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Archive for August 14th, 2014
Environment minister Greg Hunt admits Great Barrier Reef is in trouble
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on August 14th, 2014
Guardian: They say the first way to treat a problem is to admit the problem exists. In that respect, the Australian government may be coming to terms with what it will take to turn around the worrying state of the Great Barrier Reef.
An outlook report by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), the government agency tasked with overseeing the reef’s health, declines to mince its words.
The reef is an “icon under pressure” that has suffered a dip in health since the last major analysis of...
Posted in Water Conservation 
Comments Off on Environment minister Greg Hunt admits Great Barrier Reef is in troubleExpanding Existing Farmland Would Benefit Climate
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on August 14th, 2014
Climate Central: With worldwide food production expected to double by 2050, it's almost inevitable that agriculture is going to have to expand in a warming world with a growing population. A new study suggests that if new farmland is created carefully, billions of tons of carbon emissions could be saved. In many places across the globe, new farmland is carved out of forests and other environmentally sensitive areas, the clear-cutting of which releases carbon into the atmosphere. When left intact, biologically diverse...
Study focuses droughts & climate change in Sierra & beyond
Posted by Reno Gazette-Journal: Jeff DeLong on August 14th, 2014
Reno Gazette-Journal: The lingering drought now affecting Reno-area water supplies could be a sign of things to come, with scientists now studying how the region might respond to future droughts associated with a warming climate.
Researchers with University of Nevada, Reno, the Desert Research Institute and the U.S. Geological Survey are embarking on a $3.8 million project designed to examine the expected impacts of climate change, with the idea of developing policy options to deal with droughts of the future.
"These...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Study focuses droughts & climate change in Sierra & beyondTop 5 sustainable food habits
Posted by Alabama Live: Lori Zanteson on August 14th, 2014
Alabama Live: Sustainable food habits - practices that support a more environmentally and socially responsible food system - are a growing interest in our efforts to protect the environment and our communities from the potentially damaging effects of agriculture, such as soil erosion and the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Adopting even one seemingly small and simple sustainable food habit can make a huge difference in promoting a more sustainable food system.
Here are 5 sustainable food habits...
Lawmakers in drought-hit California finally agree water plan
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on August 14th, 2014
Reuters: California Governor Jerry Brown approved on Wednesday a $7.6 billion plan to improve water supplies in the drought-striken state that will be put before voters in November, ending a year of political wrangling over the measure.
California is in the throes of a devastating multi-year drought that is expected to cost its economy $2.2 billion in lost crops, jobs and other damages.
On the last possible day to approve the ballot measure, Democrats and Republicans fought over what projects to include,...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Lawmakers in drought-hit California finally agree water planNew York suburbs hit by flash floods after record rainfall
Posted by Reuters: Laila Kearney on August 14th, 2014
Reuters: More than a foot of rain hit parts of New York's Long Island on Wednesday, enough to set a preliminary state record, triggering flash floods and swamping cars on major roads that were turned into rivers during the morning rush hour. Much of the rain fell during a particularly intense, two-hour burst while commuters were traveling to work. A total of 13.26 inches (33 cm) of precipitation was measured at MacArthur Airport in Islip. That is believed to be the most to have ever fallen in any area of...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on New York suburbs hit by flash floods after record rainfall