08/28/2008 Go Green in your garden What do you do with all of those empty plastic pots, trays and other containers after you place the plants in your garden? You can recycle them and help save the environment. News 4's Robin Smith has a lesson in how to go green in your garden. • For more information

08/27/2008 US colleges moving to retire cafeteria trays An increasing number of colleges and universities are doing away with their cafeteria trays. They're hoping to save energy and water.

08/25/2008 Chemical trains leave residents uneasy 11 News tried to get a list of the chemicals the rail cars are carrying through Houston, but the Federal Rail Administration said that list is not available to the media or the general public.

08/21/2008 Study: Seismic has little effect on Gulf whales Powerful acoustic devices used by oil companies searching for new sources of hydrocarbons in the Gulf of Mexico have had no discernible effect on endangered sperm whales living in those waters, according to a federally funded study.

08/18/2008 Motorists turn to carpool sites as gas prices rise The number of daily visitors to eRideShare has jumped about threefold since February. A rival site, Carpoolworld.com, had about 4,400 new U.S. registrations in both June and July, compared with some 800 in February.

08/11/2008 New whale Web site let's you keep track of humpbacks This week, researchers at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center in Auke Bay launched a Web site devoted to local humpbacks. Researchers are looking for help from the whale-watching public.

Bush to relax protected species rules The Bush administration wants federal agencies to decide for themselves whether highways, dams, mines and other construction projects might harm endangered animals and plants.

Calif. lawmakers weigh chemical ban in baby items Responding to growing consumer anxiety, California lawmakers are considering enacting what could be the first statewide restrictions on a chemical found in plastic baby bottles and infant formula cans.

Researchers work to turn car's exhaust into power Researchers are competing to meet a challenge from the U.S. Department of Energy: Improve fuel economy 10 percent by converting wasted exhaust heat into energy that can help power the vehicle.

08/07/2008

Go Green: Lower utility bills

Day before Games, Beijing's pollution problem up in the air China promised to clean the air in Beijing when it won the right to host the Summer Olympics, and the country's top leaders say the goal is being met.

08/06/2008 Eco-friendly products for babies Going green isn't just for granola types. More parents are thinking eco-friendly when it comes to products and gear for their little ones.

Dell: Operations are now carbon-neutral Computers are far from being truly clean machines, but Dell Inc. and other PC makers are trying to make their own business operations greener.

08/05/2008 Report: 125,000 gorillas found in African zone Wildlife researchers said Tuesday that they've discovered 125,000 western lowland gorillas deep in the forests of the Republic of Congo, calling it a major increase in the animal's estimated population.

07/30/2008 Neighborhoods risk losing recycling In a letter to residents, the city of Houston said that 43 neighborhoods have less than 10 percent of the households putting their recycling curbside. If those numbers don't pick up, the recycling trucks are going to stop coming through.

07/29/2008 Two Texas beaches earn high marks for reporting pollution problems The Natural Resources Defense Council reviewed three years of bacteria tests and health practices at 3,516 beaches and beach segments nationwide.

Tips on handling pesticides safely - if you must use them In an ideal world, pesticides would never be needed in the garden. In the real world, occasionally they are needed. That doesn't mean you need harsh chemicals.

07/28/2008 Houston ranks No. 1 in nation for green power purchasing According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Houston is now the nation’s No. 1 municipal purchaser of green power.

Gulf 'dead zone' not quite record Scientists say the Gulf of Mexico's oxygen-starved "dead zone" is a bit smaller than predicted, because Hurricane Dolly stirred up the water.

07/29/2008 Samples indicate water quality improved at Texas beaches in 2007 Water quality at Texas beaches improved in 2007 based on samples collected during peak vacation season, Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson said Monday.

07/24/2008 Campground restrooms becoming ecologically correct When nature calls, campers at Michigan's Grand Haven State Park can now go "green" at a new, environmentally friendly toilet-shower building that is the first of its kind in the state park system.

Green vehicles save Houston big bucks The City of Houston's fleet of hybrid vehicles is paying off twofold with lower fuel costs as well as cleaner air. Forty percent of the city’s non-emergency vehicles are either Toyota Priuses or Ford Escapes.

07/23/2008 Scientists link more extreme weather to climate change If it seems Mother Nature is a bit angry these days, you're right. Scientists say extreme weather events have become much more common over the last decade thanks to global warming.

07/21/2008 Hundreds of baby penguins found dead in Brazil Hundreds of baby penguins swept from the icy shores of Antarctica and Patagonia are washing up dead on Rio de Janeiro's tropical beaches, rescuers and penguin experts said Friday.

Judge restores protection for Rockies wolves A federal judge has restored endangered species protections for gray wolves in the Northern Rockies, derailing plans by three states to hold public wolf hunts this fall.

07/17/2008 Horticulture industry strives to be more green Many gardeners feel frustrated they cannot recycle the plastic pots, flats and trays used when planting. But that may not be such a problem in the future, reports the Chicago Tribune. The horticulture industry is making efforts to be more green.

