Satellites could save reef from run-off: WWF. Environmentalists say satellites could be used to enforce the Queensland Government’s measures to protect the Great Barrier Reef from agricultural run-off. — ABC News

Pioneering hospitals ban pesticides. In what is being billed as a first-in-the-nation initiative, 13 hospitals in Maryland, including Johns Hopkins, will stop using chemical pesticides in order to eliminate any risk of toxic exposure to their staffs and patients, according to the Baltimore Sun. — The Daily Green

On McCain, Obama, energy and the environment. I’ve spent the past few weeks researching John McCain and Barack Obama on the issues of energy and the environment. I’ve looked at their published platforms, reviewed their speeches and debate appearances, and scanned the opinions of a gaggle of pundits. — The Green Skeptic

Italy repeats opposition to EU climate plan. The Italian government on Tuesday said it would stick to its opposition to an EU climate plan to cut carbon dioxide emissions by a fifth by 2020, saying it would be too harmful for industry. — Reuters

China says wealthy nations should spend 1% of GDP to fight warming. Saying that the US, Europe, and other industrialised nations have spent “virtually nothing” to slow global warming, a top Chinese official called on those countries to commit 1 percent of their Gross Domestic Product to transfer green technologies to developing nations and help wean their economies from carbon-based fuels. — Yale environment 360