TOP STORY

Betting on the American Solar Market

Plenty of companies, including some experienced solar businesses from Europe, are acting to take advantage of new federal incentives--many part of the recent stimulus package--to boost renewable energy development here in the U.S. Despite the recession, corporate leaders trust that " the U.S. is going to be the big market" and that now is the time to "“get your butt over to the U.S. if you want to participate and get some of that stimulus package money.”   [New York Times]

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Seeking to Save the Planet, With a Thesaurus

New research soon to be released by the organization EcoAmerica suggests that the vocabulary of global warming and climate change fails to resonate with the American public.  "Another key finding: remember to speak in TALKING POINTS aspirational language about shared American ideals, like freedom, prosperity, independence and self-sufficiency while avoiding jargon and details about policy, science, economics or technology.” [New York Times]

Related:

• Joe Romm does not at all agree with EcoAmerica's assessment.  [ClimateProgress]

Finding Space for All in Our Crowded Seas

Many states are looking at ways to better "divvy up space in the sea," where "fishermen are competing with offshore wind projects, oil rigs along with sand miners, recreational boaters, liquefied gas tankers and fish farmers interests."  The federal government is looking into similar approaches.  Jane Lubchenco, the new head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has called it a "top priority"  [Washington Post]

Environmental Implications of a Supreme Court Justice's Retirement

"What might the retirement of Supreme Court Justice David Souter mean for the environment?  Probably not a lot."  Even though Souter was appointed by a Republican president, he's been a "dependable green vote."  [Grist]

15 Green Leaning Mayors

"Climate change is a global problem—but as of yet, there’s no global solution. That’s why mayors across the U.S. are taking action, from building green to organizing bike rides, from redeveloping downtowns to cutting emissions. Here are just a few of the municipal leaders who have worked to take our collective future into their own hands."   [Grist]