Gore sets energy goal for next president to heed The Nobel Prize-winning former vice president said fellow Democrat Barack Obama and Republican rival John McCain are "way ahead" of most politicians in the fight against global climate change.

Automakers offer hybrids for NYC taxi fleet Three major auto manufacturers are promising to reserve 300 new hybrid vehicles each month exclusively for the city as it replaces its entire fleet of yellow cabs.

07/15/2008 EPA experts detail global warming's health risks Government scientists detailed a rising death toll from heat waves, wildfires, disease and smog caused by global warming in an analysis the White House buried so it could avoid regulating greenhouse gases.

E-bikes help commuters save big on gas A growing number of Houston commuters are swapping their cars for electronic bikes. E-bikes are battery powered and can be plugged into any household outlet.

07/14/2008 8 ways to green your kitchen So all those gourmet cooking shows have inspired you to spend more time in the kitchen. But between energy use, water use and food/packaging disposal, there’s lots of opportunity to help or hurt the environment in the process.

Bush trumps Congress; Moves first on drilling Putting pressure on congressional Democrats to back more exploration for oil, President Bush on Monday lifted an executive ban on offshore drilling that his stood since his father was president.

07/11/2008 Window coatings can channel energy Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a system that turns windows into a solar collector, letting people see clearly while collecting energy.

EPA: Smog could get worse with global warming Global warming could worsen smog and stretch what typically is a summer pollution problem into the spring and fall, government scientists predicted Thursday.

07/10/2008 Toyota making U.S. manufacturing changes Toyota Motor Corp. will start producing the hybrid Prius in the U.S. for the first time as the Japanese automaker adjusts its U.S. manufacturing operations to meet customer demands for smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.

07/09/2008 Bush: 'Significant progress' on climate change President Bush hailed the move by G-8 leaders to coalesce behind a strategy for a global climate-change accord, saying Wednesday "significant progress" was made.

Let old clothes fill thrift stores, not landfills About seven percent of our landfills are packed with old clothing, bedding and shoes. Now, in the City of Norfolk, you can recycle clothing. VIDEO

07/08/2008 Hypermilers driven to maximize gas mileage Hypermilers cite several reasons for maximizing mileage, including protecting the environment, saving money, having fun while driving, and even decreasing American dependence on foreign oil.

Carbon-offset programs let travelers contribute In recent years, dozens of companies have emerged to help offset the effect of carbon emissions by planting trees, funding conservation measures at power plants, or paying for alternative energy production such as wind power.

G-8 endorses halving global emissions by 2050 World leaders on Tuesday endorsed halving world emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050, edging forward in the battle against global warming but stopping short of tough, nearer-term targets.

NOAA report: U.S. coral reefs in severe decline Almost half the coral reef ecosystems in United States territory are in poor or fair condition, mostly because of rising ocean temperatures, according to a government report released Monday.

07/07/2008 Study: Orangutan populations declining sharply Orangutan numbers have declined sharply on the only two islands where they still live in the wild and they could become the first great ape species to go extinct if urgent action isn't taken, a new study says.

Standoff continues on global warming, other issues President Bush encountered resistance on his climate-change policy as he and other world leaders sought to strike a balance between framing a deal on global warming while coping with inflation and slumping economic growth.

07/04/2008 Senator proposes lower national speed limit An influential Republican senator suggested Thursday that Congress might want to consider reimposing a national speed limit to save gasoline and possibly ease fuel prices.

07/03/2008 Is offshore drilling environmentally safe as proponents claim? Speaking to Houston oil executives, Republican presumptive nominee for president John McCain called for more drilling in the Gulf, claiming drilling was environmentally safe, even in the face of major storms. Those statements were not necessarily accurate.

How cheap is it to drive green? Going green with a hybrid vehicle that gets 40 to 50 miles per gallon may sound great. But after you factor in the cost of the car, maintenance and insurance, are hybrids really saving you money?

07/02/2008 Wal-Mart branches out into locally grown produce Wal-Mart stores in Arizona now stock Grand Canyon sweet onions while aisles in New York display state-grown eggplant, as the world's largest retailer says it's become the nation's largest buyer of locally grown fruits and vegetables.

07/01/2008 Scientists say ailing penguins signal sea problems Penguins may be the tuxedo-clad version of a canary in the coal mine, with generally ailing populations from a combination of global warming, ocean oil pollution, depleted fisheries, and tourism and development.

Auditing home energy use could save you With gas and grocery prices going up, almost everyone is looking for a way to save money. Getting your house an electricity audit may help.

06/30/2008 8 ways to green your Independence Day The Fourth of July: summer’s most famous holiday. Fireworks, barbecues and a day off to enjoy the sunshine. But can you make America’s birthday Earth Day as well? Here’s eight steps for an eco-friendly Fourth.

'It's hybrid hysteria' for buyers seeking the hard-to-find Prius With fuel prices hovering around $4 a gallon, scores of people are snatching up every Prius they can find and driving up prices at some area Toyota dealerships by as much as $5,000 over window sticker.

New breed of CFLs focus on bulbs' aesthetics Switching to efficient bulbs saves energy, but it also can create a design challenge. Swirly compact fluorescents stick out visually, don't work with traditional clip-on shades and can cast different colors of light than their incandescent counterparts.

