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Archive for December 21st, 2012
A Progress Report on Fracking and Water Safety
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on December 21st, 2012
New York Times: The federal Environmental Protection Agency on Friday released a progress report on its national study of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water supplies. In nearly 200 pages, the agency lays out data, case studies and an analysis of areas of research on issues like spills and wastewater treatment and disposal.
But the agency draws no conclusions on whether the drilling process threatens drinking water; it is not expected to do so until 2014, in a draft that will be subjected...
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Climate change disrupting biodiversity
Posted by U-T San Diego: None Given on December 21st, 2012
U-T San Diego: Plants and animals are shifting their ranges and life cycles in response to climate change, creating clashes between unfamiliar creatures or mismatches between animals and their food sources, according to a biodiversity report released this month.
More than 60 federal, academic and other scientists contributed to the national climate report, which will be used as scientific input for the 2013 National Climate Assessment, a federally required analysis of climate research.
“Biodiversity and ecosystems...
2012 Extreme Weather Sets Records, Fits Climate Change Forecasts
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on December 21st, 2012
Associated Press: As 2012 began, winter in the U.S. went AWOL. Spring and summer arrived early with wildfires, blistering heat and drought. And fall hit the eastern third of the country with the ferocity of Superstorm Sandy.
This past year's weather was deadly, costly and record-breaking everywhere -- but especially in the United States.
If that sounds familiar, it should. The previous year also was one for the record books.
"We've had two years now of some angry events," said Deke Arndt, U.S. National Climatic...
U.S. Ruling on Keystone XL Pipeline Could Slip Again, Analyst Says
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on December 21st, 2012
Reuters: A top risk-management analyst warned on Friday that a decision by Washington on TransCanada Corp's (TRP.TO) Keystone XL pipeline could get delayed again into next summer, adding more pressure to already deeply discounted Canadian oil prices.
The U.S. State Department has said it will rule on the $5.3 billion Canada-to-Nebraska pipeline by the end of March, assuming Nebraska approves a new route that skirts an environmentally sensitive region in the state.
However, Robert Johnston, director...
Victorian-Era Map Helps Researchers Redraw Distribution Of Biodiversity
Posted by redOrbit: Brett Smith on December 21st, 2012
RedOrbit: Ecologists have collected massive amounts of data over the past 130 years and a research team led by University of Copenhagen scientists has used that wealth of information to redraw a Victorian map used to illustrate the geographic distribution of animals.
The original map by the renowned English naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, with assistance from Charles Darwin, has been in use since it was drawn up in 1874, when it established the foundation for global biodiversity.
Based on evolutionary...
New Conn. company sees gold in brown river water
Posted by Associated Press: Joe Wojtas on December 21st, 2012
Associated Press: Two weeks ago, Robert Wood walked to one of four large plastic tanks, opened a valve and drew a cup of clear water. Just moments before, the brackish water, which came directly from the adjacent Pawcatuck River, had a brownish tint and was filled with particles. He then faced a small group of people touring his two-month-old facility, which is in 6,000 square feet of formerly vacant mill space on Mechanic Street. "For the second week in a row I will perform a death-defying feat as I drink this...
GE Salmon Headed to Your Dinner Plate
Posted by EcoWatch: Friends Of The Earth on December 21st, 2012
EcoWatch: Today, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released its final environmental assessment on the so-called “frankenfish,” a salmon that has been genetically engineered by Massachusetts-based AquaBounty Technologies Inc. (ABTX:LSE). This would be the first-ever genetically engineered animal intended for human consumption to enter the marketplace despite widespread public outcry and a faulty assessment based on incomplete company data.
“It’s clear that the public doesn’t want to eat genetically...
Does Fracking Contaminate Drinking Water?
Posted by EcoWatch: None Given on December 21st, 2012
EcoWatch: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today provided an update on its ongoing national study currently underway to better understand any potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources.
According to an EPA press release:
Results of the study, which Congress requested EPA to complete, are expected to be released in a draft for public and peer review in 2014. The update provided today outlines work currently underway, including the status of research projects that...
Skiing won’t be greatest loss after climate change
Posted by Denver Post: Rob Katz on December 21st, 2012
Denver Post: One of my favorite times of year is right before the holidays, with the excitement and anticipation of the winter ski season.
However, it has become somewhat predictable that with the first sign of a lack of natural snow, climate change articles and stories start to appear. In many ways, it's to be expected. It's hard to understand how the weather changes the way it does and why things can look so different from year to year. Two years ago was one of the most "epic" seasons for snow in Colorado's...
Gene-Altered Fish Moves Closer to Federal Approval
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on December 21st, 2012
New York Times: Government regulators moved a big step closer on Friday to allowing the first genetically engineered animal — a fast-growing salmon — to enter the nation’s food supply. The Food and Drug Administration said it had concluded that the genetically engineered salmon would have “no significant impact” on the environment. The agency also said the salmon was “as safe as food from conventional Atlantic salmon.” While the agency’s draft environmental assessment, posted on its Web site, will be open to public...