America.gov-Energy & Environment

Obama Announces New Energy Security Measures

iipcms@state.gov (iipcms) — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 16:29:27 -0400

President Obama announces plans to reduce U.S. dependence on imported oil by a third over 10 years by increasing domestic energy production, increasing the use of biofuels and natural gas, and improving the fuel efficiency of U.S.-built cars and trucks.

Beyond Fukushima, Inquiries Begin on Long-Term Nuclear Safety

iipcms@state.gov (iipcms) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 17:07:18 -0400

The world faces a “major challenge” in the failures of the Fukushima nuclear plant, according to the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, who is calling for a high-level conference to begin a process of improving nuclear safety and responses to accidents and emergencies.

Japan’s Disasters Do Not Inflict Long-Term Economic Damage

iipcms@state.gov (iipcms) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:55:52 -0400

The triple whammy that hit Japan — earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident — will have limited long-term impacts on the country’s economy, analysts say.

U.S. Aid Has Supported Ukraine’s Recovery from Chernobyl

iipcms@state.gov (iipcms) — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:32:29 -0400

Twenty-five years after the Chernobyl nuclear accident, the U. S. government continues to provide Ukraine with financial assistance for a new containment structure that will more safely entomb the nuclear power plant and medical studies on the after-effects of exposure to Chernobyl radiation.

U.S., World Bank Collaborate to Improve Water Access, Sanitation

iipcms@state.gov (iipcms) — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 11:42:26 -0400

In a transcontinental commemoration of World Water Day March 22, the United States and the World Bank sign an agreement to energize their efforts to improve developing world access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene.

Partnerships Focus on Safer, Cleaner Energy

iipcms@state.gov (iipcms) — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 18:34:12 -0400

The United States is expanding its energy partnerships with Latin American nations. Among the highlights: a new agreement between the U.S. and Brazil to develop biofuel for airplanes and a research center in Chile that will track melting glaciers and diminishing water supplies in the Andean basin.

Joint Statement by President Obama, Brazilian President Rousseff

iipcms@state.gov (iipcms) — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 13:34:05 -0400

The White House releases a joint statement by President Obama and Brazilian President Rousseff on areas of and action in partnership efforts by the United States and Brazil.

U.S. Support for Japan Unwavering in Face of Disasters

iipcms@state.gov (iipcms) — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 09:46:52 -0400

President Obama expresses confidence that Japan will recover from the series of disasters that have occurred since a magnitude 9 earthquake struck on March 11 and says the United States is “working aggressively” through its civilian and military personnel and assets to help the Japanese people.

U.S. Radiation-Detection Experts and Supplies Sent to Help Japan

iipcms@state.gov (iipcms) — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 17:39:54 -0400

As Japanese authorities work to contain the nuclear emergency at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, the United States has sent energy experts and radiation-detection equipment while continuing its humanitarian response efforts.

Japan Quake Magnitude Boosted to 9

iipcms@state.gov (iipcms) — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 13:31:24 -0400

The U.S. Geological Survey has followed Japanese scientists in upgrading the wallop of the massive earthquake that struck northeast Japan on March 11. The temblor, which the Japanese have dubbed the Tohoku quake, ranked a magnitude 9, not the 8.9 originally reported.

Japan’s Nuclear Danger Zone Widens; More Experts Work the Crisis

iipcms@state.gov (iipcms) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 09:06:17 -0400

The Japanese government is telling citizens within 30 kilometers of a damaged nuclear power plant to stay indoors to protect themselves. The March 15 advisory said people near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant should attempt to prevent exposure to radiation that escaped from reactors.

“Green” Growth, Stronger Integration Top APEC Agenda

iipcms@state.gov (iipcms) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:34:30 -0400

The United States hosts senior officials of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, setting an ambitious agenda for regional economic cooperation. APEC 2011 goals include strengthening economic integration, promoting “green” growth and expanding trade opportunities.

Russian Officials Examine U.S. Park Management in Florida

iipcms@state.gov (iipcms) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:33:19 -0400

A visit to several federally protected sites in Florida that included scenic hikes and encounters with alligators and a snake allowed Russian park and natural reserve managers insight into how the United States handles competing demands made on these public lands.

