4/9: Al Gore speaks at Duke on climate crisis

News & Observer: Al Gore speaks at Duke on climate crisis

Speaking at the spring Duke Environment and Society Lecture presented by the Nicholas School of the Environment, the Nobel Prize winner said it takes bigger changes "than just light bulbs" to counteract climate change. He argued for changing laws, from those that influence environmental impact to those that regulate lobbying and campaign contributions.

Gore spent less time presenting evidence for global warming, focusing instead on possible solutions and ways to involve communities. In addition to solar energy, he discussed possibilities for wind power, geothermal power and other renewable energy sources.

The largest source of new energy is efficiency, he said, noting only 10 percent of the gasoline used in vehicles is used to power them.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: House rejects proposal to drop sales tax on groceries

ARKANSAS: Wind turbine plant to be built by Mitsubishi in Arkansas

FLORIDA: Lawmakers approve sweeping school changes

GEORGIA: Gov. Perdue says AG should sue over voting check

KENTUCKY: Impasse over state budget could impact upcoming elections

LOUISIANA: State's two public university systems spent millions on D.C. lobbying

MISSISSIPPI: State nursing home groups file lawsuit over Medicaid cuts

SOUTH CAROLINA: State is 'fine' with accepting out-of-state nuclear waste, temporarily

TENNESSEE: House increases prison time for armed robbery

VIRGINIA: State restructures troubled IT outsourcing contract

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

9/18: Big win for huge coral reefs along Atlantic Coast

PR Newswire: Big win for huge coral reefs along Atlantic Coast

The South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council voted today to protect what could be the Earth's largest deepwater coral ecosystem off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

The 25,000 square mile area is among the most important in the world for marine species and for exploration for biopharmaceuticals.

The protection, a first for fishery councils in the US, will provide balance between protecting the reefs while allowing fishermen continued access to traditional fishing grounds using gear that will minimally damage reefs.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Jobless rate climbs to 10.4% in Alabama

ARKANSAS: State medical examiner lets national accreditation lapse

FLORIDA: AARP and state agree on plan that could help thousands of poor elderly

GEORGIA: Gov. Perdue blocks agencies from working with ACORN

KENTUCKY: 2009 No Child Left Behind scores to be released 9/23

LOUISIANA: State Health Secretary expresses concern about proposed Medicaid changes

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour says it's about policy, not race, on Obama opposition

NORTH CAROLINA: Community colleges agree to admit illegal immigrants

SOUTH CAROLINA: Tougher EPA smog regulations possible for South Carolina

TENNESSEE: State's cities spend millions on lobbying

VIRGINIA: Second debate between Deeds and McConnell turns contentious

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org