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Public Radio International on why Sweden is importing trash  Swedes are really good at recycling, and it's created a problem: There's not enough trash for a waste-to-energy program. So the country is now importing trash from Norway for its waste incineration program that treats over 2 million tons of waste and provides electricity for some 250,000 homes.

Mother Nature Network on quick-charging electric cars Electric cars may soon have a shorter charge time of 20-30 minutes with the approval of a new U.S. combo plug for cars, a huge drop from a four hour charge. "With a combo socket standardized on U.S.-spec electric cars going forward, there’s an incentive to make fast charging more widely available."

The Guardian on climate change as the great unmentionable of debates In spite of increased melting of the Arctic summer sea ice and record temperatures, the words "climate change" have not come up in any of the three debates—the first time presidential campaigns have abandoned the word since 1988. Even references to energy only mentioned fossil fuels, not renewable energy. 

Treehugger on IKEA's sustainability strategy Swedish furniture behemoth IKEA is investing nearly $2 billion in renewable energy. "The plan has three main areas supporting the notion, in the words of IKEA's Chief Sustainability Officer, 'that sustainability should not be a luxury good; it should be affordable for everyone'," including a pledge to grow as muh wood as it uses by 2020. 

National Geographic on how high fuel costs means more wood fires High heat bills is leading some to go vintage: People are using wood pellets to heat their homes. "Feeding the flames with 40-pound (18-kilogram) bags of pellets still takes a bit of work, the Feys (a couple using wood) report, but the payoff in savings—and comfort—is well worth the extra effort."

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Serena Dai