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Archive for January 5th, 2015
Keystone pipeline would have little impact on gas prices: White House
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on January 5th, 2015
Reuters: The White House said on Monday that U.S. President Barack Obama believes the proposed Keystone XL (TRP.TO) pipeline would have little impact on U.S. gas prices but a spokesman would not say whether he would veto Republican legislation related to the project.
Republicans want Obama to approve the pipeline, which would carry tar sands oil from Canada. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Obama would wait to see any legislation they propose before determining whether to veto it.
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Congress will soon approve Keystone, say Republicans
Posted by Grist: None Given on January 5th, 2015
Grist: The new Republican Senate leadership seems to be holding true to its word: Approval for the Keystone XL pipeline will top the 2015 legislative agenda. The head of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), plans to hold a hearing on the pipeline on Wednesday and introduce a bill to approve it on Thursday.
A pro-Keystone bill came one vote short of passing in the Senate in November - and that was back when Democrats were still in control. This time, Republicans...
For California Salmon, Drought & Warm Water Mean Trouble
Posted by Yale Environment 360: Alastair Bland on January 5th, 2015
Yale Environment 360: Gushing downpours finally arrived in California last month, when December rains brought some relief to a landscape parched after three years of severe drought. But the rain came too late for thousands of Chinook salmon that spawned this summer and fall in the northern Central Valley. The Sacramento River, running lower than usual under the scorching sun, warmed into the low 60s — a temperature range that can be lethal to fertilized Chinook eggs. Millions were destroyed, and almost an entire year-class...
Bushfires In Australia ‘Wake-Up Call’ For Abbott Government To Commit To Climate Action
Posted by Business Times: None Given on January 5th, 2015
Business Times: As firefighters continue to contain the fires raging in the two states, dozens of homes were lost to the blaze. Milne warned that Australia is going to suffer the same extreme weather events. She said that the Abbott government must stop its climate change "denial" and get on with creating a plan in the face of extreme weather, ABC News reported.
Milne said the government should look at the "suffering" of the people and commit to strong climate action. She recommended a number of actions in preparation...
GOP Agenda Promises Worst Attack on Environmental Protections in Decades
Posted by EcoWatch: None Given on January 5th, 2015
EcoWatch: Last year, it often seemed like we were fighting attacks on the environment from all sides. But those of us pushing back against pollution and climate change enjoyed some significant victories in 2014, including the People’s Climate March in New York in September—said to be the largest environmental march in history—the dimming prospects for drilling in the Arctic, and of course, the fracking ban in New York state.
2015 is shaping up to be a year of even bigger environmental battles, with a new...
Pakistan: Experts may draw a nought on predicting drought
Posted by Bangalore Mirror: None Given on January 5th, 2015
Bangalore Mirror: Looking back may no longer help predict future droughts, which would make it extremely difficult to estimate when the next one could occur. This, in turn, could affect the level of preparedness for such a threatening situation.
A study by researchers from Bengaluru-based Indian Institute of Science (IISc) says the long-trusted historical data referred to by hydrologists and water resources managers may no longer help in reliably predicting droughts because of climate change caused by human activities....
Native Voices Say No to Keystone XL Pipeline at DC Rally
Posted by EcoWatch: None Given on January 5th, 2015
EcoWatch: On Jan. 3, more than 150 people from as far away as Canada, New Mexico, Virginia and New York gathered in front of the White House in Washington, DC to urge Congress and President Obama to say no to the Keystone XL pipeline. Organizers of the rally felt it was essential to make their voice heard prior to the Keystone XL debate taking center stage as Congress reconvenes this week.
On Wednesday, Jan. 7, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on legislation to try and...
Livestock keepers ready for climate change
Posted by Daily News: None Given on January 5th, 2015
Daily News: THE vagaries of climate change which seem not to recognize geographical boundaries have not spared the livestock keeping communities, the Maasai, in Monduli, Longido and Ngorongoro districts in Arusha region. Apart from the migratory or nomadic nature of the herders, effects of climate such as increase of temperatures and the subsequent prolonged drought, complicated water collection efforts as well as increased aridity of the grazing land. Ancient philosophers said that knowing the problem facing...
Australia battles to stabilize fires as catastrophe declared
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on January 5th, 2015
Bloomberg: Crews in South Australia are battling to stabilize wildfires and protect homes as hot weather forecast in coming days threatens to fan the flames.
Firefighters used planes from neighboring Victoria in an effort to gain control of the blaze that has destroyed or damaged 26 homes. The Country Fire Service warned temperatures would reach 38 degrees Celsius (100 Fahrenheit) on Jan. 7 before cooling, while the Insurance Council of Australia declared a catastrophe.
“We’ve got some dangerous weather...
MP urges Australia become more proactive dealing with bushfires
Posted by Global Post: None Given on January 5th, 2015
Global Post: The Australian federal government has conceded more time and money needs to be invested in alleviating the cause of bushfires in the anticipation of more damage expected throughout South Australia and Victoria.
At least 12 homes have been destroyed in fires that raged throughout South Australia over the weekend, but more could be lost as conditions worsen throughout the coming week.
Families of those affected by bushfires will begin receiving disaster relief payments of up to 565 U.S. dollars...