California Literary Review

‘Citizen scientists’ watch for signs of climate change: People with no formal training are helping scientists track and record birds, fish, stars, and plants in their neighborhoods online. [CSM]

Where That Suit Has Been: To environmentally conscious consumers, the prepurchase itinerary of clothes has become as important a consideration as the organic nature of the materials used to make them. Every well-traveled suit leaves a carbon footprint, but unlike its fabric content, that footprint is pretty much a mystery to consumers. Now some clothing companies, in a bid to make their manufacturing processes more transparent, are beginning to provide that information. [NYT]

From natural disaster to green revolution: The tornado last May killed 11 Greensburg residents, injured more than 60 and levelled 95 percent of the city, reducing houses to matchsticks and sturdy brick churches to piles of rubble. In an area of rural depopulation and few jobs, where towns struggle in the best of times, it seemed nature had delivered Greensburg a death blow. That was almost a year ago. Now Greensburg is not only being rebuilt but it aims to become one of the most environmentally sensitive cities in America. [Guardian]

On the Irish Coast, Reconsidering Energy From the Town Up: The goal is innovation on a local scale, developing clean energy sources and reducing energy demand in a 1.5-square-mile site called a Sustainable Energy Zone. The project is part of a European Union program to encourage pilot projects that can be scaled up to regional or national levels. [NYT]

Bill aims to protect blind people from dangers posed by hybrids: A bill intended to protect blind people and other pedestrians from the dangers posed by quiet cars will be introduced today in Congress. The measure would require the Transportation Department to establish safety standards for hybrids and other vehicles that make little discernible noise, including an audible means for alerting people that cars are nearby. [LA Times]