Can solar power work? Pioneering community answers yes and no

Renewable energy is on the minds of Americans, who know fossil fuel supplies will run short. Crude oil output is certain for perhaps 40 more years and natural gas for 70, according to experts. Are there realistic alternatives? Solar power is touted, and one town has been testing a system for two decades, illustrating sun power's promise and limits. >> Read the Full Article

China embraces sustainability one city at a time

When China announced last November that it would impose strict new fuel-economy standards for small cars and minivans, it was only one sign that the world's most populated country is headed down a more sustainable path — while the United States moves in the other direction. >> Read the Full Article

Californians Are Downing Too Many Beers Without Recycling Bottles

Californians have a drinking problem: New research says they're downing too many beers without recycling the bottles. >> Read the Full Article

Ireland Plans Weight-Based Garbage Tax to Promote Recycling

Ireland, which has been a trailblazer in environmental initiatives, announced plans Monday to charge its citizens according to the weight of the garbage they produce, a measure designed to promote recycling. >> Read the Full Article

Rare Drought Hits Brazil's Southern Breadbasket, Damaging Crops

A rare drought has hit southern Brazil, forcing hundreds of towns to declare an emergency and destroying billions of dollars (reals) of crops in the country's traditional breadbasket, officials said Monday. >> Read the Full Article

Experts from 10 African nations meet to discuss plan on sharing waters of the Nile

Experts from 10 African countries that use the waters of the Nile River began a weeklong meeting Monday in Uganda to work out how nations can share the benefits of the huge natural resource. >> Read the Full Article

EarthTalk: How Do I Recycle or Safely Dispose of Used Batteries?

Unfortunately, most of the more than 750 million alkaline batteries sold each year to power our cameras, flashlights and Discmans are landfilled and incinerated, not recycled. >> Read the Full Article

Study Claims U.S. Power Plants Far More Polluting than National Neighbors

The United States' reliance on coal makes its power industry significantly dirtier than its counterparts in Mexico or Canada, a new study charges. >> Read the Full Article

Biodiesel could be Headed to Georgia's Midstate Gas Stations

Macon residents could see competitively priced biodiesel being sold in commercial gas stations within the next few months, according to Dennis Burnett, the alternative fuels manager for Davis Oil in Perry. >> Read the Full Article

Monroe County, Ind., Buses Doing Well Burning the Cleaner Bean

In terms of performance, soy biodiesel passes the test. But is it affordable? The verdict is still out. >> Read the Full Article