"Developing nations' urgent need for more energy has become a central issue this year as developed countries -- including the United States -- push for a global reduction in carbon emissions ahead of a climate change conference scheduled for December in Copenhagen."

"Caves are home to some of the planet's most unusual creatures and important drinking water supplies. Now these underground resources are being polluted by surface activities, ranging from sewage spills to old factories. Experts call the problem 'extensive and serious.' Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky, Crevice Cave in Missouri and Whispering Canyon Cave in Alaska are examples. 'People need to be aware that there’s a subterranean ecosystem and that what happens on the surface impacts these unique ecosystems in a very real way,' said David Culver, a biologist at American University."

After the dolphin hunt in Taiji, Japan, was covertly filmed in the award-winning documentary, "The Cove," no hunting seemed to be going on on the opening day of this year's hunting season.

The natural gas industry has been on a winning streak as the fuel has come into greater use, partly because of its advantage in fighting climate change. But raw political clout may help climate-warming coal steal gas' lunch money in the coming climate bill.