Must Read

Requiem for the Birds

Nearly a third of all U.S. bird species are "imperiled or in significant decline because of habitat loss, climate change, invasive species and other threats."  The "State of the Birds" report, which Interior Secretary Ken Salazar referred to as a "clarior call," looked at 800 domestic bird populations over 40 years, and called for a "new ethic of conservation."  The good news?  Bird populations do respond to conservation efforts, as past conservation programs have "paid huge dividends."  [New York Times/Greenwire; Also listen on NPR]

Perfect Storm of Shortages

Increasing demand for food, water, and energy as population grows will create "a perfect storm" of shortages globally by 2030, warns the U.K.'s chief science advisor.  "Demand for food and energy will jump 50 per cent by 2030 and for fresh water by 30 per cent, as the global population tops 8.3 billion."  [Telegraph]

Should Read

Getting Weirder Every Day 

Are you ready for "global weirding?"  Some climate experts are using the term to explain the real-world consequences of global warming, "which are expected to amplify the abnormal: hotter heat spells, longer and sharper droughts, more violent storms, and more intense flooding."  [Yale Environment 360]

Garden Victory

Yesterday, news of the new White House vegetable garden was blog fodder.  Today it gets the Times treatment.  [New York Times]