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Archive for July 5th, 2011
Africa Drought Endangers Millions
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on July 5th, 2011
ClimateWire: Aid agencies are calling it the worst drought in 60 years. Emergency relief workers are getting increasingly alarmed at the scale of a slow-moving disaster in the Horn of Africa, where months of dry weather is said to be threatening famine and a new humanitarian crisis. Last week U.N. agencies monitoring a severe drought in Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti increased the volume on existing warnings over food shortages in the region, a consequence, they say, of an unprecedented dry spell, instability...
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WHO releases new guidelines on drinking water quality
Posted by Xinhua Net: None Given on July 5th, 2011
Xinhua Net: The World Health Organization (WHO) launched its updated edition of drinking water guidelines here on Monday to push water suppliers to systematically manage the potential risk of contaminants entering water, from the catchment to the consumer.
The WHO said the new guidelines, launched at the Singapore International Water Week, can help governments strengthen their management of drinking water quality by adopting water safety planning.
"Countries have an opportunity to make substantial public...
Arizona wildfires leave bitter aftermath for water, climate
Posted by AZ Central.com: Shaun McKinnon on July 5th, 2011
AZ Central.com: The physical scars burned into Arizona's forests this summer are the most visible proof of wildfires' fury, but the aftermath will spread far beyond the charred landscape.
The loss of so many trees and other vegetation will affect air and water quality for years to come, some Arizona scientists say, reversing the ability of forests to help slow climate change and protect desert water supplies.
Arizona wildfire: Wallow Fire near Alpine
Arizona wildfire: Monument Fire near Sierra Vista
So...
Flooding hinders US Yellowstone river cleanup
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on July 5th, 2011
AFP: ExxonMobil has deployed more than 280 people to clean up an oil spill along the scenic Yellowstone River but their efforts have been hindered by flooding, the oil giant said.
It said cleanup activities involving absorbent pads and vacuum trucks were focused on a 19-mile (30-kilometer) stretch of the river downstream from the pipeline spill with another 222 miles (357 kilometers) under surveillance.
"Daily aerial flights over the river are being undertaken to identify additional oil locations...
Crews mop up oil on Yellowstone River in Montana
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on July 5th, 2011
Associated Press: The initial cleanup along the oil-fouled Yellowstone River could be tested Tuesday as rising waters make it harder for Exxon Mobil Corp. to get to areas damaged by the crude spilled from a company pipeline.
The National Weather Service predicts the Yellowstone River, swelling with mountain snowmelt amid hot summer temperatures, will peak at Billings on Tuesday afternoon -- a day after Exxon Mobil Pipeline Co. President Gary Pruessing promised to do "whatever is necessary" to mop up oil spilled...
Brazil’s Amazon settlers ‘scratching out a living’
Posted by BBC: Robin Lustig on July 5th, 2011
BBC: Brazil's Amazon settlers 'scratching out a living' The rate of deforestation in the Amazon has suddenly increased this year The charred tree stumps in the Amazon rain forest tell their own story.
Even though the trees here are probably the best-protected anywhere on earth - at least in theory - someone is still cutting them down and burning them.
For several years now, the Brazilian government has insisted that the rate of deforestation in the Amazon has declined sharply.
But earlier this...