May 31 12

The Green Jobs Source for Thursday, May 31

BLUEGREEN ALLIANCE TAGS: The Source

This is The Source for May 31, 2012, green jobs news every day from the BlueGreen Alliance. Don’t forget to “tell your friends” about this great resource. You can sign up here.

THREE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW FOR MAY 31

Action: CO2 Levels Pass 400ppm Mark. Monitoring stations in the Artic found carbon dioxide levels are now above 400 parts per million. According to Jim Butler, global monitoring director at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Earth System Research Lab in Colorado, "The fact that it's 400 is significant. It's just a reminder to everybody that we haven't fixed this and we're still in trouble." Have you sent a comment to the Environmental Protection Agency telling them you agree it is time to do something about climate change and ensure new power plants release less pollution?

Clean Energy Rankings In. The third annual State Clean Energy Index has been released, and California once again is the top clean energy state in the United States for the third consecutive year. The study also found six states now get more than ten percent of their electricity from wind, solar and geothermal energy — double 2010.

Green Economy Could Bring 60 Million Jobs Worldwide. A new study released by the United Nation’s International Labor Organization and Environment program found 15-60 million jobs could be created globally in the green economy. The gains are mostly seen in agriculture, forestry, fishing, energy, manufacturing, recycling, building and transportation.

National and International Blue-Green

The Guardian looks at a study that found geothermal energy could fulfill a fifth of the United Kingdom’s energy needs.

Discovery News says a common flame retardant has been found in a number of foods including meat, peanut butter and fish.

To the States

Texas and California could be facing blackouts this summer, E&E News warns.

The Boston Globe was on hand when Governor Deval Patrick said Massachusetts should continue to support renewable energy. Wicked Local has more on the Governor’s speech.

A proposal for a 110mile light-rail extension would link central Phoenix to Maryvale. Arizona Central says the new proposal would not split the St. Matthew neighborhood unlike previous proposals.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority Tuesday hired Jeff Morales to be its new chief executive, theSacramento Bee reports.

The Mercury News says California’s Energy Commission is likely to approve new energy efficiency which would require, among other things, new homes and commercial buildings to have “solar ready roofs.”

In New York, solar energy advocates announced new polls found 81 percent of New York voters support increasing the use of local solar power. Capitol Confidential has more.

Blue-Green Links

E&E News: Researchers see a silent majority supporting climate change action as a 'social issue'

Hill: Obama administration hits Chinese wind energy tower exports with new tariffs

Nature: Fukushima has positive fallout for marine science

TIME: Drawing Battle Lines Over American Coal Exports to Asia

E&E News: EPA's Dimock results cloud Pa.'s pollution case

New York Times: On Climate Change, It’s Money vs. Mouth

New York Times: Hidden’ Water: Where Does It All Go?

Wall Street Journal: Car Battery Start-Ups Fizzle

Atlantic: A Conservative's Approach to Combating Climate Change

Politico: Colorado Democrats: Obama strategy ‘working quite well’

News Review (CA): Rebel Miner