There has been a great increase in the use of wind power in recent years, while solar has suffered slightly due to the economic downturn. However, a recent acquisition by a major company is looking to ensure the prominence of solar energy.

Areva SA, which is the world’s largest nuclear plant builder, recently acquired Ausra, a solar company. Ausra is based in Mountain View, California and specializes in solar thermal energy. Solar thermal energy uses the sun to heat water to create steam. This steam can then ...

Some time ago a number of environmental groups sued the government in order to get the American pika listed as an endangered species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced their decision to decline the listing of the pika from the Endangered Species Act. Those suing on behalf of the pika fear global warming will cause the disappearance of the species.

The American pika lives in Wyoming, Washington, Utah, Oregon, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico and Montana. ...

Many recent reports have come out declaring that despite the economic downturn wind energy advanced in 2009. The Global Wind Energy Council recently announced that wind energy capacity increased 31 percent in the year of 2009. Similar data was reported in individual countries such as China and the United States.

Further evidence of the growth of wind energy comes from Europe, ...

In Indonesia is the Gunung Halimun Salak National Park. The park is located in West Java, Indonesia. It is home to endangered gibbons and endangered Java eagles. The area is considered vital to the survival of these species and important for other species as well.

This is why many conservationists are concerned over the recent discovery of 180 villas having been built in the park. The luxury villas were ...

The International Whaling Commission has an exception in their ban on commercial whaling which allows killing of whales for scientific research. Japanese whalers, many feel, have used this loophole to outright hunt whales to sell their meat in markets in Japan. The studies the Japanese are backing their whaling with are being opposed by many, including a new group of researchers hoping to halt the IWC’s scientific whaling exception.

The project called Southern Ocean Research Partnership ...

The Global Wind Energy Council has recently released the latest figures for the year 2009. The council represents companies involved in wind power all around the world, including those that create wind turbines to those who run power stations. 2009 proved to be a good year all around for the wind energy division.

Overall, wind energy capacity grew 31 percent globally in the year 2009. Despite the economy impacting business sectors throughout the world, new turbines still created ...

A new study was recently published in Global Change Biology. The study focused on the impact global warming will have on sea turtles, particularly the sea turtles around the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The team of researchers, led by Marianna Fuentes from the James Cook University, analyzed data from previous studies and interviewed experts regarding what global warming impacts these turtles will face.

The Great Barrier Reef area in Australia is actually home to the world’s ...

The Midway Atoll, which lies near Hawaii, is a former U.S. Navy base and the site of the famous Midway battle that took place during World War II. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service eventually became responsible for the atoll in 1996. Midway is coming into the spotlight once more due to Laysan albatrosses, which use the atoll as their main breeding site.

The Laysan albatross is considered vulnerable ...

On January 19th, the tallest American elm tree in New England was cut down due to a battle with Dutch elm disease. The tree, referred to as Herbie, had previously survived fourteen other cases of the same disease. However, this fungal infiltration eventually became fatal. The 110-foot tall tree was therefore cut down, opening the door to scientific study.

The tree is estimated to be between 212 to 240 years old, with many leaning towards the higher figure. Due to the age of the tree, scientists ...

In November of 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the U.S. Navy when it came allowing the use of sonar off the coast of California. Environmental groups had argued that the use of sonar could very well harm whales and other marine mammals in the area. Previous court decisions favored restrictions on sonar use, however the Supreme Court overturned these rulings.

Since this decision, many environmentalists fear for the safety of marine mammals when it comes to activities of ...