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Archive for February, 2011
A warm welcome in a cold climate
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on February 16th, 2011
Telegraph: At a time of year when there's often little else to be cheerful about, I'm sure we're all grateful for plants that flower in winter. But many of you may find yourselves wondering why plants bother to do so at all (it is obviously not just for our enjoyment).
There are two serious problems with winter: pollinators are scarce, and low temperatures make it difficult for the pollen to germinate or the seeds to sprout. Over the years, botanists have discovered that plants have worked out at least two...
Water flea vital to our survival
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on February 16th, 2011
San Francisco Chronicle: The water flea, Daphnia culex, is not a flea but a crustacean about the size of the = on a keyboard. Its genes can respond to many environmental challenges.
Ways to keep inmates from using cell phones 02.16.11 Cuts aren't enough to balance California budget 02.16.11 Letters to the editor, Feb. 16 02.16.11 Family farmers need livestock market reforms 02.16.11
The genes of ants held center stage in the world of science a week ago, and now it's the genes of water fleas, those tiny shrimp-like...
United States: Coastal flooding expected when king tides and rain storms collide this week
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on February 16th, 2011
LA Times: The highest tides of the season will arrive in California this week in tandem with forecast rain, a powerful combination that could lead to coastal flooding.
The so-called king tides occur twice a year when the gravitational forces of the sun, Earth and a full moon align. The ocean is expected to surge starting Wednesday and peak at its highest level Thursday morning.
If the waves meet ocean-bound runoff from the expected rains, there could be flooding.
Coastal communities, especially low-lying...
Posted in Water Conservation 
Comments Off on United States: Coastal flooding expected when king tides and rain storms collide this weekUnited States: In regard to climate change, we’re getting warmer
Posted by Sheboygan Press: Mike Nichols on February 16th, 2011
Sheboygan Press: The Wisconsin scientists who just put together the big report on "Wisconsin's Changing Climate" don't like to talk about "predictions."
They like to talk about "projections."
The word "prediction," I guess, has some negative connotations associated with soothsayers, palm readers, Steelers' fans and Romanian witches -- who, it was reported the other day, are now being threatened with fines and imprisonment if their tarot cards fail and their predictions don't come true. The witches, in response,...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on United States: In regard to climate change, we’re getting warmerNight attack on forest tree-sitter at Narooma
Posted by Narooma News Online: None Given on February 16th, 2011
Narooma News Online: CONSERVATIONISTS on Monday prevented logging operations from continuing in the foothills of Gulaga Mountain by suspending an elevated platform in a tree supported by cables attached to logging machinery.
In a sinister twist, the platform with the protestor still up the tree was cut down by unknown individuals late on Monday night.
The protest started on Monday morning when a female protestor sat on the platform over 10m off the ground and a banner stating “Carbon Criminals” was suspended off...
UK’s shifting population placing environment under intense strain
Posted by Guardian: Ian Sample on February 16th, 2011
Guardian: The UK's growing population, a rising number of older people and an increase in households with fewer people in them is putting the environment under intense strain, a report warned on Wednesday.
Shifts in the demographics of Britain have created "crunch points" in the south-east and other urban centres, with water supplies, air quality and waste management all suffering from the impact of greater demand and consumption.
The cost of fixing Britain's environmental problems will soar without...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on UK’s shifting population placing environment under intense strainChevron penalty is $9.5 bln for cleanup in Ecuador
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on February 15th, 2011
Agence France-Presse: US oil giant Chevron's court-ordered indemnification of Ecuadoran communities for environmental pollution increases 10 percent to $9.5 billion under a provision in Ecuadoran law, a lawyer for the plaintiffs said Tuesday.
The $8.6 billion penalty announced Monday did not include an additional 10 percent allowed under the law for environmental management costs, according to Pablo Fajardo, attorney for the Amazon communities that sued Texaco in 1993.
It is believed to be the largest fine imposed...
Cambodia approves titanium mine in world’s ‘most threatened forest’
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on February 15th, 2011
Mongabay: Cambodia approves titanium mine in world's 'most threatened forest'
Asian elephants in Cambodia. Photo courtesy of Wildlife Alliance.
The Cambodian government has approved a mine that environmentalists and locals fear will harm wildlife, pollute rivers, and put an end to a burgeoning ecotourism in one of the last pristine areas of what Conservation International (CI) recently dubbed 'the world's most threatened forest'. Prime Minister, Hun Sen, approved the mine concession to the United Khmer...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Cambodia approves titanium mine in world’s ‘most threatened forest’Climate change hits Alaska’s national parks in a big way
Posted by Anchorage Daily News: None Given on February 15th, 2011
Anchorage Daily News: These and some better-known impacts -- proliferation of invasive plants and fish, greater frequency and intensity of wildfires, and declines in wildlife populations that depend on sea ice and glaciers -- are outlined in a recent National Park Service report. ...
In some far northern parks such as Gates of the Arctic, average temperatures are expected to shift in coming years from below freezing to above freezing, crossing a crucial threshold, said Bob Winfree, Alaska science adviser for the Park...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Climate change hits Alaska’s national parks in a big wayUS Coal Companies Reap Windfall From Australian Climate Catastrophe
Posted by CleanTechnica: None Given on February 15th, 2011
CleanTechnica: How ironic! The effects of climate change might turn out to create a windfall for some of the very same fossil energy companies that are essentially also causing climate change. US coal companies have seen record profits, higher exports and soaring prices as Australian coal companies have had their production curtailed by the floods that inundated an area the size of Texas, which included some key coal mining regions. (Australia`s Catastrophic Floods Shut Down Coal Exports)
“Are we pushing the...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on US Coal Companies Reap Windfall From Australian Climate Catastrophe