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Archive for February 28th, 2011
Dead baby dolphins washing ashore in Gulf of Mexico
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on February 28th, 2011
Mongabay: Every year a few baby dolphins in the Gulf don't make it and are found on the shores of the Gulf, but this year something is different. To date, 24 baby dolphins have been found dead in Alabama and Georgia, some are stillborn, others aborted fetuses. Researchers, who say death-toll is ten times the average, are currently studying the dead porpoises for clues to cause. These could include colder-than-average waters, algal blooms, disease, or the incident in the back of everyone's mind: the BP oil...
Trial begins in Utah oil-gas lease auction case
Posted by Associated Press: Jennifer Dobner on February 28th, 2011
Associated Press: About 400 environmental activists marched to the federal courthouse Monday to support a man facing trial this week on charges that he thwarted a 2008 oil-and-gas lease auction to bring attention to climate change.
Tim DeChristopher, 29, has pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court to felony counts of interfering with and making false representations at a government auction, although he doesn't dispute the facts of the case. Jury selection begins Monday and the twice-delayed trial is expected...
US battle over climate regulation engulfs vital environmental budget
Posted by Ecologist: Felicity Carus on February 28th, 2011
Ecologist: Republican proposals to cut the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) budget by almost a third is an attempt by climate deniers to roll back 40 years of progress in cleaning up America’s air, water, industry and transport, according to campaigners
Earlier this month, the Republican-led House of Congress voted to cut federal spending by $61bn in an effort to tackle the country's $14.13 trillion national debt.
However the Republican bill includes a $3bn cut to the EPA and a swath of amendments...
Posted in Water Conservation 
Comments Off on US battle over climate regulation engulfs vital environmental budgetA smoking gun for climate change and extreme weather?
Posted by American Rivers: Will Hewes on February 28th, 2011
American Rivers: Climate change is a hard concept to communicate especially when it comes to extreme weather. Part of what makes it so difficult is that scientists have a hard time connecting warming to individual heat waves, droughts, or floods -- some of the most damaging consequences of climate change. The basic science tells us that these types of disasters will be more frequent and severe as temperatures rise.
Trends over the past 50 years demonstrate that this process is already underway, and models confirm...
Javan rhinos captured on film in Indonesia
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on February 28th, 2011
Guardian: Four of the world's rarest rhinoceroses have been captured by camera traps installed in an Indonesian national park, according to an environmental group.
The footage from movement-triggered hidden cameras shows two female Javan rhinos and two calves in Ujung Kulon national park in November and December last year, said WWF.
Javan rhinos are among the world's most endangered species, with an estimated population of no more than 50 in Ujung Kulon. A few others live in Cat Tien national park, in...
Mass. company making diesel with sun, water, CO2
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on February 28th, 2011
Washington Post: A Massachusetts biotechnology company says it can produce the fuel that runs Jaguars and jet engines using the same ingredients that make grass grow.
Joule Unlimited has invented a genetically-engineered organism that it says simply secretes diesel fuel or ethanol wherever it finds sunlight, water and carbon dioxide.
The Cambridge, Mass.-based company says it can manipulate the organism to produce the renewable fuels on demand at unprecedented rates, and can do it in facilities large and small...
Eco-engineering hopes for frogs
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on February 28th, 2011
BBC: Eco-engineering hopes for amphibians' future
By Mark Kinver Science and environment reporter, BBC News Amphibians are among the most vulnerable groups of animals to changes to their habitat and climate An international team of researchers have tabled a range of engineering ideas that could help protect amphibians from future climate change.
The animals are particularly vulnerable to changes to habitat and temperature ranges, with many species also having a very limited distribution.
The...
4 rare Javan Rhinos photographed in Indonesia
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on February 28th, 2011
Associated Press: Four of the world's most rare rhinoceroses were captured by camera traps installed in an Indonesian national park, an environmental group said Monday.
The footage from movement-triggered hidden cameras showed two mother Javan rhinos and two calves in Ujung Kulon National Park in November and December last year, said a release from the WWF-Indonesia.
Javan rhinos are one of the world's most endangered species with an estimated population of no more than 50 in Ujung Kulon. A few others live in...
Fish pedicure safety in question
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on February 28th, 2011
BBC: Fish pedicure safety in question
A salon in Washington DC was an early pioneer of the 'fish pedicure'. First broadcast July 2008
Garra Rufa fish used in pedicures
Health experts are investigating the safety of fish pedicures after concerns that this latest pampering craze could spread infections.
The treatment involves dunking the feet in tanks filled with Garra rufa fish that can nibble away dead skin.
The Health Protection Agency is concerned this could spread diseases from person...
Water demand will ‘outstrip supply by 40% within 20 years’ due to climate change and population growth
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on February 28th, 2011
Daily Mail: Water demand in many countries will exceed supply by 40 per cent within 20 years due to the combined threat of climate change and population growth, scientists have warned.
A new way of thinking about water is needed as looming shortages threaten communities, agriculture and industry, experts said.
In the next two decades, a third of humanity will have only half the water required to meet basic needs, said researchers.
Crisis? Water demand in many countries will exceed supply by 40 per cent...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Water demand will ‘outstrip supply by 40% within 20 years’ due to climate change and population growth