Reefs in danger. Coral reef ecosystems in the US have declined in recent years and about half are considered to be in “poor” or “fair” condition due to threats ranging from global warming to overfishing, according to a new government report. Since the previous federal reef report in 2005, the Caribbean has lost at least 50 percent of its corals. — MSNBC

Greening the Olympic bags. Australian company Biograde has signed a deal  that will turn China’s plastic bags green just in time for the Olympics next month. Melbourne-based manufacturer Biograde will supply 5.5 million biodegradable bags – made from starch-based plastics – to the Beijing Olympic Organising Committee (BOCOG). — Business Spectator

Cartoonists against climate change.  A picture may paint a thousand words, but a cartoon provokes, protests and entertains – all at once. It is this that makes cartoonists so valuable and influential in times of crisis. Today, that crisis is climate change, and clever imagery can give new impetus to our struggle to combat global warming. The organisers of Earthworks 2008, a global cartoon competition, believe that art and humour are simple ways to get the environmental message across. — The Independent

Australia’s solar powered resort. Ecogeek says that Australia boasts the world’s first carbon neutral solar powered resort – Hidden Valley Cabins (northwest of Townsville). It’s been around since 1982 but the resort has upgraded itself drastically since opening. Ian and Bonnie McLennan bought the resort in 1986 and have proven their ecogeek mettle by improving it ever since and turning it into what is now Australia’s first stand-alone 100% solar-powered resort. — Ecogeek