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Archive for August, 2013
The global impact of U.S. oil and gas development
Posted by Denver Post: Don Smith and Rebecca Watson on August 24th, 2013
Denver Post: Hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") and horizontal drilling are allowing the United States to produce more domestic oil and gas, bringing closer the once unthinkable prospect of America being a net energy exporter. But what are the international implications of America's newfound energy bounty on U.S. foreign policy? An initial caveat: fracking, or more accurately, oil and gas development, is an industrial activity and can cause negative environmental impacts. But many modern activities have environmental...
Most of Manila left underwater as record storms sweep parts of Asia
Posted by ClimateWire: Coleen Jose on August 24th, 2013
ClimateWire: A state of disaster was declared in parts of the northern Philippines earlier this week as a monsoon and typhoon brought incessant rain in the region for three days, triggering mass evacuations and affecting more than 1 million people. Although Typhoon Trami has left the nation and made landfall in southern China yesterday, causing fresh flooding in the region, residents continue to wade in thick mud and water that is chest-deep in some areas. The weather-related deaths, which have risen to 21,...
Posted in Water Conservation 
Comments Off on Most of Manila left underwater as record storms sweep parts of AsiaEPA orders air pollution controls for fracked gas wells
Posted by McClatchy: Renee Schoof on August 24th, 2013
McClatchy: Air pollution from thousands of natural gas wells that are “fracked” every year will be reduced under regulations that the Environmental Protection Agency issued on Wednesday. It’s the first time the EPA has required air pollution controls at hydraulically fractured, or fracked, wells. The new rule targets smog-forming volatile organic compounds and air toxics that increase cancer risks. The same equipment also would trap methane, a potent heat-trapping gas in the atmosphere. President Barack Obama...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on EPA orders air pollution controls for fracked gas wellsObama position on fracking leaves both sides grumbling
Posted by McClatchy: Sean Cockerham on August 24th, 2013
McClatchy: President Barack Obama’s embrace of fracking is earning wrath from environmentalists but little love from the oil and gas industry. Obama praised the U.S. natural gas boom in a recent climate change speech and credited it with delivering cleaner energy. The boom is a result of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, in which chemical-spiked water is pumped underground to free oil and natural gas trapped in shale rock. The Obama administration’s proposed fracking rules say companies don’t have to disclose...
The next hurricane, and the next
Posted by New York Times: Editorial on August 24th, 2013
New York Times: Hurricane Sandy, the monster storm that hit the Atlantic Seaboard on Oct. 29, left at least 159 dead and caused $65 billion in damages. But as a presidential task force made clear this week, Sandy cannot be considered a seasonal disaster or regional fluke but as yet another harbinger of the calamities that await in an era of climate change. With that in mind, the report says that individuals, local governments and states that expect federal help cannot simply restore what was there but must adopt...
Impact of climate change growing in Ohio
Posted by Marion Star: None Given on August 24th, 2013
Marion Star: When most people hear “climate change,” they think of claims that fossil fuel use and deforestation have resulted in stronger hurricanes, intense heat waves and drought. Many others look at such claims as junk science and scare tactics. But a certain amount of conjecture and debate on these matters is healthy. It’s OK to be skeptical, but proof of climate change in Ohio can be found across the state. Algae growing in Lake Erie and other smaller inland lakes, buggy conditions earlier in the year,...
Clean drinking water, a major issue in developing countries – Prof. Munasinghe
Posted by Sunday Observer: Naalir Jamaldeen on August 24th, 2013
Sunday Observer: Shortage of fresh drinking water will be a major issue in the world specially in developing countries. Contamination of underground water, mismanagement and wasting have worsened the situation. The Maldives spends a large amount of money to supply pure drinking water to the people.
Climate change is one of the main problems in poor countries, because it affects their livelihood and the economy, Chairman of the Munasinghe Institute of Development (MIND), Prof. Mohan Munasinghe said.
He said...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Clean drinking water, a major issue in developing countries – Prof. MunasingheJapan: Nuclear Operator Raises Alarm on Crisis
Posted by New York Times: Hiroko Tabuchi on August 24th, 2013
New York Times: The operator of Japan’s tsunami-hit nuclear power plant sounded the alarm on the gravity of the deepening crisis of containment at the coastal site on Friday, saying that there are more than 200,000 tons of radioactive water in makeshift tanks vulnerable to leaks, with no reliable way to check on them or anywhere to transfer the water. The latest disclosures add to a long list of recent accidents, leaks and breakdowns that have underscored grave vulnerabilities at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power...
Fire near Yosemite threatens power for San Francisco
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on August 24th, 2013
Reuters: Firefighters on Saturday battled to gain control of a fast-moving wildfire raging on the edge of Yosemite National Park that is threatening power and water supplies to San Francisco about 200 miles to the west.
The so-called Rim Fire, which had grown to just over 125,000 acres as of early Saturday, remained largely unchecked with extreme terrain hampering efforts at containment.
"We are making progress but unfortunately the steep terrain definitely has posed a major challenge," said Daniel...
Huge California Wildfire Spreads Into Yosemite
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on August 23rd, 2013
New York Times: A giant wildfire raging out of control grew to nearly 200 square miles Friday and spread into Yosemite National Park at the height of the summer season for one of California's most popular tourist destinations.
While it has closed some backcountry hiking, it was not threatening the Yosemite Valley, home to such iconic sights as the Half Dome and El Capitan rock formations and Bridalveil and Yosemite falls.
But in an unusual move, Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for San Francisco...