RSS Feed
Archive for February 12th, 2014
Natural Disasters Bring Risk of Fungal Infections
Posted by LiveScience: Rachael Rettner on February 12th, 2014
LiveScience: Natural disasters can create conditions that put survivors at risk for fungal infections, which are often overlooked, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and other natural disasters can displace harmful fungi from their natural habitat, potentially bringing them into contact with injured and vulnerable people, the report said. Individuals may inhale fungal spores, or the spores can find their way into wounds, resulting...
Posted in 
State Department Hiring of Oil Industry Consultant to Write Keystone XL Environmental Review
Posted by EcoWatch: None Given on February 12th, 2014
EcoWatch: Today Sierra Club and Friends of the Earth submitted evidence to the State Department’s Office of the Inspector General to support the ongoing inquiry into conflicts of interest and mismanagement in the environmental review of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. The groups request that the Inspector General takes steps to ensure that the tainted Final Environmental Impact Statement, released on Jan. 31, is excluded from the agency’s National Interest Determination.
“The State Department hired an...
United Kingdom: Environment Agency staff not sent to flooded area after ‘abuse’ from residents
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on February 12th, 2014
Guardian: Environment Agency staff were withdrawn from a flood-hit area because of hostility from members of the public, it has emerged.
It is understood that staff were abused in the Wraysbury area of Berkshire, and have now been told to report any incidents to the agency.
Justin Bowden, national officer of the GMB union, said: "This report of hostility from the residents on the Thames is a direct result of the irresponsible attack by Eric Pickles [the communities secretary] and others on the EA. His...
United Kingdom: Sir Ian Cheshire: London at risk of catastrophic flooding
Posted by Guardian: Jo Confino on February 12th, 2014
Guardian: The centre of London is at risk from catastrophic flooding that would make Hurricane Sandy's impact on New York pale in comparison, one of the UK's most senior businessmen has warned.
Sir Ian Cheshire, chief executive of multinational DIY company Kingfisher, which owns B&Q, has called for the creation of a national flood plan and said that responsibilities for water management are currently scattered among too many departments at national and local government level.
Cheshire, who led a government...
New York Sets Precedent With Nation’s First Microbead Ban Proposal
Posted by EcoWatch: Brandon Baker on February 12th, 2014
EcoWatch: New York`s attorney general this week proposed what could become the nation`s first-ever ban on microbeads--the small plastic particles found in beauty and cosmetic products.
Eric T. Schneiderman introduced the Microbead-Free Waters Act to prohibit the sale of items that contain microbeads in an attempt to prevent an emerging threat to the Great Lakes. According to Schneiderman, the plastic beads have been found in "alarmingly high levels" in New York`s portion of Lake Erie.
Companies add microbeads...