Former Vice President Al Gore addressed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last Wednesday, telling them that America needs a climate bill this year, especially since there’s supposed to be an international negotiation in Copenhagen in December. Gore already has a bold plan — to reach a goal of 100 percent clean electricity within 10 years. And with President Barack Obama in office, this may be the year to go through with it.

On Gore’s Repower America website, you can find the detailed plan on how he believes America could reach this goal through use of plug-in cars, clean electricity and, of course, renewable energies. The first thing on the list — just like in Obama’s inauguration speech — asks for a little help from everyone. So, start by looking at the site, and then think about following the advice on the site by writing to your elected officials and telling them that you want the economic recovery package to focus on new jobs and clean energy. Like both Gore and Obama have said and continue to say, it’s going to take everyone to make the change that you want in our economy and environment. So, start now!

President Barack Obama signed an executive order Monday morning, asking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reconsider California’s request to create its own limits on automobile carbon dioxide emissions. The state’s goal is to reduce emissions by 30 percent by 2016. To make that goal, automakers would be required to manufacture automobiles that get better mileage. While the state’s requirements would be stricter than any national standard, 13 other states may follow California’s lead.

In his address on the executive order, he said, “I want to be clear from the beginning of this administration that we have made our choice. America will not be held hostage to the dwindling resources, hostile regimes and a warming planet.” Along with the EPA request, Obama asked that automakers enhance their fuel efficiency standards nationwide for 2011. He also is looking for more ways that federal agencies can save energy.

According to Union of Concerned Scientists President Kevin Knobloch, "This is the first of a number of campaign promises President Obama needs to fulfill when it comes to bolstering our economy and protecting the environment. Cleaner cars will strengthen our domestic auto industry. Cutting emissions from the transportation sector is critical to avoiding the worst consequences of global warming. By directing the Department of Transportation to revisit federal fuel economy standards, Obama has an opportunity to make even greater gains in cutting our oil consumption and saving consumers money at the pump.”

You can watch more of what Obama said in the video below.

The cosmetics industry may be getting a whole lot prettier — at least in the eyes of environmentalists. According to an article in Cosmetics Business, officials are wary that the Obama administration might make several changes involving industry regulations and the scope and authority of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which could cost cosmetics companies a lot of money, meeting new registration requirements and perhaps even replacing ingredients that are commonly used in perfumes and cosmetics.

As of now, the cosmetics industry is not included in the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which gives the EPA authority to regulate chemicals. Cosmetics manufacturers are only required to test chemicals for human safety, not environmental protection. However, Congress has already made several proposals that could change that.

For starters, California Representative Henry Waxman’s proposed Kid-Safe Chemical Act would enhance requirements for chemical testing, and has already been endorsed by a number of environmental groups. Another proposal may require cosmetics manufacturers to register all new facilities, products and ingredients with the FDA. Registration fees (which are currently voluntary for cosmetic manufacturers) would be $2,000 for American-based companies and up to $10,000 for foreign ones. It may be expensive, but the cosmetics industry will get the chance to make the world more beautiful — in a way that’s healthier for their customers and the environment.