Weekly Green: February 9, 2012

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In this week's news:

• L.A. high school student praised by President Obama for waste-reducing sweetener;
• CLCV joins LCV in releasing National Environmental Scorecard;
• California green jobs more recession resistant, study says;
• Disclosing greenhouse gas emissions boosts business, study finds;
• Solar farms in the desert;
• and much more.

Leading Off

National Environmental Scorecard: Did your member of Congress vote to protect or harm the environment?

Today, CLCV joined the national League of Conservation Voters (LCV) in releasing the 2011 National Environmental Scorecard. The League of Conservation Voters' 2011 National Environmental Scorecard reflects the most anti-environmental session of the U.S. House of Representatives in history, featuring unparalleled assaults on our nation’s bedrock environmental and public health safeguards.

California green jobs more recession resistant, study says

The report suggests that amid volatile prices and tight markets, green entrepreneurs and their products and services will become increasingly competitive. California’s strong foundation of environmentally focused innovation and research, as well as its early-adopter culture, will also help.

The Unequal Effects of Climate Change

A study by the California Department of Public Health finds that people in poorer areas of Los Angeles and Fresno Counties are more at risk of ill health effects from climate change than those in wealthier neighborhoods.

Environmental News

Obama praises Southland student's project at White House science fair

President Obama mentioned Hayley and her project in his remarks following the tour, saying it "potentially could save up to two million pounds of trash each year, and that's just at Starbucks."

Disclosing greenhouse gas emissions boosts business, study finds

A pair of California business school researchers has found that companies that disclose greenhouse gas emissions enjoy an immediate rise in stock value and positive returns to shareholders.

High-speed rail touted in jobs coalition's new radio campaign

A coalition representing Northern and Central California contractors and union construction workers launched a radio campaign this week applauding the state's proposed high-speed rail system.

California wildlife agency to sue feds over levee tree policy

The California Department of Fish and Game intends to sue the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over its controversial policy banning trees on levees, warning the policy could devastate wildlife and riparian habitat.

Valley water projects secure funding

San Joaquin Valley water projects on Wednesday, including a long-proposed Madera Water Bank, secured $6.8 million in additional federal funding.

Coastal cities consider plastic bag ban

Two coastal cities could be the first in Orange County to ban plastic bags.Laguna Beach and Dana Point will consider ordinances Tuesday night that would prohibit businesses from handing out single-use plastic bags to customers.

San Onofre nuclear power plant incidents draw attention

A radiation leak, the discovery of tube damage and a worker falling into a reactor pool all happened within days of one another.

Renewable energy costs are starting to come down

The price of renewable power contracts signed by California utilities more than doubled from 2003 through 2011 but has now started to plunge, according to a long-awaited state report issued Friday.

Sacrificing the desert to save the Earth

The public got its chance to comment at scores of open houses, but the real political horse trading took place in meetings involving solar developers, federal regulators and leaders of some of the nation's top environmental organizations.

Climate One: Sun Spots

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