KAVKAZ PORT, Russia (Reuters) - Long stretches of Russia's Black Sea coast face an ecological catastrophe, local authorities said on Monday, after a fierce storm broke up a tanker, disgorging hundreds of tons of oil on to the shore.
..."The damage is so huge it can hardly be evaluated. It can be compared to an ecological catastrophe," Interfax news agency quoted Alexander Tkachyov, governor of Russia's Black Sea region of Krasnodar, as saying.
"Thirty thousand birds have died, and it's just impossible to count the loss of fish," he told regional officials. Click: Oil spill spells catastrophe for Russian coast
Click: FACTBOX: Key facts about oil spills
Click: Slideshow
Monday, November 12, 2007
Friday, November 9, 2007
California to sue EPA - Update
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday, demanding a quick federal decision that would allow the nation's most populous state to limit greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.
"California is ready to implement the nation's cleanest standards for vehicle emissions, but we cannot do that until the federal government grants a waiver allowing us to enforce those standards," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said.
...Sixteen other states have either adopted or are considering similar emissions rules, and many joined the lawsuit. Click: California, other states sue U.S. on car emissions
California was supposed to file the lawsuit a few weeks ago, but delayed due to the massive outbreak of fires. Click: California to sue EPA for the original post.
"California is ready to implement the nation's cleanest standards for vehicle emissions, but we cannot do that until the federal government grants a waiver allowing us to enforce those standards," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said.
...Sixteen other states have either adopted or are considering similar emissions rules, and many joined the lawsuit. Click: California, other states sue U.S. on car emissions
California was supposed to file the lawsuit a few weeks ago, but delayed due to the massive outbreak of fires. Click: California to sue EPA for the original post.
And a Bad Thing - Update
KINSHASA (Reuters) - Congolese authorities arrested six people in connection with the dumping of tons of highly radioactive minerals into a river near the southeastern town of Likasi, the environment minister said on Friday.
A quarantine zone was also set up around the site, just 10 km (6 miles) from the mining town of 300,000 people, where tests on Thursday revealed radiation levels nearly 50 times the limit for mineral exports from Democratic Republic of Congo. Click: Six arrested in Congo radioactive dumping scandal
See And a Bad Thing for the first post on this.
A quarantine zone was also set up around the site, just 10 km (6 miles) from the mining town of 300,000 people, where tests on Thursday revealed radiation levels nearly 50 times the limit for mineral exports from Democratic Republic of Congo. Click: Six arrested in Congo radioactive dumping scandal
See And a Bad Thing for the first post on this.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Hoax
OSLO (Reuters) - A hoax scientific study pointing to ocean bacteria as the overwhelming cause of global warming fooled some skeptics on Thursday who doubt growing evidence that human activities are to blame.
...Blogger skeptic Neil Craig wrote: "This could not be more damaging to manmade global warming theory ... I somehow doubt if this is going to be on the BBC news." Click: Hoax bacteria study tricks climate skeptics
... not funny.
...Blogger skeptic Neil Craig wrote: "This could not be more damaging to manmade global warming theory ... I somehow doubt if this is going to be on the BBC news." Click: Hoax bacteria study tricks climate skeptics
... not funny.
Florida
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Scientists and economists Tuesday warned lawmakers of consequences Florida faces from climate change, including more destructive hurricanes and a rising sea level, but they also said the state could be a leader in reducing global warming. Click: Experts warn Fla. about climate change
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Harmful red tide blooms along Florida's west coast in the fall are spurred when seasonal changes in wind patterns move nutrients east from the Mississippi River, scientists reported Wednesday. Click: Wind patterns spur Fla. red tide blooms
WEST PALM BEACH — The number of loggerhead turtle nests was substantially lower in 2007 than in past years, according to preliminary numbers from scientists statewide.
