A new bill is introduced in the US congress that will implement a strategic plan in order to address the public health impacts of climate change, garnering praise of environmental and health groups.

In less encouraging news, the Obama administration announced its decision to keep the Bush era ruling on the 'threatened' status of polar bears, deciding thus against using the Endangered Species Act to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

Nine toxic chemicals were banned by the UN Environment Programme under the Stockholm Convention that regulates hazardous substances. The list includes the persistent pesticide lindane as well as several flame retardants.

The UK government is under fire by several green groups for its choice of renewable energy schemes under consideration to develop the Severn estuary barrage, showing  'bias' towards large-scale, environmentally destructive proposals.

According to the Worldwatch Institute, global wind power capacity has grown by 29% in 2008, with the US officially overtaking Germany as the world's largest producer. Lets hope these trends continue.

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