Colorado’s new Public Health and Environment director still hedging on climate change science

In the end, after some false starts and rhetorical meandering, the question was simple: Do you believe that carbon dioxide is a green house gas and contributes to climate change and therefore poses a serious health threat to humans? Al Gore and an overwhelming majority of climate scientists the world over answer a straightforward yes to that question. Most of the Republicans in Congress, however, answer no. Oil and gas climate “researchers” also answer no. Dr. Chris Urbina, the new Director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment didn’t seem sure how to answer the question, or at least didn’t know how to answer state Republican senators asking him the question at his confirmation hearing Thursday.

Enviro group claims Obama making Bush look good on coal mining

Recent lease approvals and signs that the Obama administration is falling in love with the nation’s coal industry have Jeremy Nichols of New Mexico’s WildEarth Guardians longingly reminiscing about the bygone days of the Bush administration.

Conservation group asks EPA to yank Xcel permits for coal-fired plants

Conservationists aren’t waiting for Xcel Energy to remake its coal-fired power plants along the Front Range to reduce smog ahead of an expected emissions clampdown by federal regulators.

Groups across Colorado plan for ‘International Day of Climate Action’

More than 60 Colorado climate actions are planned for Saturday, which has been dubbed the 2009 International Day of Climate Action by the grass-roots environmental campaign 350.org.

The acts range from the fairly mundane – ringing of church bells…

Study: Estonia a stark example of environmental hazards of oil shale

Looking for further evidence that oil shale production is — or at least should be — a nonstarter on Colorado’s Western Slope until oil and gas companies radically refine the massively water-intensive process?

Conservationists say there’s no better example…

Poll: Coloradans Support Carbon Emissions Reduction Fee

Group will try to put initiative on the 2008 ballot that would raise energy costs but reduce Colorado emissions. A poll shows strong voter support for the idea.

Science Sunday: Catch CO-2 — Carbon Dioxide from Fires

Forest fires can emit a lot of carbon into the atmosphere — but there may be little that can be done about it, thanks to Smokey Bear.

Group Ponders Carbon Tax Initiative (+Poll)

In an effort to make a major reduction in the state’s contribution to global warming, a group of Colorado activists are considering an initiative to enact a “carbon tax.”

The proposal, tentatively titled the “Colorado Carbon Reduction…