In The News / Nov 20

• Effects of judge's Katrina ruling could be huge.

  The finding that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is liable for much of the flooding during Hurricane Katrina could have a far-reaching effect on flood-control policies and on the government's long-standing refusal to take responsibility for its errors. Los Angeles Times, California

• Environmentalists take legal actions to block dredging of Delaware River.

  Five environmental organizations Thursday filed legal challenges in opposition to the Army Corps of Engineers plan to dredge the Delaware River, which they claimed violates seven federal laws, as well as Delaware law. Newsroom Jersey, New Jersey

• Eco-alchemy in Alberta.

  There's a roaring debate in Canada about whether tailings ponds, and oil mines in general, are ecologically salvageable—specifically, whether they can ever support the same flora and fauna as undisturbed land. Science

• U.S. group sees worsening coastal flooding threat.

  Fast-melting ice from Greenland and Antarctica will lead to a much sharper rise in sea levels than previously estimated, touching off flooding that will radically alter U.S. East Coast cities from Miami to Baltimore, according to a new study. Reuters

• As smart grid expands, so does vulnerability to cyber attacks.

  The accelerating deployment of tens of millions of advanced electric meters and other smart grid devices may help fight climate change. But it also could make the nation's power network potentially more vulnerable, the head of the nation's electric grid operations monitor says. ClimateWire

• Harvard finds kidney stones, malaria among global-warming risks.

  Kidney stones, malaria, Lyme disease, depression and respiratory illness all may increase with global warming, researchers at Harvard Medical School said. Bloomberg News

• Radioactive waste contaminating Canadian water supply: Report.

  Nuclear facilities and power plants are contaminating local Canadian food and water with radioactive waste that increases risks of cancer and birth defects, says a new report to be released on Friday. Canwest News Service

• Mexico City's transit improvements on track.

  Cash-strapped Mexico City is pressing ahead with new bus lines and bike lanes in 2010, buoyed by prestigious recognition for a world-class transit system that has reduced pollution in one of the globe's largest cities with more than 20 million residents and 6 million cars. Associated Press

• Four ways to feed the world.

  Global population is set to grow to 9.1 billion by 2050, while global warming will have a serious impact on farming. So, what can be done? New Scientist

• Government reintroduces DDT to eradicate Malaria.

  Malaria remains a huge health challenge in Botswana and has compelled the government to reintroduce the use of DDT. Gaborone Mmegi, Botswana

• Workers, students exposed to potential toxins at Paramus school.

  Nearly 100 people affiliated with the West Brook Middle School are suing the school board and the borough, accusing them of knowingly exposing the plaintiffs to potentially toxic chemicals in 2007, according to documents filed in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack. Bergen County Record, New Jersey

• Owners sue Quadrant Homes over 'sick' houses.

  Homeowners contend that mold growing in houses built by Quadrant Corp -- flowering, they claim, because rushed construction schedules didn't leave time to dry wet building materials -- is circulated through poorly designed and badly built heating systems, poisoning occupants. Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Washington

• Asian carp may have breached barrier.

  The decade-old battle to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes might be over. New research shows the fish likely have made it past the $9 million electric fish barrier on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin

• EPA intervention in Florida cleanup unwelcome, says DEP.

  A panel of experts spoke out Monday in opposition to a federal judge's decision allowing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to set surface water pollution standards for Florida -- the first time any state's standards have been overridden in this manner. Suwannee Democrat, Florida