Planet Watch

Meanwhile, the oceans are dying…

A new report by British scientists finds that the current level of carbon dioxide emissions will wipe out about 30% of the world’s marine species by the end of the century. Released carbon dioxide is leading to acidification of the oceans.

Planet Watch

Obama shilling for drilling, backing fracking

President Obama effuses about turning the US into “the Saudi Arabia of natural gas”—as new EPA studies find water wells contaminated with toxic chemicals from “hydraulic fracturing” across the country, sparking anger from affected residents.

Planet Watch

Obama denies permit for Keystone XL pipeline

President Obama denied a permit for the controversial Keystone XL oil sands pipeline, saying the deadline imposed by Congress did not leave enough time to conduct the necessary review. Developer TransCanada said it will re-apply.

Planet Watch

Doomsday Clock back to five of midnight

Citing inadequate progress on nuclear weapons reduction and proliferation, and continuing inaction on climate change, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists announced that it has moved its famous “Doomsday Clock” to five minutes to midnight.

Planet Watch

Pentagon prepares for new cold war with China

The Pentagon’s new “strategic guidance” document foresees a shift to the Asia-Pacific theater as the primary focus of US global policing. Budget cuts would only bring the US back to 2007 levels—still ahead of the 10 nearest rivals.

Planet Watch

Durban agreement enforces “climate apartheid”: protesters

Climate Justice Now!, a broad coalition of social movements that coordinated protests at the Durban summit, assailed the last-minute agreement, charging that “the richest nations have cynically created a new regime of climate apartheid.”

Planet Watch

Occupy Wall Street protests go global

The Occupy Wall Street movement reports demonstrations in over 1,500 cities across the globe Saturday, including over 100 US cities from coast to coast. Scores were arrested in New York, Chicago, Denver, Seattle, Sacramento and San Diego.