In India, a clear victor on the climate action front. In the internal struggle over the nation’s climate policy, India’s charismatic Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has triumphed and is pushing his country toward low-carbon policies both at home and internationally. [News Source]

Inhofe accused of turning climate row into ‘McCarthyite witch-hunt.’ The US Congress's most ardent global warming sceptic is being accused of turning the row over climate science into a McCarthyite witch-hunt by calling for a criminal investigation of scientists. [News Source]

Nuclear projects face financial obstacles. Hopes for a nuclear revival, fanned by fears of global warming and a changing political climate in Washington, are running into new obstacles over a key element - money. [News Source]

Earthquake prone Japan sees green in new nuclear power plants. The Japanese government is touting nuclear power plants as an easy way to cut carbon emissions. But safety is a public concern on the earthquake prone island, where a 6.9 magnitude quake hit on Saturday. [News Source]

Climate change may extend allergy season. Sneezing, congestion, and runny noses from hay fever may be lasting longer because climate change may be extending pollen seasons, doctors in Italy said on Monday. [News Source]

Palm oil: environmental curse or a blessing? In Indonesia, the world's largest palm oil producer, the plant provides work for three million people, and the government is keen to promote the benefits of the crop despite the major environmental impact of the crop. [News Source]

Alberta works quietly to improve image of oil sands. South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) talked about tires on a recent Saturday. An Indiana congressman heard about engines days later. And in Wisconsin, the discussion centers on monster shovels that trundle through pit mines on tank treads. [News Source]

US climate change bill options for senators. A new U.S. climate change bill could make its debut in the Senate soon in what likely would be the last big effort by Democrats to enact major environmental reforms this year. [News Source]

A warning on Europe’s forests. Europe’s forests have been expanding for the last 60 years. But the rate at which forests are growing in Europe is slowing, and forested areas face even more acute challenges in the future because of climate change, Janez Potocnik, the E.U. commissioner for the environment, warned today. [News Source]

Electric cars moving from prototype to showroom. One of the big themes of this year's Geneva motor show is that electric-powered vehicles are moving inexorably from prototypes to actual production - whether the auto-buying public is ready or not. [News Source]

Climate talks seek to prepare ground for Mexico meeting. Climate negotiators from about 30 countries and international organizations began exploring ways Monday to advance talks on a new framework to combat climate change beyond 2012. [News Source]