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Archive for November 4th, 2013
Polar bear attacks: scientists warn of fresh dangers in warming Arctic
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on November 4th, 2013
Guardian: A polar bear attack in Canada that left two people injured has brought new warnings from scientists of a dangerous rise in human-bear encounters in a warming Arctic.
The friends had just walked out of the door in the pre-dawn hours after a party when the young polar bear crept up behind them, unheard and unseen.
By the time, the bear was driven off by neighbours wielding a shovel, banging pots and pans, and firing multiple rounds from a shotgun, two people were badly mauled: the young woman...
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Global Warming Seen Taking Toll on Economy, Health, Crops
Posted by Bloomberg: Alex Morales on November 4th, 2013
Bloomberg: Global warming is expected to take an increasing toll on the economy, food production, fresh water supplies and human health as the century progresses, according to a draft study for the United Nations. A temperature increase of 2.5 degrees Celsius (4.5 degrees Fahrenheit) since industrialization may lead to losses of as much as 2 percent of global economic output, an analysis by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change showed. Temperatures have already risen by about 0.8 degrees. The...
Australia: Environment minister Greg Hunt approves nation’s largest coalmine
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on November 4th, 2013
AAP: The federal government has approved a massive coalmining project in central Queensland that will be the largest in the country.
The environment minister, Greg Hunt, approved the 37,380-hectare Kevin's Corner project on Friday.
The mine, to be operated by a joint India-Australia consortium, GVK-Hancock, is the first to be approved since the introduction of a water trigger rule by the previous federal government.
Greenpeace claims Kevin's Corner will use more than 9bn litres of water a year...
United Kingdom: Coastal retreat plan to curb floods
Posted by BBC: Matt McGrath on November 4th, 2013
BBC: A scheme to combat flooding by surrendering land to the sea will be completed on Monday on the south coast.
The £28m "managed realignment" at Medmerry in West Sussex has seen the building of 7km (four miles) of new sea walls up to 2km inland.
By letting the waters in, the Environment Agency says the risk of flooding for hundreds of homes will be reduced.
The surrendered land will become a wetland habitat for many species.
The sea has long been a threatening presence on the flat land of...