GMO Countries Infographic
Michele Kearney's Environmental Blog - Environmental degradation and waning natural resources including energy resources threaten U.S. security. And the loss of renewable natural resources, including forests, fresh water, fish and fertile soils, can drive political instability and conflict in the developing world, and around the globe. In short, natural resoures, energy and the environment are national security issues.
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Saturday, June 16, 2012
Friday, June 15, 2012
GMO Labeling Vote Approaching in California
GMO Labeling Vote Approaching in California
http://www.darkgovernment.com/
The vast majority of Americans want genetically modified food labelled. If
California passes November's ballot, they could get it.
Last month, nearly 1m signatures were delivered to county registrars throughout
California calling for a referendum on the labeling of genetically engineered
foods. If the measure, "The Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act",
which will be [...]
http://www.darkgovernment.com/
The vast majority of Americans want genetically modified food labelled. If
California passes November's ballot, they could get it.
Last month, nearly 1m signatures were delivered to county registrars throughout
California calling for a referendum on the labeling of genetically engineered
foods. If the measure, "The Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act",
which will be [...]
NOAA: Second Hottest May On Record Globally, Hottest For Northern Hemisphere
Posted: 15 Jun 2012 07:24 AM PDT
NOAA has released its “State of the Climate Global Analysis” for May 2012. Here are the highlights:
Fracking Update 6/15
| Debate over fracking, quakes gets louder CNN The use of hydraulic fracturing to open underground natural gas formations has a low risk of triggering earthquakes, federal experts reported Friday. | ||
| Some drilling triggers small quakes, but fracking not a high risk ... Washington Post WASHINGTON — The controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing to extract natural gas does not pose a high risk for triggering earthquakes large enough to ... | ||
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| Report: Don't worry much about quakes and fracking Sacramento Bee A new government report says the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing does not pose a high risk of triggering earthquakes big enough to feel. | ||
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| Fracking for oil and gas poses little quake risk-study Reuters UK Waste water disposal is higher risk for quakes * Only one quake officially linked to fracking * Best practices protocol should be developed By Ayesha Rascoe ... | ||
| Energy technologies run risk of causing earthquakes, new report says Tulsa World Hydraulic fracturing has a low risk for causing earthquakes -- but underground injection of fracking wastes and other energy technologies present greater ... | ||
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| Report: Long-term quake risks linked to carbon storage, fracking ... The Hill (blog) The study finds that the increasingly widespread gas drilling method hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, itself probably won't cause dangerous quakes, noting it ... |
A Virtual Telescope Turns Back toward Earth
A Virtual Telescope Turns Back toward Earth
by Conor Myhrvold
A plug-in for WorldWide Telescope lets curious users explore the home planet.
Read More »
by Conor Myhrvold
A plug-in for WorldWide Telescope lets curious users explore the home planet.
Read More »
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Climate models should include ocean waves
Climate models should include ocean waves
(Phys.org) -- A new field study by researchers from Swinburne University of Technology suggests that the effect of wave activity on oceans should be incorporated in long term climate and weather prediction models.
(Phys.org) -- A new field study by researchers from Swinburne University of Technology suggests that the effect of wave activity on oceans should be incorporated in long term climate and weather prediction models.
The downstream consequences of depleting groundwater
The downstream consequences of depleting groundwater
Stanford CA (SPX) Jun 14, 2012
Hard lessons from around the American West and Australia could help
improve groundwater management and protect ecosystems in California,
Stanford University researchers find. The Water in the West program at
Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment is focusing attention on
how groundwater pumping can threaten rivers and ecosystems and,
conversely, how creative groundwater management can be a
Hard lessons from around the American West and Australia could help
improve groundwater management and protect ecosystems in California,
Stanford University researchers find. The Water in the West program at
Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment is focusing attention on
how groundwater pumping can threaten rivers and ecosystems and,
conversely, how creative groundwater management can be aNorth-East Passage soon free from ice again
North-East Passage soon free from ice again
Bremerhaven, Germany (SPX) Jun 14, 2012
The North-East Passage, the sea route along the North coast of Russia,
is expected to be free of ice early again this summer. The forecast was
made by sea ice physicists of the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and
Marine Research in the Helmholtz Association based on a series of
measurement flights over the Laptev Sea, a marginal sea of the Arctic
Ocean.
