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Archive for July 23rd, 2014
Nuclear Plant May Be In Hot Water Over Its Cooling System
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on July 23rd, 2014
National Public Radio: Operators of the Turkey Point nuclear plant near Miami have received federal permission to run their cooling system above the old 100 degree limit. The decision is meant to combat algae growth and rising temperature in cooling canals, but environmental groups in nearby Biscayne National Park are concerned.
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Peru slashes environmental protections attract more mining and fossil fuel investment
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on July 23rd, 2014
Mongabay: In an effort to kickstart slowing investment in mining and fossil fuels, Peru has passed a controversial new law that overturns many of its environmental protections and essentially defangs its Ministry of Environment. The new law has environmentalists not only concerned about its impact on the country-60 percent of which lies in the Amazon rainforest-but also that the measures will undermine progress at the up-coming UN Climate Summit in December, which Peru is hosting.
The new law, signed by...
Report: Gulf and Atlantic Coasts Not Prepared for Sea-Level Rise
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on July 23rd, 2014
National Geographic: The U.S. Atlantic and Gulf Coasts are not ready for the increased flooding and stronger storms that are expected from climate change, scientists say.
The National Research Council report, released today, warns that the past few years have seen "a dramatic rise in coastal-storm-related losses" along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, thanks to an increase in population and a rise in the number of homes and other structures built in at-risk areas.
"There's a huge sense of urgency here," says Greg...
Fire season in West expected to get more intense
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on July 23rd, 2014
Associated Press: Despite widespread drought in the West and expectations of an above-average wildfire season, wildfires have burned less than half the 10-year average area so far this summer. U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell said Wednesday that largely has been a matter of luck, with the hot windy weather known as “red flag” days not lining up with the lighting strikes that start most fires, particularly in California. But that is changing, he said from Washington, D.C. Eighteen large fires were burning in...
Tanzania: Climate change could mean low crop yield, more malaria cases
Posted by Daily News: John Kulekana on July 23rd, 2014
Daily News: EXPERTS say Tanzania is currently suffering high economic costs due to extreme events due to climate change. The costs include low crop yields due to drought and floods, as well as increased cases of malaria and other diseases. Tanzania's economy is dependent on the climate, since a large proportion of the gross domestic product (GDP) is associated with climate sensitive activities, particularly agriculture. Therefore climate variability, such as extreme events like droughts and floods, has led...
‘Water cops’ to monitor water crisis and drought in California
Posted by Blue and Green: Ilaria Bertini on July 23rd, 2014
Blue and Green: Bay Area water agencies are considering hiring new temporary employees to keep water usage in the area under control, after residents were advised to conserve water to mitigate the effect of the worst drought on record that has been hitting the region since February. Santa Clara Valley Water District will decide whether to spend $500,000 (£293,000) to hire up to 10 new temporary employees in order to monitor water usage and waste in the region, after attempts to make citizens save water did not...