Also Try
- Commuting Alternatives
- Electric Cars
- Energy Efficiency
- Fuel Cell Power
- Global Warming
- Hydroelectric and Wave Power
- Wind Power
Lesson Plans
- Contaminants: How They Move and Change (MicroWorlds)
Describes how contaminants move and change in an ecosystem.
- Ecology - Health and Pollution Control by Grade (NIEHS)
- Energy and Environmental Trade-offs - Grade 11 (British Columbia Ministry of Education)
Provides a lesson plan for the 11th grade level. The materials are called an Integrated Resource Package. 2-01
- Ozone in the Stratosphere (University of California - SEGway)
Provides a lesson to study ozone levels in the stratosphere. 3-01
- Pollution - Grade 11 (British Columbia Ministry of Education)
Provides a lesson plan for the 11th grade level. The materials are called an Integrated Resource Package. 2-01
- Resource Management and Environmental Planning - Grade 11 (British Columbia Ministry of Education)
Provides a lesson plan for the 11th grade level. The materials are called an Integrated Resource Package. 2-01
- Transportation - Grade 11 (British Columbia Ministry of Education)
Provides a lesson plan for the 11th grade level. The materials are called an Integrated Resource Package. 2-01
Lists
- Air Pollution Resources (Yahoo)
Provides over two dozen resources. 8-01
- Air Quality and Pollution (envirolink.org)
Provides articles and sources of information by subject. 3-03
- Alternative Energy - By Type of Information (About.com - Teuwen)
Provides news, facts, statistics, jobs, research, and more. Includes solar, wind, biofuels, and other sustainable energy sources that are alternatives to fossil fuels. 2-01
- Alternative Energy Businesses (Momentum Technologies - Source Guide)
Provides listings of businesses by location, product type, business type, and business name. 5-01
- Alternative Energy News (About.com - Teuwen)
Provides news, facts, statistics, treatments, symptoms, a glossary, and more. 2-01
- Alternative Power Systems (AAPSPower.com)
Provides sources of products that provide alternative energy, such as wind energy. 3-01
- CNG (Compressed Natural Gas Fuel Stations by State (Alternative Fuels Data Center)
Provides a map of which states have CNG fuel stations. 12-00
- Fuel Station Locator (Alternative Fuels Data Center)
Provides a search engine to locate stations for gaining alternative fuels, such as methanol, ethanol, electric, and natural gas. 12-00
- Ground Pollution (envirolink.org)
Provides articles and sources of information by subject. 3-03
- Methanol Fuel Stations by State (Alternative Fuels Data Center)
Provides a map of which states have methanol fuel stations. 12-00
- Pollution (100TopPollutionSites.com)
Provides a list of 100 carefully selected sites. 12-01
- Pollution Information Resources (EPIC - DOE Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse)
Provides sources of information to help fight pollution. 5-01
- Water Contaminants - Sources (Nevada Bureau of Health Protection Services)
Provides sources of information about sources of water contamination, by type of source.
- Water Pollution (Bierworth)
Provides sources of information about water pollution, including oceans, lakes, rivers, and groundwater.
News
- 02-24-02 Superfunds Cleanup Plans Cut - Bush to Shift Costs to Taxpayers (Seattle Times - Seelye)
"Faced with dwindling reserves in the huge Superfund waste-cleanup account, the Bush administration has decided to target fewer sites for restoration and to shift the bulk of costs from industry to taxpayers." 2-02
- 02-27-02 Superfunds - Bush to Shift Costs to Taxpayers (Time - Reaves)
President Bush plans to shift the cost of cleaning up major pollution sites away from the corporations responsible for the pollution. Instead, he wants to reduce the size of the Superfund and to have taxpayers pay a larger share for the cleanup. "A White House victory would likely bring an immediate drop-off in the number of sites approved for Superfund status. But of even greater concern to environmental advocates is that the change will see the disincentive to pollute wither away alongside the Superfund coffers. After all, industrial polluters have been kept in check by the threat of having to fund costly cleanups." 2-02
- 03-04-02 EPA Enforcer Quits - Claims Administration Is Siding With Polluters (Philadelphia Inquirer - Borenstein)
Describes the reason why the head of the Environmental Protection Agency's enforcement quit. "Eric Schaeffer, director of the EPA's Office of Regulatory Enforcement, said energy-industry lobbyists were helping to write proposals to weaken air-pollution regulations for older coal power plants. Enforcing those regulations was Schaeffer's job."
- 03-15-02 Senate Rejects Rules Requiring Better Mileage (Philadelphia Inquirer - Kuhnhenn)
"A powerful alliance of carmakers and autoworkers yesterday crushed an environmentalist push to increase fuel-efficiency standards, as the Senate removed mileage requirements from a sweeping energy bill."
- 03-27-02 Department of Energy Releases Documents Showing Access to Energy Companies (CBS News)
Summarizes documents released under court order to show which groups influenced the development of national policy on energy. According to the summary, energy executives and lobbyists had a great deal of access to the head of the Energy Department, Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham. "In all, three dozen energy executives and lobbyists participated in eight meetings with Abraham from mid-February to late April 2001. The Cheney energy report was released in May."
"But the papers released late Monday by DOE document no top-level meetings with advocates of energy efficiency or renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power.
