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Seafood Safety: Background and Issues (open access)

Seafood Safety: Background and Issues

Although seafood consumption can contribute to a healthy diet, some fish and shellfish can cause foodborne illnesses or contain environmental contaminants. This report discusses whether current food safety programs are sufficiently protecting consumers, and if not, what changes should be considered.
Date: December 2, 2010
Creator: Upton, Harold F.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Washington State Government (open access)

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Washington State Government

This report summarizes the total GHG emission from all state agencies for 2005, 2008, and 2009. It examines actions already taken by agencies to reduce emissions and outlines key next steps for agencies to take to develop emission reduction strategies.
Date: December 2010
Creator: Adelsman, Hedia & Ekrem, Joanna
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Energy's Water Demand: Trends, Vulnerabilities, and Management (open access)

Energy's Water Demand: Trends, Vulnerabilities, and Management

The nation's energy choices embody many tradeoffs. Water use is one of those tradeoffs. The energy choices before Congress represent vastly different demands on domestic freshwater. The energy sector's water consumption is projected to rise 50% from 2005 to 2030. This rising water demand derives from both an increase in the amount of energy demanded and shifts to more water-intense energy sources and technologies. This report discusses this issue as well as related issues that may arise for the 112th Congress.
Date: November 24, 2010
Creator: Carter, Nicole T.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Litigation Seeking to Establish Climate Change Impacts as a Common Law Nuisance (open access)

Litigation Seeking to Establish Climate Change Impacts as a Common Law Nuisance

This report discusses recent legislative initiatives seeking to establish climate change impacts as a common law nuisance. The report explains what private and public nuisances are, the issues faced by policymakers when litigating a climate-change/nuisance suit, and also discusses five climate-chance/nuisance suits that are now or formerly active, as a basis of comparison. The report also explores arguments of those both for and against addressing the complex issue of climate change through common law suits.
Date: November 19, 2010
Creator: Meltz, Robert
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
International Climate Change: A Negotiations Side-by-Side (open access)

International Climate Change: A Negotiations Side-by-Side

This report discusses various cooperative international efforts to address the issue of global climate change. The two major international agreements discussed in a side-by-side comparison are the 1997 Kyoto Protocol and the 2010 Copenhagen Accord. The report discusses how many observers are hoping that initiatives carried out under the Copenhagen Accord may help bridge divides between the various tracks and economic groupings established under the Kyoto Protocol.
Date: November 18, 2010
Creator: Leggett, Jane A.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
China and Climate Change: A Strategy for U.S. Engagement (open access)

China and Climate Change: A Strategy for U.S. Engagement

The aim of this report is to provide strategic guidance to U.S. policymakers on engaging China on climate change. In the first section, I set the context by discussing China’s energy use, emissions, and future projections, including potential emissions reductions and trajectories under different policies. In section two, I review China’s recent policies to address climate change and energy conservation. I focus on the status of implementation of its energy-efficiency goals under its 11th Five Year Plan. I also anticipate future developments in Chinese energy and climate policy. Finally, in section three, I propose a strategy for U.S. engagement of China on climate change.
Date: November 2010
Creator: Joshua W. Busby
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Coastal Wetland and Wildlife Impacts and Response (open access)

The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Coastal Wetland and Wildlife Impacts and Response

The explosion of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, 2010, and the resulting oil spill began a cascade of effects on the coastal areas of the Gulf and on the wealth of species that inhabit those areas. This report addresses the importance of wetlands in general, the ecology of the coastal wetlands in the Gulf, impacts of oil spills on wetland habitats, response options, the implications of hurricane season for the spill's impacts, and cleanup and recovery issues. The emphasis is on the nearshore environment, although a few species found in deeper waters will be mentioned. In addition, some lessons from past spills such as the Exxon Valdez in Alaska will be discussed, along with issues that may arise as response and recovery transition to restoration of the Gulf.
Date: October 15, 2010
Creator: Corn, M. Lynne & Copeland, Claudia
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): Overview and Issues (open access)

Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): Overview and Issues

This report focuses on the mandated minimum usage requirements - referred to as the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) - whereby a minimum volume of biofuels is to be used in the national transportation fuel supply each year. It describes the general nature of the biofuels RFS and its implementation, and outlines some of the emerging issues related to the sustainability of the continued growth in U.S. biofuels production needed to fulfill the expanding RFS mandate, as well as the emergence of potential unintended consequences of this rapid expansion. This report does not address the broader public policy issue of how best to support U.S. energy policy.
Date: October 14, 2010
Creator: Schnepf, Randy & Yacobucci, Brent D.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Short-Term Energy and Winter Fuels Outlook (open access)

Short-Term Energy and Winter Fuels Outlook

This report discusses likely energy prices and weather over the winter of 2010-2011.
Date: October 13, 2010
Creator: United States. Energy Information Administration.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress

The diminishment of Arctic sea ice has led to increased human activities in the Arctic, and has heightened concerns about the region's future. Issues such as Arctic sovereignty claims; commercial shipping through the Arctic; Arctic oil, gas, and mineral exploration; endangered Arctic species; and increased military operations in the Arctic could cause the region in coming years to become an arena of international cooperation, competition, or conflict. This report provides an overview of Arctic-related issues for Congress, and refers readers to more in-depth CRS reports on specific Arctic-related issues.
Date: October 8, 2010
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Biomass Feedstocks for Biopower: Background and Selected Issues (open access)

Biomass Feedstocks for Biopower: Background and Selected Issues

The production of bioenergy - renewable energy derived from biomass - could potentially increase national energy security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to rural economic growth. This report provides analyses of commonly discussed biomass feedstocks and their relative potential for power generation. Additional biopower issues - feedstock accessibility, the biomass power plant carbon-neutrality debate, and unintended consequences of legislative activities to promote bioenergy - are also discussed.
Date: October 6, 2010
Creator: Bracmort, Kelsi
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (open access)

Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission

The objective of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) under the brand 'Solar India' is to establish India as a global leader in solar energy, by creating the policy conditions for its diffusion across the country as quickly as possible. The scope of these guidelines is to select new projects and provide the necessary policy framework for development of projects under the "bundling scheme" for Phase I of the JNNSM.
Date: October 2010
Creator: India. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Army Corps of Engineers Water Resource Projects: Authorization and Appropriations (open access)

Army Corps of Engineers Water Resource Projects: Authorization and Appropriations

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers attracts congressional attention because its projects can have significant local and regional economic benefits and environmental effects, in addition to their water resource development purposes. This report provides an overview of the Corps civil works program. It covers the congressional authorization and appropriation process, the standard project development process, and other Corps activities and authorities. It also includes an Appendix on the evolution of Corps civil works missions and authorities and a description of the limits on the Corps' role in levee accreditation and improvements for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Date: September 29, 2010
Creator: Carter, Nicole T. & Stern, Charles V.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Alternative Fuels and Advanced Technology Vehicles: Issues in Congress (open access)

Alternative Fuels and Advanced Technology Vehicles: Issues in Congress

This report provides an overview of current issues surrounding alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles - issues discussed in further detail in other CRS reports referred to in each section.
Date: September 22, 2010
Creator: Yacobucci, Brent D.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Green Jobs Training: A Catalog of Training Opportunities for Green Infrastructure Training (open access)

Green Jobs Training: A Catalog of Training Opportunities for Green Infrastructure Training

This catalog provides information on training and certification opportunities for jobs and careers categorized as part of the "green economy." The catalog includes federal and state listings.
Date: September 2010
Creator: United States. Environmental Protection Agency.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Bird Species and Climate Change: The Global Status Report: A synthesis of current scientific understanding of anthropogenic climate change impacts on global bird species now, and projected future effects (open access)

Bird Species and Climate Change: The Global Status Report: A synthesis of current scientific understanding of anthropogenic climate change impacts on global bird species now, and projected future effects