Amongs experts the shelf sea is k
The North-East Passage, the sea route along the North coast of Russia,
is expected to be free of ice early again this summer. The forecast was
made by sea ice physicists of the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and
Marine Research in the Helmholtz Association based on a series of
measurement flights over the Laptev Sea, a marginal sea of the Arctic
Ocean.
Amongs experts the shelf sea is kReport: Fracking regulations could cost billions
Report: Fracking regulations could cost billions
New regulations proposed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management for unconventional natural gas exploration could cost the country billions of dollars each year.
Full Article
New regulations proposed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management for unconventional natural gas exploration could cost the country billions of dollars each year.
Full Article
Global climate change: Underestimated impact of sea-level rise on habitat loss?
Global climate change: Underestimated impact of sea-level rise on habitat loss?
Global climate change is expected to cause sea-level rise of approximately 1-2 meters within this century and studies are beginning to project the consequences for humans and global biodiversity. While the direct consequences of sea-level rise due to flooding and inundation ('primary effects') are beginning to be assessed, no studies have yet considered the possible secondary effects from sea-level rise due to the relocation of human refugees into the hinterland. Researchers from the Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology of the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, with lead author Florian Wetzel and senior researcher Dustin Penn, collaborated with scientists from the Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity Group of Aarhus University, Denmark to assess and project the potential secondary impacts of sea-level rise on habitat availability and the distribution of mammals. They found that in more populated regions secondary effects can lead to an equal or even higher loss of habita! t than primary displacement effects.
Global climate change is expected to cause sea-level rise of approximately 1-2 meters within this century and studies are beginning to project the consequences for humans and global biodiversity. While the direct consequences of sea-level rise due to flooding and inundation ('primary effects') are beginning to be assessed, no studies have yet considered the possible secondary effects from sea-level rise due to the relocation of human refugees into the hinterland. Researchers from the Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology of the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, with lead author Florian Wetzel and senior researcher Dustin Penn, collaborated with scientists from the Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity Group of Aarhus University, Denmark to assess and project the potential secondary impacts of sea-level rise on habitat availability and the distribution of mammals. They found that in more populated regions secondary effects can lead to an equal or even higher loss of habita! t than primary displacement effects.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
BP starts Up Galapagos development
BP starts Up Galapagos development
The development is located in the deepwater U.S. Gulf of Mexico.
Full Article
The development is located in the deepwater U.S. Gulf of Mexico.
Full Article
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Bank of America to Invest $50 Billion to Address Climate Change
Bank of America to Invest $50 Billion to Address Climate Change
Bank
of America has announced it will direct $50 billion to address climate
change over the next ten years, but it was slammed by an NGO for not
addressing its financing of coal businesses.The bank’s new goal will be
effective from 2013, as its previous $20 billion target, set in 2007,
will be met by the end of this year, four years early.Its environmental
business initiative will consist primarily of lending, equipment
finance, capital markets, advisory services, carbon finance, and advice
and investment solutions for clients.The areas of…Read more...
Volcanic gases could deplete ozone layer
Volcanic gases could deplete ozone layer
Giant
volcanic eruptions in Nicaragua over the past 70,000 years could have
injected enough gases into the atmosphere to temporarily thin the ozone
layer, according to new research. And, if it happened today, a similar
explosive eruption could do the same, releasing more than twice the
amount of ozone-depleting halogen gases currently in stratosphere due to
humanmade emissions.
Water Too Dangerous to Drink: What Life's Like in California's Farming Communities
Water Too Dangerous to Drink: What Life's Like in California's Farming Communities
State
officials know the primary sources of contamination, just how extensive
it is and who's shouldering the burden. But will anything be done?
