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Archive for July 4th, 2013
United Kingdom: How man bringing rats spelled disaster for wildlife on islands the world over
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on July 4th, 2013
Guardian: The marvellous adaptive qualities of the rat have caused catastrophic declines in native wildlife populations on islands across the globe. Now authorities are trying to reverse the damage with huge eradication attempts.
Agile, fast-breeding and predatory, black and brown rats are among the planet's most devastating invasive species. Tony Martin, project director of the world's largest eradication of rats on South Georgia, said he had "huge respect" for rats and their ability to colonise new habitats...
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United Kingdom: World’s largest offshore windfarm opened by David Cameron
Posted by Guardian: Jessica Shankleman on July 4th, 2013
Guardian: Prime minister David Cameron has today cut the ribbon on the London Array, the world's largest offshore wind farm, in a move that serves to underline Number 10's support for the UK's burgeoning wind energy sector.
The 175 turbine project located in the Thames Estuary, owned by DONG Energy, Masdar and E.On, boasts 630MW of capacity, making it comfortably the largest offshore wind farm in the world. It has been fully operational since April, but today it was officially opened by the prime minister...
South Africa looks to sell some of its $1bn rhino horn stockpile
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on July 4th, 2013
Reuters: South Africa is seeking permission for a one-off sale of some of its $1bn stockpile of rhino horn to finance conservation and potentially flood a thriving black market, its environment minister said on Wednesday.
However, conservation groups fear the plan could end up increasing demand in major markets such as Vietnam, where the horn is sought after for use in traditional medicine, as well as enriching black-marketeers.
Environment minister Edna Molewa told reporters that South Africa, home...
Fracking Bringing Economic Growth to Pennsylvania, for Now
Posted by CNBC: None Given on July 4th, 2013
CNBC: Rural Pennsylvania was transformed into one of the nation's oil and gas boom regions virtually overnight thanks to abundant Marcellus Shale gas development.
Many people know the City of Williamsport, located in Lycoming County, as the site of the Little League World Series, but gas production helped make it the seventh fastest-growing community on a percentage basis in the U.S. And while that growth appears to be leveling off, the region looks set to ride out the boom for as long as the gas remains...
AUDIO: Orangutangs ‘found on ground’
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on July 4th, 2013
BBC: The famously tree-loving orangutan may in fact spend more time than previously thought on the ground.
Scientists set camera traps on the floor of the jungle in Borneo, and filmed roughly the same number of orangutans as they did of a ground-dwelling monkey, the pig-tailed macaque.
The results suggest both male and female orangutans may already have coping strategies in place, meaning they could manage if forced to spend more time on the forest floor as deforestation reduces their habitat. ...
Toxic Algal Bloom on Western Lake Erie to be Severe this Summer, NOAA Says
Posted by Nature World News: None Given on July 4th, 2013
Nature World News: Toxic algal bloom at Lake Erie is expected to be worse this summer, according to NOAA and its research partners.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said that algal bloom in the lake will probably be larger than last year, but won't be as severe as the record-high bloom of 2011.
A report published earlier in June had warned that algal bloom is likely to increase this year due to climate change that resulted in record-breaking rains in the region. The toxic blooms doesn't only...
Daily showers account for biggest water use in UK homes, figures show
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on July 4th, 2013
Guardian: It has become part of our daily routine, although few of us are likely aware of the full financial or environmental costs. Yet showering now accounts for the biggest single use of water in the home – one quarter of the massive 9bn litres of water used by UK households every day – with much of our money spiralling down the plughole.
Britons are also inflating their energy bills by over-filling kettles and hand-washing crockery rather than using more energy-efficient dishwashers.
The findings...
Nigeria kickstarts efforts to head off climate disasters
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on July 4th, 2013
Reuters: Alhaji Gimba Suleiman, a 72-year-old rice farmer from Ozahi in Nigeria's south-central Kogi State, lost his house in the huge floods that displaced 2 million people and affected a total of more than 7.7 million in the West African nation last year.
He's still living in temporary accommodation 15 km away, going back each day to tend his crops, but is getting help from the Red Cross to rebuild his destroyed home. "I am sure of the quality of the house that has been built. It will be able to withstand...
Repsol Delays First Shale-Gas Project in Spain After Frack Ban
Posted by Bloomberg: Patricia Laya on July 4th, 2013
Bloomberg: Repsol SA (REP), Spain’s largest oil producer, delayed starting to explore for shale gas in the north, where a local government has outlawed drilling projects that use water-intensive hydraulic fracturing.
The company had targeted July to begin seismic studies at its Luena project that extends over 290 square miles across the Cantabria region, where energy trade groups say Spain’s richest shale gas deposits lie. Repsol’s first domestic shale search can’t begin yet because several “requirements”...