News about Conservation
Climate Change: Human versus Natural Effects
GlobalResourcesNews.com - 2014-05-06
Study finds little enforcement in Alberta tar sands infractions
Calgary Herald - 2013-07-23
Fewer than one percent of the reported environmental concerns received any enforcement action, said a study that was based on a Freedom of Information request in Canada.
DWP to build groundwater plants on Superfund site
LA Times - 2013-06-23
Global warming is diminishing snowpacks in the Sierra Nevada, and Los Angeles is looking to clean up contaminated groundwater for its drinking supply.
Irrigation Subsidies Leading to More Water Use
NYTimes.com - 2013-06-07
Studies show sometimes that farmers use subsidies to expand production rather than to conserve water.
Turtle conservation groups reassess after guardian is killed on Costa Rican beach
The Washington Post - 2013-06-05
Egg poachers get only $1 per egg and sell some as aphrodisiacs.
Fish piracy costs $10 billion to $23 billion a year -report
Reuters - 2013-05-09
Hydrofracking Could Strain Western Water Resources, Study Finds
NYTimes.com - 2013-05-02
From the Ceres report: "Nearly half of 25,450 oil and gas wells evaluated in U.S. are in water basins with high and extremely high water stress; industry’s future growth depends on accelerating solutions such as more water recycling, better water management planning"
28,000 Rivers Disappeared in China: What Happened?
The Atlantic - 2013-05-01
The loss equals the basin area of the Mississippi River.
Japanese Scientist Blames China for Yakushima's Dying Trees
NYTimes.com - 2013-04-25
Silicon, aluminum and other indicators of air pollution were found in blackened snow on an island to the south of Japan. One scientist believes the pollution is coming from the cities of China 900 miles to the northwest. Cedars on the island, long harvested for temples and other uses, are dying under the stress of deteriorating air quality.
Judge rules administration overlooked fracking risks in California mineral leases
Reuters - 2013-04-09
The decision delays fracking in two tracts of the Monterrey Shale Formation. The two tracts are 2,500 acres, but the formation as a whole may hold 15 billion of oil.
Foreign demand for beef, soybeans adds pressure on Amazon forest
Reuters - 2013-04-06
Rising production of beef and soybeans for export is causing 30 percent of the Amazonian deforestation in Brazil, a report by Center for International Climate and Environmental Research, Oslo (Cicero) said. This up for 20 percent in the 1990's.
Exxon oil spill cleanup ongoing in Arkansas, pipeline shut
Reuters - 2013-04-01
As of noon Monday (two full days after the spill) 12,000 barrels of oil and water had been recovered. Pipeline operator Exxon did not give an exact estimate of the level of the spill and has yet to begin its investigative excavation to discover the cause of the spill From the Web site: 'The Exxon pipeline was carrying Canadian Wabasca Heavy crude at the time of the leak, a bitumen oil from the massive Pelican Lake field in northern Alberta.'
How the White House thinks about climate change, in 7 charts
WashingtonPost.com - 2013-03-22
The world's temperature will warm, natural gas will become more prevalent, and perhaps the US economy will become more energy efficient in the future.
In Africa, corruption dirties the water
IRIN - 2013-03-14
From the Web site: "According to the World Bank, 20 to 40 percent of public finances worldwide meant for the water sector are lost due to corruption and dishonest practices." In Africa, 343 million people do not have access to improved water supplies.
The answer to Chinese pollution? It's in Japan
Fortune Tech - 2013-03-04
Japan reaches out with offers to help China with its pollution as that same pollution begins to reach Japanese shores. Japan's technology has help its municipalities rise in the ranks of the world's clean cities.
Report: Bad data could hinder EPA efforts to control pollution from natural gas
AP - 2013-02-22
Keystone XL Protest Draws 50,000 as Permit Decision Approaches
GlobalResourcesNews Video - 2013-02-17
Fortified by Global Warming, Deadly Fungus Poisons Corn Crops, Causes Cancer
Scientific American - 2013-01-16
Rising sea levels will put Seattle neighborhoods under water
SeattlePI.com - 2013-01-14
By 2050 sea level rise can put important parts of Seattle under water. In addition to residential neighborhoods, such as Alpine Point, vital economic areas, such as Harbor Island with its sea freight capacity, could be deluged.
Little Oversight for Enbridge Pipeline Route that Skirts Lake Michigan
InsideClimate News - 2012-12-27
Enbridge pipeline 6B would carry 21 million gallons of oil per day within 11 miles of Lake Michigan with little impact. The article has two good maps showing the pipeline, the lake and the population centers affected.
West Antarctic Warming Faster Than Thought, Study Finds
NYTimes.com - 2012-12-23
The journal Nature Geoscience says the temperature at the large ice sheet in the west has risen twice as fast as expected. Although the the break up of the sheet could take centuries, it would raise sea levels 10 feet.
U.S. Could Cut Power Plant Pollution 26%, NRDC Says
Bloomberg - 2012-12-04
Brazil reports continued decline in Amazon forest destruction
Reuters - 2012-11-28
Satellite data shows 27 percent less land was cleared last year, but the loss still amounted to 1,798 square miles.
