RSS Feed
Archive for September 25th, 2014
Ohio Singled Out for Worst Fracking Waste Disposal Practices
Posted by EcoWatch: Anastasia Pantsios on September 25th, 2014
EcoWatch: The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a new report this week showing that Ohio was the only state among eight studied that allows waste fluids from oil and gas wells to be disposed of without disclosure of the chemicals it contains.
The report, created as a request by seven Democratic U.S. Senators and Congresspersons, studied eight states where fracking has become widespread--California, Colorado, Kentucky, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Texas. All but Ohio required...
Posted in Water Conservation 
Comments Off on Ohio Singled Out for Worst Fracking Waste Disposal PracticesNatural Gas Usage Won’t Help Curb Carbon Emissions
Posted by Nature World: None Given on September 25th, 2014
Nature World: Switching from coal to natural gas for power generation will do very little to reduce harmful US carbon emissions causing climate change, according to new research. In fact, burning this cheap gas will just make us use more energy and hinder the expansion of renewable resources like wind and solar.
It's no secret that coal-fired plants, the nation's largest source of power, produce vast quantities of carbon dioxide (CO2), the main greenhouse gas polluting Earth's atmosphere. Increased use of natural...
How Dust Might Make Drought Worse (or Bit Better) in California
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on September 25th, 2014
National Geographic: Most of California's water comes from the snow stored in the Sierra Nevada each winter. In the spring, melting snow helps fill the state's reservoirs for the dry summer. (Read "When the Snows Fail" in National Geographic magazine.)
As the state's historic drought drags on, scientists are watching the Sierra snow with intense interest-and they're worrying that even tiny airborne particles of dust may have a big effect on water supplies.
Here's how: As California gets drier, it's getting dustier,...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on How Dust Might Make Drought Worse (or Bit Better) in CaliforniaChina’s war on pollution could leave Australia dirty coal out in cold
Posted by Ecologist: Shabbir Ahmad on September 25th, 2014
Ecologist: To tackle its serious air pollution, China is imposing stringent restrictions on dirty coal high in ash or sulphur, writes Shabbir Ahmad. One result: half of Australia's coal exports to China face exclusion, or extra 'washing' costs. But Australia's response is not to raise environmental quality. Instead, it's increasing production.
if Australia wants to remain an energy exporter far into the future, it should focus on developing renewable energy products.
China's recent move to limit imports...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on China’s war on pollution could leave Australia dirty coal out in coldStudy says natural factors, not humans, behind West Coast warming
Posted by Seattle Times: None Given on September 25th, 2014
Seattle Times: It has been a subject of debate for years: How much has global warming contributed to a documented rise in temperatures along the West Coast?
A new study published Monday in a major research journal suggests the answer thus far, particularly in the Northwest, is: hardly any.
An average coastal temperature increase of 1 degree Celsius since 1900 along the West Coast appears more likely to be the result of changes in winds and air circulation over the eastern Pacific Ocean, two former University...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Study says natural factors, not humans, behind West Coast warmingPakistan: National agricultural economy facing climate change risks
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on September 25th, 2014
Daily Times: Senior Environmental experts said on Wednesday that national agricultural economy was being affected by five major risks related to climate change. Talking to APP senior researcher, Kashif Salik working with Sustainable Policy Development Institute (SDPI) said that being a predominantly agricultural economy, climate change is estimated to decrease crop yields in Pakistan not only as a result of flooding, but also as a result of changing temperatures, which in turn will affect livelihoods and food...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Pakistan: National agricultural economy facing climate change risksBrazil warming to ‘green’ policies
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on September 25th, 2014
Nature: Environmental icon Marina Silva may struggle to advance her environment agenda if elected president.
Marina Silva rose from poverty deep in the Amazon jungle to become a prominent politician and the advocate who kick-started Brazil’s battle against deforestation. Now she is clashing with an old foe, President Dilma Rousseff, in a wild election that could reshape the nation’s environmental policy.
Silva’s sudden ascent is almost as shocking as the event that prompted it: a plane crash on 13...
Global warming will turn California snow to rain, hurting water supply, federal report says
Posted by KPCC: Kitty Felde on September 25th, 2014
KPCC: A first time study by the Department of the Interior predicts less snow in the California Sierras over the next century due to global warming, potentially hammering drinking water stores for the drier months. The Sacramento and San Joaquin Basins Climate Impact Assessment, released WHEN, predicts temperatures in California’s Central Valley will rise more than three degrees by the end of the century. That means some precipitation that would normally fall as snow and stick to the mountains will instead...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Global warming will turn California snow to rain, hurting water supply, federal report saysEffects of rising sea levels likely to vary along NC coastline
Posted by News and Observer: http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/39868568/4377146587_9a5589097 on September 25th, 2014
News and Observer: North Carolina scientists on a panel tasked with predicting future sea levels expect the Atlantic Ocean to rise between 4 inches and 11 inches on the state's coast over the next three decades. But the effect of rising sea levels will be much less pronounced in Wilmington than in northern coastal areas, likely resulting in as many as four sea-level predictions for different parts of the North Carolina's coastline. The science panel, which met Wednesday, must issue its projections by Dec. 31. The...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Effects of rising sea levels likely to vary along NC coastlineGreenpeace lauds India court ruling on illegal coal allocations
Posted by Reuters: Nita Bhalla on September 25th, 2014
Reuters: Greenpeace India has lauded a landmark ruling by the country's top court to scrap 214 coal blocks given by the government to various companies after the allocations were deemed to be illegal and arbitrary.
The Supreme Court verdict is a victory for the environment over corruption in the mining industry, said Greenpeace India, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to reverse "its excessive reliance on coal power as the engine of economic growth".
"It’s a strong message from the highest...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Greenpeace lauds India court ruling on illegal coal allocations