This review seeks to provide a global overview of current effects of climate change on birds as well as a picture of future impacts. It provides a scientific assessment of current research data, achieved by surveying hundreds of research articles and reports on the topic.
Date: October 2010
Creator: Janice Wormworth BSc MA & Dr Karl Mallon BSc PhD
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Bird Species and Climate Change: The Global Status Report: A synthesis of Current Scientific Understanding of Anthropogenic Climate Change Impacts on Global Bird Species Now, and Projected Future Effects (open access)

Bird Species and Climate Change: The Global Status Report: A synthesis of Current Scientific Understanding of Anthropogenic Climate Change Impacts on Global Bird Species Now, and Projected Future Effects

This review seeks to provide a global overview of current effects of climate change on birds as well as a picture of future impacts. It provides a scientific assessment of current research data, achieved by surveying hundreds of research articles and reports on the topic.
Date: October 2010
Creator: Janice Wormworth BSc MA & Dr Karl Mallon BSc PhD
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
EPA's Response to the Petitions to Reconsider the Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for Greenhouse Gases under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act (open access)

EPA's Response to the Petitions to Reconsider the Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for Greenhouse Gases under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act

This set of volumes is a response by the EPA to ten petitions filed to challenge the determination that climate change is real. The EPA dismisses the petitioners' claims, reiterating the evidence of anthropogenic global climate change.
Date: July 29, 2010
Creator: United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Atmospheric Programs. Climate Change Division.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
EPA's Response to the Petitions to Reconsider the Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for Greenhouse Gases under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act (open access)

EPA's Response to the Petitions to Reconsider the Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for Greenhouse Gases under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act

This set of volumes is a response by the EPA to ten petitions filed to challenge the determination that climate change is real. The EPA dismisses the petitioners' claims, reiterating the evidence of anthropogenic global climate change.
Date: July 29, 2010
Creator: United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Atmospheric Programs. Climate Change Division.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
EPA's Response to the Petitions to Reconsider the Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for Greenhouse Gases under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act (open access)

EPA's Response to the Petitions to Reconsider the Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for Greenhouse Gases under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act

This set of volumes is a response by the EPA to ten petitions filed to challenge the determination that climate change is real. The EPA dismisses the petitioners' claims, reiterating the evidence of anthropogenic global climate change.
Date: July 29, 2010
Creator: United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Atmospheric Programs. Climate Change Division.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
World Investment Report 2010: Investing in a Low-Carbon Economy (open access)

World Investment Report 2010: Investing in a Low-Carbon Economy

According to the preface, this report focuses on climate change and the role of transnational corporations in investing in a low-carbon economy.
Date: July 22, 2010
Creator: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Executive Order - Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes (open access)

Executive Order - Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes

This order establishes a national policy to ensure the protection, maintenance, and restoration of the health of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems and resources, enhance the sustainability of ocean and coastal economies, preserve maritime heritage, support sustainable uses and access, provide for adaptive management to enhance understanding of and capacity to respond to climate change and ocean acidification, and coordinate with national security and foreign policy interests. This order also provides for the development of coastal and marine spatial plans that build upon and improve existing Federal, State, tribal, local, and regional decision making and planning processes.
Date: July 19, 2010
Creator: United States. President (2009- : Obama)
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Final Recommendations of the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force (open access)

Final Recommendations of the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force

This report provides recommendations for a strengthened governance structure to provide sustained, high-level, and coordinated attention to ocean, coastal, and Great Lake issues with a framework that addresses conservation, economic activity, user conflict, and sustainable use of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources.
Date: July 19, 2010
Creator: United States. Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
EPA's Denial of the Petitions to Reconsider the Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for Greenhouse Gases Under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act (open access)

EPA's Denial of the Petitions to Reconsider the Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for Greenhouse Gases Under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act

This document addresses a petition to the U.S. EPA to reconsider findings that could have an economic impact on businesses due to the enforcement of the Clean Air Act. The petitioners questioned the climate science and data, and this denial argues that the petitioners used The document denies the petition on the basis of the petitioners providing inadequate and unscientific arguments.
Date: August 2010
Creator: United States. Environmental Protection Agency.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library