- 03-27-02 Federal Court Agrees With Tough Clean Air Standards (Washington Post - Tucker and Grunwald)
Describes a court finding that upheld "the most stringent air pollution control standards in the nation's history." " 'This is a huge victory for breathers,' said Frank O'Donnell, executive director of the nonprofit Clean Air Trust." "EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman said her agency will support the new regulations."
"The next step for the EPA is to designate the places that do not meet the new standards. Then it can start requiring states to submit plans detailing how they will get into compliance."
- 05-25-03 Congress Increases Tax Breaks for Polluting (MSNBC News)
"Supporters including President Bush said the business equipment tax break, which was quadrupled to $100,000 in the $350 billion tax cut bill that narrowly cleared Congress, is good for the economy."
"But critics called it a loophole that unfairly benefits the auto industry and provides an unnecessary perk to business people who do not need, but want to buy the largest, most-polluting and fuel hungry SUVs." 5-03
- 06-12-02 EPA to Relax Clean Air Requirements for Utilities (USAToday.com)
Groups monitoring air pollution activity regard the new policy as very bad for the environment . "An easing of the rules, they argued, will produce millions of tons of additional pollution from older coal-burning plants and amount to a rollback of the Clean Air Act."
- 08-27-03 Bush Administration Relaxes Pollution Rules for Power Plants (CNN News)
"The Bush administration on Wednesday exempted thousands of older power plants, refineries and factories from having to install costly clean air controls when they modernize with new equipment that improves efficiency but increases pollution." 8-03
- 08-28-03 Bush Administration Relaxes Pollution Rules for Power Plants (Christian Science Monitor - Knickerbocker)
"The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issues a ruling this week allowing thousands of power plants, refineries, and industrial facilities to upgrade without reducing the pollution they emit."
"The debate figures in larger questions about the Bush administration's environmental and energy policies - specifically, the extent to which industries influence such policies."But the GAO was unable to determine the extent of such influence because Mr. Cheney refuses to provide key documents detailing his meetings with energy companies and industry groups - including those that may be directly involved with the polluting aspects of energy production." "Meanwhile, the US Public Interest Research Group reports this week that 2002 was the worst smog season in recent years. (Smog is ground-level ozone caused by pollution from power plants, vehicles, and other sources, and is linked to asthma and other ailments.) Monitors in 41 states and Washington recorded 8,818 instances of unhealthy smog levels last year - nearly twice the violations of the national health standard in 2001." 8-03
- 08-28-03 Superbugs Digest Pollution (Salon.com - Mieszkowski)
"The genetically modified mutant plants suck heavy metals, such as lead and arsenic, out of the soil into their roots, stems and leaves, cleansing the contaminated soil. It's an intoxicating vision: Imagine fields of these valiant plants fighting part of the $700 billion battle that the United States faces in mopping up polluted Superfund sites." 8-03
- 09-04-03 Microbe Attacks Water Pollution (CBS News)
"An industrial chemical that pollutes groundwater and has resisted cleanup can be neutralized by an obscure microbe that researchers have discovered in the Hudson River bottom mud."
"In a study appearing Friday in the journal Science, researchers at Michigan State University report a previously unknown bacteria is able to turn trichloroethane, an industrial chemical that is difficult to clear from ground water, into a more benign compound that other microbes can render harmless." 9-03
- 09-04-03 Water Pollution Report Card for States (CBS News)
"Two environmental groups released a review of government records Tuesday, showing that water pollution enforcement is failing in more than 40 states."
"Friends of the Earth and the Environmental Working Group say these states have allowed critically important water pollution permits to expire, effectively issuing industries a license to pollute."
"The review also concludes that there is currently little action afoot to correct this serious problem. Nevada, Rhode Island, Oregon and Nebraska all had more than two-thirds of their permits expired. Texas had the largest number of expired permits at 135." 9-03
- 1-1-03 States Sue Environmental Protection Agency (ABC News)
"The Bush administration issued rules Tuesday to make it easier for industrial plants and refineries to modernize without having to buy expensive pollution controls and immediately was sued by nine states charging that the changes undermine their efforts to protect public health." 1-03
- 11-05-03 EPA to Allow Polluters to Pollute (USA Today)
"The Environmental Protection Agency is likely to stop taking action against coal-burning power plants that the agency itself had accused of violating air-pollution laws, an EPA source familiar with the decision said Wednesday."
"Now, it plans to use the relaxed standards � not those in place when the companies violated the laws � to determine whether the companies should be sued." 11-03
- 11-06-02 California Tightens Emissions Standards for Motor Vehicles (ABC News - Dizikes)
"California's hotly contested legislative measure AB 1493, which governor Gray Davis signed into law this past summer, will tighten carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles, holding cars and light trucks � including SUVs � registered in California to stricter air-pollution standards than vehicles sold elsewhere in the United States."
- 11-11-01 Agreement Reached on Reducing Pollution (BBC)
Provides the conditions of a global agreement of 178 nations to reduce carbon emissions and thereby reduce global warming. The agreement, a revision of the Kyoto protocol, was developed and approved in November, 2001. The largest polluter in the world, the USA, refused to participate.
