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Archive for February, 2014
Rachel Maddow Devotes Large Portion of Show to Hazards of Fracking
Posted by EcoWatch: None Given on February 19th, 2014
EcoWatch: Yesterday, as reported on EcoWatch, the Center for Public Integrity, InsideClimate News and The Weather Channel released an investigative report and short film on how volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released during the fracking process are polluting the air in South Texas, home of the Eagle Ford Shale basin.
Last night, Rachel Maddow devoted an extended portion of her MSNBC show to the barrage of issues surrounding the fracking process. Maddow began with discussing the increasing number of earthquakes...
Posted in Water Conservation 
Comments Off on Rachel Maddow Devotes Large Portion of Show to Hazards of FrackingReport describes the unfathomable cost of inaction on rising seas
Posted by InsideClimate: John H. Cushman Jr. on February 19th, 2014
InsideClimate: The world needs to invest tens of billions of dollars a year in beefing up shoreline defenses against rising oceans or it will face mind-boggling costs in the decades to come, according to new research published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. If nations don't build up dikes, levees and sea walls, harden existing infrastructure, and preserve natural sponges like wetlands and barrier islands--and if they also do nothing to cut the emissions of greenhouse gases that...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Report describes the unfathomable cost of inaction on rising seasNew Research Shows Tree Roots Regulate CO2, Keep Climate Stable
Posted by Climate News: Tim Radford on February 19th, 2014
Climate News: Trees have become a source of continuous surprise. Only weeks after researchers demonstrated that old forest giants actually accumulate more carbon than younger, fast-growing trees, British scientists have discovered that the great arbiters of long-term global temperatures may not be the leaves of an oak, pine or eucalyptus, but the roots.
The argument, put forward by a team from Oxford and Sheffield Universities in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, begins with temperature. Warmer climates...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on New Research Shows Tree Roots Regulate CO2, Keep Climate StableUnited Kingdom: Insurance industry ‘must not drag its feet’ helping flood victims
Posted by Blue and Green: None Given on February 19th, 2014
Blue and Green: The insurance industry has insisted that the situation “is under control” after facing criticism and calls for faster service to people affected by the UK flooding crisis.
On Tuesday, government ministers met with insurers to discuss how those living in flooded homes were being helped.
Representatives from 60% of the insurance market assured the government that they were acting quickly and agreed to meet with ministers each month to report on their progress.
This came after prime minister...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on United Kingdom: Insurance industry ‘must not drag its feet’ helping flood victimsFlooding poses risk UK economy and could worsen with climate change
Posted by Blue and Green: None Given on February 19th, 2014
Blue and Green: The UK has been ranked among the countries where flooding poses the greatest risk to their economic output, according to new research. The findings come after heavy rain and high winds battered the country, resulting in flooding – particularly in the south.
The Natural Hazards Risk Atlas, produced by Maplecroft, assesses 197 countries on their physical and economic exposure to 12 types of natural hazards, including flooding, storm surges, earthquakes and cyclones.
Whilst the UK was ranked as...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Flooding poses risk UK economy and could worsen with climate changeHow do we involve most vulnerable in flood protection decisions?
Posted by Blue and Green: Clare Downing on February 19th, 2014
Blue and Green: If you talk to anyone who has been affected by a flood, they would no doubt have a long list of questions and complaints about flood defences, prevention and the grim process of cleaning up. Giving vulnerable or disadvantaged people the opportunity to have their say, and finding an inclusive way to capture their comments, is a challenge. In the meantime, communities deal with the immediate problems, working together and supporting each other. The community strength and togetherness generated by...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on How do we involve most vulnerable in flood protection decisions?Chevron’s ‘pizza and soda’ apology turns tragedy into farce
Posted by Yahoo: Aaron Task on February 19th, 2014
Yahoo: On Feb. 11, an explosion at a Chevron natural gas well in Bobtown, Pa. exploded, killing one worker. The fire burned for four days and gas and heat are still emanating from the site. The cause of the explosion remains unknown at this time and residents of Bobtown remain understandably concerned about the safety of other wells in the area.
The situation at the well "remains serious," Chevron said in a statement Tuesday.
But the oil giant is threatening to turn this very serious and tragic event...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Chevron’s ‘pizza and soda’ apology turns tragedy into farceTransCanada Natural Gas Pipeline Ruptures in Alberta
Posted by Calgery Herald: Dan Healing on February 19th, 2014
Calgery Herald: Rural customers affected by a natural gas pipeline rupture north of Rocky Mountain House will be receiving a replacement supply of the heating fuel, TransCanada Corp. said Tuesday afternoon.
The Calgary-based company reported Tuesday that a leg of its Nova Gas Transmission Ltd. pipeline system lost pressure at about 5 a.m. Tuesday morning and was shut down.
The closure was contained to its Ferrier North Lateral and did not affect service to the west central Alberta town of Rocky Mountain House,...
California leaders propose drought-relief funding plan
Posted by LA Times: Anthony York on February 19th, 2014
LA Times: Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders unveiled a proposed $687.4-million drought-relief package Wednesday to free up water supplies and aid Californians facing financial ruin because of the state's prolonged dry spell.
The proposal would provide millions of dollars to clean up drinking water, improve conservation and make irrigation systems more efficient. It would increase penalties for those who illegally divert water.
The plan also contains money for emergency food and housing for those...
5 reasons why climate change is back in the news
Posted by CNN: Tom Cohen on February 18th, 2014
CNN: In the space of 48 hours, Secretary of State John Kerry likened climate change to a weapon of mass destruction, Newt Gingrich called Kerry delusional, Sunday talk shows argued about it and President Barack Obama announced another executive action to combat it.
After what seemed like a lull in political focus on the issue, why is everyone talking about it this week?
A convergence of events and factors -- blizzards in the East and drought out West, an administration acting on oft-stated intentions,...