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Archive for November 5th, 2014
Split Decision by Voters on Local Fracking Bans
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on November 5th, 2014
New York Times: The small city of Denton, Tex., voted to ban hydraulic fracturing in Tuesday’s election after a hard-fought battle between environmentalists and local oil companies in the heart of natural gas country. But nationwide, local initiatives to ban or restrict the oil and gas production process lost as many elections as were won. Voters in Youngstown, Ohio, a Rust Belt city sitting atop vast deposits of natural gas, sent a proposed ban to a landslide defeat. The campaign in Denton captured national attention...
Brazil Fights Dengue With Modified Mosquitoes
Posted by Nature World: None Given on November 5th, 2014
Nature World: With Jack o' Lanterns rotting on our doorsteps and a crisp chill in the air, the last thing you may be worried about is a mosquito bite. However, these pests are still a very real concern some parts of the world.
Experts in Brazil have been releasing modified mosquitoes in the thousands for the last few months in a unique effort to fight the spread of a painful disease known as Dengue fever.
The fever is rarely fatal, with only about one percent of all infections resulting in severe hemorrhagic...
Protected Areas Failing Earth Vulnerable Animals, Plants
Posted by Environment News Service: None Given on November 5th, 2014
Environment News Service: The Wildlife Conservation Society, which manages New York City`s zoos and aquarium plus 200 million acres of protected lands around the world, today sounded the alarm that the world`s protected areas are not fully protecting the imperiled animals and plants within their borders due to lack of funding and political commitment.
In a new study, "The performance and potential of protected areas," published today in the journal "Nature," experts from the Wildlife Conservation Society, the University...
Posted in Water Conservation 
Comments Off on Protected Areas Failing Earth Vulnerable Animals, PlantsWill GOP Try To Fast-Track Keystone XL Pipeline?
Posted by EcoWatch: None Given on November 5th, 2014
EcoWatch: Now that Republicans have taken control of the Senate in addition to the House of Representatives, the attacks on the environment they`ve long advocated for will most likely rise to the top of the congressional agenda.
One prominent item on their wish list is the Keystone XL pipeline to transport tar sands bitumen oil from Alberta, Canada to the Gulf of Mexico for export overseas. They`ve been open about their frustration that President Obama has so far heeded the mounting opposition and not allowed...
The Planet Loses as Republicans Seize Control Congress
Posted by Environment News Service: None Given on November 5th, 2014
Environment News Service: Voters gave Republicans control of the Senate in Tuesday’s midterm elections with a majority of 52 seats to the Democrats’ 48. The GOP also maintained control of the House of Representatives, making Congress entirely Republican. For the environment, this will mean fossil fuels such as coal and oil will receive congressional support, while renewable energy and environmental protections will be left behind. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell from the coal-producing state of Kentucky has often...
Holy sh*t, a town in Texas just banned fracking
Posted by Grist: None Given on November 5th, 2014
Grist: This was the year of the fracking ban, at least in local elections: Eight municipal and county-wide bans went to voters in Ohio, Texas, and California on Nov. 4. Considering the money poured in by the opposition, they did pretty darn well: Four out of eight won by a country mile.
California
Happily for local farmers like Paul Hain, San Benito County`s moratorium on "high-intensity petroleum operations" passed with flying colors (at least by American standards): 57 to 43 percent. And in Mendocino...
Senate Now Has Enough Votes To Pass Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Bill
Posted by Huffington Post: Kate Sheppard on November 5th, 2014
Huffington Post: The new Senate Republican majority creates an opportunity for likely Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to force a vote on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline he's been waiting years to hold.
By The Huffington Post's count, the new Senate will have at least 61 votes in favor of a measure forcing the pipeline's approval -- a filibuster-proof majority.
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said Tuesday in an appearance on MSNBC that passing a Keystone approval bill would be...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Senate Now Has Enough Votes To Pass Keystone XL Pipeline Approval BillRegulator probes waterfowl landings on toxic Canada oil sands ponds
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on November 5th, 2014
Reuters: New reports of waterfowl landing on toxic ponds of industrial waste in the oil sands of northern Alberta are being investigated by the Canadian province's energy regulator in light of the death of 1,600 ducks on such ponds in 2008.
That incident six years ago led to charges against one of the biggest companies in the tar sands and boosted environmental opposition to operations there.
"We've received reports from a few different companies in the area that there have been waterfowl landing on...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Regulator probes waterfowl landings on toxic Canada oil sands pondsDeath in Moderation is Good for Animal Population
Posted by Nature World: None Given on November 5th, 2014
Nature World: It may sound a bit backwards, but researchers found that a moderate amount of death in an animal population may actually help boost overall populations, helping experts better understand how to manage threatened fish and wildlife stocks.
A study recently published in the journal Trends in Ecology and Evolution details how most animal populations actually benefit in some way from the loss of an individual. However, this benefit heavily depends on the size and developmental stage of the creatures...
Voters Weigh In on Fracking, Water Measures
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on November 5th, 2014
Climate Central: Election Day on Tuesday in many parts of the country wasn't just about having a say on candidates for Congress and local government. Climate, environment and energy issues were prominent on ballots, too, in some states.
Voters in Denton, Texas, banned fracking. Louisiana voters approved money for an artificial coral reef development fund. In Alaska, voters restricted mining in Bristol Bay.
But in North Dakota, a measure to provide millions of dollars in oil and gas tax revenue for conservation...