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Archive for February 5th, 2013
Alaska climate body hasn’t met since 2011, documents show
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on February 5th, 2013
Guardian: A rapid-response taskforce, intended to protect Alaska from the worst effects of climate change, has failed to meet for two years, according to newly released documents.
The Immediate Action Work Group, which reports directly to Alaska's governor, Sean Parnell, was charged with developing immediate response plans to future climate disasters.
The taskforce was established by Sarah Palin during her time as governor, in an effort to protect a state that is acutely vulnerable to climate change....
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BP objects to $34 billion oil spill claims sought by states
Posted by Reuters: Andrew Callus and Braden Reddall on February 5th, 2013
Reuters: BP Plc has tallied up claims made by states and local governments on the U.S. Gulf Coast for economic and property damages from the Macondo oil spill, and come up with a figure of $34 billion, which it deems "substantially" overstated.
The company has struggled with political, financial and legal fallout ever since the April 2010 explosion, which caused the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history.
The $34 billion total, provided for disclosure reasons with the company's financial results on...
Michigan’s 21 Million Gallon Frack Job: A National Record?
Posted by EcoWatch: Ban Michigan Fracking on February 5th, 2013
EcoWatch: The destruction of the world’s fresh water due to fracking is at the uppermost of our minds, as we live and drink the water in the Great Lakes state. How much water is being used for Michigan’s frack industry is now proven to be obscenely underestimated. Michigan may have set a national record for allowing Encana Oil & Gas USA to frack a natural gas well with more than 21 million gallons of water. A second nearby well is set to be fracked with more than 16 million gallons, according to a permit...
Report: Warming bringing big changes to forests
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on February 5th, 2013
Associated Press: Big changes are in store for the nation's forests as global warming increases wildfires and insect infestations, and generates more frequent floods and droughts, the U.S. Department of Agriculture warns in a new report. The study released Tuesday is part of the National Climate Assessment and will serve as a roadmap for managing national forests across the country in coming years. It says the area burned by wildfires is expected to at least double over the next 25 years, and insect infestations...
Report: Climate change could devastate agriculture
Posted by USA Today: Christopher Doering on February 5th, 2013
USA Today: Climate change could have a drastic and harmful effect on U.S. agriculture, forcing farmers and ranchers to alter where they grow crops and costing them millions of dollars in additional costs to tackle weeds, pests and diseases that threaten their operations, a sweeping government report said Tuesday.
An analysis released by the Agriculture Department said that although U.S. crops and livestock have been able to adapt to changes in their surroundings for close to 150 years, the accelerating pace...
Life Found Deep Under Antarctic Ice For First Time?
Posted by National Geographic: Marc Kaufman on February 5th, 2013
National Geographic: For the first time, scientists believe they have collected life-forms from deep under the Antarctic ice.
Last week, a team found and collected microbes in a lake hidden under more than a half-mile of ice. elated: "Race Is On to Find Life Under Antarctic Ice.")
Among other things, the discovery may shed light on what lies under the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn.
The newfound life-forms have little connection to life on the earth's surface and many apparently survive by "eating rocks," team...
How can we prepare for climate change without screwing poor people?
Posted by Grist: David Roberts on February 5th, 2013
Grist: Two stories flagged by our Gristmill bloggers yesterday got me thinking. There`s this one, about San Francisco`s "managed retreat" from rising sea levels, and this one, about New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) planning to allow some coastal communities to "return to nature."
Both mean the same thing: Shit is getting real. Coastal cities are facing decisions about how to plan for higher seas and more frequent floods, about which lands to abandon and which to "up armor" with levies and seawalls. These...
Boston mayor calls on city to prepare for climate change
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on February 5th, 2013
Reuters: In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, which brought historic flooding to the greater New York area, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino said on Tuesday his coastal city will step up efforts to prepare for the effects of rising sea levels
Boston was spared the catastrophic damage that Sandy brought to New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, which ultimately caused an estimated $25 billion in insured losses up and down the East Coast of the United States.
But that was a quirk of the tide - Boston Harbor was...
United States: Southern Tier Residents: Don’t Frack Our Health!
Posted by EcoWatch: Save The Southern Tier on February 5th, 2013
EcoWatch: Southern Tier residents held a rally and press conference today raising grave concerns about the health impacts of fracking. Recent scientific studies cause major alarm about health impacts from the air pollution, water contamination and community impacts of fracking. Speakers included Kathy Nolan, MD, residents from across the Southern Tier and Pennsylvania residents familiar with the impacts of fracking.
Residents also pointed to the Feb. 4 Siena College poll, which showed that the gas industry’s...
Canada not ready for major offshore spill: watchdog
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on February 5th, 2013
Reuters: Canada's offshore petroleum boards are not equipped to cope with a major spill, the country's environmental watchdog warned on Tuesday in a report that also said the booming energy sector needed more oversight.
Environment Commissioner Scott Vaughan said in a report that unless Canada improved its record on environmental regulation, resource customers might be deterred.
His conclusions are sensitive for the ruling pro-business Conservatives, who expect some C$650 billion ($650 billion) of new...