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Archive for January 10th, 2014
Switch to gas has slashed power-plant emissions, study finds
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on January 10th, 2014
Daily Climate: Natural gas plants emit a tiny fraction of the smog-causing gases and slightly more than half of the greenhouse gases emitted by their coal-burning counterparts, according to a soon-to-be published study.
32 ounces of carbon dioxide for every kilowatt hour of energy for a coal plant, compared with 19 ounces for natural gas.
The assessment builds upon earlier reports that substituting natural gas for coal has sharply reduced air pollutants from power generation in the United States.
"Since...
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Australia: Cities ‘must adapt’ to climate change
Posted by Radio New Zealand: None Given on January 10th, 2014
Radio New Zealand: An Australian urban planner says climate change is a daunting reality for the country and significant changes to how people live are necessary to prevent towns becoming deserted. Last year was Australia 's hottest year on record and temperatures are expected to rise further. Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said 12 locations in South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales recorded temperatures of 48°C or higher in December. Western Australia urban planner Charles Johnson says people need to...
When Big Carnivores Go Down, Even Vegetarians Take The Hit
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on January 10th, 2014
National Public Radio: Big, fierce animals - lions and tigers and bears, for example - are relatively scarce in nature. That's normal, because if you have too many, they'll eat themselves out of prey.
But top predators are now so rare that many are in danger of disappearing. That's creating ripple effects throughout the natural world that scientists are still trying to figure out.
What they're exploring is ecology - the interplay of animals and plants in nature. It's not rocket science. It's harder.
" We have...
UK Floods Persist, Cameron Blames Climate Change
Posted by Environment News Service: None Given on January 10th, 2014
Environment News Service: The River Thames continues to rise in response to recent heavy rainfall, and communities in the south of England should be prepared for further flooding this week from groundwater and rivers, warns the UK Environment Agency.
Following a week of torrential rains, strong winds, storm surges and high tides that have left seven dead and hundreds of homes inundated, further flooding is expected along the River Thames.
The Environment Agency warns that water levels will continue to rise, even though...
United Kingdom: Disarray over flood prevention plans
Posted by BBC: Roger Harrabin on January 10th, 2014
BBC: There is disarray over government plans to prevent new developments making flooding worse, BBC News has learned.
The 2010 Flood Act states developments must be landscaped so water from roofs and drives seeps into open ground, and does not rush into the water system.
But details of the law have been delayed for more than three years.
House builders say it will put up the cost of new home and have been wrangling with government and councils over who pays to maintain new systems.
The BBC...