There’s so much going on today in environmental news it was hard to pick which stories to highlight. Well here you go…

Democrats Reluctantly Embrace Offshore Drilling
“For decades, opposition to new offshore oil drilling has been a core principle of Congressional Democrats, ranking in the party pantheon somewhere just below protecting Social Security and increasing the minimum wage.”~ NY Times

‘Mythical’ animal finally poses for camera
“Rare images of an African animal so elusive that it was once believed to be mythical have been released. The okapi is a shy animal related to the giraffe, with zebra-like stripes on its rear. It is native to the tropical rainforests of Africa but is now known to live only in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.” ~ CNN

Wind, solar tax credits back on the table
“Sens. Max Baucus and Chuck Grassley on Thursday unveiled bipartisan measures to reduce tax breaks for large oil and gas companies and extend credits for wind and solar power, amid a flurry of attention around offshore drilling and energy.” ~ Market Watch

Organic growth
“Increasingly health-conscious consumers are purchasing natural personal-care products, and investors are eager to buy into the trend. Despite a softer U.S. economy, the Natural Products Association estimates the industry is growing five times faster than the conventional personal-care-product sector.” ~ Seattle Times

North American Freshwater Fishes Fading Into Extinction
“Fishes that once were abundant in North American streams, rivers and lakes are now disappearing, with nearly 40 percent of all species in jeopardy, according to the most detailed assessment of the conservation status of freshwater fishes in the last 20 years.” ~ ENS