- 11-19-02 Massive Oil Spill on Spain's Coast (CBS News)
"A damaged tanker carrying more than 20 million gallons of fuel oil broke in two off northwest Spain and sank Tuesday, threatening an environmental disaster."
- 11-23-02 Bush Administration Eases Clean Air Rules (CBS News)
"The Bush administration on Friday eased clean air rules to allow utilities, refineries and manufacturers to avoid having to install expensive new anti-pollution equipment when they modernize their plants."
- Clean Air News (Sierra Club)
Provides news related to pollution of the air. 11-02
- Corporations and Pollution (CropWatch.com)
Provides news related to violations of safety standards by corporations. 6-01
- Pollution News (Yahoo)
Provides world pollution news. 11-01
Papers
- -Pollution Scorecard (Environmental Defense Fund)
 Provides information about pollution in your community. Reports who is polluting, how to contact them, how bad the pollution is, how your community rates compared to others in your area, identifies the toxins involved and provides other useful information to fight pollution.
- 50 Things You Can Do to Reduce Air Pollution (California Environmental Protection Agency)
Provides 50 tips for you to improve air quality. 8-01
- Acid Rain Report (UMAC - OCP)
Describes the threat of acid rain. 4-02
- Air Pollutants and Their Effects (Xavier)
Discusses the concentrations, causes, and effects of Carbon monoxide, Carbon dioxide, Sulphur dioxide, Nitrogen oxides, Hydrocarbons, Ozone, Particulates, Lead, and Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). 8-01
- Air Pollution (ARIC)
Provides an encyclopedia of information on over a hundred topics related to the atmospheric environment and alternative energy sources. 12-00
- Air Pollution (IRC and IPS - Gelbspan)
"To keep earth hospitable to civilization requires 70% cuts in the world抯 consumption of coal and oil and a rapid worldwide transition to clean energy" according to the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change, a group of more than 2,000 scientists from 100 countries reporting to the United Nations. 10-00
- Air Pollution in Cities Dangerous (CBS News)
"A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association says long-term exposure to the air pollution in some of America's biggest metropolitan areas significantly raises the risk of dying from lung cancer and is about as dangerous as living with a smoker."
- Air Quality News (About.com - Saad)
Provides news and articles related to improving air quality. 2-01
- Air Quality Today - Where You Live (Environmental Protection Agency)
Provides a forecast for the day on the EPA Air Quality Index for pollution levels where you live. 8-01
- Alternative Energy Information for Students (California Energy Commission)
Provides articles for basic information on energy sources that do not use fossil fuels. 5-01
- American Society of Microbiology
Provides online issues and information. 1-01
- Appliances - Energy Star Appliances (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
Provides information on energy efficient home appliances, electronics, homes, heating and cooling, and other devices for the home. Includes selection and location of Energy Star items. According to the EPA, "the energy generated to power American TVs and VCRs when they are switched off causes the air pollution equivalent to 2 million cars." 5-01
- Autos - Electric Autos (EV's) (EVUK)
Describes the latest electric autos. Awesome Library does not endorse these products, but only provides them as examples. 5-01
- Autos - How Hybrid Work (HowStuffWorks.com)
Provides drawings to show how a hybrid gas and electric automobile works. 11-00.
- Autos - Hybrid Gas and Electric Autos (BestStuff.com - Stein)
Provides information on the new hybrid Honda Civic, a car that runs on a combination of gas and electricity. The reviewer claims that this car gets 48 miles per gallon city and 51 miles per gallon highway. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but only provides it as an example. 4-00
- Autos - Hybrid Gas and Electric Autos (Toyota)
Provides information on the new Prius, a car that runs on a combination of gas and electricity. Toyota claims that this family size car gets 55 miles per gallon and with over 80% less pollution than a standard engine. The Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) option is recommended for maximum control during adverse conditions. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but only provides it as an example. 4-00
- Autos - Hybrid Gas and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Autos (HybridCars.com)
Provides information on the new hybrid Ford Focus, a car that runs on a combination of gas and a hydrogen fuel cell. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but only provides it as an example. 4-00
- Autos - Natural Gas (Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition)
Describes why natural gas is the least polluting of fuels for cars that are now widely available. 12-00
- Autos - Natural Gas Vehicles Now Available (Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition)
Lists all motor vehicles known to have natural gas for a fuel source. 12-00
- Autos - The Least Polluting Car (GreenCars.com)
Describes the Toyota Prius as the best combination of convenience, fuel economy, and low pollution levels. The Prius is a hybrid of gas and electric power. The Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) option is recommended for maximum control during adverse conditions.12-00
- Autos - The Least Polluting Car Reviews (GreenCars.com)
Describes the Toyota Prius from a driver's point of view. The Prius is a hybrid of gas and electric power. The Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) option is recommended for maximum control during adverse conditions. 12-00
- Autos - The Least Polluting Models (GreenCars.com)
Provides a list of the 12 best automobiles for low pollution levels. 1-04
