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Archive for October 31st, 2011
Solar chiefs threaten legal action
Posted by Financial Times: Pilita Clark and Jim Pickard on October 31st, 2011
Financial Times: Solar company executives have condemned the “nightmare” announcement of government plans to halve subsidies for household solar panels, threatening legal action against a step they claim would destroy the industry. In a move first revealed in the Financial Times, Greg Barker, climate change minister, said the highest subsidy paid to people with small solar power systems would be cut from 43.3p per kilowatt hour to 21p per kWh from December 12, subject to a consultation period ending 11 days later...
Bringing Up the Issue of Population Growth
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on October 31st, 2011
New York Times: Major American environmental groups have dodged the subject of population control for decades, wary of getting caught up in the bruising politics of reproductive health.
Yet, virtually alone, the Center for Biological Diversity is breaking the taboo by directly tying population growth to environmental problems through efforts like giving away condoms in colorful packages depicting endangered animals. The idea is to start a debate about how overpopulation crowds out species and hastens climate...
Planet 7 Billion: Five Crisis Hotspots to Watch
Posted by Time: Joe Jackson on October 31st, 2011
Time: As the planet's population climbs towards a new U.N.-projected peak of 10.1 billion by the turn of the next century, competition for resources within and between states will likely intensify. So too, goes the logic, will the number of resulting conflicts over oil, fresh water and precious raw materials. Indeed, recent conflicts, such as the on-going turmoil in Darfur, are cited as ominous harbingers of a future where poor countries face increasing squabbles over scant resources. But, say experts,...
Savannas, forests in a battle of the biomes, researchers find
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on October 31st, 2011
Physorg: The Princeton researchers reported this month in the journal Science that savanna wildfires, combined with climate conditions, maintain the distinct border between savannas and forests in many tropical and subtropical areas. Savanna fires keep tree cover low and prevent forests from encroaching on the grassland. When tree cover is high, as in a forest, fires cannot spread as easily, halting the savanna's advance into the forest.
But the Princeton team's findings suggest that savanna wildfires...
Posted in Water Conservation 
Comments Off on Savannas, forests in a battle of the biomes, researchers findNiger River under Pressure from Dams
Posted by Inter Press Service: Soumaila T. Diarra on October 31st, 2011
Inter Press Service: Several major new dams are being constructed on the Niger River. It's a positive sign of growing investment in agriculture and energy, but it also has some observers worried.
The new dams not only raise ecological concerns, but are also provoking difficult negotiations over equitably sharing the resources of a river basin that extends over two million square kilometres.
"There are nine countries in the Niger basin, but their interests are divergent. There are certain countries - such as Mali...
The Easy Fix That Isn’t: White Roofs May Increase Global Warming
Posted by Climate Central: Alyson Kenward on October 31st, 2011
Climate Central: If you're interested in staving off climate change without trying too hard, painting your roof white seems like a complete no-brainer. It's far cheaper than trading in your SUV for a Prius, and it turns the laws of physics to best advantage. Dark roofs absorb sunlight that heats up your house, office tower, or apartment building. That means you're bound to crank up the energy-intensive air conditioner to keep pace --and since electricity in the U.S. comes largely from fossil fuels, the net result...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on The Easy Fix That Isn’t: White Roofs May Increase Global WarmingThe world is home to 7 billion people but how far has it come?
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on October 31st, 2011
Guardian: The world's population reaching 7 billion on Monday is an occasion to take stock of how far humanity has come in promoting the right to the highest attainable standard of health. As a key strategy to accelerate progress, the international sexual and reproductive health and HIV communities are increasingly joining forces and reaching out to the most vulnerable and under-served populations.
It is critical that sound policies are in place to support comprehensive approaches, whether on providing...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on The world is home to 7 billion people but how far has it come?Canada: Keystone XL dominates US energy, environment agenda
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on October 31st, 2011
Reuters: TransCanada Corp's Keystone XL pipeline is at the center of an emotional debate in the United States, pitting promoters of energy security and job creation against people who are pushing for a green economy and raising fears over risks of moving oil across the length of the country.
Here are the facts and figures of the proposal and the major issues surrounding it:
PROJECT
Proponent: TransCanada, its country's largest pipeline and power generation operator, is best known for running the...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Canada: Keystone XL dominates US energy, environment agendaCleaning up after nature plays a trick
Posted by New York Times: Anne Barnard and Sarah Maslin Nir on October 31st, 2011
New York Times: It was a storm of record consequence, disrupting large swaths of the Northeast in ways large and small: towns were buried in dense snowfalls, closing down streets, schools and even, in some cases, Halloween celebrations.
By the time the great snowstorm of October 2011 finally ended early Sunday, more than three million customers would find themselves without power and with the prospect of enduring several more days without it. In many communities, the storm had a far greater impact on daily life...
Short life of British mayfly halved by climate change
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on October 31st, 2011
National Geographic: Already known for its brief adult existence--a mayfly commonly dies within hours of becoming airborne--the insect’s life cycle is being accelerated by rising temperatures, according to findings from a river immortalized by Izaak Walton in The Compleat Angler.
A five-year study on the River Dove in northern England found that Ephemera danica--a species known simply as the mayfly or green drake--is reaching maturity in one year instead of two.
This switch to a one-year life cycle “started after...