Headlines

New climate, energy policies may create 2.5 mln jobs: report

New greenhouse gas emissions and energy policies at the Federal level could add about 2.5 million new jobs and $134 billion in economic activity in the US, while keeping energy costs down, according to a report.

The report, released from the Center for Climate Strategies, published with Johns Hopkins University, is based on economic impacts of climate policies developed by 16 states and calls for adoption of 23 specific policy approaches that have the potential to reduce pollution and improve energy efficiency with least cost.

Carbon Capture Still Pricey for China

Many environmentalists suggest that China will be the country that makes carbon capture and sequestration viable — but Chinese officials remain unconvinced.

Some Chinese leaders are skeptical of carbon sequestration efforts.
With its vast manufacturing base and heavy reliance on coal for electricity, China, already the world’s top emitter of global warming gases, is beginning to dominate some clean-tech sectors, including solar and wind power. Environmentalists, and the U.S. government, think it can replicate that success with storing carbon.

India unveils prototype of $35 computer, paving way for solar-powered websurfing in villages

 It looks like an iPad, only it's 1/14th the cost: India has unveiled the prototype of a $35 basic touchscreen tablet aimed at students, which it hopes to bring into production by 2011.

If the government can find a manufacturer, the Linux operating system-based computer would be the latest in a string of "world's cheapest" innovations to hit the market out of India, which is home to the 100,000 rupee ($2,127) compact Nano car, the 749 rupees ($16) water purifier and the $2,000 open-heart surgery.

Airports to get quieter soon

Nights will soon be less noisy for those living close to airports. Noise pollution control will be imposed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport first, and later, at all airports in the country. Thanks to a petition by Vasant Kunj residents in the Delhi High Court, complaining against the noise they had to put up with every night, as over 200 aircraft landed and took off from the airport nearby, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) have joined hands to set limits for the amount of noise airports in India can make.