Archive for January 19th, 2013

Australia: Extreme weather to put strain on disaster services

Age: THE capacity of fire and emergency services to respond to natural disasters will need to be increased if extreme weather events intensify because of climate change, the council representing Australia's emergency services has warned. The Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC), which represents bodies including the Country Fire Authority and the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, says any increases in extreme weather events will have implications for funding of staff and infrastructure....

Regulations on Fracking Are Revised

New York Times: The Interior Department will issue revised rules on the use of hydraulic fracturing to drill for oil and gas on public lands, officials said Friday. The rules will replace a proposal released last May that was opposed by oil companies and state officials, who said they conflict with regulations in use on private lands and will add cost to drilling operations. Details of the revised proposal were not disclosed, but an Interior Department official said it would require disclosure of chemicals used...

Climate Change’s Effects On Temperate Rain Forests Surprisingly Complex

ScienceDaily: Longer, warmer growing seasons associated with a changing climate are altering growing conditions in temperate rain forests, but not all plant species will be negatively affected, according to research conducted by the U.S. Forest Service's Pacific Northwest Research Station. Research featured in the January 2013 issue of Science Findings -- a monthly publication of the station -- reveals a complex range of forest plant responses to a warming climate. " Although the overall potential for growth...