WASHINGTON _ With just over two weeks to go before global climate negotiations in Denmark, the United States has yet to decide whether it can meet international expectations and offer to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a certain amount in the next decade.

The success or failure of the talks in Copenhagen could hinge on whether the United States offers a concrete plan. Failure would mean a loss of momentum toward a treaty to reduce carbon emissions that includes all countries, which already has been delayed to next year. Moreover, other countries are unlikely to move forward to cut emissions if the United States doesn't pledge to make mandatory reductions.

Todd Stern, the U.S. negotiator, said that the U.S. hasn't decided whether it will say how much it intends to reduce emissions. » read more

SACRAMENTO _ For years, California has courted a reputation as an eco-friendly, green-minded leader, but the state now finds its most basic program for recycling beverage bottles and cans mired in debt and litigation.

Dozens of supermarket recycling sites have shut down recently as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and state legislators spar over how to close a massive gap in the program's budget.

California's 23-year-old recycling program, managed by the Department of Conservation through fees charged to beverage buyers, has been hurt this year by recession, rising redemption rates and raids of its coffers to help ease the state's budget woes. » read more

CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ One coyote lounged on a Myers Park front porch. Another was spotted walking near rush-hour traffic in broad daylight.

Urban coyotes don't seem particularly afraid of people. But some Charlotte residents fear for their small children and pets.

They're also discovering that county animal control doesn't respond to coyote calls, referring residents to state officials and private contractors who trap wildlife for a fee. » read more