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Archive for March 11th, 2016
United Kingdom: Planting trees ‘could cut flood risk’
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on March 11th, 2016
Telegraph: Natural defences, including planting more trees, could be a solution to the country's flooding problems, according to new research.
In a study led by the Universities of Birmingham and Southampton, scientists found that planting trees could reduce the height of flooding in towns by up to 20 per cent.
They found strategic planting on flood plains could help towns downstream reduce the "peak height" of floods.
But the scientists warned that natural flood defences would need to be combined...
The flight from Fukushima – and the grim return
Posted by Ecologist: Linda Pentz Gunter on March 11th, 2016
Ecologist: Five years after the Fukushima nuclear disaster began to unfold, the searing psychological effects are still being felt among the 160,000 refugees who fled the fallout, writes Linda Pentz Gunter. But now there's growing pressure to return to contaminated areas declared 'safe' in efforts to whitewash the disaster's impacts. Why the rush? To clear the way for the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, complete with events in Fukushima City.
Patriotic duty will be center stage in the lead-up to the 2020 Summer...
US, Canada partner to cut methane, vow more collaboration on carbon markets
Posted by Carbon Pulse: Mike Szabo on March 11th, 2016
Carbon Pulse: The US and Canada on Thursday announced a joint effort to curb methane emissions from their oil and gas sectors, and said they would expand their collaboration on carbon markets by working together to ensure the environmental integrity of new emissions units. US President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said their countries would aim to cut methane from oil and gas by 40-45% below 2012 levels by 2025, with Canada effectively signing up to targets previously announced by the...
Posted in Water Conservation 
Comments Off on US, Canada partner to cut methane, vow more collaboration on carbon marketsPA: Fracking Company Ordered to Pay for Well Water Contamination
Posted by Democracy Now: None Given on March 11th, 2016
Democracy Now: In Pennsylvania, a court has ordered fracking company Cabot Oil & Gas to pay more than $4 million to families whose well water was contaminated by fracking. The landmark legal ruling comes after an eight-year battle between residents and Cabot. Filmmaker Josh Fox, who featured some of the families in his film "Gasland 2," said the case sets a legal precedent for holding fracking companies responsible for water contamination.
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on PA: Fracking Company Ordered to Pay for Well Water ContaminationJackson, Mississippi residents asked to boil water, limit water use
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on March 11th, 2016
Reuters: Residents in Jackson, Mississippi, the largest city in the state, were asked to boil their water and limit water use early on Friday after heavy rains and a mechanical issue caused a system outage, the city said. The city's public works department was working to restore water to households after a weather-related issue at one treatment facility and a broken valve at another facility temporarily caused an outage, the city said on a Facebook post late Thursday night. "All repairs have been made and...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Jackson, Mississippi residents asked to boil water, limit water use10:01 Climate change in Mongolia destroying pastures
Posted by Aki Press: None Given on March 11th, 2016
Aki Press: 7360 Mongolian pastureland is dwindling rapidly as the country is beset by a cycle of drought and harsh winter that is killing off livestock in droves, reports The Guardian. “The summer ends early now and the fall is short and dry. Then there’s the long winter,” said Daashka, a 19-year-old herder who uses just one name and lives in the central Ulziit region. The family’s herd, mostly sheep and goats, has shrunk from about 1,000 animals to 600, Daashka said, leaning against the motorbike on an exposed...
Republican debate: Candidates talk climate change
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on March 11th, 2016
CBS News: With Thursday night's GOP debate set in Miami, where concerns about rising sea levels and the effects of climate change are more acute than in many parts of the country, moderator Jake Tapper asked the Republican candidates to outline their position on climate change. The question came from Miami Mayor Tomás Pedro Regalado.
Here's what Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Ohio Gov. John Kasich said when they were asked about the issue--and how businessman Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz feel about...
United Kingdom: Tree planting ‘can reduce flooding’
Posted by BBC: Roger Harrabin on March 11th, 2016
BBC: Planting trees around rivers could reduce the height of flooding in towns by up to 20%, new research suggests. A study for the Environment Agency concludes that trees round a feeder stream can slow the rush of rainwater and save properties from flooding. But it warns that natural flood prevention methods do not always work. And it urges a strategic approach because foresting a whole catchment would be counter-productive. The report - from the universities of Birmingham and Southampton - says...
Oregon residents vote ‘no’ on canyonlands conservation
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on March 11th, 2016
Reuters: Voters in a rural southeastern Oregon county have registered their opposition to proposals to expand federal protective status within 2.5 million acres of scenic canyonlands near the wildlife refuge recently occupied by anti-government militants. The referendum follows calls by an environmental group to designate the area as a conservation zone, a move local ranchers and many others in the area perceive as a potential land grab by the federal government. Of more than 6,300 ballots cast in the non-binding...
Japan marks fifth anniversary of Fukushima nuclear disaster
Posted by Australian Broadcasting Corporation: Rachel Mealey on March 11th, 2016
Australian Broadcasting Corporation: Decontamination workers observed a moment of silence to mourn the victims of the 2011 tsunami. (Reuters/Kyodo) Related Story: Japan's PM announces 'safe' reactors to be turned back on Related Story: The ghosts of Fukushima: Reflections five years on Related Story: Fukushima survivors rebuild new life in deserted town Map: Japan
Ceremonies have been held across Japan to mark five years since one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded spawned a monster tsunami, killing more than 18,000 people...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Japan marks fifth anniversary of Fukushima nuclear disaster