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Archive for March 9th, 2015
Drought Weakens the Amazon’s Ability to Capture Carbon
Posted by Climate Central: Brian Kahn on March 9th, 2015
Climate Central: During drought, trees across the Amazon continue to stretch their limbs. But they shirk one of their more important, planet-saving tasks: inhaling carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
In the drought of 2010, the ability of the Amazon's trees, shrubs, bushes and vines to absorb carbon was greatly diminished, according to new research that used on-the-ground measurements for the first time. That data reveals a slightly higher estimate than recent computer and satellite studies and paints a worrisome...
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Can Climate Action Plans Combat Megadrought and Save Colorado River?
Posted by EcoWatch: None Given on March 9th, 2015
EcoWatch: If a city’s water supply is threatened by climate change, should that city enact a strong climate action plan? I believe the answer is yes, but few cities throughout the Colorado River basin are moving forward aggressively to address climate change even though the threat is increasing every year. Two of the largest reservoirs in the U.S.—Lakes Mead and Powell along the Colorado River—continue to lose water and are now less than half full with no prediction that the trend will change direction. The...
Officials ‘banned’ from using ‘climate change’ and ‘global warming’ in flood-prone Florida
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on March 9th, 2015
Independent: Florida state environmental officials claim that they are banned from using the terms “climate change” and “global warming”.
The employees have also been ordered not use the word “sustainability” in official documents and communications by their seniors at the Department of Environmental Protection, according to the Florida Center for Investigative Reporting.
The unwritten policy – in a state that experiences some of the worst effects of climate change in the US – has potentially affected around...
Yet Another Oil Train Derails, Catches Fire in Ontario
Posted by Environment News Service: None Given on March 9th, 2015
Environment News Service: Another Canadian National oil train derailed and caught fire early Saturday in Ontario near the town of Gogama, about 600 kilometers (372 miles) north of Toronto. It was the second such incident in Ontario and the fourth in North America since February 14.
Oil trains in West Virginia and Illinois also ran off the rails, sending fireballs and thick clouds of black smoke high in the air. The Illinois wreck occurred just this week; that fire is still burning.
Four oil trains have derailed and...
Women’s role vital in fighting climate change, says minister
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on March 9th, 2015
Daily Times: Federal Minister for Climate Change Mushahid Ullah Khan on Sunday said that women, who constitute the majority of the world's poor, are among the most vulnerable to the detrimental impacts of climate change, particularly in developing countries, including Pakistan. Yet, their role is vital for solution to the impacts.
He expressed these views in his statement released on Sunday in context of the "International Women's Day 2015'. The women's day is celebrated on March 8 every year. This year the...
The winter of 2014-15 was the season that divided America
Posted by Mashable: None Given on March 9th, 2015
Mashable: The winter of 2014-15 was among the more unusually divisive such seasons on record, according to new data released on Friday. While the West saw record warmth and dryness, the Midwest and East shivered through brutal cold not seen since the 1930s in some places, along with large amounts of snow.
In the end, though, the lower 48 states as a whole averaged out to 2.1 degrees Fahrenheit above the 20th century average this winter, ranking as the 19th-warmest winter on record. February, however, was...
Pakistan: Of forests and highways
Posted by Nation: None Given on March 9th, 2015
Nation: Environmental degradation costs Pakistan over Rs 356 billion annually and it must be kept in mind that is money that can be saved. If only environmental policy was a part of the national debate. Referring to the "Environmental Protection' pledge made in his party's election manifesto in 2013, the minister for Climate Change Mushahid Ullah Khan said that PML--N strongly believed in ecologically sound socio-economic development policies to preserve and develop the country's natural and forest resources....
Australia: Climate change likely responsible feucalypt dieback in south-east NSW
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on March 9th, 2015
Australian Broadcasting Corporation: For more than a decade it has been a mystery as to what is causing eucalypt trees to die on the Monaro in south-east, New South Wales.
The dieback is centred around Berridale near Cooma NSW and it spans more than 2000 square kilometres - an area larger than the ACT.
Research by PhD candidate Catherine Ross, from the Australian National University, suggests that climate change has played a role in the spread of the weevils and the stress on the ribbon gum trees.
"The weevils are native to...
Moving photos show climate change destroying the nomadic way of life in Mongolia
Posted by Fast Company: None Given on March 9th, 2015
Fast Company: Just another sad casualty of environmental collapse: These before-and-after shots show how deserts are taking over the pastures where animals once grazed.
Up to a third of Mongolians live as nomads, but that lifestyle is increasingly under threat. Rampant desertification is destroying the grassland where nomads graze their animals, meaning many are being forced to move to cities, where they don't belong.
"Nomadic life has been central to traditional Mongolian culture throughout history," says...
Republican contenders invade Iowa to talk up ethanol – and court rich donors
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on March 9th, 2015
Guardian: Nine potential presidential contenders came to corn country this weekend to kiss the ring of Bruce Rastetter, the breakthrough Republican donor of the early but very much active 2016 election cycle. But with his pet issue of ethanol subsidies becoming an increasingly charged issue, the Iowa Agriculture Summit was all about paying tribute to the stalk.
Democratic presidential contenders were invited, and advocacy group America’s Renewable Future, one of the summit main sponsors, employed equal...