06/26/2008 Lighten up to get better gas mileage Airlines are reducing weight to save on fuel, but you can do it to your vehicle as well.

06/25/2008 Report: Global energy demand to grow 51% by 2030 Despite persistently high oil prices, global energy demand will grow by 50 percent over the next two decades with continued heavy reliance on environmentally troublesome fossil fuels, especially coal and oil, the government predicted Wednesday.

06/24/2008 NASA warming scientist: 'This is the last chance' Exactly 20 years after warning America about global warming, a top NASA scientist said the situation has gotten so bad that the world's only hope is drastic action.

McCain calls for energy efficient government Republican John McCain said Tuesday the federal government should practice the energy efficiency he preaches, pledging as president to switch official vehicles to green technologies and do the same for office buildings.

06/23/2008 High gasoline prices changing lawn-mowing habits Sales of manual — or push reel — mowers with the cartwheeling blades are on the rise this year.

06/22/2008

Schools pull plug on wasted energy
Across the state, public school districts are passing plans to reduce energy consumption. It’s an effort to comply with a state law passed in 2007 to help the state reduce the amount of power placed on the energy grid, especially during peak demand periods.

06/23/2008 Opposition mounts to clean air change affecting parks Critics fear the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will adopt a rule in the waning days of the Bush administration that will make it easier to build coal-fired power plants near national parks.

McCain offers $300 million for new auto battery The presumed Republican nominee on Monday proposed a $300 million government prize to whoever can develop an automobile battery that far surpasses existing technology.

06/19/2008 New lighting tech beats fluorescents, maker says Organic light-emitting diodes, a technology that is being hailed as the future of home lighting, have surpassed fluorescent lights in energy efficiency, according a New Jersey company.

06/18/2008 Bush to Congress: Embrace energy exploration now With gasoline topping $4 a gallon, President Bush urged Congress on Wednesday to lift its long-standing ban on offshore oil and gas drilling, saying the United States needs to increase its energy production.

06/17/2008 Want a lower electric bill? Start shopping Plenty of residents complain they are seeing triple digits on their thermometers and electric bills. The surging heat and the price surge on the bills that come with the summer are hitting some residents particularly hard.

06/16/2008 Organic alcohol sparks new cocktail trend Call it hedonistic environmentalism. Or maybe just eco-conscious imbibing. Either way, those who want their dirty martini to be a little cleaner are increasingly pouring organic spirits into their glass.

Veganic farmers work without animal fertilizers, byproducts Farmer Don Bustos said the tradition of working the land in northern New Mexico's Espanola Valley had been passed down from his Spanish ancestors who tilled the same soil centuries before.

List of most fuel-efficient cars released Consumer Reports has just come out with a listing of the best fuel-efficient vehicles on the road. It's based on the price paid divided by overall miles per gallon.

Companies get OK to annoy polar bears Less than a month after declaring polar bears a threatened species because of global warming, the Bush administration is giving oil companies permission to annoy and potentially harm them in the pursuit of oil and natural gas.

06/13/2008 Group: New vinyl shower curtains hazardous The Center for Health, Environment and Justice says studies show a new vinyl shower curtain releases scores of dangerous chemicals into your home.

06/10/2008 G-8 to fight oil prices with efficiency, tech Faced with record-high oil prices, the world's leading economies and oil consumers Sunday pledged greater investment in energy efficiency and green technologies to control their spiraling thirst for petroleum.

8 ways to green your wedding For many people, getting married is one of the biggest events of their lives. There’s lots of planning involved, and lots of resources used in the process.

Green gossip: The reusable bag Green Gossip is an exclusive Earth 911 series that lets our writers talk about their experiences with everyday green issues. In this episode, Brandi Powell discusses her battle with the reusable bag.

06/06/2008 Clean the Bay and keep it green for future generations What happens on land is going to impact water quality -- from the trash you throw on the ground to the oil that leaks from your car. VIDEO

Vote on climate bill is blocked in Senate Senate Republicans on Friday blocked a global warming bill that would have required major reductions in greenhouse gases, pushing debate over the world's biggest environmental concern to next year for a new Congress and president.

06/05/2008 Disposable water bottle alternatives The availability and popularity of water packaged in convenient single serving bottles, has made it easier for us to hydrate while on the go. Several companies are doing their part to reduce the impact of disposable plastic bottles.

06/04/2008 CFL bulbs may trigger migraines Compact fluorescent light bulbs use 75 percent less energy and last 10 times longer than traditional bulbs. They save money on electric bills, but are they good for your health?

06/03/2008 Best Buy testing free e-waste recycling program Under pressure to help dispose some of the electronic waste it helped create, Best Buy Co. is testing a free program that will offer consumers a convenient way to ensure millions of obsolescent TVs, old computers and other unwanted gadgets don't poison the nation's dumps.

06/02/2008 Tax credit seen vital for wind industry growth Renewal of federal tax credits expiring at the end of the year is critical to U.S. investment in the wind-energy industry, executives and officials said Monday.