U.S. Nuclear Experts Help Japanese in Reactor Accidents

iipcms@state.gov (iipcms) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 09:52:11 -0400

Nuclear experts are on the disaster relief team that the United States sent to help in the aftermath of the Japan earthquake March 11, which triggered accidents at two nuclear power plants. General Electric, the manufacturer of one malfunctioning reactor, is also sending assistance.

Russian Hydrologists Study U.S. Watershed-Management Practices

iipcms@state.gov (iipcms) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 14:34:44 -0400

Two iconic lakes in the United States and Russia — Lake Tahoe in the American West and Lake Baikal in Siberia — confront similar economic and developmental concerns.

U.S. Geologists Explain Science Behind Japanese Earthquake

iipcms@state.gov (iipcms) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:41:43 -0400

On March 11, northeastern Japan suffers an earthquake measured at magnitude 8.9, triggering a tsunami and killing at least 15 people. It is the most powerful recorded earthquake in Japan’s history, and the U.S. military is offering assistance to Japanese authorities.

Central American Sugar Mills Improve Water Practices

iipcms@state.gov (iipcms) — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 18:05:45 -0400

What happens when a large, multinational beverage producer gets together with the U.S. government to improve global water practices? A whole lot. Learn about the Water and Development Alliance’s work with sugar mills in Central America.

When Your Dentist Turns Green

iipcms@state.gov (iipcms) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 13:32:58 -0400

We don’t usually think of dentists as polluters, nor do we typically see them pioneering green practices. Quietly, however, a movement of environmentally conscious dentists is growing in the United States and beyond. Water conservation and reducing heavy metals and toxins are on their to-do lists.

Statistics Show Large Gains for Biotech Agriculture in 2010

iipcms@state.gov (iipcms) — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:59:44 -0400

Between 1996 and 2010, the production of biotech crops rose 87-fold, surpassing 1 billion hectares, according to new statistics from the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications.

Russian Parks Officials Study How U.S. Manages Protected Areas

iipcms@state.gov (iipcms) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:07:59 -0400

Twenty Russian national park and nature reserve managers visit the United States for a workshop and study tour that may lead to greater bilateral cooperation in managing protected areas. Their tour is under the auspices of USAID and the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission.

Wind Power Becoming Competitive with Coal

iipcms@state.gov (iipcms) — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 15:49:25 -0400

The U.S. government is seeking fast-track approval to allow development of wind farms off the Mid-Atlantic coast. New studies show that the cost of producing wind power is dropping, with projects on land now costing as little as producing electricity from coal.

Energy Conservation Good Business for States

iipcms@state.gov (iipcms) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 18:26:31 -0400

United States energy production is responsible for 40 percent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. A growing number of states are taking significant steps to conserve energy. This helps lower consumer bills and save the environment.

Reports Say World Can Be Fossil Fuel Free by 2050

iipcms@state.gov (iipcms) — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 18:39:33 -0400

The world has the technical know-how and financial capability to run entirely on renewable energy by the middle of this century, two California researchers say.

Solar Panels Versus Trees

iipcms@state.gov (iipcms) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:14:33 -0400

Solar panels need full sun to be efficient, which means trees must sometimes be cut down to keep them from shading the panels. Some communities in the United States are debating whether cutting trees to generate solar power makes environmental sense.

One Million Electric Cars Coming Our Way?

iipcms@state.gov (iipcms) — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:07:55 -0400

President Obama wants to see 1 million electric cars glide down American streets and roads five years from now. With the right incentives in place, and indications that customer interest is growing, the plan may not be far-fetched.

Panda Program Powerful Symbol of Broader U.S.-China Cooperation

iipcms@state.gov (iipcms) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 18:37:17 -0400

The United States and China sign the Giant Panda Cooperative Research and Breeding Agreement, which extends the National Zoo’s giant panda program five years. The pact, which affirms both nations’ commitment to saving the endangered national symbol, is one example of broader bilateral cooperation.