Currently on Our Radar …

Here's another roundup of energy and environment stories posted by R.M. Schneiderman at Green Inc:

1.) Japan promises to curb emissions - if India and China do, too.

2.) A surprising source of indoor air pollution.

3.) A brouhaha over Obama’s green jobs guru.

4.) Did global warming forestall the next Ice Age?

5.) Capturing carbon with coconuts.

Reconnecting with Nature

by Richard Conniff
3 Sept 2009
Yale Environment 360

Stephen R. Kellert, a social ecologist, has spent much of his career thinking and writing about biophilia, the innate human affinity for nature. His most recent book (with co-editors Judith H. Heerwagen and Martin L. Mador) is Biophilic Design: The Theory, Science, and Practice of Bringing Buildings to Life. It’s an exploration of how we cut ourselves off from nature in the way we design the buildings and neighborhoods where we live and work. And it’s an argument for re-connecting these spaces to the natural world, with plenty of windows, daylight, fresh air, plants and green spaces, natural materials, and decorative motifs from the natural world.

Read whole story here.

"Age of Stupid" Upcoming Premiere

What might happen if humanity doesn't act now to stop climate chaos? Find out when "Age of Stupid" opens in theatres on September 21st. To view the trailer, go to 350.org.

The Science of 350

Scientists say that 350 parts per million CO2 in the atmosphere is the safe limit for humanity. Learn more about 350 – what it means, where it came from, and how to get there.

No Impact Man Hits the Bookstores

Colin Beavan's new book "No Impact Man" hit the bookstores on September 1st. For more details and daily postings on the No Impact Project, see Colin's blog.

Caribbean countries at risk from rising seas

By Sherrt Vanwey, sherry@cfp.ky
Thursday 3rd September 2009
Caymanian Compass

New reports predicting a 3 to 4 feet increase in the global mean sea level by the end of the century is causing increasing concern in the Caribbean.

For countries like the Cayman Islands that already face flooding in some areas during heavy rainfall, Nick Robson, founder of the Cayman Institute, an independent think tank addressing climate change, said rising sea levels coupled with more intense hurricanes, and increased wave action equals disaster...read full story.