Scientists found 28,500 nests from 19 surveyed beaches, down from almost 50,000 last year. The number was so low that this could be the lowest nesting year on record for loggerheads, said Blair Witherington, a research scientist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The turtles' nesting numbers have declined in at least four of the past seven years. Click: Fla. Loggerhead Turtle Nests Drop in '07
A few headlines on Florida from the past few days.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Harmful red tide blooms along Florida's west coast in the fall are spurred when seasonal changes in wind patterns move nutrients east from the Mississippi River, scientists reported Wednesday. Click: Wind patterns spur Fla. red tide blooms
WEST PALM BEACH — The number of loggerhead turtle nests was substantially lower in 2007 than in past years, according to preliminary numbers from scientists statewide.
Scientists found 28,500 nests from 19 surveyed beaches, down from almost 50,000 last year. The number was so low that this could be the lowest nesting year on record for loggerheads, said Blair Witherington, a research scientist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The turtles' nesting numbers have declined in at least four of the past seven years. Click: Fla. Loggerhead Turtle Nests Drop in '07
A few headlines on Florida from the past few days.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Winner of the Peace Primary
True Majority won the $100,000 grand prize in the Peace Primary voting. The campaign raised a total of $326,000 which all twelve groups that were competing will share.
And a Bad Thing
KINSHASA (Reuters) - Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have launched an inquiry into the suspected dumping of 18 tons of highly radioactive minerals into a river in southeast Katanga province, officials said on Wednesday.
..."The road was blocked. And since they couldn't access (Shinkolobwe), they decided amongst themselves to dump it into the river," he [provincial Mines Minister Bartelemy Mumba Gama] said. "I think they did it by ignorance." Click: Radioactive minerals dumped in Congo
... 18 tons of radioactive material dumped casually into a river...
..."The road was blocked. And since they couldn't access (Shinkolobwe), they decided amongst themselves to dump it into the river," he [provincial Mines Minister Bartelemy Mumba Gama] said. "I think they did it by ignorance." Click: Radioactive minerals dumped in Congo
... 18 tons of radioactive material dumped casually into a river...
A Few Good Things
Plantic - A new plastic like material that is biodegradable. It looks like the starting use for this would in food packaging. It looks and feels like regular plastic, but it is made from starch, so you can compost it or simply pour water on it and watch it dissolve. Click: Plantic for more info
Air Car - A zero-emissions vehicle that runs on compressed air. The first model, the OneCat, will be released in late 2008. The OneCat will fit up to 5 passengers, reach speeds up to 68mph, and go as far as 500 highway miles on one fill-up. The car refills by plugging it in at home and the built-in compressor will fill the tank in 4 hours. The company, MDI of France, has plans to release 2-, 4- and 6- cylinder engines at prices ranging from $4,800 to $12,900. While not a cross country traveling vehicle yet, local use seems ideal, especially with its low price tag. Click: Air Car for more info
Smog Scrubber - A cement coating developed by Italcementi that pulls smog out of the air. The material contains titanium dioxide which neutralizes nitrous oxide and sulfur dioxide when exposed to light. TX Active, the materials brand name, can be painted on buildings, bridges and streets. Click: TX Active for more info
Air Car - A zero-emissions vehicle that runs on compressed air. The first model, the OneCat, will be released in late 2008. The OneCat will fit up to 5 passengers, reach speeds up to 68mph, and go as far as 500 highway miles on one fill-up. The car refills by plugging it in at home and the built-in compressor will fill the tank in 4 hours. The company, MDI of France, has plans to release 2-, 4- and 6- cylinder engines at prices ranging from $4,800 to $12,900. While not a cross country traveling vehicle yet, local use seems ideal, especially with its low price tag. Click: Air Car for more info
Smog Scrubber - A cement coating developed by Italcementi that pulls smog out of the air. The material contains titanium dioxide which neutralizes nitrous oxide and sulfur dioxide when exposed to light. TX Active, the materials brand name, can be painted on buildings, bridges and streets. Click: TX Active for more info
Monday, November 5, 2007
Another Gorilla Post
What can I say, I have a deep sense of sorrow for these poor souls, both the gorillas and the people fighting to protect them.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - If the people of Congo save the mountain gorilla, might the gorilla return the favor?
That is the hope of environmental activists, who realize that wildlife conservation and tourism could be the key to survival for people as well as animals in a part of Africa where conflict has been the norm. Click: By saving gorillas, can Congolese save themselves?
