Archive for July 25th, 2014

Fresh Focus on Siberian Permafrost as Second Hole is Reported

New York Times: I had a Skype chat Wednesday about Siberian permafrost in the context of climate change with Marina Leibman, a top Russian permafrost expert who had just returned from examining the unusual crater spotted on the Yamal Peninsula in Siberia late last week. We talked just before fresh reports circulated about reindeer herders finding another such hole in the region. I hope you’ll watch our chat, which I regret I have not yet had time to transcribe (if you are in the mood, I’d be grateful for help;...

Climate change may reduce corn, wheat crop yields

Bloomberg: Rising temperatures caused by climate change increase the odds that corn and wheat yields will slow even as global demand for the crops for food and fuel increases in the next 10 to 20 years, according to a study published in Environmental Research Letters. There is as much as a 10 percent chance the rate of corn yields will slow and a 5 percent probability for wheat because of human-caused climate change, said David Lobell, the associate director of the Center on Food Security and the Environment...

42 reasons for banning fracking

Daily Camera: I have spent a year collecting newspaper and Internet articles about fracking and its negative consequences. I made sure that the articles reported legitimate studies (not funded by the oil and gas industry) or statements from recognized experts on fracking, health, and environmental protection. All that I report is referenced. Here are the results. Fracking reduces real estate values; causes earthquakes; damages roads through heavy trucks/equipment traffic; contributes to over half of ground level...