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This week, Focus Earth begins in Washington, DC, where a new proposal from President-elect Barack Obama seems to have set the stage for future green energy development. Meanwhile, President Bush declared the formation of several marine life sanctuaries in the central Pacific. Elsewhere, however, things were not so optimistic. A price dispute prevented natural gas from reaching much of Europe and a coal ash disaster continued to ravage a Tennessee community and sparked heated debate in congress. From economic stimulus to an energy crisis, environmental disasters to new habitat protections, Focus Earth has the story behind the latest environmental news.
First, David Kerley reports from Washington, DC, where President-elect Barack Obama announced a plan to provided economic stimulus to clean-energy industries. The hope is that this action will begin the switch to the use of clean energy and help the United States recover from its economic troubles.
Then, Focus Earth travels to Europe, where pipelines responsible for delivering 17 countries' natural gas supply, used for heating by much of the population, have been shut off. The reason for the shut-off is a dispute over prices between Russia and the Ukraine. Focus Earth looks at the impact of the dispute.
Meanwhile, President Bush announced nine new marine life sanctuaries in the central Pacific. Combined, these sanctuaries will form the largest area of ocean set aside for marine conservation in the world. Ned Potter reports on the announcement and offers insight into the impact these sanctuaries will have on the health of the world's oceans.
For many in Congress, the debate over protecting the environment, and the lives of U.S. citizens, has become heated following a coal ash disaster in Tennessee that ravaged a community just a few days before Christmas. Since the power plant has failed, there has been an increasingly strong push to hold coal producers more accountable for the disaster.
The question everyone is asking is: could this happen again? Bob Woodruff sits down with Senator Barbara Boxer, Chairman on Environment and Public Works, to discus whether stricter regulations on the coal industry are needed to prevent such an incident from destroying other communities.
Then, Neal Karlinsky takes a look at one green industry that is not benefitting from the economic downturn: recycling. As consumption of materials that could ultimately be recycled has declined, so has the profitability of this business.
Finally, Clarissa Ward visits a temple in western Thailand where monks live in harmony with tigers. This amazing place must be seen to be believed.
Checkout the Planet Green Schedule to see these stories and more on Focus Earth.
Don't miss Focus on Focus Earth: Ocean Protection and Coal Ash Update.
Read more about green politics:
How to Write Your Elected Officials
Green Glossary: Single Issue
How Can Obama Save the Planet? Read The 100 Day Action Plan E-book
Help Influence President-Elect Obama's Urban Policy
Forget Democrat or Republican, Vote Green!
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