What Could Disappear in Cities as Sea Levels Rise
Nytimes.com - 2012-11-25
Greenhouse gases hit record high
BBC News - 2012-11-20
The World Meteorological Society says that carbon dioxide levels have reached 391 parts per billion. It also said that since 1750 375 billion tonnes of carbon have been emitted, and half of that is still in the atmosphere.
BP agrees to pay $4.5B; 3 employees charged in 2010 Gulf spill
Associated Press - 2012-11-15
The amount includes $1.3 billion in criminal fines, the largest in U.S. history.
Iron-Dumping Experiment in Pacific Alarms Marine Experts
NYTimes.com - 2012-10-22
Scientists in Washington State Adopt Tiny Island as Climate-Change Bellwether
NYTimes.com - 2012-10-06
Tatoosh Island on US Northwest coast has seen dramatic declines in wildlife populations.
Even as L.A. pollution drops, cars are giving kids asthma
Grist - 2012-10-01
Coastal Cleanup draws 1,006 volunteers
Times Press Recorder - 2012-09-21
Arctic expert predicts final collapse of sea ice within four years
guardian.co.uk - 2012-09-18
Teck Resources Admits It Polluted Columbia River in US
Environmental Leader - 2012-09-17
Why our groundwater aquifers are heading towards bankruptcy
The Guardian - 2012-09-09
From the site: "Recently, studies have shown that 20% of irrigated agriculture, which produces 40% of our food, is reliant upon aquifers with falling water levels."
Use of Antibiotics in Animals Raised for Food Defies Scrutiny
NYTimes.com - 2012-09-05
Venezuela's Amuay refinery fire breaks out again
Reuters - 2012-08-28
Chavez says oil refinery fires coming 'under control'
BBC News - 2012-08-28
Venezuela Battles Flames at Largest Refinery After Deadly Blast
Businessweek - 2012-08-27
Venezuela struggles with refinery blaze after deadly blast
Reuters - 2012-08-26
Amuay Survivors: Strong Odor Before Refinery Explosiong
Associated Press - 2012-08-26
First Nation says Alberta oilsands plan will 'annihilate' its lands and future
conflict - 2012-08-25
Explosion kills 24 at Venezuela refinery
Telegraph - 2012-08-25
UC climate-change skeptic changes views, Has Been Funded by Koch Brothers
SFGate.com - 2012-08-22
Federal appeals court strikes down Obama air pollution rule
The Washington Post - 2012-08-21
US Carbon Emissions Drop to 20-Year Low
Associated Press - 2012-08-21
Recent Extreme Weather Driven by Long- and Short-Term Trends
National Geographic Magazine - 2012-08-17
California Farmers Fear Impact of Water Distribution Plan
Nytimes.com - 2012-08-12
Citing Drought, U.S. Expects Lowest Corn Yield in 17 Years
NYTimes.com - 2012-08-10
DC Building Energy Benchmarking Law Approaching
GlobalResourcesNews.com - 2012-07-31
Water Risk Atlas looks at areas most likely to face shortages
Reuters - 2012-07-26
Peru gold, copper mining opposition intensifies
Marketwatch - 2012-07-26
Some say that the Minas Conga coper and gold mine in the Cajamarca region of Peru will deplete and despoil water resources.
PA DEP Announces 1 Year Study on Air Quality in Marcellus
Marcellus Drilling News - 2012-07-24
Northern Gateway pipeline poses problems for B.C. First Nations
Edmonton Journal - 2012-07-23
Exceptional drought area worsens in Arkansas
CBS News - 2012-07-20
Smart Kites Detect Air Pollution
Co.exist - 2012-07-14
GlobalResourcesNews stories on the search term: conservation
Smog Spreads in Southeast Asia
Air Quality Improvements Uneven
Gulf Oil Spill Preoccupies World Oceans Day
Links for the search term: conservation
Major Land Resource Areas of the United States
Describes and shows medium size image of map using color-coded layer from major land resources areas and land resources areas as defined by the USDA and the National Resources Conservation Service.
Ecoagriculture Partners
From the Web site: 'Enhance rural livelihoods;
Conserve or enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services; and
Develop more sustainable and productive agricultural systems.
Ecoagriculture is both a conservation strategy and a rural development strategy. Ecoagriculture recognizes agricultural producers and communities as key stewards of ecosystems and biodiversity and enables them to play those roles effectively. Ecoagriculture applies an integrated ecosystem approach to agricultural landscapes to address all three pillars, drawing on diverse elements of production and conservation management systems. Meeting the goals of ecoagriculture usually requires collaboration or coordination between diverse stakeholders who are collectively responsible for managing key components of a landscape.'
Generation Exctinction
Basic message statement from the site: '...as many as two-thirds of all species could be near extinction by the end of this century.'
Alliance for Global Conservation
PeakOil.com Exploring Hydrocarbon Depletion
Energy Saving Tips for Your HOA or Condo Association
Energy Efficiency for Condominiums: A Guide for Association Officers and Directors
Public Housing Energy Conservation Clearinghouse: ECMs: Control Air Leakage - HUD
ERS/USDA Briefing Room - Conservation Policy: Land Retirement Programs
NRDC: Natural Resources Defense Council - The Earth's Best Defense
Agreements of the COP16 meeting in Cancun, Mexico
Solve Climate
Analysis of trends and events in the climate debate.
The Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation
From the Web site: "The Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation began making grants in 1987-88. Over the past 15 years, we have emphasized partnerships, collaborations, and seed funding for new projects and organizations within the framework of our programs as defined by our guidelines."
Ocean Biogeographic Information System
Washington Post Climate Agenda Page
White House Lists 2009 Clean Energy Work
Thegovemonitor.com published a piece by Heather Zichal, Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change, that describes six areas in which the Obama administration has worked on clean energy.
Republican Party Platform on Energy Issues
A description, by the GOP, of its energy bill. A related bill is in the House that would prohibit the EPA from regulating carbon dioxide and certain other substances as air pollutants.
Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center of US DOE
From the Web site: "
Tower, Gainesville (Austin Cary), Florida, USA (29.738067, -82.218767)
The Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center (CDIAC) is the primary climate-change data and information analysis center of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). CDIAC is located at DOE's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and includes the World Data Center for Atmospheric Trace Gases."
Map Showing Extreme Climate Change Effects
This clickable map notates the effect of a 4 degree C change in global temperature on crops, water supply, marine life and forest fires.
Average Earth Temperature Spreadsheets
Accompanying an essay by the Earth Policy Institute, this page provides links to spreadsheets of temperature data between 1880 and 2007.
Global Temperature Database
Readings from 500 stations around the world, some dating to 1720.
NASA Global Temperature Data
Provides PDFs and graphs of temperature variables.
The Copenhagen Diagnosis
A report that gives science updates since the publication of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report. It notes that sea-ice melt in 2007-2009 was 40% more than had been predicted and that the loss of land ice-sheets is accelerating.
Environmental Defense Fund Copenhagen Analysis
Papers and resources on climate change issues.
ClimateDepot.org
Site of global warming skeptic viewpoint.
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
The 1994 agreement on how to approach climate change negotiations.
Copenhagen Climate Change Conference Site
The official site.
Chemical Nitrogen Is Exceeding the Earth's Carrying Capacity, Essay Says
The application of chemical nitrogen fertilizer is boosting the growth of invasive species in the water and on land. Of the 80 million tons of chemical fertilizer used, only 17 million is actually absorbed to the benefit of crops; the rest erodes to nourish pest plants on land or algae in the water. Both of these invasive types starve off native plants and reduce biodiversity.
General Electric Plans to Commercialize a Net-Zero Energy Home by 2015
Zero-Energy Homes Detailed
The page looks at different approaches in different parts of the country, including the DOE's first zero-energy home, which is a 3,000 square foot home in Livermore, Calif.
Vulnerability and Climate Change in the Southeast United States
From the Web site: "Maps are based on research conducted by The Hazards and Vulnerability Research Institute, Department of Geography, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC."
End to Fossil Fuel Subsidies Would Cut Emissions by 10%, Coalition Asserts
The Green Energy Coalition says that the countries of the world give hundreds of billions of dollars of subsidies to fossil fuel and that ending these subsidies would help cut emissions.
Open Letter by Top Climate Scientists Calling for a 40% Reduction of Emissions Below 1990 Levels
This letter, signed by dozens of scientists, also points out that 120 nations agree that temperature rise should stay below 2 degrees C. The September 2009 letter called upon countries meeting in Copenhagen to adopt strong targets.
Citizens Who Work for EPA Publish an Unofficial Report on Cap-and-Trade versus Fee-and-Rebate
The authors dispute the efficacy of cap-and-trade and argue, instead, for charging a fee on fossil fuels at the point of extraction or importation and then redistributing the monies to individuals so that there is no net expense to society. In 2006 86% of the 99.960 quadrillion BTUs burned by the US economy were derived from carbon-based fossil fuels.
CDC Page of Links about Air Quality
A link list to Web pages describing indoor and outdoor air quality and pollution.
EPA's List of Hydraulic Fracturing Chemicals, as transmitted by EarthWorks Action
Among the chemicals on the list are benzene (both by itself and as a constituent of diesel), hydrochloric acic, copper compounds, boric acid and napthalene.
EPA Economic Analysis Page for Climate Change Proposals
Commentary by Dr. James Hansen on his Climate Change Research
These blogs, in PDF, provide commentary on the scientific papers of the NASA scientist who advises that humanity reduce atmospheric carbon dixoide to 350 parts per million from its present 385 ppm. If this high level of carbon in the atmosphere persists, the feedback effects will accelerate the man-made warming already underway, Hansen argues. Before the industrial revolution, the atmosphere had 285 parts per million of carbon dioxide.
Eco-footprint of textiles
Describes the environmental inputs for cotton, rayon, hemp and other types of natural and synthetic fibers. Also discusses the recycling and the decay of clothing.
IKEA to Donate a Solar Lamp for Each One Sold
The Case for Water Quality Markets in the Chesapeake Bay
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature
