Topic: Center for Biological Diversity

Clean energy 'gold rush' in Mojave spurs backlash

Clean energy projects in California are thriving. But environmentalists worry about impact of clean energy companies on Mojave Desert.

Budget bill cuts federal wolf protection. Environmentalists howling.

After being hunted to near-extinction, wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains have recovered due to federal management under the Endangered Species Act. But wolves will be "delisted" under a rider to the recent budget bill, and environmentalists are howling.

House's frenzy of budget cuts: defund military bands, ban White House repairs

There's still no federal budget for 2011, so House members are trying to come up with a stopgap 'continuing resolution' with billions in cuts. What to cut? House members are making hundreds of proposals this week.

BP report on cause of Gulf oil spill spreads the blame

Human and mechanical failures led to the Deepwater Horizon blast and the subsequent Gulf oil spill, finds a BP report released Wednesday. Transocean and Halliburton are also cited.

Activists frustrated at Obama’s environmental record

Environmental activists were delighted to have Barack Obama replace George W. Bush as president. But greens are increasingly unhappy with Obama’s record – especially on climate change.

BP oil spill: how Gulf's sensitive and endangered species are faring

Manatees, bluefin tuna, and Kemp’s ridley turtles are especially challenged by the BP oil spill. The Kemp’s ridley turtle is an endangered species that until recently was threatened with extinction.

BP oil spill halts US drilling permits, for now

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that no new drilling permits would be released until a safety review ordered by Obama is released later this month. The BP oil spill has increased calls by environmentalists for a permanent ban on offshore drilling.

Arctic drilling opponents gain momentum from Gulf oil spill

Exploratory drilling is scheduled for July in the waters off Alaska's northern shore. Environmental groups, reeling from the Gulf of Mexico BP oil spill, are fighting to put those plans on hold.

Ocean acidification: another path to EPA rules on carbon emissions?

In a legal settlement Thursday, the EPA agreed to help states test coastal waters for acidity, and to weigh whether to tighten rules on carbon emissions to address ocean acidification.

In California, quest for cleaner power hits tortoise-sized speed bumps

Golden State lawmakers ask which is more important: building the nation's largest solar-energy farm or protecting a fragile ecosystem?

Brown pelicans are no longer endangered

After decades on the US Endangered Species list, American brown pelicans have made a comeback.

Wolf update: Judge rules that hunts can continue

Research finds higher acidity in Alaska waters

Alaska's marine waters are turning acidic from absorption of greenhouse gases faster than tropical waters.

Six Picks: Recommendations from the Monitor's staff

A photo-packed magazine on Central Asia, Miss Marple's mysteries out on DVD, the best of IMAX on TV, and more.

EPA and CO2: If the right hand don't get you, the left one might

Do climate protests work?

On Monday, thousands of climate activists descended on Washington, D.C., to protest the Capitol Power Plant, a partly coal-fired plant that heats and air-conditions the seat of the US Congress and is the District of Columbia's largest source of air pollution and carbon emissions.

US considers pika protection due to warming

Howls of protest greet Mexican wolf reintroduction

New Mexico program faces higher hurdles than similar one in Yellowstone.

Greens mixed on Obama's Interior, Agriculture picks

Barack Obama announced two more cabinet picks Wednesday – former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack for Agriculture secretary and Colorado Senator Ken Salazar for Interior secretary – drawing both praise and criticism from environmental groups.

White House removes protections for endangered species

With just over a month remaining in office, the Bush administration loosened federal protection of plant and animal species threatened with extinction.

Are some solar projects no longer ‘green’?

Conservationists worry that a plan for the Mojave desert will upset species’ habitats.

Do uranium mines belong near Grand Canyon?

Mining companies stake claims on federal land adjoining the park, while opponents say drinking water will be at risk.

Off-road-vehicle bans seem to please no one

Environmentalists say latest national-forest restrictions are too lax; ORV fans say they’re too strict.

USA

A thin-ice way to save polar bears

A court-forced decision on polar bears is not the way to impel Americans to cut emissions.