A drop in pollution levels in Europe over the last 30 years, resulting in cleaner and clearer skies, is apparently contributing to rising temperatures in the region, as more of the Sun's radiation is now reaching the Earth's surface. Since 1980, average air temperatures in Europe have risen 1°C: much more than expected from greenhouse-gas warming alone. Christian Ruckstuhl of the Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science in Switzerland ... Read full entry

Some of the consequences of rising petrol prices are actually quite positive, including less traffic congestion, reduced pollution, improved health and fitness, and, saving the best for last, possibly even four day work weeks: [US] Companies, colleges and governments are moving to four-day weeks. Brevard Community College in Cocoa, Fla., went to four days for the 2007 summer session and saved $268,000 in energy costs. There were unforeseen ... Read full entry