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Archive for April 13th, 2015
Dry, warm winter leaves Western US snowpack at record low levels
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on April 13th, 2015
Reuters: Meager precipitation and a premature spring thaw caused by unusually mild temperatures last month have left the U.S. Western mountain snowpack, a key source of fresh surface water for the region, at record low levels, the government reported on Friday.
Melting of winter snows began much earlier than usual this year, from the Sierra Nevada range in California to the lower elevations of Colorado's Rockies, leaving much of the Western snowpack greatly diminished or gone by early April, when it is...
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Middle East can beat water challenge by harnessing the power of solar
Posted by National: Ahmed S Nada on April 13th, 2015
National: The late Richard Smalley, a Nobel laureate in chemistry, compiled a list in 2003 of the top 10 problems that will plague humanity for half a century. On top of the list were energy and water. His rationale for putting energy above all was that most problems could be resolved or alleviated by the availability of affordable clean energy. He was right. Energy and water pose two of the most pressing challenges for the Middle East. Studies suggest that the average citizen in the region has access to...
Mighty Rio Grande now a trickle under siege
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on April 13th, 2015
New York Times: On maps, the mighty Rio Grande meanders 1,900 miles, from southern Colorado’s San Juan Mountains to the Gulf of Mexico. But on the ground, farms and cities drink all but a trickle before it reaches the canal that irrigates Bobby Skov’s farm outside El Paso, hundreds of miles from the gulf.
Now, shriveled by the historic drought that has consumed California and most of the Southwest, that trickle has become a moist breath.
“It’s been progressively worse” since the early 2000s, Mr. Skov said...
Mauna Kea: a Mountain in Disord
Posted by Hawaiian Public Radio: Molly Solomon on April 13th, 2015
Hawaiian Public Radio: While construction on the Thirty Meter Telescope remains stalled for now, protesters of the project continue to hold vigil on Mauna Kea. What happens next remains unclear.
On an overcast morning, caravans of dancers make their way 9,200 feet above sea level, to the site of the protester’s camp, across the street from Mauna Kea’s Visitor Information Center. Many of them are fresh off the stage from Merrie Monarch, the three-day hula competition in Hilo.
Vicky Holt Takamine, kumu hula for Pua...
Thousands on Oahu rally against Thirty Meter Telescope
Posted by Hawaii News Now: None Given on April 13th, 2015
Hawaii News Now: Thousands of people flooded Iolani Palace on Sunday to show their opposition of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) on Mauna Kea.
Hawaiian activist Walter Ritte says about 3,500 people showed up for the seven-hour long event.
"This is the time for Oahu to come and show their support, to become part of the voice that is going to protect Mauna Kea and that's going to build our nation again," Ritte said.
Dozens of local entertainers volunteered their time and talents to put on a free concert for...
Musician releases song ‘Rise Up’ in protest TMT
Posted by Hawaiian News Now: None Given on April 13th, 2015
Hawaiian News Now: The movement to prevent construction of a 30-meter telescope atop Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island has spanned the globe, even attracting the attention of celebrities who are speaking out against the project. Now, a new voice in the "We Are Mauna Kea" movement is going viral, this time, in song.
Local musician Ryan Hiraoka was inspired by the thousands of voices who have come together to stop TMT construction. He wrote and sings "Rise Up" with fellow local musician Keala Kawaauhau.
The lyrics are...
Anti-Telescope Activist recoup another showdown w/ police
Posted by Tribune: None Given on April 13th, 2015
Tribune: Hawaiian native protesters continue their vigilance on Mauna Kea, on the look out for construction crews coming in to construct the Thirty Meter Telescope.
On Friday, after dawn break, a woman performed a mele dance atop Mauna Kea more than 9,000 feet above sea level. Dozens of people witness in silence, and some were even moved to tears, while the mountain’s peak grew clearer as fog retreated.
The construction of a $1.4 billion, thirty meters high telescope is one of the world’s most innovative...