Climate Change Coverage Not Only Dips in Quantity, But Also Shifts in Its Presentation

January 15, 2012–

EPA Greenhouse Data Site Offers Bounty of Local Stories

January 12, 2012–The searchable database is finally being published online for the first time after Congress mandated it in a rider to the 2008 omnibus appropriations bill. EPA compromised after protests from industry, limiting it to only the largest emitters. Pick only emitters in certain states. Focus on emissions of each of the six greenhouse gases it includes — or to customize views according to size of emission or emitting industry.

EPA To Release Data on Major Greenhouse Gas Sources

December 7, 2011–The agency plans to publish by the end of 2011 the first round of annual data reported, for 2010, on emissions from about 7,000 large stationary sources in 28 industry sectors. This data should provide a useful tool for media coverage on sources, impacts, and mitigation efforts, if any.

Refrigerant Chemicals Can Be Good for Ozone Layer, Bad for Climate

December 7, 2011–A new United Nations Environment Programme report offers recommendations to help make refrigerants less of a greenhouse gas problem, while still addressing ozone concerns. Get tips here on how your reporting on this issue can range from the local to the global scale.

Terrified CIA Urged To Shed Secrecy About Climate Threats

November 16, 2011–The Central Intelligence Agency is spending untold millions to study the national security threats presented by climate change. Now the Pentagon's Defense Science Board (DSB) is urging that another, new office be created to do the same job, for more untold millions.

Other Information Access News in Brief

November 2, 2011–Climate scientist Michael Mann wins bid to join emails lawsuit; BP and other Gulf oil spill CEOs won't testify before House committee; Republican House freshmen disappointed by Supercommittee's secrecy; Obama admin to issue disclosure rules for fracking on federal lands; WRI/Transparency Int'l panel on climate policy corruption, Nov. 3, 2011, in DC; proposed FOIA rule would let gov't deny existence of records; and bill to improve pipeline safety and increase access to info passes Senate.

Texas Censors Climate Science; Sparks Scientists' Revolt

October 19, 2011–After officials appointed by presidential candidate Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX) deleted references to climate change from a report on Galveston Bay, other scientists asked that their names be disassociated from the report.

A Look at Award Winners and the Media's Vetting of Candidates on Climate Change

October 15, 2011–

It’s Time To Say Goodbye, Thank You and, Hey, We Can Get Through This Together

October 15, 2011–

Access to Environmental Info Will Be an Issue at Rio+20

October 5, 2011–In June 2012, the nations of the world will convene in Rio de Janiero for the 20th anniversary of the landmark 1992 Rio Conference on Environment and Development that set the stage for a number of important treaties, including the Montreal Protocol to protect the ozone layer and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.