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Archive for July 19th, 2013
Ice, ice, maybe: Snow and ice melting at record speed
Posted by Grist: Claire Thompson on July 19th, 2013
Grist: You may have noticed it’s been a hot summer so far. June temperatures were above average across the world, and both NASA and NOAA ranked the month among the top five warmest since record keeping began in the late 1800s.
Not surprisingly, snow extent in the Northern Hemisphere was at its third-lowest on record by June. But what makes the current paltry snow cover more significant is the fact that, just a few months ago, the Northern Hemisphere was unusually snowy - April 2013 had the ninth-highest...
Youngstown Pushes for Protections From Fracking, Earthquakes and Pollution
Posted by EcoWatch: None Given on July 19th, 2013
EcoWatch: They’re back and more determined than ever to win on election day in November 2013. The Youngstown, OH, Community Bill of Rights Committee is coordinating a new door-to-door campaign to get the required number of registered Youngstown voter signatures to put a question on the November ballot.
The group says that a "Yes" vote on that ballot question would uphold Youngstown citizens’ fundamental rights to protect their family’s safe drinking water, clean air and land, and to local self-governance....
Posted in Water Conservation 
Comments Off on Youngstown Pushes for Protections From Fracking, Earthquakes and PollutionHarry Reid blames climate change for fires ravaging his state
Posted by Grist: None Given on July 19th, 2013
Grist: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has no doubt about what`s causing this summer`s disastrous Western fire season: climate change.
During a meeting with reporters this week, Reid linked global warming to a 28,000-acre blaze in Nevada that caused hundreds to be evacuated from their homes. After being mocked by conservative media, he doubled down and made his points again in front of a group of reporters.
"The West is being devastated by wildfires. Millions of acres are burning. Millions...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Harry Reid blames climate change for fires ravaging his stateGov. O’Malley to Forge Ahead with Fracking in Maryland, Despite Calls for Ban
Posted by EcoWatch: Jorge Aguilar on July 19th, 2013
EcoWatch: Leaders in the Maryland Legislature rejected a bill last session that would have placed a ban on fracking in the state, seemingly supporting Gov. O’Malley (D-MD) in whatever plan he unveils for Maryland. The governor, in turn, has appropriated taxpayer money to conduct several studies to determine whether or not the long-term effects of fracking would be too detrimental to public health and the environment.
In fact, Gov. O’Malley has been telling anti-fracking advocates that the Old Line State...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Gov. O’Malley to Forge Ahead with Fracking in Maryland, Despite Calls for BanCrude on the tracks: Oil spills from trains skyrocket
Posted by Grist: Claire Thompson on July 19th, 2013
Grist: As more oil is being shipped by train across North America, more oil is being spilled from trains. EnergyWire reports:
The number of spills and other accidents from railroad cars carrying crude oil has skyrocketed in recent years, up from one or two a year early in the previous decade to 88 last year.
Most of the spills are relatively small - nothing like the deadly disaster in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, earlier this month - but with oil shipments on the rise, there`s cause to be concerned.
Oil...
Water companies warn over fracking
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on July 19th, 2013
BBC: Drinking water could be contaminated with methane gas and chemicals due to fracking, water companies have warned.
Water UK, which represents all major UK water suppliers, said the shale gas extraction method posed a threat if not "carefully planned and carried out".
It also warned fracking's "huge" use of water could cause shortages in areas of low supply, like South East England.
Shale gas company Cuadrilla said there were no proven cases of aquifers being contaminated by fracking.
Dr...
‘Heat dome’ grips two-thirds of the US
Posted by LA Times: Benjamin Mueller on July 19th, 2013
LA Times: Cooler temperatures are approaching, but the year's worst heat wave continues to punish areas from South Dakota to coastal Massachusetts on Thursday, prolonging withering conditions that have already claimed one man's life in Kentucky.
Officials warn that persistent overnight heat, high humidity and intense sunshine threaten areas of the country, especially the Midwest, that aren't accustomed to near-tropical conditions. Excessive heat still blankets parts of 21 states and the District of Columbia,...
Naturalists urge British public to help wildlife survive the hot weather
Posted by Guardian: Natalie Starkey and Shiona Tregaskis on July 19th, 2013
Guardian: Gull chick taking a splash! Heatwaves and hot weather are affecting local wildlife too
While many of us are enjoying the heatwave, naturalists have urged the British public to help wildlife struggling to survive as water and food supplies have dwindled in the heat.
After six consecutive days of 30C-plus temperatures and with rainfall at only around 15% of average monthly totals so far, wardens at The Lodge in Sandy, an RSPB nature reserve in Bedfordshire, are working to keep their animals,...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Naturalists urge British public to help wildlife survive the hot weatherEU pledges to support China’s climate efforts
Posted by BusinessGreen: None Given on July 19th, 2013
BusinessGreen: China has asked the EU to help it tackle pollution related to heavy metals and water and waste treatment. Janez Potocnik, EU Environment Commissioner, told news agency Reuters that Brussels was investing EUR10m in a scheme called the EU China Environmental Sustainability Project, which is set to be launched today. "If you're following the statements of political leaders, obviously they are recognising that this is becoming a serious issue," Potocnik said. "They are also addressing it more thoroughly...
Thirsty clean energy may add to water stressed world
Posted by New Scientist: Sara Reardon on July 19th, 2013
New Scientist: As the world gets hotter and drier thanks to our predilection for burning fossil fuels, the technologies we need to reduce emissions could be too thirsty to be sustainable.
The choices we make balancing power and water are already becoming an urgent issue in the fight against climate change, says Amanda Fencl of the Stockholm Environment Institute in Davis, California.
While cutting emissions is necessary to curb global warming, some renewable and clean energy sources use more water than fossil...