- Avoiding Outdoor Air Pollution (American Lung Association)
Provides tips on avoiding air pollution outdoors. 6-00
- Bacteria Eat Toxic Compounds (Nature - Adam)
Describes bacteria that digest chlorinated benzene chemicals, such as solvents, to clean up toxic wastes. 11-00
- Bacteria That Eat Oil Pollution (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
Provides a description of bacteria that make oil spills nontoxic. 1-01
- Batteries - Lithium (U.S. Department of Energy)
Describes a breakthrough in lithium batteries for a pollution free and more energy efficient solution to storage of electricity. 12-00
- Batteries - Manufacturers (About.com)
Provides a list of battery manufacturers, including most types of batteries, such as Alkaline, Carbon Zinc, Lithium, Lithium Ion, Nickel Cadmium, Nickel Metal Hydride, Sealed Lead-Acid, VRLA Modular, and more. 12-00
- Bicycles (Awesome Library)
Summarizes strengths and weaknesses of bicycles and makes some recommendations. 6-01
- Biosphere Finds Critical Importance of Microbes (PBS)
Provides a description of the failure of Biosphere II as a result from too little oxygen, which in turn was caused by growing microbes too fast. (In the oceans, microbes supply oxygen that is released into the atmosphere and also feeds plants and ocean creatures. 1-01
- Brown Cloud Over Asia Deadly (CNN - Bray)
Describes a brown cloud over parts of Asia that is believed to be responsible for many deaths. 8-02
- Clean Air Act of 1990 (Environmental Protection Agency)
Provides a simple summary of the provisions of the federal law, Clean Air Act of 1990. 8-01
- Coal Power Plants and Pollution (Sierra Club)
"In the US today, coal is the number one source of electricity produced (54%), followed by nuclear sources (21%), hydropower (16%), natural gas (9%), oil (2%), and other non-renewables (3%)." "Out of the entire electric industry, coal-fired power plants contribute 96% of sulfur dioxide emissions, 93% of nitrogen oxide emissions, 88% of carbon dioxide emissions, and 99% of mercury emissions." 11-02
- Compost - How to Make Compost (HDRA)
Provides an easy to follow guide to making compost at home. 12-00
- Computer Companies Are Polluters (CBS News)
"U.S. technology companies lag foreign rivals in reducing hazardous materials in electronics and encouraging recycling, while American workers involved in recycling are exposed to too many toxins, an advocacy group says."
"Japan, home of the highest-ranking electronics manufacturers, Fujitsu and Canon, passed a law in 2001 requiring manufacturers to recycle certain parts. Japan also requires disclosure of chemical use in production plants."
"In its third annual report card, the Computer TakeBack Campaign assigned poor or failing grades to Hewlett-Packard Co., Micron Technology Inc. and Gateway Inc."
"Dell's failing grade mirrors lax environmental standards throughout the country, according to the computer take-back group." 1-03
- Congressional Scorecard (Scorecard)
Provides an environmental scorecard for members of the U.S. Senate and Congress. 6-01
- Costs - Human Costs of Fossil Fuel Use (HotEarth.net)
Describes the uses of fossil fuels and the amounts of pollution that each is has caused. 5-01
- Diesel Fuel Standards Important (CBS News)
Describes the new standards for trucks that requires a 90 percent reduction in their pollution by requiring equipment similar to pollution control devices already used in cars. One reason for the new standards is that the microscopic pollution from trucks has been associated with increases in deaths from pollution in cities. 12-00
- Downspout Disconnection (Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto)
Recommends disconnecting downspouts from sewers to conserve water and reduce pollution. Be sure to have the diversion move the water away from the house's foundation. 12-00
- Dry Cleaning and Wet Cleaning (Virginia Small Business Assistance Program)
Discusses the dangers of dry cleaning and suggests the new wet cleaning process as a possible alternative. 6-01
- Dursban Is Banned by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency - EPA)
Provides a short announcement about the elimination of Dursban from home use as a pesticide because of possible neurological problems for children. 6-00.
- EPA Enforcer Quits - Claims Administration Is Siding With Polluters (Philadelphia Inquirer - Borenstein)
Describes the reason why the head of the Environmental Protection Agency's enforcement quit. "Eric Schaeffer, director of the EPA's Office of Regulatory Enforcement, said energy-industry lobbyists were helping to write proposals to weaken air-pollution regulations for older coal power plants. Enforcing those regulations was Schaeffer's job." 2-02
- Earth Day - A History (Infoplease.com)
Provides a history of Earth Day, celebrated in schools in the United States on April 22nd. (It is also celebrated globally on the Spring equinox.) 4-01
- Efficient Pollution Reduction by Fixing the Worst Polluters (WhyFiles.org)
Shows how dealing with the 10 percent worst polluters is the most cost-effective short-term approach to reducing pollutants. Suggests that half the current pollution rate can be achieved by fixing the 10 percent. 2-02
- Electric Cars - Lack of Demand or Lack of Commitment (MotherJones.com)
Discusses whether there is a shortage of demand for ZEVs (zero emission vehicles) or whether there is a lack of commitment by auto manufactureres to make them. 9-01
- Electric Motocycles Required in Taiwan (Taiwan.com.au - Chang)
Reports on Taiwan's new law requiring motorcycle manufacturers to meet a quota of at least two percent electric powered motorcycles. 5-01
- Energy Efficiency Top 100 (U.S. Department of Energy)
Provides the top 100 innovations for reducing energy usage in the United States. 12-00
- Energy Sources Globally (bp.com)
Provides charts describing the various sources of fuel regionally and globally. 4-02
- Environmental Advocacy News (GreenPeace.org)