Fracking Los Angeles: What Life Is Like on the Country's Biggest Urban Oilfield
Fracking Los Angeles: What Life Is Like on the Country's Biggest Urban Oilfield
Unregulated
fracking is happening in Los Angeles communities and residents are
taking action and raising their voices in protest.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Will The Ice Age Strike Back
Will The Ice Age Strike Back
Ithaca NY (SPX) Jun 11, 2012
The dramatic melt-off of Arctic sea ice due to climate change is hitting
closer to home than millions of Americans might think. That's because
melting Arctic sea ice can trigger a domino effect leading to increased
odds of severe winter weather outbreaks in the Northern Hemisphere's
middle latitudes - think the "Snowmageddon" storm that hamstrung
Washington, D.C., during February 2010.
Cor
The dramatic melt-off of Arctic sea ice due to climate change is hitting
closer to home than millions of Americans might think. That's because
melting Arctic sea ice can trigger a domino effect leading to increased
odds of severe winter weather outbreaks in the Northern Hemisphere's
middle latitudes - think the "Snowmageddon" storm that hamstrung
Washington, D.C., during February 2010.
CorEnvironmental benefit of biofuels is overestimated, new study claims
Environmental benefit of biofuels is overestimated, new study claims
London, UK (SPX) Jun 11, 2012
Two scientists are challenging the currently accepted norms of biofuel
production. A commentary published in GCB Bioenergy reveals that
calculations of greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions from bioenergy
production are neglecting crucial information that has led to the
overestimation of the benefits of biofuels compared to fossil fuels.
The critique extends to the Life Cycle Analysis models of
Two scientists are challenging the currently accepted norms of biofuel
production. A commentary published in GCB Bioenergy reveals that
calculations of greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions from bioenergy
production are neglecting crucial information that has led to the
overestimation of the benefits of biofuels compared to fossil fuels.
The critique extends to the Life Cycle Analysis models ofGeoengineering could disrupt rainfall patterns
Geoengineering could disrupt rainfall patterns
Brussels, Belgium (SPX) Jun 11, 2012
A geoengineering solution to climate change could lead to significant
rainfall reduction in Europe and North America, a team of European
scientists concludes. The researchers studied how models of the Earth in
a warm, CO2-rich world respond to an artificial reduction in the amount
of sunlight reaching the planet's surface. The study was published in
Earth System Dynamics, an Open Access journal
A geoengineering solution to climate change could lead to significant
rainfall reduction in Europe and North America, a team of European
scientists concludes. The researchers studied how models of the Earth in
a warm, CO2-rich world respond to an artificial reduction in the amount
of sunlight reaching the planet's surface. The study was published in
Earth System Dynamics, an Open Access journalLessons Learned from Nuclear Accidents
Subject: Lessons Learned from Nuclear Accidents
To: "Karoff, Paul" <PKaroff@amacad.org>
Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (www.amacad.org) is an independent policy research center that conducts multidisciplinary studies of complex and emerging problems. Current Academy research focuses on science and technology policy; global security; institutions of democracy; the humanities and culture; and education. With headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Academy’s work is advanced by its 4,600 elected members, who are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs from around the world.
To: "Karoff, Paul" <PKaroff@amacad.org>
Dear Colleague,
I thought you might find a new paper from the
American Academy of Arts and Sciences of interest.
Lessons Learned from “Lessons Learned”: The Evolution of Nuclear Power Safety after Accidents and Near-Accidents
examines the changes in safety procedures and protocols that were or
were not implemented after major nuclear disasters. The authors evaluate
several less catastrophic accidents and near-mishaps as well, noting
that those less serious incidents also offer
critical lessons.
Further
details on this new 30-page monograph are below. Let me know if you
would like me to send you a copy, or you can access it online at
http://www.amacad.org/
Best regards,
Paul Karoff
Director of Communications
American Academy of Arts and Sciences
136 Irving Street
Cambridge, MA 02136
Have Past Accidents Helped Make Today’s Nuclear Plants Safer?
