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Such roofs and reflective pavement in the world's 100 largest cities would have a massive cooling effect, according to data released at California's annual Climate Change Research Conference.

There's been a mixed bag of news about the state of the world's other primates (the population of humans, by all accounts, is increasing) in recent weeks.  Overall, the news is not good. Cambodia shelters "surprisingly large" numbers of two species that are threatened.

America's highest office has long had a relationship to the planet that is anything but straightforward. Given enormous social, economic and political changes in our nation's history, ranking presidents on green criteria is no easy task. This list couldn't possibly reflect all the issues involved, but it is a subjective look at highlights in the evolution of environmental policy and protection.

The use of vegetation and rock to absorb rainwater on roofs is part of a growing effort to reduce greenhouse gases, rainwater runoff and electricity demand in New York.

After picking up the world’s largest wind turbine back in May, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth is now introducing some local green changes to her Scottish residence. First order of business? Having her bodyguards do their patrolling of the grounds on bikes rather than in Range Rovers.

Researchers in Massachusetts are working on a technique to turn heat gathered by asphalt into useable energy via water pipes. Their paper, released this week at the International Symposium on Asphalt Pavements and Environment in Zurich, posits that asphalt roads could be better than solar panels in gathering energy.

Batman has the Joker; real bats have wind turbines. The energy-generating machines kill bats the world over, yet the exact cause has remained as mysterious as the plot of a movie thriller. Now, a new study appears to have solved the riddle.

The Beijing Olympic Games are in full swing and popular swimwear maker Speedo has launched a new range of eco-friendly packaging for its goggles and headwear collection.With all the attention on swimming over the last few months, the timing is great for Speedo introduction of newly designed more eco-friendly packaging.  The company first announced the new packaging last month and it is now just beginning to become available.

A Massachusetts based company, Metabolix, just figured out how to grow plastic inside a plant. By mixing the genes of a few different species Metabolix was able to coax switch grass into growing it's proprietary bioplastic in significant amounts right it's leaves! The new plastic can be used in manufacturing everything from credit cards to packaging materials.

Despite some people’s distaste for three wheeled cars, they’re quite the popular model for concept cars right now. This is definitely one of the most unique eco-friendly concept vehicles we've seen to date. Though it may look a little like some kid's futuristic car, the MAG magnetic vehicle concept by Slovakian designer Matúš Procháczka goes in some interesting directions for possible future green power.

The next time you make some microwave popcorn or cook a frozen pizza, consider this: The packaging of many of these products contains a chemical that the Environmental Protection Agency considers potentially carcinogenic and wants businesses to voluntarily stop using by 2015.Studies show that this chemical -- perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA -- is present in 98% of Americans' blood and 100% of newborns. It doesn't break down and thus accumulates in the system over time.

Thinking about buying some handy 'germ fighting' dish soap or bathroom cleanser? Think again. In all likelihood, those cleaners contain triclosan, a toxic pesticide that's marketed as an "antibacterial agent" but is powerful enough to threaten children's health and pollute mothers' breast milk.

The British model turned actress had opened her own organic farm in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. And while at first we thought she was harvesting organic vegggies, turns out she was actually introducing an organic meat and lamb product.

 I wouldn’t really call Jennifer Lopez the Queen of Green. I might actually go as far as to call her the anti-green. Lopez is famous for wearing tons of fur, flying private jets and now it’s been reported that she refuses to let her infant twins “ repeat outfits twice.” 

Never ones to miss a hot investment opportunity, the banks are jumping all over green and sustainable technology right now.

The latest is Bank of America, which has just announced an undisclosed investment in a tech company called Field Diagnostic Services Inc (FDSI). The bank plans to use the energy management tech across its banking centres in the US to cut energy costs and carbon footprint by 50 per cent more than what it calls “traditional service methods” – not cut its total energy costs and carbon footprint by 50 per cent, as some publications have mistakenly reported.

Apparently Johnny Depp bought an island for around $3,000,000 a while back. And, since there aren't exactly power lines running to the tiny island, he had to figure out how to power his (ridiculously posh) home. For the green-minded Depp, diesel generators just weren't an option. So he turned to Mike Strizki to help him build a system that would produce enough power to quench his celebrity-born thirst for decadence while not throwing off massive amounts of greenhouse gas. The result is a solar system that stores excess energy as hydrogen for use at night, or during cloudy times of day.

Researchers at the University of Toyama say they have created the world’s first stable artificial DNA molecules, made from mainly artificial bits to resemble their natural counterparts. Scientists from all over the world have been trying to do this for the promise of using artificial DNA to create biotechnology materials, including powerful DNA computers. Now there’s new hope that DNA could play a major role in making computers run with little or no external power.

As Senator John McCain urges for more oil drilling, some in Washington still oppose lifting the ban that's been in place for 27 years.  

People all over the country stand on different sides of the argument.

But just how much oil exists offshore, anyway?

Everybody may be talking about recycling these days, but not everybody is doing it. Most communities still don't have access to curbside recycling programs, so consumers who want to recycle must schlep their cans, bottles, paper and plastic to a sorting center, an inconvenience. Curbside recycling is easier, but still, there's no guarantee someone is taking complete advantage of the opportunity to separate their recyclables from the rest of their trash. Enter RecycleBank, an innovative program that boosts community recycling rates by rewarding people for recycling as much as they can.

If the price of gas has you looking at alternative methods, why not consider the greenest machine around? With the right bicycle and some planning, you can start commuting to work and save money! Here are some tips from the IBF on how to get the most out of your ride to work.

As China's economic lifeline, the iron and steel industry used to be a black smoke maker and blue-sky killer in the eyes of many people. The Long March of environmental protection and energy efficiency for China's steel and iron enterprises is still challenging, though many in the iron and steel industry have launched a green revolution in order to improve their old image. Wuhan Iron and Steel (Group) Corp (WISCO) is one such environmental protection warrior.

Everybody’s screaming about the miseries of high gas prices… But, are there any “silver linings” in which we can find solace? In fact, there are five — to bring hope to the bleak fact of high oil prices. These 5 facts will bring some peace and relief when you need to fill your tank with $4.00 per gallon gas.

Scientists are testing out plastic backpacks the capture a cow’s gassy expulsions, to see if this can combat global warming. By capturing the methane expelled by cows, Argentine scientists hope that they’ll be better able to understand the impact the gas has on global warming.

A new green project called Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning (HSWAC) proposes to cool down buildings with seawater, rather than fossil fuel-based air conditioning units.

The old folk wisdom that says place a brick in your toilet's water tank is partially correct: It's an effortless way to save water, but a brick isn't the best choice of object. Use a plastic bottle filled with water instead.

A new way of helping to save the environmnet and accomplish rwo everyday tasks at one time... Who doesn’t love the idea of washing your clothes and then using the soapy, dirty water to flush your toilets?

Protect your skin from sun damage with a safe, effective natural sunscreen, and avoid the potentially harmful chemicals found in many conventional brands.

The White House is trying to block the U.S. EPA from releasing a document that shows how the Clean Air Act could be used to regulate greenhouse gases.

While Europeans are experimenting with milk in pouch style packaging, Walmart's discount club store Sam's Club is switching its gallon milk packaging to a square case-less jug. 

While most companies and a number of municipalities are phasing out the use of #6 polystyrene (commonly referred to and known as styrofoam) in fast food packaging one of the largest fast food companies in the US, McDonalds, is using it for its popular Sweet Tea drink.