Provides news related to pollution, sustainability, global warming, and other key environmental issues. 6-02
- Environmentalists - Profiles (Natural Resources Defense Council))
Provides profiles on people working to make the environment cleaner and more sustainable. 6-01
- Essay in Response to the Bush Energy Plan (Sierra Club)
"President Bush's energy plan won't work, because it makes the wrong choices. The Bush Administration energy plan ignores high-tech, energy-efficient solutions in favor of increased oil, gas, coal, and nuclear production, while his budget proposal slashes funding for renewable energy and efficiency by a third." 11-02
- Faith-Based Environmentalism (EMagazine)
"One factor in the resurgence of faith-based environmentalism is the 1993 founding of the National Religious Partnership for the Environment (NRPE) by a former radio talk show host and spokesperson for New York City抯 Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine named Paul Gorman (see sidebar interview). NRPE quickly proved its effectiveness by joining together and helping educate such disparate and mainstream bodies as the U.S. Catholic Conference (the policy agency for all Catholic bishops, clergy and parishes), the National Council of Churches of Christ (a federation of Protestant, Eastern Orthodox and African-American denominations), the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL, an alliance across all four Jewish movements) and the Evangelical Environmental Network (a coalition of evangelical Christian agencies and institutions)." 5-03
- Farming and Pollution of Water (Natural Resources Defense Council))
Provides examples of farms where use of pesticides and fertilizers have been reduced. "Agriculture contributes more than half of the pollution entering the nation's rivers and lakes; recent studies have identified it as the greatest source of water pollution in the United States." 6-01
- Few Utilities Produce Majority of Polluting Emissions (Lycos - Lazaroff)
Summarizes the results of a report on pollution from utilities. "The study by a coalition of environmental and public interest groups found that between four and six companies account for 25 percent of the emissions of each pollutant." 3-02
- Fine Particles in the Air Cause Death Rates to Increase (New England Journal of Medicine - Samet, Dominici, Curriero, Coursac, and Zeger)
Provides results from research showing that fine particles of pollution in the air cause death rates to increase. 12-00
- Forest Protection More than Doubled (CNN)
Describes new federal regulations that protect 58.5 million acres, "roughly one-third of the national forest system from road building and commercial logging." This was later suspended by the Bush administration. 1-01
- Fuel Cells - Hydrogen (Wired.com - Leslie)
Discusses the role of hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen power for the future, in motor vehicles and homes. Predicts that hydrogen will be the primary fuel source in this century because it is electrochemical, 2.5 times more efficient than fossil fuels, and is nonpolluting. 1-01
- Fuel Cells - Hydrogen Production (HyWeb)
Provides highly technical information about how hydrogen is produced. Hydrogen is a fuel for fuel cells. 5-01
- Fuel Cells - Hydrogen Storage for Fuel Cells (Michigan State University - Svoboda, Ngo, Gutz, and Johnson)
Describes a breakthrough in hydrogen storage, the MAIN barrier to the use of renewable, nonpolluting hydrogen as a fuel source in automobiles. Hydrogen fuel cells can provide up to 2.5 more energy efficiency than fossil fuel power, such as gasoline or diesel. The new storage method uses carbon nanotubes or graphite nanofibers, allowing travel up to thousands of miles on a single tank of hydrogen--at low cost and with no pollution. As of 2000, results were inconclusive and no working model had been placed in a car to test performance. 1-01
- Fuel Cells - Hydrogen Storage for Fuel Cells (Post-Gazette.com - Spice)
Describes a new storage method for hydrogen that uses carbon nanotubes, allowing travel by automobile for thousands of miles on a single tank of hydrogen. 1-01
- Fuel Cells - Zinc-Air (MetallicPower.com)
Describes a zinc-air fuel cell and compares it to zinc-air batteries and hydrogen fuel cells. Zinc fuel can be transported more inexpensively, compactly, and safely than hydrogen. The zinc-air fuel cell can be regenerated (refueled) in minutes, compared to hours for a typical zinc-air battery. The fuel cell can also be regenerated conveniently with household electricity, while the batteries require specialists or large, expensive units for regeneration. Sometimes spelled zinc air. 5-01
- Fuel Information (Alternative Fuels Data Center)
Provides information related to alternative fuels for motor vehicles, such as methanol, ethanol, electric, and natural gas. 12-00
- Gloassary of Chemical Terms Related to Air Pollution (Sam Houston State University)
Provides definitions of chemistry terms that relate to air quality and pollution. 8-01
- Global Patterns for a Sustainable Planet (Sustainable Development Information Database)
Provides global patterns on key issues, such as deforestation, pollution, global warming, and water conservation. 12-00
- Global Warming - Explanation for Kids (Environmental Protection Agency)
Provides information on global warming for kids. 12-00
- Global Warming Real According to Satellite Pictures (Environmental News Network)
Summarizes the results of a 27-year study of the earth's greenhouse gases and shows that there has been a significant increase as a result of human activity. The conclusions are based on pictures of the earth taken by satellites over the past 27 years. 3-01
- Green Cities (MotherJones.com)
Describes efforts cities are making to use less polluting sources of energy. 9-01
- Health Problems from Pollution from A to Z (NIEHS)
- Health of Three Billion People Affected by Pollution (MSNBC)
