For the first time this legislative session, the full Vermont Senate will debate renewable energy on Tuesday. In Montpelier, though, some lawmakers' hopes of passing meaningful climate change legislation that might reduce greenhouse gas emissions have already collided with the state's fiscal reality.

Lawmakers reconvene for the second half of the legislative session on Tuesday. And, despite budget woes and federal cuts, some of them are hoping to stay focused on a goal set at the beginning of the session: fighting climate change and promoting energy efficiency at the same time.

Lawmakers reconvene for the second half of the legislative session on Tuesday. And, despite budget woes and federal cuts, some of them are hoping to stay focused on a goal set at the beginning of the session: fighting climate change and promoting energy efficiency at the same time.

Environmentalist and author Bill McKibben addressed members of the legislature at the Statehouse Wednesday, urging them to pass legislation during this biennium that might combat climate change in Vermont - and elsewhere.

Farmers, ski resort executives and others are set to testify to Vermont lawmakers about their concerns over the changing climate.

A persistent drought struck large swaths of the country this summer, and Vermont towns also report concerns about the lack of rain. The state climatologist says aquifer levels continue to drop because there was so little rainfall.

The Transition Movement began in 2006, and is about finding ways to make communities stronger and more resilient, so that they might better weather challenges connected to climate change, peak oil and economic instability.

Climate change is a global issue, but many organizations are working to tackle the problem by engaging people at the local level.

Climate scientists have said that the major weather events in the last year give Vermonters an idea of what the future effects of global warming may bring to the state in the coming decades.

These were some of the voices in the news this week.

Senator Bernie Sanders has been trying to get attention on the problem on poverty. Senator Sanders is speaking out about about rising poverty rates, and also Irene recovery funds. And Lynn Scarlett, an energy policy expert, argues that market-based incentives, rather than government subsidies, are the best approach to climate change.

Gov. Peter Shumlin has announced the formation of the Vermont Climate Cabinet - that's a group of senior administration officials charged with leading the state toward reducing greenhouse emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.

House Speaker Shap Smith says climate change remains a focus of the Legislature as it works on measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The program director for the Center for Climate Strategies says a bottom-up approach can be a successful way for states to individually address climate change.

Both of Vermont's U.S. senators joined a majority of their colleagues in voting against a plan to block the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gas emissions.

A new study from The Nature Conservancy examines specific effects of climate change on the Lake Champlain basin, based on an array of climate models and historical data. We learn more about the research and the findings. Also, a program at UVM helps farms prepare for and manage outbreaks of animal illness, like foot-and-mouth disease.

These were some of the voices in the news this week:.

A new study says Lake Champlain's levels are higher because of increased precipitation. And researchers say the wetter weather may cause more phosphorus pollution to wash off the land and harm the big lake.

Many environmental activists roll their eyes when they talk about what didn't happen at the recent climate summit in Copenhagen.   VPR's Nina Keck just returned from northern Europe, where she attended a forum on the economic impact of climate change.  

Among the thousands of people attending the United Nations Convention on Climate Change, which draws to a close this week, are several Vermonters. One is Marlboro College student Andrew Tanabe.

VPR's Jane Lindholm talks with Professor Teresa Clemmer about what a delegation of students and professors are learning at the climate change talks.

VPR's Jane Lindholm talks with Eye On the Sky meteorologists Mark Breen and Steve Maleski about long term climate trends in New England.

As the UN prepares for the global climate summit in Copenhagen next week, the world's major economic powers are positioning themselves to win in the new climate economy. Marketplace Presents: The Climate Race looks at the economic implications of climate change.

Climate Change Series

Eye On The Sky meteorologists Mark Breen and Steve Maleski discuss long term weather trends in our region and the impact of climate change.