At a Glance President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order to "streamline the current process" for federal infrastructure projects.Opponents fear the decision could lead to“rubber stamping” permits without adequate scrutiny.The Obama-era rule was designed to protect roads and buildings from climate change flooding. President Donald Trumprevoked an Obama-era executive orderthat required strict building standards for all federal building projects to reduce the risk from increasedsea level rise flooding. Trumpsigned the executive order Tuesday to end the Obama standards...

At a Glance From building and infrastructure standards to the federal flood insurance program, the Trump administration is working to eliminate or slash programs vital to the safety of Americans living in flood-prone areas. Millions of Americans are facing an ever growing risk of flooding in the years to come as sea levels rise and storms become more frequent andintense, yet the Trump administration and other state and federal governmental entities continueto undermine and even dismantle programs aimed at reducing...

Some Dutch students build a prototype electric car with a fully biodegradable body. ...

At a Glance The Montreal Protocol banned CFCs in 1987, which were linked with the depletion of the ozone layer.A new study found that the protocol has also helped reduce greenhouse gases. Measures initiated some 30 years ago to reduce ahole in the ozone layerhas gone remarkably well, a new study says, with an added timely benefit. Researchin Geophysical Research Letters this month examined the Montreal Protocolsigned in 1987 and found that not only was the effort successful in battlingthe...

EU considers a mandate or electric cars, but Germany’s Merkel cast doubts. ...

At a Glance Some 24 million seedlings have yet to be planted following the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics. The seedlings were to be planted to offset carbon emissions and other environmental impacts of the games. One highlight of the opening ceremony of the 2016Rio was theprocession of athletes marching proudly around Maracanã Stadium. Carried in the hand of each of the 11,000 athletes processing that August evening was a cartridge of soil bearing the seed of a Brazilian tree. Olympic...

At a Glance The federal government reversed an Obama-era ban on plastic water bottles in national parks.The NPS said it made the decision to “expand hydration options for recreationalists, hikers and other visitors to national parks.” A ban on the sale of bottled water meant to curb litter at national parks has been reversed, the National ParkService says. In a statement, the park service said it made the decision to “expand hydration options for recreationalists, hikersand other visitors to national...

In this Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017, file photo people stand outside their home in floodwaters in New Orleans. (Brett Duke/NOLA.com The Times-Picayune via AP) At a Glance The federal insurance program provides roughly $1.25 trillion in coverage to 5 million policy holders.The program was adopted in the 1970safter some homeowners became uninsurable in the private sector.Many of 30,000properties identified have flooded five times every two to three years, on average. Homes destroyed by floods in high-risk areas are frequently rebuilt...

At a Glance The southern Indian city of Bangalore frequently has bouts of toxic foam flooding city streets.The reasons for the foam are a combination of factors, including urban expansion, the release of untreated sewage into lakes and the seasonal monsoon. Residents living in and around Bangalorein southern India frequentlydealwith a nasty and potentially dangerous problem — toxic foam. In June, heavy monsoonal rain and thunderstorms triggered new episodes offrom nearby Lake Varthur, the Bangalore Mirror reported.The foam rose from...

The Trump administration is reversing an Obama-era ban on the sale of bottled water at national parks. ...

The photo above shows the world's largest floating solar farm in Huainan, China. The $45 million dollar plant has a 40 megawatt capacity and can help power 15,000 homes for an entire year. (Sungrow Power Supply Co. ) At a Glance The world's largest floating solar farm has officially begun generating power in China. The plant has a capacity to power 15,000 homes for an entire year.It floats on top of a flooded former coal mine. China has begun generating...

Did you know 2 million plastic bags are used every single minute? A look at 5 facts that will make you want to recycle. ...

At a Glance Residents have reported a sulfur-like odor from the pipeline.Sabal Trail Pipeline and county officials say there is no cause for alarm. A foul-smelling odor coming from a natural gas pipeline that went online just five weeks ago has concerned central Florida residents. According to , a sulfur-like odor has emitted from the in Florida's Marion County and has been since July 16. Officials with the pipeline have attempted toreassure residents that no natural gas is leaking, but...