Researchers report that 3 billion people are now seriously affected by pollution related to greenhouse gases and use of fossil fuels. While European nations have committed to reduce the pollution, President Bush has taken a go-slow approach on behalf of the USA. 8-01
- Heat-Recovery Ventilators (PopularMechanics.com)
Shows how heat-recover ventilators work and provide fresh air without the loss of heat (or cold) that comes from opening windows. These devices can be useful in reducing indoor pollution and stale air. 12-00
- How to Help Fight Pollution of the Oceans (Center for Marine Conservation)
Describes steps each person can take to reduce ocean pollution and pollution of rivers. 1-01
- Hydrogen Fuel Cells and Cars (California Energy Commission)
Describes a hydrogen fuel cell that can be used in cars. 9-01
- Indoor Air Pollution (American Lung Association)
Provides information on air quality at home, work, or school. Includes suggestions for avoiding asthma triggers. 6-00
- Indoor Air Quality (Environmental Protection Agency)
Discusses how to improve indoor air quality, especially related to second hand smoke, mold, radon, asthma, and radiation. 8-01
- Letters to Legislators to Support Clean Fuels (Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition)
Provides examples of letters that can be sent to legislators to encourage them to support use of cleaner fuels for motor vehicles. 12-00
- Low Pollution Two-Stroke Engine Announced (EarthVision.net)
Describes a two-stroke engine developed by college students. Claims that the engine produces one percent of the pollution generated by a standard two-stroke engine. 3-02
- Microbes that Benefit the Environment (Michigan State University)
Dirtland describes different ways that certain microbes benefit the environment for humans. 2-01
- Millions Die Each Year from Air Pollution (World Health Organization)
States that up to three million people die each year as a direct result of air pollution. Identifies the types of pollutants that are harmful and provides guidelines for common pollutants. 8-01
- Mold Control Indoors (Environmental Protection Agency)
Discusses how to control mold in the home and schools. 8-01
- Nuclear - Bush Administration to Speed Up Nuclear Cleanup (ABC News)
"Cleaning the nation's most contaminated nuclear site will be accelerated by 35 to 45 years under an agreement reached Tuesday between the state, the Energy Department and federal regulators." 3-02
- Nuclear Energy Safety Glossary (International Atomic Energy Agency)
Provides technical definitions of terms related to nuclear energy and nuclear contamination. 12-01
- Nuclear Fuel Compared to Other Fuels (World Nuclear Association)
Discusses use of nuclear energy. Provides information about how radioactive waste can be managed and compares nuclear pollution to other fuel sources.
- Nuclear Fuel Disposal (International Herald Tribune - Wald)
Describes methods to make disposal of nuclear fuel safer. Also describes a proposal to use super-ceramics to shield the fuel. 7-02
- Nuclear Fuel Waste Disposal (PBS - National Technical Information Service)
Describes nuclear waste disposal options. 2-01
- Nuclear Fuel Waste Disposal Problems at Rocky Flats (PBS)
Discusses problems and progress in cleaning up the nuclear storage facility at Rocky Flats. 2-01
- Nuclear Fuel Waste Disposal Problems in the USA (National Council for Science and the Environment - Holt)
Discusses problems related to civilian nuclear waste disposal as an issue brief for the US Congress. 2-01
- Nuclear Power and Pollution (MotherJones.com - Cohen)
Argues that nuclear power actually does generate significant amounts of carbon dioxide (to prepare the uranium) and produces other pollution and undesirable effects. 9-01
- Nuclear Waste (World Nuclear Association)
Provides information about processing nuclear waste..
- Ocean Pollution (Sacramento Bee)
Provides a report on the status of ocean pollution on California's coast. 10-00
- Ocean Pollution Projects
Provides projects for students to fight pollution. 10-00
- Outdoor Air Pollution (American Lung Association)
Provides information on air quality in the USA, by state and metropolitan area. 6-00
- Oversight for the Environment (The White House)
"The Council on Environmental Quality coordinates federal environmental efforts and works closely with agencies and other White House offices in the development of environmental policies and initiatives. The Council's Chair, James L. Connaughton who was appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, serves as the principal environmental policy adviser to the President. In addition, CEQ reports annually to the President on the state of the environment, oversees federal agency implementation of the environmental impact assessment process, and acts as a referee when agencies disagree over the adequacy of such assessments."
The Council on Environmental Quality is led by James L. Connaughton. "Prior to joining the Bush Administration, Mr. Connaughton was a partner in the law firm Sidley Austin Brown & Wood, in its Environmental Practice Group. His work covered a wide range of environmental policy issues, including environmental management and compliance assurance systems, legislation, regulation, international trade and standards, and ecological risk and natural resource damages assessment."
According to the Sidley Austin Brown and Wood LLP Web site, the company represents the fossil fuel industry in the arena of regulation. "Most of our clients are natural gas pipelines and producers, crude oil and petroleum products pipelines or electric utilities."
In other words, Connaughton represented the fossil fuel industry in legal conflicts against federal and state regulators. Appointing a lobbyist for the fossil fuel industry to guide the U.S. government policies on protection of the environment appears to be the same as appointing a fox to watch over the henhouse. It appears to be a gross conflict of interest.
