Can aircraft trails affect climate? When all commercial air traffic in the United States was grounded after the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, scientists got an unexpected opportunity to test ideas about the climate effects of the condensation trails left behind by jets [News Source]

Tracking greenhouse gases from space. In a world first, Japan will attempt to monitor the Earth's "breathing" from space, via satellite, as part of efforts to better understand the greenhouse effect. [News Source]

Climate deal possible under Obama presidency, says Lord Stern. An international deal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions could be struck under the presidency of Barack Obama, Lord Stern has said. [News Source]

Stern hope over US climate deal. Economist Lord Stern has said he is optimistic a global deal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions will be struck under Barack Obama's US presidency. [News Source]

Attorney General Jerry Brown sues feds to save Endangered Species Act. California Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown filed suit against the federal government Tuesday, charging that a recent rule change by the Bush administration illegally gutted provisions of the Endangered Species Act. [News Source]

One in three Scots makes green resolution. Scots are planning to lead greener lives in 2009, a new survey suggests. More than 1,000 people in Scotland were asked whether they planned to make resolutions this Hogmanay to help the environment. [News Source]

‘Toxic’ Liverpool Bay could add £1,000 to water bills. The health of water in Liverpool Bay is at the centre of a court case which could see customers facing £1,000 increases in their water bills. [News Source]

Bush Interior Department is giving itself a pat on the back. As President Bush's tenure comes to a close, independent experts and administration insiders are delivering their assessments of his government's performance over the past eight years. [News Source]

Recycled homes find new foundation in Woodstown. The goal of Holistic Homes is to provide environmentally efficient homes at an affordable price for the residents of Salem County. [News Source]

Energy council abolished. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius pulled the plug Wednesday on the Kansas Energy Council after a majority of its members advocated elimination or overhaul of the think tank because special-interest parochialism undermined its influence. [News Source]

Report: Overall Utah environment improving. Despite the smog today, a new report from the Department of Environmental Quality shows improvement in the state's environment for 2008. [News Source]