News From TreeHugger: Thursday, October 22

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A weekly roundup from our friends over at TreeHugger. Enjoy!

$172 Billion Will Be Sucked From Global Economy Every Year if We Let Coral Reefs Die Off

Here’s another potent warning about the huge economic value that intact ecosystems have: New analysis shows that if the world’s coral reefs die because of climate change $172 billion a year will be sucked out of the global economy.

Ukraine’s Ticking ‘Time Bomb’: Old Pesticides

When you think of dangerous stockpiles in the former Soviet Union, you probably think of nuclear and chemical weapons. But a single stash of pesticides in Ukraine poses a major threat to some 7 million people.

Political Myth: Trappers, Hunters & Fishers Are Against Strong Climate Legislation

Think US hunters don’t want strong climate legislation? Think again. Political conservatives may favor fewer regulations, but that does not mean they categorically oppose endangered species protection, open space conservation, or climate action.

Carbon Capture is Essential for Developing World, And Still a Pipe Dream

The IEA has said that 2,000 coal plants with carbon capture & storage are needed in developing nations by 2050. The financial problem? It’ll cost more than $5 trillion to retrofit existing plants, and the some 62,000 miles of support pipelines will have to be built—at a price tage of $275 billion for India and China alone.

Ottawa’s ‘Green Bin’ Muncipal Composting Program is About to Take Off

They’ve been distributing green composting bins in the Canadian capitol for more than a month; and now the city’s composting program is about to begin in earnest. Check out how Ottawa’s program works, and get one going in your city.

Coal Plants Do $62 Billion of Damage to US Environment

A new report from the National Academy of Sciences reveal that US coal-fired power plans do over $62 billion in environmental damage a year due to hidden costs: Decreases to crop and timber yields, damage to buildings and materials, plus the toll coal takes on human health.

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