The U.S. Government will publish on Tuesday (9 February 2010) in the Federal Register a decision to deny protection to the Pika under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

"Buffering against the impacts of climate change will require new strategies to both mitigate the extent of change and adapt to changes that are inevitable," says the Ecological Society of America. "The sooner such strategies are deployed, the more effective they will be in reducing irreversible damage. "

“Will the American pika become the first species in the lower 48 states to be listed under the Endangered Species Act owing to climate change?”

Researchers report in the February 2010 issue of  BioScience that wetlands will dry faster each year under the warmer and drier climate projected for the prairie potholes region of North America. Glenn Guntenspergen, a U.S. Geological Survey researcher and co-author of the article, said it is "difficult to imagine how to maintain today’s level of waterfowl populations in altered climate conditions."

The Pentagon today (1 Feb 2010) released its Quadrennial Defense Review for 2010, stating that crafting a strategic approach to climate and energy is a priority. 

The Obama Administration proposed today (1 Feb 2010) a 21% increase in the budget for climate change research.  "Coastal areas, floodplains, and water systems will all be affected by the changing climate, and it is vital that we understand the potential effects of climate change so businesses, farmers, ranchers, and the entire Nation can prepare for them now," said the budget document.

According to a report by the National Wildlife Federation, winters in the northern U.S. are becoming milder and shorter -- as they are punctuated by heavy snowstorms. "Large economic uncertainty and potential losses are in store for many communities," the report says, "especially in regions where winter recreation provides significant tourism revenue."

Friday (29 January 2009), President Obama announced the federal government would reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 28% below 2008 levels by 2020. " Our goal is to lower costs, reduce pollution, and shift Federal energy expenses away from oil and towards local, clean energy, said the President.

Sunday’s deadline (31 January 2010) for countries to submit targets and details of emission reduction programs under the Copenhagen Accord, is the opportunity for nations that pushed the climate accord to show they are serious about it, WWF said yesterday.

On 21 January 2010, Arkansas Senator Blanche Lincoln announced her support for Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski’s resolution to “veto” a finding under the Clean Air Act that the uncontrolled release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere endangers the welfare of farmers and the public at large.  The announcement came just a week after Senator Lincoln called for disaster assistance for the state's weather-battered farmers after the wettest Fall and second wettest year in Arkansas history.