Weekly News Roundup – May 27, 2011

Want to know what National Wildlife Federation was up to this week? Here is a recap of the week’s National Wildlife Federation news:

Obama Takes Two Big Steps Towards Making Nation’s Vehicles Cleaner

May 27, 2011 – On Wednesday, the Obama administration unveiled improved vehicle fuel efficiency labels. The new labels include expanded fuel efficiency information, cost savings, and vehicle pollution data. The Obama administration also showed it’s willing to lead by example, on Tuesday announcing the federal government will purchase 116 plug-in electric vehicles, including 101 Chevrolet Volts, and install charging stations in Detroit, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and Washington, DC.

Federal Scientists Point to Shrimpers in Many Turtle Deaths

May 26, 2011 – Six times the annual average of sea turtles were stranded in the Gulf of Mexico last year and hundreds more have washed up this year. While the Gulf oil disaster was to blame for many of the deaths, just-released government documents obtained by the group Oceana are shedding new light on another cause:

More than a dozen e-mails, obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s fisheries service by the advocacy group Oceana, provide extensive evidence that shrimping vessels operating in the wake of the oil spill routinely failed to properly install “turtle excluder devices,” aimed at keeping imperiled turtle species out of their gear.

Casa Vinicola Zonin Donates Funds for Gulf Coast Restoration

May 26, 2011 – As clean-up continues one year after the Gulf oil spill disaster, Casa Vinicola Zonin USA presented the National Wildlife Federation with a $100,000 donation for Gulf coast restoration during a recent visit to NWF’s headquarters in Reston, VA.

Wildlife, Public Health Advocates Urge Tougher Limits on Toxic Air Pollutants

May 24, 2011 Clean air advocates urged the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency to act quickly to rein in mercury, arsenic, dioxin and toxic air pollution rules at EPA’s hearings in Philadelphia, Chicago and Atlanta this week. The EPA is soliciting public comments on new rules to limit many forms of pollution toxic to people and wildlife. Hunters and anglers from around the country have been turning out to the hearings to testify.

Larry Schweiger’s Last Chance: Preserving Life on Earth Wins Next Generation Indie Book Award

May 24, 2011 – The Next Generation Indie Book Awards has awarded National Wildlife Federation President and CEO Larry Schweiger their grand prize award for his book Last Chance: Preserving Life on Earth. Schweiger’s book also took home the top prize in the category of Science/Nature/Environment. Published in 2009, Last Chance breaks down the science behind global climate change and offers practical solutions and actions to avert the worst consequences of global warming.

Mississippi River Flooding Impacts Wildlife and Ecology

May 23, 2011 – While flooding is a natural process and ultimately beneficial for wildlife, the enclosure of the Mississippi River has led to a unique event. The opening of two spillways in Louisiana to relieve pressure on the levees is funneling high waters into millions of acres of ordinarily-dry wildlife habitat. As a mass exodus of animals flee low-lying areas and search for higher ground, experts say better management of the river could more evenly distribute waters and make habitat flooding less severe.

NWF Co-Hosts Southeast Fair Climate Summit

May 23, 2011 – Social justice advocates, faith leaders, community members, and conservationists gathered in Jacksonville, FL on May 19-20 for the Southeast Fair Climate Summit. Hosted by National Wildlife Federation, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Democracia USA, St. Johns Riverkeeper and US Climate Action Network, the summit brought together community leaders to strengthen our collective understanding about the intersections between climate change, clean air and water, dirty energy, economic growth, and the health and safety of our communities.

And here are a few highlights from NWF in the News:

For more, visit www.nwf.org/News