·:[ Environmental News Bits ]:·
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Read the full story at Sustainable IT.

Green initiatives can take any number of forms, from energy-saving server virtualization initiatives to travel-cutting telepresence implementations to Earth-friendly e-waste recycling projects. Similarly, the underlying goal (or goals) behind a given green project can vary from company to company. One organization might have its sights set on reducing its carbon footprint. Another might be fixated on slashing energy bills. Yet another might be working to develop products that meet particular legislation (such a ROHS) or standards (such as Energy Star).

There is, however, one common thread among all green initiatives: In order to determine whether you’ve achieved your goals, you need to measure progress — be that in terms of reduced carbon emissions, kilowatt hours saved, tons of e-waste properly recycled, positive publicity received, increased employee morale from contributing to the greater good, and so forth. Without a means to measure progress, you have no way of knowing whether your green endeavors are bearing fruit.

Read the full story in EcoStructure.

New residential buildings in Illinois will use less energy and cost less to operate thanks to the residential energy-efficient building code passed by the Illinois General Assembly. House Bill 3987, sponsored by Rep. Julie Hamos and Sen. Don Harmon, will require all new buildings, including houses, to conform to the International Energy Conservation Code.

Bottled Water:  FDA Safety and Consumer Protections Are Often Less Stringent Than Comparable EPA Protections for Tap Water.  GAO-09-610, June 22.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-610
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09610high.pdf

Climate Change Trade Measures: Considerations for U.S. Policy Makers. GAO-09-724R, July 8.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-724R

Bottled Water:  FDA Safety and Consumer Protections Are Often Less Stringent Than Comparable EPA Protections for Tap Water, by John Stephenson, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Energy and Commerce.  GAO-09-861T, July 8.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-861T

Climate Change Trade Measures:  Estimating Industry Effects, by Loren Yager, director, international affairs and trade, before the Senate Committee on Finance.  GAO-09-875T, July 8.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-875T

Read the full column in the New York Times.

Scientists are beginning to find a connection between bizarre deformities in water animals and abnormalities in humans.

Hat tip to Thom Moore for the link.