U.S. & Partners Unite to Control or Eliminate 10 Neglected Tropical Diseases by 2020
On January 30 in London, the U.S., U.K. and U.A.E. governments; global pharmaceutical companies; the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; international research and development organizations; donor groups; and NTD-endemic countries came together to announce new and extended collaborative commitments to control or eliminate 10 Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). Watch the archived webcast here. Read more 
World Wetlands Day is here!
Congratulations to the winners of our Wetlands Photo Celebration fan favorites — with images and photographers from around the globe in the four categories of the Wetlands and Tourism theme: Plants, Landscape, Tourists and Wildlife. Check out the lush stilt village in Ghana, a peaceful river in West Virginia, a snorkeler in the gorgeous coastal wetlands of Mexico, and a beautiful damselfly in Cambodia. The four fan favorites chosen by the public were: Read more
Weekly Highlights of U.S. Government News
In his third State of the Union Address last Tuesday, President Obama outlined his vision for “an America that lasts”—one that will bring about a new era of American manufacturing, and promote homegrown and alternative energy sources—and presented a blueprint to achieve that vision. Check out this video that goes behind the scenes as President Obama prepared the speech.
In this week’s U.S. Government Highlights, I provide a read out on President Obama’s announced American-made energy policy, the results from America’s version of the Red Tape Challenge, new pollution transparency tools from the EPA, the first WaterSense label award, several grants to improve energy efficiency, and advances in science and technology. Read more
Risk Perceptions about Nuclear Power and the UK’s Energy Infrastructure
Parliament’s Science and Technology Committee held its second inquiry into “Risk Perception and Energy Infrastructure” on January 25 to investigate public perceptions toward the risk of nuclear power in the UK. The first inquiry took place on January 18. In this second inquiry, two panels of experts testified. The science media panel — Sense about Science Managing Director Tracey Brown, Science Media Centre Director Fiona Fox, and former Science Editor for The Times Mark Henderson — testified about the responsibility journalists and government officials have in presenting accurate scientific assessments of risk to the public during crises, rather than sensationalized headlines. Read more
UK highlights – birds counts, renewable energy and Rio+20
This weekend kicks off the Big Garden Birdwatch, set aside an hour, make yourself a cup of tea and count the birds in your garden or local park. The RSPB have even provided a handy counting sheet to help! In other ESTH UK highlights, Ministers have been busy with the UK’s first marine energy park, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, preparations for the Green Deal, the Rio+20 Conference and a legal battle over cuts to solar tariffs. MPs have warned the smart meter rollout faces challenges, the UK Carbon Price will outsource emissions, and there is renewed opposition to health reforms. Green charities are concerned about ‘Boris Island’ and give their thoughts on the year ahead. And you need to count your hedgehogs too.
New Report Shows U.S. CO2 Emissions Will Remain Below 2005 Levels and Renewable Energy’s Share of Electric Power Generation Will Rise from 10% to 16%
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released an abridged, early version of the 2012 Annual Energy Outlook, which projects U.S. energy market supply and demand through 2035. The document, titled Early Release Overview, specifically assumes no changes in current laws and regulations, thus serving as a starting point for analysis of potential policy changes or technology breakthroughs. Here is a short summary of some of the findings drawn from the report. Read more
Weekly Highlights of U.S. Government News
This week’s readout on U.S. government ESTH news highlights several important milestones showing America’s firm, ongoing commitment to tackling climate change, reducing greenhouse gases, and investing in renewable energy production. Also, last week I saw the announcement by President Obama denying the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to the U.S., as well as Secretary of State Clinton’s statement announcing that the U.S. would join with the EU and other nations to develop an International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities.
Two-Third Reduction in SO2 and NOx Emissions. New Arctic Climate Change Research. A U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) report shows measurable improvements in U.S. air quality/visibility, human Read more
Grantham Institute Special Lecture – Energy trends and climate change challenges
Dr Fatih Birol, Chief Economist of the International Energy Agency, spoke to a packed lecture theatre at Imperial College London yesterday evening about energy trends and climate challenges. Presenting the findings from the World Energy Outlook, Dr Birol said rising incomes and population will push energy needs higher, the question is how we meet those needs.
Weekly Highlights of U.S. Government News
This week’s “U.S. Government Highlights” cover a range of issues across several federal government agencies: the release of several new reports on Greenhouse Gas Emissions, EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory, and a draft National Ocean Policy. The U.S. Geological Survey published research on climate change, and the Energy Department launched a specialized science group to respond to environmental disasters. Similar to last week, reporting includes new oil/gas leases and U.S. efforts to promote electric vehicles, contribute to international health initiatives, and invest in cybersecurity. I finish with a Nuclear Regulatory Commission evaluation of nuclear plants following the Fukushima disaster and some promising advances in fusion technology and space. Read more
Minister for Universities and Science Outlines New UK High-Tech Strategy and Lauds U.S. Approach
Universities and Science Minister David Willetts argued in a January 4 speech given at Policy Exchange in London that the UK’s greatest national assets – universities, science facilities and researchers – are the best single hope for making one’s way in the high-tech world of the future, creating jobs and opportunities and boosting high tech economic growth. Read more