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Archive for February, 2013
Thinning Ice Is Turning Arctic into an Algae Hotspot
Posted by Climate Central: Lauren Morello on February 14th, 2013
Climate Central: Shrinking, thinning Arctic sea ice appears to be accelerating the growth of algae in polar waters, a new study finds, a development that could alter the region's ability to absorb carbon from the atmosphere.
Scientists cruising central Arctic waters last summer aboard the research ship Polarstern were stunned to discover dense, shaggy deposits of the algae Melosira arctica clinging to the bottom of sea ice.
The green color of water in a melt pond atop Arctic sea ice hints at the riotous growth...
Sweden: Anxiety drug found in rivers changes fish behaviour
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on February 14th, 2013
Guardian: Drugs to treat anxiety in people may alter the behaviour of fish when the chemicals are flushed into rivers, according to scientists. Swedish researchers found that European perch exposed to tiny concentrations of a drug became less sociable, ate more and became more adventurous – all changes in behaviour that could have unexpected ecological impacts on fish populations.
When scientists at Umeå University in Sweden screened rivers for pharmaceuticals they found that a drug for treating anxiety,...
Posted in Water Conservation 
Comments Off on Sweden: Anxiety drug found in rivers changes fish behaviourActivists arrested at WH over climate change protest
Posted by CNN: Shannon Travis on February 14th, 2013
CNN: Dozens of environmental activists - including Bobby Kennedy Jr. and actress Daryl Hannah - cuffed themselves to a White House gate on Wednesday in a climate change protest that ultimately resulted in their arrests.
Chanting, "President Obama, we don't want no climate drama!" activists demanded concrete government action on the issue. Their first hope: the Obama administration's rejection of the controversial Keystone Pipeline XL.
"We're out here saying, 'President Obama, you must reject the...
Fracking in New York? Not for another year, if ever
Posted by Reuters: Edward McAllister on February 14th, 2013
Reuters: The fracking debate in New York state is hitting new heights as regulators delay a final decision on the controversial natural gas production method, but it looks increasingly clear that it will be a year - if ever - before drilling begins again.
Governor Andrew Cuomo missed a Wednesday deadline for completing a report on the environmental impact of hydraulic fracturing, better known as fracking, that was to form the basis for new drilling rules.
As a result, a now-four year moratorium on shale...
One in five reptile species face extinction – study
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on February 14th, 2013
Guardian: Nearly one in five of the world's estimated 10,000 species of lizards, snakes, turtles, crocodiles and other reptiles are threatened with extinction, according to a study conducted by 200 experts.
But the risk of extinction was found to be unevenly spread throughout the extremely diverse group of animals. According to the paper, an alarming 50% of all freshwater turtles are close to extinction, possibly because they are traded on international markets.
The study, published by the Zoological...
Canada to Unveil Long-Delayed Rules on Oil Sands Emissions
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on February 14th, 2013
Reuters: Canada said on Thursday it was close to unveiling long-delayed rules on greenhouse gas emissions from the oil sands, a move that could help persuade U.S. skeptics that Ottawa is serious about curbing climate change.
High-profile protesters, citing what they say is Canada's poor green record, want President Barack Obama to block TransCanada Corp's proposed Keystone XL pipeline from the Alberta oil sands to the Gulf Coast.
Obama made clear in his State of the Union speech this week that he wanted...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Canada to Unveil Long-Delayed Rules on Oil Sands EmissionsUS Ambassador says Obama climate change vow a challenge to Canada
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on February 13th, 2013
Canadian Press: President Barack Obama's State of the Union message to act swiftly on climate change should be interpreted as a challenge to Ottawa as well, says the U.S. ambassador to Canada.
Obama used Tuesday's speech to present Congress with a choice: either agree to market-based solutions to climate change, or else the president will use his executive powers to achieve the same result.
In an interview, Ambassador David Jacobson said the message to move more aggressively against climate change was meant...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on US Ambassador says Obama climate change vow a challenge to CanadaDaryl Hannah leads celebrity Keystone XL protest at White House gates
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on February 13th, 2013
Guardian: A celebrity roster of protesters, including climate scientist James Hansen, actor Daryl Hannah, civil rights leader Julian Bond and environmental advocate Robert Kennedy Jr, were arrested on Wednesday after handcuffing themselves to the gates of the White House to demand that Barack Obama shut down the Keystone XL pipeline project.
In all, about 50 people were detained. The protests, while entirely orderly and co-ordinated in advance with local police, delivered a sharp reminder to Obama the morning...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Daryl Hannah leads celebrity Keystone XL protest at White House gatesGrey Water
Posted by Environmental News Network: Andy Soos on February 13th, 2013
Environmental News Network: There is only so much fresh water in the world of the kind people need to drink to live. Recycled water, or gray water, is water that has been used for household activities such as taking showers or washing dishes. Then there is water that is a bit more dirty such as from the toilet. There are or will be a time and a place where such water will have to be used as is or will be treated so as to reuse once again. Even now in places like Singapore and Namibia, limited supplies of freshwater are being...
Green groups to risk arrest in White House protest against Keystone XL
Posted by The Hill: Zack Colman on February 13th, 2013
The Hill: Green activists are planning to engage in civil disobedience Wednesday at the White House in hopes of pressuring President Obama to reject the Keystone XL oil sands pipeline.
Fifty people will risk arrest near the East Gate of the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue. Among those involved are climate activist and 350.org founder Bill McKibben, actress Daryl Hannah, civil-rights leader Julian Bond and Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune.
“The president can’t work miracles by himself....
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Green groups to risk arrest in White House protest against Keystone XL