade in endangered species, aims to raise awareness in so-called consumer nations about the environmental tragedy they subsidize.

World Environment Day Urges “Kick the Carbon Habit”

Lea Terhune — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:34:56 GMT

On World Environment Day 2008, the U.N. Environment Programme is urging nations to “Kick the carbon habit” by reducing use of fossil fuels and emissions of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, blamed for rising global temperatures. In a related observance, the State Department is launching an initiative to combat wildlife trafficking.

Governments, Industry Working to Stem CO2 Emissions from Coal

Lea Terhune — Thu, 29 May 2008 17:35:18 GMT

Coal is among the fastest-growing component of global energy, but coal-burning power plants worldwide contribute to atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO₂₎. Solutions to this conflict are complex, expensive and evolving, as groups around the world work to reduce CO₂ from this important energy source.

Passion for Protecting Amazon Basin Unites Leaders, Activists

Lea Terhune — Wed, 28 May 2008 11:54:40 GMT

A shared passion for the Amazon brings together indigenous peoples, governments, nongovernmental organizations and private donors at the 2008 Amazon Alliance Steering Council Meeting to address the basin’s value as a key ecosystem and the stewardship role of indigenous peoples.

U.S. Program Helps Save Tropical Forests, Cut Foreign Debt

Lea Terhune — Mon, 19 May 2008 16:42:52 GMT

The United States is helping protect the tropical forests of 12 developing countries around the world through an innovative program called the Tropical Forest Conservation Act. The program helps save the forests by forgiving some of the official debt owed by these nations to the United States.

Polar Bears to Be Listed as “Threatened,” Interior Secretary Says

Lea Terhune — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:42:26 GMT

Polar bears will be listed threatened by the U.S. Department of the Interior and gain some federal protection for themselves and their habitat, but the wrangle between environmentalists and supporters of oil exploration is likely to continue -- as is the melting of the bears’ habitat, the polar ice sheet.

Social Entrepreneurs Target Climate Change

Lea Terhune — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:20:49 GMT

A Skoll Foundation award winner, the American Council on Renewable Energy uses entrepreneurship to counter climate change. Its president, Michael Eckhart, talks with America.gov about how his organization is driving innovation and financing toward wind, solar, biomass and geothermal energy resources instead of fossil fuels.