American Academy of Arts and Sciences Paper Assesses How Industry, Regulators Have Applied Lessons Learned
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Following
each of the world’s worst nuclear
accidents—Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima—governments and
plant operators adopted safety and security measures to help prevent
future disasters. Most recently, the U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission has designed a new set of rules to harden
American reactors against earthquake-triggered failures like those that
crippled Japan’s Fukushima-Daiichi plant last year.
But has the response from industry and nuclear regulators always been adequate?
Lessons Learned from “Lessons Learned”: The Evolution of Nuclear Power Safety after Accidents and Near-Accidents,
a new paper from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, examines
the changes in safety procedures and protocols that were or were not
implemented after major nuclear disasters. The authors evaluate several
less catastrophic accidents and near-mishaps
as well, noting that those less serious incidents also offer critical
lessons.
The paper provides recommendations for increasing plant safety and security as commercial nuclear power spreads
globally. Authors, Michael M. May and Edward D. Blandford stress the need for better communication among nuclear states. “Mechanisms
to facilitate and, where needed, enforce mutual
learning have not always been adequate,” they write.
“Information-sharing, import/export agreements based on safety
standards, agreements to facilitate cooperation among regulatory
authorities, and the participation of financial interests such as
investors
and insurers all have a role to play in improving mutual learning among
different states.”
This paper, published as part of the American Academy’s Global
Nuclear Future
(GNF)
Initiative,
is available online at http://www.amacad.org/
Members
of the GNF Initiative are working with policy-makers in the United
States, Middle East, and Asia to advance
effective policies and procedures to ensure that the spread of nuclear
power does not aggravate, and in fact reduces, concerns over
international safety, security, and nonproliferation. Because the
Academy is not identified with a particular stance on nuclear
questions, yet has a fifty-year-old tradition of work on arms control,
it offers a neutral forum for discussing these issues.
Michael M. May is Professor Emeritus (Research) in the School of Engineering at Stanford University, where he
is also a Senior Fellow in the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies.
Edward D. Blandford is a Stanton Nuclear Security Postdoctoral Fellow
at Stanford’s Center for International Security and Cooperation as well
as an adjunct Research Assistant Professor in the Department of
Chemical and Nuclear Engineering at the University of New Mexico.
Recent Academy Publications from the Global Nuclear Future Initiative include:
Nuclear Collisions: Discord, Reform & the Nuclear Nonproliferation Regime, Steven E. Miller (American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2012)
Nuclear Collisions: Discord, Reform & the Nuclear Nonproliferation Regime, Steven E. Miller (American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2012)
The Back-End of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle: An Innovative Storage Concept,
Robert Rosner, Stephen M. Goldberg, and James P. Malone (American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2012)
Game Changers for Nuclear Energy, Kate Marvel and Michael May (American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2011)
Nuclear Reactors: Generation to Generation, Stephen M. Goldberg and Robert Rosner (American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2011)
Shared Responsibilities for Nuclear Disarmament: A Global Debate, Scott D. Sagan, James M. Acton, Jayantha Dhanapala, Mustafa Kibaroglu, Harald Müller, Yukio Satoh, Mohamed I. Shaker, and Achilles Zaluar (American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2010)
Multinational Approaches to the Nuclear Fuel Cycle, Charles McCombie and Thomas Isaacs, Noramly Bin Muslim, Tariq Rauf, Atsuyuki Suzuki, Frank von Hippel, and Ellen Tauscher (American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2010)
On the Global Nuclear Future, vols. 1–2, Dædalus (MIT Press, 2009–2010)
All of these publications are available on the Academy’s website at http://www.amacad.org/
Game Changers for Nuclear Energy, Kate Marvel and Michael May (American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2011)
Nuclear Reactors: Generation to Generation, Stephen M. Goldberg and Robert Rosner (American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2011)
Shared Responsibilities for Nuclear Disarmament: A Global Debate, Scott D. Sagan, James M. Acton, Jayantha Dhanapala, Mustafa Kibaroglu, Harald Müller, Yukio Satoh, Mohamed I. Shaker, and Achilles Zaluar (American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2010)
Multinational Approaches to the Nuclear Fuel Cycle, Charles McCombie and Thomas Isaacs, Noramly Bin Muslim, Tariq Rauf, Atsuyuki Suzuki, Frank von Hippel, and Ellen Tauscher (American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2010)
On the Global Nuclear Future, vols. 1–2, Dædalus (MIT Press, 2009–2010)
All of these publications are available on the Academy’s website at http://www.amacad.org/
Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (www.amacad.org) is an independent policy research center that conducts multidisciplinary studies of complex and emerging problems. Current Academy research focuses on science and technology policy; global security; institutions of democracy; the humanities and culture; and education. With headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Academy’s work is advanced by its 4,600 elected members, who are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs from around the world.
