"Most of the chemical absorption of sound occurs at relatively low frequencies, from about 1,000 to 5,000 hertz. Propeller noise ... fall in the same range, as does some military and research sonar. So this "background" noise, especially prevalent near shipping lanes, will be louder. That may be bad news for marine mammals, which use sounds in the same range for communication and echolocation while foraging. "We're not saying that during the next 100 years all dolphins will be deafened," Dr. Zeebe said. "But the background noise could essentially override or mask the sounds that they're depending on."

"Humans may be reluctant to floss their teeth, but this Japanese macaque doesn't seem to mind."

Daily green business and sustainable b"More than 100 groups have issued a letter supporting a legal petition filed earlier this month by the Center for Biological Diversity and 350.org that would require EPA to scientifically establish national safe limits for carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas pollution under the Clean Air Act. The petition seeks to have greenhouse gases designated as "criteria" air pollutants and atmospheric CO2 capped at 350 parts per million (ppm), the level scientists say is needed to stop catastrophic warming. "usiness news

"he Kasigau Corridor REDD Project aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 3.5 million tons over its 20-year lifetime, generating carbon credits that may receive a premium relative to other credits due to the CCB certification."

The battery-powered robot taxis use energy resources equivalent to 200 mpg and can be programmed for custom routes.

"A funky, psychedelic fish that bounces on the ocean floor like a rubber ball has been classified as a new species."

"East Lombok fishermen exploiting coral reefs off West Nusa Tenggara are being blamed for causing two islets to sink."

"Confidential UN analysis shows that if the current offers on the table at the Copenhagen climate summit are agreed, global temperatures will rise on average by 3C."

"There are some scary statistics surrounding water: Did you know only 1 percent of the world's water can be used for human consumption and half of the global population will be living in areas of 'acute water shortage' by 2030?"

"If deforestation were happening in your city, how quickly would you work to stop it?" the video asks, pointing out that 90 acres of rainforest are destroyed every minute. Deforestation threatens half of the world's species, and is responsible for 20% of global warming emissions."

"Just as climate talks hit their lowest point, Hillary Clinton descended on Copenhagen like a deus ex machina, putting on the table $100 billion in climate aid for developing nations per year through 2020, provided that a deal can be reached with China over making its climate change efforts more transparent. "

As the world weighs how to deal with warming, the idea of human manipulation of climate systems is gaining attention.  Yet beyond the environmental and technical questions looms a more practical issue: How could governments really commit to supervising geoengineering schemes for centuries?

"Researchers at the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument on NASA's Aqua spacecraft have given scientists studying carbon dixoide a new tool - daily global measurements of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. The data shown in the tool includes information gathered during more than 7 years of research on the concentration and distribution of CO2 in our mid-trophosphere - or, 3-7 miles above the Earth's surface - and how that CO2 travels across the globe. The video after the jump shows an animation of the carbon dioxide levels in our atmosphere with the Mauna Loa curve laid over it. The visualization is intense."

Don't sound the alarm too loudly, it seems.

Tech improvements are making energy-efficient LEDs more attractive for consumers, but the high upfront price is a persistent barrier, according to pair of studies.

"And it turns out, NASA scientists say -- contrary to conventional thinking that the greenhouse gas is spread uniformly over the planet in a well mixed layer -- the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder instrument detects a distinctly "lumpy" pattern of CO2 in the mid-troposphere some 3-7 miles up."

Technology firm Cisco Systems and the NASA space agency launched a $100 million plan on Tuesday to monitor the earth's resources, aiming to boost transparency of national commitments