As for the Virunga National Park I have posted on previously, Anderson Cooper with CBS 60 Minutes will be airing a segment about the rangers and their plight. For their posted details on the interview - Click: CBS 60 Minutes Interviews Congo Rangers about Gorilla Crisis
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - If the people of Congo save the mountain gorilla, might the gorilla return the favor?
That is the hope of environmental activists, who realize that wildlife conservation and tourism could be the key to survival for people as well as animals in a part of Africa where conflict has been the norm. Click: By saving gorillas, can Congolese save themselves?
As for the Virunga National Park I have posted on previously, Anderson Cooper with CBS 60 Minutes will be airing a segment about the rangers and their plight. For their posted details on the interview - Click: CBS 60 Minutes Interviews Congo Rangers about Gorilla Crisis
Sherwood Forest
EDWINSTOWE, England - Robin Hood might have a hard time hiding out in the Sherwood Forest of today.
The forest once covered about 100,000 acres, a big chunk of present-day Nottinghamshire County. Today its core is about 450 acres, with patches spread out through the rest of the county.
Experts say urgent action is needed to regenerate the forest and save the rare and endangered ancient oaks at its heart. Click: Robin Hood's forest is in trouble
It seems even our legends are in peril.
The forest once covered about 100,000 acres, a big chunk of present-day Nottinghamshire County. Today its core is about 450 acres, with patches spread out through the rest of the county.
Experts say urgent action is needed to regenerate the forest and save the rare and endangered ancient oaks at its heart. Click: Robin Hood's forest is in trouble
It seems even our legends are in peril.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Clinton, Wal-Mart
SEATTLE (AP) — Former President Bill Clinton told more than 100 mayors Thursday that stopping global warming depends on them demonstrating that it makes economic sense. He said his foundation is teaming up with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to save cities money on environmentally friendly supplies by buying in bulk.
...Wal-Mart, which has embarked on a broad environmental drive to cut costs and burnish its reputation, is offering to help the mayors as it has met resistance in some big cities, including New York and Chicago, to its plans to expand into metro areas from its rural and suburban base.
Wal-Mart has set targets for reducing energy use and packaging waste and selling more environmentally friendly products. Steps include switching to only concentrated liquid laundry detergent that reduces packaging and water use, converting its truck fleet to use less fuel, and asking suppliers to provide data on their greenhouse gas emissions. Click: Clinton, Wal-Mart Push 'Green' Cities
Wal-Mart being the quintessential corporate bully, hopefully they do more good than harm, but at least it looks like a step in the right direction.
...Wal-Mart, which has embarked on a broad environmental drive to cut costs and burnish its reputation, is offering to help the mayors as it has met resistance in some big cities, including New York and Chicago, to its plans to expand into metro areas from its rural and suburban base.
Wal-Mart has set targets for reducing energy use and packaging waste and selling more environmentally friendly products. Steps include switching to only concentrated liquid laundry detergent that reduces packaging and water use, converting its truck fleet to use less fuel, and asking suppliers to provide data on their greenhouse gas emissions. Click: Clinton, Wal-Mart Push 'Green' Cities
Wal-Mart being the quintessential corporate bully, hopefully they do more good than harm, but at least it looks like a step in the right direction.
Climate bill seen as sign of political shift
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A milestone, a landmark and "the political center of gravity is finally shifting on global warming."
Those accolades greeted a Senate subcommittee's approval on Thursday of a bill to cap greenhouse gas emissions, mostly because it is the first of a dozen such measures that might have a chance of becoming law. Click: Climate bill
Seeing a lot more forward movement being reported in the press lately, it's a needed shift in the attitude of the masses (read - the press). Happy to see it.
Those accolades greeted a Senate subcommittee's approval on Thursday of a bill to cap greenhouse gas emissions, mostly because it is the first of a dozen such measures that might have a chance of becoming law. Click: Climate bill
Seeing a lot more forward movement being reported in the press lately, it's a needed shift in the attitude of the masses (read - the press). Happy to see it.
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