Eco-News Roundup: Friday, October 9

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Green-ish news from our other blogs:

Whose line is it anyway? If you wondered how the US Chamber of Commerce came up with its hard-line climate policy, you’re not alone: Chamber insiders say its board of directors and its committees never formally endorsed the policy.

Scum artists: Some slimy algae biofuel companies have promised impossible amounts of oil based on speculation, raising millions from unwitting investors.

Don’t try this at home: In Copenhagen cars are taxed an astonishing 180 percent. Think that’d work back in the States? Dream on.

Baby steps for healthcare reform: The Congressional Budget Office says the new bill pays for itself over ten years, pays for itself over 20 years, covers 94% of the population, and reduces Medicare spending by over $400 billion.

Chamber’s “green” die-hards: Nike left. Apple’s history. So why are these six “green” companies sticking it out in the US Chamber of Commerce?

Calorie labels make New Yorkers hungry: NYC’s new law requiring calorie counts on chain restaurant menu boards doesn’t appear to be making any difference.  In fact, it might be causing people to eat more.

Green building codes save the Danes big bucks: But in the US, Republicans claim similar legislation would have “global warming gestapo” storming your home and forcing you to be more efficient.

Danes heart bikes: Why Copenhagen might be the most bike-friendly city in the world

Is there a doctor in the house? Well, no. And the shortage of physicians could derail new reforms, public option or no.

Denmark’s green island: Just 4,100 people live on the island of Samsø, which over the the course of 10 years has converted almost entirely to fossil-fuel free energy.

 

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It is astonishingly hard keeping a newsroom afloat these days, and we need to raise $253,000 in online donations quickly, by October 7.

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Readers also told us to just give it to you straight when we need to ask for your support, and seeing how matter-of-factly explaining our inner workings, our challenges and finances, can bring more of you in has been a real silver lining. So our online membership lead, Brian, lays it all out for you in his personal, insider account (that literally puts his skin in the game!) of how urgent things are right now.

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