Since the Council on Environmental Quality has oversight over the Environmental Protection Agency, the federal regulators for the environment, is such an appointment a corruption of the role of the federal government in regulating the fossil fuel industry? Christine Todd Whitman, who recently resigned as head of the EPA under President Bush, stated on PBS's NOW program aired on September 20, 2003, that Connaughton did, in fact, restrict the EPA's findings, especially on global warming issues, while she was the head of the EPA. 9-03
- Ozone Depletion (EPA)
Provides an organized and comprehensive set of papers, projects, quizes, and other activities to help us learn more about the role of ozone in our lives and how to prevent depletion.
- Ozone Depletion (Nature - Ball)
Methyl chloride, which depletes ozone, is building up faster than hydroxl free radicals in the air can neutralize it. This paper explores the causes. 1-00
- Ozone Hole Growing (CBS News)
Describes the ozone hole growth and the harmful radiation that can come through it. 12-00
- Pesticides - Reducing Pesticide Use (GreenMarketplace.com)
Suggests ways to reduce the use of pesticides in the home and garden. 6-00
- Plan for Reducing Pollution (Green Party)
Provides the Green Party's plan for reducing pollution, global warming, and creating a sustainable planet. 12-00
- Policies to Reduce Pollution (Sierra Club)
Provides policies to support for reducing air pollution. 11-02
- Pollution May Cause Deaths According to Studies (ABC News)
"Elderly residents who lived near a main road where concentrations of air pollutants were high were around twice as likely to die from heart and lung disease than people living further away, according to the research conducted by Dr. Gerard Hoek of Utrecht University."10-02
- Pollution Resources (Lycos)
Provides dozens of sources of information on water, earth, and air pollution. 6-1-00.
- Pollution-Eating Microbes (Michigan State University)
Provides information on the microbe, Azoarcus tolulyticus, an Anaerobic Toluene Degrader. This microbe can help clean up (bioremediate) pollution, such as oil spills. It needs nitrates, rather than oxygen, to live. 2-01
- Radioisotopes and Nuclear Energy (Uranium Information Centre)
Provides information about how radioisotopes can help with sterilization, insect control, fertilization, therapy, diagnosis, measurement, and other uses.
- Radon - Guide for Families (Environmental Protection Agency)
Provides suggestions for measuring and preventing exposure to radon. Also provides statistics to show that radon is the second strongest cause of cancer in the United States. 5-01
- Radon Risk (applesforhealth)
A new website can help you gauge your risk of being exposed to radon in your home. The Columbia University site, www.stat.columbia.edu/radon/, provides a county-specific map of the United States and a risk test to help homeowners estimate their radon risk. 01-28-00.
- Riverways Create as Much Pollution as Highways (Earth Observatory - Kaufman)
Describes results of a study of causes of pollution. 3-02
- Secret Tribunal Helps Polluters and Overthrows U.S. Court Decisions (PBS - Moyers)
"Bill Moyers and Sherry Jones uncover how multinational corporations have acquired the power to demand compensation if laws aimed at protecting the environment or public health harm them financially." Describes how corporations are interpreting an obscure provision of NAFTA (in Chapter 11) to bypass democratic processes. For example, a company in Canada makes a gasoline additive that was found to pollute the water in California. California banned the ingredient. The Canadian polluter sued the United States for lost pofits, using a provision in NAFTA. U.S. courts sided with California. A secret NAFTA tribunal overruled the U.S. courts. U.S. taxpayers may now have to pay.
NAFTA was supposed to "protect investors if foreign governments tried to seize their property. But corporations have stretched NAFTA's Chapter 11 to undermine environmental decisions � the decisions of local communities � even the verdict of an American jury. The cases brought so far total almost four billion dollars." More multinational corporations are pursuing this approach of getting the secret NAFTA tribunal to award them hundreds of millions of dollars to protect polluters from losses. 2-02
- Senate Rejects Rules Requiring Better Mileage (Philadelphia Inquirer - Kuhnhenn)
"A powerful alliance of carmakers and autoworkers yesterday crushed an environmentalist push to increase fuel-efficiency standards, as the Senate removed mileage requirements from a sweeping energy bill." 3-02
- Smog Strong in Half of USA (MSNBC)
Reports on a study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "A coalition of business groups led by the American Trucking Association filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn the EPA抯 1997 pollution standards...." A federal appeals court rejected their argument. "The process is now under way to adopt the standards, which the EPA estimates would prevent 15,000 premature deaths, 350,000 cases of asthma and 1 million cases of decreased lung function in children." 5-02
- Solutions - Renewable Energy to Fight Poverty (Choose-Positive-Energy.org)
Suggests how renewable energy can help eliminate some of the most severe conditions of poverty, such as lack of clean water. Uses PDF format. 6-02
- Solutions for the Environment (Awesome Library - Adams)
Provides a summary of key activities necessary to reduce air and water pollution, reduce the rate of global warming, and more. 1-01
- Sustainable Development Conference in Johannesburg (MSNBC)
"FORMALLY TITLED 'the World Summit for Sustainable Development,' the gathering is billed as the largest United Nations meeting in history � with more than 100 world leaders and 65,000 delegates expected to convene in venues throughout sprawling Johannesburg."
