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According to the Washington Post U.S. fishing policy has set catch limits with political support from both parties. New regulations should have a positive impact on conservation. Environmentalists hope this will prevent overfishing in U.S. waters. The new legislation comes just as the first wild hybrid shark is discovered by researchers.
Are the trucks on our roads getting too big? Do they endanger vehicle safety for ordinary drivers and damage bridges? This organization thinks so. Meanwhile Israel is getting its first shipment of electric cars made by an American start up. The vehicles will run with the support of newly installed charging stations all over the small country.
USA Today reports that more municipalities are recycling waste water into drinking water. Methods are described as cost effective, safe and useful in times of water shortages.
Astronomers are expanding their exploration of objects in our universe. Their observations achieve extraordinary clarity through a powerful telescope flown aloft in a specially designed jet.
Despite setbacks with problem batteries last year, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers unveiled new models and manufacturers producing hybrids continued to expand the range of their lithium batteries before recharging is required. Electric and hybrid cars are more attractive to buyers now that we have experienced a rise in the price of gasoline. Hybrids (gas engines paired with battery power) already constitute an important piece of new car sales. Still, some manufacturers reports BBC News, remain invested in improving the old technology by making the gas engine more efficient. For a glimpse at a unique electric car (with an extravagant price tag) see the 2012 Fisker Karma website. (updated)
A monkey previously thought to be extinct has been photographed in the jungles of Borneo by cameras positioned in the forest canopy.
The Los Angeles Times reports that $6.5 million dollars has been approved at the state level to complete the restoration of the Ballona Wetlands in Southern California and eventually open it to the public. Over the last thirty years much of the land was so neglected it lost its habitat.
Bloomberg reports that Japan and Sweden lead the world as underwriters for green projects. Over $4 billion in bonds then fund socially responsible investments related to land, air, water and the climate.
Studying how water and wild animals influence one another is the focus of Virginia Tech associate professor Kathleen Alexander's work. She has observed how climate and land use impact animal behavior. A National Science Foundation grant and years of dedicated observation in Africa by her team has also identified previously unknown pathogens according to the VA Tech News.
Who is prepared to handle accidental environmental damage and protect the fishing communities of Ghana as oil drilling off the coast of Africa continues? Minor spills from the project are ignored despite the fact that the World Bank encouraged development writes reporter Christiane Badgley for the Pulitzer Center.
Two nuclear reactors have just received final regulatory approval. They are being constructed in Augusta, GA. (updated)
Whistle blowers are facilitating improved enforcement of environmental protection laws against ships that illegally dumping pollutants at sea, as reported in The New York Times. (updated)
