Daily Roundup: March 19, 2009

Aye Robot: Carp-shaped robotic fish will soon help scientists detect water pollution. The first batch of robots will be released into the sea near northern Spain. Clean Technica

What's Spewing: The EPA's annual report on pollution from industrial plants, mines, and factories showed an overall 5 percent decrease in toxic chemical pollution in 2007. The amounts of mercury, lead, and polychorinated biphenyls rose 1 percent, however. Associated Press

Canary in the Coal Mine: Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar calls a report on bird populations (nearly a third of U.S. species are endangered, threatened, or in significant decline) "a call to action." Science News

Population Spike: In 2007, more babies were born in the United States than in any previous year, including 1957, the high point of the baby boom, reports the National Center for Health Statistics. New York Times

After Oil: A global shift to clean energy could mean big loses for Gulf economies, a Saudi official said at an OPEC energy conference. Luckily, Saudi Arabia has begun to invest in solar power. Reuters

--Della Watson