Spring and Earth Day are Returning - This coming Saturday (March 20) is the first day of spring, also known as the vernal equinox. At least that's true in the northern hemisphere; south of the equator it's the first day of autumn which makes it the autumnal equinox. In many places north of the equator we're beginning to see the first stirrings of springtime renewal:  trees are starting to bud and blossom, early spring flowers are pushing up through the soil and showing their colors, and the sun seems to shine a little brighter. Even the wind and rain seem warmer. The first day of spring also coincides with the first of two annual Earth Day celebrations, one at the vernal equinox and the other on April 22. Maybe we should just consider it a monthlong environmental extravaganza. Also Read: The First Day of Spring: Fun Facts About the Vernal Equinox The History and Evolution of Earth Day What is Earth Day? When is Arbor Day? Spring and Earth Day are Returning originally appeared on About.com Environmental Issues on Monday, March 15th, 2010 at 03:48:06. Permalink | Comment | Email this

Plastic Money to Replace Paper Currency in Canada - Canada is trading in its paper currency for plastic. No, not credit cards, actual plastic money. Sometime late in 2011, the Bank of Canada will replace the nation's traditional cotton-and-paper bank notes with currency made from a synthetic polymer. Canada will purchase its plastic money from a company in Australia, one of nearly two dozen countries where plastic currency is already in circulation. Read more... Plastic Money to Replace Paper Currency in Canada originally appeared on About.com Environmental Issues on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 18:18:52. Permalink | Comment | Email this

"Cash for Caulkers" HOMESTAR Program to Help U.S. Businesses and Homeowners - U.S. President Barack Obama yesterday laid out the details of his new HOMESTAR program, nicknamed "Cash for Caulkers," which would provide on-the-spot government rebates to homeowners who make their homes more energy-efficient by installing new windows, doors, insulation and other materials from an approved list. Read more... "Cash for Caulkers" HOMESTAR Program to Help U.S. Businesses and Homeowners originally appeared on About.com Environmental Issues on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 at 16:38:38. Permalink | Comment | Email this

Massive Earthquake Hits Chile, Triggers Tsunamis - A massive earthquake occurred off the coast of Chile early this morning, killing dozens of people, causing buildings, bridges and highway overpasses to collapse, knocking out telephone, electricity and water services in many cities, and raising tsunami warnings all along the Pacific Rim, as far away as New Zealand, Japan and California. Read more... Massive Earthquake Hits Chile, Triggers Tsunamis originally appeared on About.com Environmental Issues on Saturday, February 27th, 2010 at 14:47:46. Permalink | Comment | Email this

China Rejects Hummer Sale on Energy and Environmental Grounds - In China, the Hummer is called Han Ma, which translates as "fierce horse," but when General Motors came calling with an offer to sell its Hummer division to the Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery company, Chinese officials slammed the barn door. It seems GM's gas-guzzling military-vehicle-turned-status-symbol doesn't fit China's new focus on fuel-efficient cars and renewable energy. And those are pretty much the same factors that caused Hummer sales to tank in the United States--a drop of 67 percent in 2009--and sent GM looking for a buyer. The Hummer's 10 miles per gallon is out of sync with the new fuel economy standards passed by Congress. China has pledged to get 15 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020, and is expected to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in clean energy within the next few years. Those are serious commitments designed to position China to dominate the emerging clean-energy economy. But while China is on the move, U.S. lawmakers are still talking. China Rejects Hummer Sale on Energy and Environmental Grounds originally appeared on About.com Environmental Issues on Friday, February 26th, 2010 at 02:20:06. Permalink | Comment | Email this

Protect Yourself and Family When Working in Areas Exposed to Contaminated Flood Water - Website Available with Flooding Information (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT) - (Boston, Mass. – March 15, 2010) – EPA cautions the public and all responders about the potential hazards associated with flood waters

Cascade Water Alliance shows consumers how to conserve water and save money during National “Fix a Leak Week” (WA) - (Bellevue, Wash. – March 15, 2010) The U.S

EPA Makes Chemical Information More Accessible to Public For the first time, TSCA chemical inventory free of charge online (HQ) - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 15, 2010 WASHINGTON – As part of Administrator Lisa P. Jackson’s strong commitment to increase information on chemicals, for the first time, EPA is providing web access, free of charge, to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Chemical Substance Inventory

University of Central Missouri to Pay $14,988 Civil Penalty to Settle Claims about Improper Hazardous Waste Management (MO) - Environmental News FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Kansas City, Kan., March 15, 2010) - The University of Central Missouri (UCM) has agreed to pay a $14,988 civil penalty to the United States to settle allegations related to improper management of hazardous wastes at its campus in Warrensburg, Mo

EPA: Lake and Porter counties now meet ozone standard (IN) - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE No.10-OPA028 (CHICAGO - March 15, 2010) U.S