EPA

Consider getting a rain barrel? Not sure of the benefits or how to use it? Rain barrels save water, help storm water run-off and make watering your plants SO much easier. And with the daily monsoons we've been experiencing, there's lots of FREE water falling from the sky to use. But there's more to it, and there's an exhibit where you can find out more right in Philly.

Have you "Done the Math" recently on the carbon counts on our atmosphere? It's passed a milestone - and not a good one at 400 parts per million. This guest post comes from Clean Air Council's Federal Advocacy Coordinator, Russell Zerbo.   30 people came out to LOVE Park and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 3 headquarters on Thursday to listen to speakers and meet with the Public Affairs Director. Why? To demand that EPA finalize standards on carbon pollution to protect public health and curb climate change. Shipley High School students, Clean Air Council and Sierra Club members and other concerned Philadelphians, set up umbrellas and beach chairs on a swatch of grass in LOVE park to draw attention to the damage done to the Jersey Shore from Superstorm Sandy. The damage has been exacerbated by rising global temperatures, sea levels and carbon dioxide emissions. Last year, the U.S. experienced 11 extreme weather events that cost more than $1 billion each in losses and resulted in 349 deaths. The largest global disasters of 2012 were Hurricane Sandy (costing $65 billion) and the year-long Midwest drought ($35 billion). These events accounted for nearly half of the world's economic losses. Find out about what is the Federal Carbon Dioxide Pollution Standard - and the current status - after the jump.

Our guest post comes today from Alexis Bonari who writes about New Low-Emission Shuttle Buses at the Philly International Airport: In an effort to reduce air pollution and improve air quality, the Philadelphia International Airport is replacing its diesel-powered buses with eight new, low-emission shuttle buses. The EPA provided a grant of $475,669 to help finance the project, but US Airways is still spending over $3.5 million to replace the diesel buses. The ribbon cutting ceremony for one of the new buses was August 18, putting the bus on display for tours. The Airport’s CEO stated that sustainability was a major priority and that the new buses were well adapted to that environmental initiative. Diesel emissions are an especially important priority because

With the economy in decline and auto sales down, car prices have dropped - increasing appeal for buyers. SUVs account for approximately one of every four vehicles sold today. Their popularity among Americans is note-worthy. However, the SUV's environmental impact is

As you know, Barack Obama was elected as our 44th president yesterday. This is a dramatic change from the past 8 years, as you're well aware. Many environmental groups regarded George W. Bush as one of the worst presidents for the environment, and there have even been allegations that the EPA lowered fines to companies who weren't being eco-friendly. ( When we're thinking of all the enviro-dangers currently, lowering fines should be the last thing on the government's agenda. )