But a few days later, I whizzed through the pollution check for my ancient car at the Seattle testing station in just 13 minutes.

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Nature groups like the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and government-funded research organizations such as Connecticut Sea Grant and the Long Island Sound Study sponsored Mr. Yarish's seaweed project to show how seaweed can keep nutrient pollution in check.

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Boosting energy-efficiency and the use of renewables not only helps secure energy supplies and cuts local pollution, but also helps keep carbon emissions in check too.

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Many pitches involve ways to spread the word about ocean pollution, mostly through social media: iPhone Apps, data sharing, and location based check-in schemes.

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