"iPhone maker Apple was criticized by Chinese green groups for lax corporate oversight of its suppliers in China, leading to poor environmental and work safety standards that poisoned dozens of factory workers."

"That hamburger in the hand of so many Americans does have global implications. Our meat-eating habits can impact the tropical rainforests and savannas -- and ultimately the atmosphere. Livestock may contribute some 18 percent of greenhouse gases -- and that matters for both the 1 billion hungry and 1.6 billion overweight people on the planet."

"As South Africa declares a national disaster due to flooding, other countries in the region hold their breath while water levels continue to rise."

"A federal judge on Thursday rejected the Obama administration's request to delay by more than a year controversial new regulations targeting emissions of mercury and other hazardous air pollutants from industrial boilers."

"New figures issued on Thursday in Britain show that 2010 was the second-warmest year in the historical record. That comes on the heels of reports last week from two American agencies that 2010 was tied for the warmest year in the record books."

"A massive California rain event -- one expected to occur once every 200 years -- would far surpass destruction caused by a "Big One" earthquake, causing more than $700 billion in damage and hobbling the state's economy for decades, federal scientists are warning."

"A new species of giant crayfish literally crawled out from under a rock in Tennessee, proving that large new species of animals can be found in highly populated and well-explored places, researchers said on Wednesday."

"Representative Edward Markey on Thursday asked Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to launch an immediate investigation into a $16 billion share-swap plan between BP and state-owned Russian oil firm Rosneft."

Quite a few mayors are praising the Energy Department efficiency and conservation block grants authorized under the economic stimulus -- and are seeking to make it permanent.

The wood-burning fireplace, once considered a trophy and luxury, especially by urban dwellers, is acquiring a social stigma among the eco-conscious.