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Archive for September, 2012
Why Is Governor Cuomo Letting a Climate Science Denier Regulate Fracking?
Posted by Huffington Post: Philip Radford on September 17th, 2012
Huffington Post: Governor Cuomo relies on Bradley J Field -- a climate skeptic -- to head New York's Department of Environmental Conservation's Division of Mineral Resources. Unfortunately, Mr. Field has proven to be out of sync with the scientific community on the environmental issue with the greatest scientific consensus -- climate change. And despite this, he is responsible for making sure that New York's regulation of fracking is based on good science.
I was deeply troubled to discover that Bradley Field signed...
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Comments Off on Why Is Governor Cuomo Letting a Climate Science Denier Regulate Fracking?Turtle knowledge in Africa shows significant gaps
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on September 17th, 2012
Mongabay: Sometimes turtles fall through the cracks: a new study in the open access journal Tropical Conservation Science, has uncovered a number of 'gap species' in the turtle families inhabiting Africa. 'Gap species' are those that are recorded in one country or another, but not in adjacent countries which could be due to a lack of data, a change in ecosystems, or human impacts.
"It is important to have detailed accounts of species occurrences by country, as these data are basic for many conservation...
What Drove Early Man Across Globe? Climate Change
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on September 17th, 2012
National Public Radio: Anthropologists believe early humans evolved in Africa and then moved out from there in successive waves. However, what drove their migrations has been a matter of conjecture.
One new explanation is climate change.
Anthropologist Anders Erikkson of Cambridge University in England says the first few hardy humans who left Africa might've gone earlier but couldn't. Northeastern Africa - the only route to Asia and beyond - was literally a no man's land.
"The people couldn't really couldn't leave,"...
Globe Records Fourth Warmest August as Arctic Ice Melts
Posted by Climate Central: Andrew Freedman on September 17th, 2012
Climate Central: August was the fourth warmest such month on record worldwide, marking the 330th straight month with a global temperature above the 20th century average, according to a report released Monday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). In other words, the last time the globe saw a below average month, Ronald Reagan was just entering his second term in office. The last below average August occurred even further back in time, in 1976, when Gerald Ford was serving as U.S. President....
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Globe Records Fourth Warmest August as Arctic Ice MeltsClimate change threat more real to those with perceived personal experience: study
Posted by Calgary Herald: Misty Harris on September 17th, 2012
Calgary Herald: A new study has found that a feeling of 'personally experiencing` global warming heightens people`s perception of risks related to the environmental phenomenon.
We have dramatically shrinking glaciers. We have compelling science. We have adorable polar bears treading water. But wouldn’t you know it, what really makes us fret over climate change is making it all about us.
A new study has found that a feeling of “personally experiencing” global warming heightens people’s perception of risks related...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Climate change threat more real to those with perceived personal experience: studyBotswana: Climate change hits farmers hard
Posted by Monitor: Maranyane Ngwanaamotho on September 17th, 2012
Monitor: Some farmers tried to milk some answers from experts from the Department of Meteorological Services in Gaborone last week, but still went home unsatisfied with what they got. They needed a solution or answer to many of their questions and challenges but they were not convinced. The main questionwas the delayed onset of seasons and localised rains.
Farmers were complaining that though the department is mandated with providing the public with information of what to expect in a given season, they...
Battle over ancient Swedish forest
Posted by Guardian: Sylvia Rowley on September 17th, 2012
Guardian: A landmark case that could affect the fate of forests across Sweden reaches its final stage today in the supreme court. Environmentalists have warned that a damaging precedent will be set if Finnish company Nordkalk is allowed to carry out large-scale limestone mining in an ancient, biodiverse habitat on the northern Swedish island of Gotland. The planned limestone quarry would destroy part of Ojnare forest and neighbouring wetlands, a region that borders two protected areas and is so valuable...
United Kingdom: Crossrail earth will be used to create huge wetland nature reserve
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on September 17th, 2012
Guardian: The first giant scoops of almost 5m tonnes of earth from deep beneath London were delivered to the Essex coast on Monday, the first step in creating the biggest man-made nature reserve in Europe.
The soil, excavated from two new 21km rail tunnels under the capital, will transform the pancake-flat intensive farmland of Wallasea Island into a labyrinth of mudflats, saltmarshes and lagoons last seen on the site 400 years ago.
The RSPB hopes the new reserve will see the return to England of lost...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on United Kingdom: Crossrail earth will be used to create huge wetland nature reserveSouthwest Likely to be Loser Thanks to Climate Change
Posted by KNAU Arizona Public Radio: Shelley Smithson on September 17th, 2012
KNAU Arizona Public Radio: Despite this year’s abundant monsoon season, researchers say climate change could be pushing the Southwest into a period of sustained drought.
That’s the subject of a new book by William deBuys.
The Santa Fe author will be speaking tonight about his book, “A Great Aridness.”
He says climate change will produce winners and losers. And the Southwest will be a loser…
deBuys: The reason the Southwest is likely to be a loser in climate change is because it will become more arid. And it will...
United States: E.P.A. Plans Crackdown on Muddy Upstate Waterway
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on September 17th, 2012
New York Times: The federal Environmental Protection Agency wants to list the Lower Esopus Creek in the Catskills region of New York as an “impaired” waterway. Such a step could force New York City to stop discharging muddy water into the creek from a reservoir that helps supply city’s drinking water. The muddying of the Lower Esopus has been an issue for environmental officials from both the city and the state because the tributary is vital to recreation and agriculture in Ulster County. The county executive,...
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