Can Fracking Be Cleaned Up?
Can Fracking Be Cleaned Up?
by Kevin Bullis
The International Energy Agency says yes, but it will take tougher regulations that force producers to apply the latest technologies.
Read More »
by Kevin Bullis
The International Energy Agency says yes, but it will take tougher regulations that force producers to apply the latest technologies.
Read More »
Today's climate more sensitive to carbon dioxide than in past 12 million years
Today's climate more sensitive to carbon dioxide than in past 12 million years
Until now, studies of Earth's climate have documented a strong correlation between global climate and atmospheric carbon dioxide; that is, during warm periods, high concentrations of CO2 persist, while colder times correspond to relatively low levels.
Until now, studies of Earth's climate have documented a strong correlation between global climate and atmospheric carbon dioxide; that is, during warm periods, high concentrations of CO2 persist, while colder times correspond to relatively low levels.
Evidence of impending tipping point for Earth uncovered
Evidence of impending tipping point for Earth uncovered
A prestigious group of scientists from around the world is warning that population growth, widespread destruction of natural ecosystems, and climate change may be driving Earth toward an irreversible change in the biosphere, a planet-wide tipping point that would have destructive consequences absent adequate preparation and mitigation.
A prestigious group of scientists from around the world is warning that population growth, widespread destruction of natural ecosystems, and climate change may be driving Earth toward an irreversible change in the biosphere, a planet-wide tipping point that would have destructive consequences absent adequate preparation and mitigation.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
U.S. Experienced Second Warmest May, Warmest Spring On Record, NOAA Reports
U.S. Experienced Second Warmest May, Warmest Spring On Record, NOAA Reports
ScienceDaily (June 7, 2012) —
According to NOAA scientists, the average temperature for the
contiguous U.S. during May was 64.3°F, 3.3°F above the long-term
average, making it the second warmest May on record. The month's high
temperatures also contributed to the warmest spring, warmest
year-to-date, and warmest 12-month period the nation has experienced
since recordkeeping began in 1895.
Can We Bridge Political Divide for Science? - Paul Raeburn, Knight Science
Can We Bridge Political Divide for Science? - Paul Raeburn, Knight Science
Can a Lawsuit Save Cap and Trade in NJ? - Maria Gallucci, InsideClimate
Can a Lawsuit Save Cap and Trade in NJ? - Maria Gallucci, InsideClimate
s ArctiIs Artic Ice Really Shrinking? - Al Bredenberg, ThomasNet
Is Arctic Ice Really Shrinking? - Al Bredenberg, ThomasNet
The Dirtiest Oil on Earth - Sierra Club, Huffington Post
The Dirtiest Oil on Earth - Sierra Club, Huffington Post
Has Earth Hit Tipping Point on Climate? - Robert Sanders, Berkeley News
Has Earth Hit Tipping Point on Climate? - Robert Sanders, Berkeley News
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