RSS Feed
Archive for January 17th, 2014
California governor declares drought emergency
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on January 17th, 2014
Reuters: California Governor Jerry Brown declared a drought emergency on Friday, a move that will allow the parched state to seek federal aid as it grapples with what could turn out to be the driest year in recorded state history for many areas.
The dry year California experienced in 2013 has left fresh water reservoirs with a fraction of their normal reserves and slowed the normally full American River so dramatically that brush and dry riverbed are showing through in areas normally teeming with fish....
Posted in 
More than 100 bushfires rage across south-east Australia
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on January 17th, 2014
Australian Broadcasting Corporation: A massive 33,000-hectare bushfire in Victoria's Grampians has caused significant concern for firefighters by creating its own weather.
The fire has caused a 12-kilometre convection column that has created thunderstorms and lightning.
Today, officials confirmed that a woman died in the Grampians fire whilst at least two homes were destroyed in South Australia's Eden Valley north-east of Adelaide.
Firefighters had to battle another day of stifling conditions and while a cool change is predicted,...
Heatwave puts Australia’s electricity supply under pressure
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on January 17th, 2014
Australian Broadcasting Corporation: SCOTT BEVAN: The heat wave in South Australia as well as Victoria is putting the national electricity supply under extreme pressure not seen since the hot spell of summer 2009.
The Australian Energy Market Operator says it hasn't had to shed any load as yet but the situation is "touch and go".
Load shedding is needed when electricity demand and supply is out of balance and threatens the entire national network.
It means customers are without power for defined periods. Industry and business...
Dangers Water Privatization Emerge In the Wake of West Virginia’s Chemical Spill
Posted by EcoWatch: Matt Wasson on January 17th, 2014
EcoWatch: It took a few days after a state of emergency was declared across nine West Virginia counties--and one-sixth of the state’s population was told not to drink or bathe using their tap water--for the national news media to discover a story of national importance occurring in the political backwaters of Appalachia.
Filings by the West Virginia Public Service Commission reveal the dramatic expansion of West Virginia American Water Company’s water network over the past 20 years, and why one-sixth of...
Court orders logging company to clean up pollution disaster in Chile wetlands
Posted by Mongabay: Franziska Green on January 17th, 2014
Mongabay: Chile is probably best known for its volcanoes, earthquakes and the formidable peaks of the Andes, but as a country that spans 4,300 km (2,670 miles) from top to bottom, it also boasts a huge variety of bird life. And, until recently, it was home to what was thought to be the largest population of black-necked swans (Cygnus melancoryphus) in South America. Not long ago, these swans, as well as 100 other species of rare or vulnerable bird species, could be seen nesting in the Carlos Anwandter Nature...
Tar Sands Activists Facing Felony Charges Have Their Day in Court
Posted by EcoWatch: Maryann Lesert and Chloe Gleichman on January 17th, 2014
EcoWatch: January court appearances brought a rare victory for tar sands protestor Chris Wahmhoff whose felony charges were dismissed, while felony charges stuck for Michigan Coalition Against Tar Sands members Barb Carter, Vicci Hamlin, Lisa Leggio and William Lawrence. Their cases will be heard by a jury on Jan. 27.
Michigan`s Calhoun County Circuit Court was filled with a collective “Whoo!” on Monday, Jan. 13, as supporters of tar sands activist Christopher Wahmhoff let loose a collective whoop of relief...
Does Keystone XL Have a Place in the Oil-by-Rail Safety Debate?
Posted by InsideClimate: None Given on January 17th, 2014
InsideClimate: A rash of explosive accidents involving oil-bearing trains has led to a surprising number of headlines and high-profile comments directly linking the fiery derailments to the fate of the long-stalled Keystone XL oil pipeline, the controversial project that would carry heavy bitumen from Canada’s oil sands to Texas refineries. "North Dakota train fire adds fuel to Keystone XL debate," said a Bloomberg News headline. The Los Angeles Times published [3] "Canada rail crash stirs debate over Keystone...
‘Use less peat’ call to UK gardeners
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on January 17th, 2014
BBC: Britain's gardeners are still using too much peat compost, according to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
More than half of the compost sold in the UK contains peat.
This is harmful because it leads to further depletion of peat bogs in countries such as Ireland and the Baltic states, which supply most of our peat, says the RHS.
It suggests using alternatives such as coir, made from coconut shells, and green waste from household recycling.
Dr Paul Alexander from the RHS said: "We...
The blackouts during Australia’s heatwave didn’t happen by accident
Posted by Guardian: Alexander White on January 17th, 2014
Guardian: Australia is experiencing the most extreme heatwave since, well, the last one in 2013 and 2009.
Earth wind map shows Australia as hottest place on planet #climate #heatwave #connectthedots pic.twitter.com/AJGCoitnVc
-- Alexander White (@alexanderwhite) January 17, 2014
While the sunburned country is used to hot weather, our infrastructure was not built to cope with several days of above 40°C temperatures. Now Victoria has now seen 4 consecutive days above 41°C, breaking records that have...
Pregnant women, water don’t mix in West Virginia
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on January 17th, 2014
Associated Press: West Virginia American Water says another 12,200 customers affected by a chemical spill can flush their lines and begin using tap water again.
The company lifted a "do not use" order Thursday morning for customers in Culloden, Hamlin, Cross Lanes, Poca, Nitro and Boone County. That brings to 70,000 the number of customers for which the order has been removed.
The West Virginia Bureau for Public Health advises pregnant women not to drink the water until there are no longer detectable levels...