The U.S. Senate's 48-35 vote on June 6 to move forward with debate on the merits of the Boxer-Lieberman-Warner climate security act fell 12 votes shy of the 60 needed to proceed - but signaled growing support for climate change legislation in the coming year. "From this vote emerged a clear leadership coalition - a Senate majority and both possible Presidents - that is interested in a solution to climate change," says Nicholas Institute Director Tim Profeta. "This debate provides the road map forward. Now, all of us need to roll up our sleeves and get it done in the next Congress." Profeta said the Institute will continue to work closely with Congressional leaders from both sides of the political aisle to help draft climate change legislation that will achieve critical environmental goals while minimizing adverse economic effects on consumers or industry. To read more about the Institute's efforts, go here and here.  

Two books by Nicholas Institute staff members are currently making waves in policy, science and literary circles nationwide. "The Carbon Age," by senior associate Eric Roston, is earning universal praise for its thought-provoking exploration of the pivotal role carbon has played throughout history, both as a building block of life and, now, as one of the greatest threats to it. The Boston Globe calls Roston's work one of the "most anticipated" books of the year, and Kirkus Reviews praises it as "lucid and occasionally disturbing." Also earning accolades is "Natural Security: A Darwinian Approach to a Dangerous World," co-edited by Rafe Sagarin, associate director for ocean and coastal policy. Sagarin and his co-authors apply lessons learned from nature to mankind's own toughest security problems, such as global terrorism and the spread of infectious diseases. The journal Nature calls the book "a stimulating read" and "an exciting merger between political science and evolutionary theory." To learn more about "The Carbon Age," go to ericroston.com. To learn more about "Natural Security," go here. 

The Nicholas Institute is partnering with Google Inc., Duke Energy and Cavanaugh & Associates to develop a model process for capturing methane emissions from hog farms and converting them into clean energy. "Instead of letting these gases rise into the atmosphere where they hurt our environment, we're working to identify an economically sound method for capturing hog waste biogas and using it as a future source of green power," says Bill Holman, the Institute's director of state policy. Earlier this year, the partners created a model to evaluate methane inputs and outputs on farms of various sizes and types. They're now working with farmers and state agencies to assess the feasibility of various biogas-to-electricity technologies in the field. You can read more about the initiative here.