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Archive for January 11th, 2012
Exclusive: Republicans move to control Keystone approval
Posted by Roberta Rampton and Richard Cowan: None Given on January 11th, 2012
Roberta Rampton and Richard Cowan: Congressional Republicans, who are urging President Barack Obama to back the Canada-to-Texas Keystone XL oil pipeline, are now working on plans to take the reins of approval from the hands of the president should the White House say no.
North Dakota Senator John Hoeven, whose state is counting on the pipeline to help move its newfound bounty of shale oil, is drafting legislation that would see Congress give the green light to the project by using its constitutional powers to regulate commerce...
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World’s smallest frog discovered
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on January 11th, 2012
BBC: A frog species that appears to be the world's smallest has been discovered in Papua New Guinea by a US-based team.
At 7mm (0.27 inches) long, Paedophryne amauensis may be the world's smallest vertebrate - the group that includes mammals, fish, birds and amphibians.
The researchers also found a slightly larger relative, Paedophryne swiftorum.
Presenting the new species in PLoS One journal, they suggest the frogs' tiny scale is linked to their habitat, in leaf litter on the forest floor. ...
Remote parts of flood-struck Mindanao lose out on aid -UN
Posted by AlertNet: Thin Lei Win on January 11th, 2012
AlertNet: Almost a month after a fatal storm hit the north of Mindanao island in the Philippines, relief efforts are largely ignoring hundreds of thousands of affected people in remote areas and outside evacuation centres, the United Nations' refugee agency told AlertNet.
In mid-December Tropical Storm Washi, said to be one of the country's worst natural disasters in two decades, killed more than 1,200 people on the conflict-ravaged island in the southern Philippines. It also destroyed more than 10,000...
Rio looks to the future
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on January 11th, 2012
BBC: What might the Rio+20 summit deliver?
We have a little more idea now, following publication of the "zero draft" outcome document for the June summit.
It's been compiled by the chairs of the preparatory process, following a huge amount of dialogue and input from governments and other interested parties.
But with much more dialogue due, a lot can change between now and then.
This Rio summit, like the last one 20 years ago, isn't part of the UN negotiations on climate change or biodiversity...
Drought-stricken Tanzania reels under extreme rainfall
Posted by AlertNet: Felix Mwakyembe on January 11th, 2012
AlertNet: Pius Yanda, one of the authors of a recent report on extreme weather by the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC), has a knowledge of his subject that goes beyond the academic.
Yanda, a professor at the University of Dar es Salaam, was forced from his home last month by flooding in the nation's largest city following the heaviest recorded rains in Tanzania's modern history. He and five family members sought temporary refuge at a hotel in the city.
The Tanzania Meteorological Agency...
TOP 5 REASONS to Help Ecological Internet Raise Its Last $3,700
Posted by Water Conservation Blog on January 11th, 2012
... and finish our end-of-year fund-raiser, allowing EI's vital work sustaining global ecology to continue. Donate Now!
Dear colleagues,
We have nearly raised our adjusted goal of $25,000 to continue our unique brand of ecological sustainability advocacy. Yet we cannot go on unless we raise the remaining few thousand dollars to pay for much needed computer software updates for our one-of-a-kind action alerts and search engines. Here are the top 5 reasons for you to donate now what you can afford at http://www.climateark.org/shared/donate/
Decisions must be made at Rio Earth summit, urges UN official
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on January 11th, 2012
Guardian: The Earth summit in June must be the place where decisions on the future of the planet are made, and not just another talking shop for world leaders, the head of what will be 2012's largest political conference has urged.
Speaking as the first draft of the UN declaration for Rio+20 was released in New York on Tuesday night, Brice Lalonde, the UN's executive co-ordinator of the conference and former French environment minister, said: "[The draft] is a good start. Most topics are on the table: from...
Natural gas is clean, cheap — and risky
Posted by Centre Daily: Hal Harvey on January 11th, 2012
Centre Daily: Political leaders from both parties argue that natural gas could save our economy and the environment and promote our national security. Is this so? Or is it just a dream?
It turns out that the way one develops natural gas will determine whether it is a serious help to our energy and climate problems or a dangerous extension of bad habits.
On the face of it, natural gas looks terrific. The United States — and many other countries — have abundant domestic supplies. The cost, per delivered...