The NASA Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE), flying aboard multiple satellites, is providing new insights into the climate system. Monthly averaged clear-sky and cloudy sky flux data derived from the ERBE are used to assess the impact of clouds on the Earth's radiation balance. This impact is examined in terms of three quantities: longwave,
shortwave, and net cloud forcing. Overall, clouds appear to cool the Earth-atmosphere system.

In October 2010, nine ministries and commissions of China jointly issued Guidance on the Strengthening of Dioxin Pollution Prevention [Ministry of Environmental Protection of People’s Republic of China (MEP) 2010], which requires key dioxin-emitting industries to carry out comprehensive actions to reduce dioxin emissions.

Some legitimate questions have been raised over the green credentials of wind turbines. Politics must not block research where it is needed. (Editorial)