Getting the clean-up plans in place, says an official from the World Bank, which is co-funding the project, has been like pulling teeth.

ECONOMIST: The threat grows from rising water and sinking buildings

"There is an urgent need to assess the environmental legacy of the recent conflict and put in place a comprehensive clean-up of polluted and health-hazardous sites, " said Achim Steiner, UNEP's Executive Director.

CNN: Lebanon counts the cost of conflict

As the clean-up and recovery consumes what stock is in place for earth movers, road graders and other heavy equipment for construction and infrastructure is put to work, the long lead-time required to build and deliver these machines may be a boon for companies like Caterpillar and its partners.

FORBES: Supply Chain Lessons From Japan

Although flood warnings remain in place, communities are starting the clean-up operation.

BBC: Somerset floods: Fund set up for victims

With both flawed men out of the running, the Oval Office remains, in our imagination at least, a clean, well-lighted place.

CNN: All The Presidents' Movies

If there is a cheap and clean energy source out there, odds are someone--looking in the right place--will find it.

FORBES: America's Best Places For Alternative Energy

"I looked at 20 apartments in a two-week period and finally found a place that is clean and spacious, " said Paredes.

BBC: Living in: Paris

For example, should companies be forced to pay for the clean-up of contaminated land, even though they polluted the land long before the relevant environmental regulations were in place?

ECONOMIST: The defence of nature 2