"At Rio, President George H.W. Bush ignited a diplomatic furor by rejecting accords to protect biodiversity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions."
"Little has changed since. The United States has angered both its European allies and developing nations by stifling many global environmental accords inspired by Rio, citing economic concerns."
"Since Rio, U.S. consumption of energy has jumped 21 percent and greenhouse gas emissions are up 13 percent, according to figures gathered by the United Nations and others." 8-02
- TVs and VCRs - Energy Star Compliant (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
Identifies energy efficient TVs, VCRs, and combinations. According to the EPA, "the energy generated to power American TVs and VCRs when they are switched off causes the air pollution equivalent to 2 million cars. Americans spend over $1 billion each year to power their TVs and VCRs when they are switched off. ENERGY STAR qualified TVs and VCRs consume as much as 75% less energy when switched 'off' than conventional models." 5-01
- Tallgrass Prairies - Flint Hills (National Park Service)
Discusses the preservation and management of the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in the Flint Hills region of Kansas. 4-01
- Tallgrass Prairies - Flint Hills History (ParkTrust)
Provides a history of the preservation and management of the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in the Flint Hills region of Kansas. 4-01
- Tax Incentives for Use of Alternative Fuels (Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition)
Provides a comparison of federal bills for encouraging use of motor vehicle fuels that pollute less than diesel or gasoline. 12-00
- Top 25 Green Cars (Greencars.com)
Ranks the top 25 cars in terms of pollution and fuel economy. 6-03
- Top Power Plant Polluters by State (SavetheCleanAirAct.org)
Provides a list of power plants that cause the most pollution, listed by state. Includes the amount of pollution each causes each year. 7-02
- Trade Agreements Affecting the Environment (World Trade Organization)
Provides the official WTO Web site. 12-99
- Vital Signs of Improvement in the Environment (WorldWatch.org)
"Fossil fuel consumption is growing, but梘ood news梥o is solar and wind power. Read more below and then learn what you can do." Includes articles on what you can do to reduce problems for the environment. Topics include Fossil Fuels, Carbon Emissions, Oil Spills, Urban Sprawl, Automobile Production, Bicycle Production, Car Sharing, Wind Power, Solar Power, Appliance Efficiency, and Compact Fluorescent Lamps, 4-03
- Water Contaminants - Pesticides (Environmental Advocates)
Provides results from a study of pesticide pollution in the water of New York.
- Water Hazards (USGS)
Provides a map of the United States with the location of current and planned streamgaging stations for extra safety during floods and droughts.
- Water Pollution - Explanation for Kids (Environmental Protection Agency)
Provides information on water pollution for kids. 12-00
- Water Quality Conditions in the United States, 1994 (Environmental Protection Agency)
 "About 40% of the Nation's surveyed rivers, lakes, and estuaries are not clean enough to meet basic uses such as fishing or swimming." Lists the sources of contamination by type of water source. 8-00
- Water Standards and Children (Environmental Protection Agency)
Provides information about drinking water and children's health. Provided in PDF format. 8-00
Periodicals
- Global Environment - An Overview (Kids' Almanac)
Provides a short statement on the status of the environment on each continent.
- Pollution and Humans (Kids' Almanac)
Provides a timeline of events related to protecting the environment from pesticides, poisons, and other pollutants.
- Water Supply for the Earth (Kids' Almanac)
Provides information on where water on earth is located and how much is fresh water versus salt water.
Projects
- Assessing Air Quality (Howard Hughes Medical Institute)
Provides an experiment that students can perform to assess air quality in different parts of their homes and outside. 6-00
- Bicycles for Developing Countries (Pedals for Progress)
Pedals for Progress rescues bicycles destined for landfills and sends them to developing countries. 12-02
- Biofuels - Making Biofuels (Journey to Forever)
Provides instructions for making biofuels to reduce pollution. 12-00
- Build Your Own Energy Policy (EPA)
Shows how different energy policies will affect the amount of pollution in you state. 9-01
- Environmental Issues and Links (US News)
Provides issues and resources to support a clean environment.
- Funding Sources for Environmental Projects (Sustainable Village)
Provides a list of potential funding sources for projects to support the environment.
- Grants for Alternative Energy Commuting Programs (U.S. Department of Energy)
Provides grants for programs to demonstrate alternative energy uses for commuting. 3-02
- Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools (EnviroCenter and EPA)
- Pollution Control (Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism)
Provides volunteer programs to clean up Oregon.
- Tree Planting (American Forests)
Provides information on tree planting. Research suggests that urban areas need at least 40 percent coverage of trees for good quality of life. Trees reduce pollution, keep water in the soil, provide oxygen to the air, and provide shade from the sun during the summer to reduce air conditioning costs. 9-01
- Water Contaminants Experiment (American Water Works Association)
Shows how carelessness can cause our groundwater supplies to be polluted.
Purchase Resources
- Air Pollution (NASA Sample)
Provides studies for kids to explore air pollution. 4-00
- Autos - Used Electric and Alternative Fuel (AFVMarket.com)
Provides a market for used "green" cars. Awesome Library does not endorse these products, but provides them as an example. 4-03
- Water Pollution (NASA Sample)
Provides studies for kids to explore water pollution. 4-00
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