Climate change on the back burner?

Climate change has slipped so far down on the agenda that at least one key committee chairman has suggested it might have to wait until after the 2010 elections.

A number of factors are conspiring against the Senate version of the bill: a Republican boycott on the Environment and Public Works Committee, a new EPA analysis that could take at least five weeks and wide-ranging disagreements among six competing Senate committee leaders who have jurisdiction.

“Some people are talking about not doing it until after the 2010 election,” Commerce Committee Chairman John Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) said Tuesday.

Environment awareness hits the West Coast

While a day at the beach on the West Coast in September might not appeal to everyone, one hardy group are out everyday of the entire month to bring awareness to the coast's environment.

The team heading up a festival, are making their way from Karamea down to Franz Josep, with one man making the entire 350 kilometres on foot.

"It's about engaging the West Coast communities and providing an invitation to come down and spend a day at the beach, have a whole lot of fun," says Guy Ryan, festival organiser.

In Karamea the community has come out in force to kick start day one.

Court ends Bush-era road-building in forests

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration acted illegally when it opened millions of acres (hectares) of U.S. national forests to road-building and logging, a federal appeals court ruled on Wednesday.

The U.S. Appeals Court for the Ninth Circuit effectively reinstated a 2001 rule that bars development in recognized "roadless" areas of national forests, except in Idaho and the Tongass National Forest in Alaska.

"The court today confirmed protections for these wild forests and rivers that Americans love and cherish," said Kristen Boyles, a lawyer with Earthjustice, who litigated the case on behalf of 20 environmental groups.

'Training ground' for environment

"training ground for environmentalism and teaching."

The environment is the focus for GOP candidates

Republican candidates for East Hampton Town Board this week unveiled their environmental platform, which highlights a series of forward-looking code changes, an environmental summit to be held just after the November elections, the transition of town facilities to green energy and plans to create no-mow areas along the shoulders of the roads that would allow native wildflowers to grow.

GOP Town Supervisor candidate Bill Wilkinson said this week that he hopes to involve community organizations and residents in an immediate debate on the environmental future of the town.

“It’s a brand new concept that’s far overdue,” he said. “It’s timely as well because of what’s happened to the Community Preservation Fund. Our commitment to the environment is a top priority. We need the best minds available to contribute. There are some great minds out here in all different areas. It’s great when you let people speak from their heart.”