Acidified landscape around ocean vents foretells grim future for coral reefs
Robin McKie, science editor
The Observer, Sunday 21 February 2010
Huge vents covering the sea-floor – among the strangest and most spectacular sights in nature – pour carbon dioxide and other gases into the deep waters of the oceans.
Last week, as researchers reported that they had now discovered more than 50,000 underwater volcanic springs, they also revealed a new use for them – as laboratories for measuring the impact of ocean acidification on marine life.
Ocean acidification will endanger the algae that hold together this reef in the Maldives. Photograph: Michele Westmorland/Getty Images
Deep-sea trawling is destroying coral reefs and pristine marine habitats
Ian Sample, San Diego
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 18 February 2010 22.00 GM
Deep-sea trawling is devastating corals and pristine marine habitats that have gone untouched since the last ice age, a leading marine biologist has warned.
A survey of the world's reefs and seamounts – giant submerged mountains that rise more than a kilometre above the seabed – has revealed widespread damage to the ecosystems, many of which are home to species unknown to science, said Jason Hall-Spencer at Plymouth University in the UK.
Indian Ocean clues to predicting El Nino-study
Reuters
Sun Feb 21, 2010 1:13pm EST
HONG KONG, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Tracking Indian Ocean climate patterns could improve early-warning systems for the El Nino phenomenon, helping save lives and billions of dollars lost each year to the severe weather it causes.
EPA unveils Great Lakes restoration plan
By Jim Tankersley
LA Times
February 21, 2010
Reporting from Washington - The Environmental Protection Agency on Sunday unveiled a five-year, $475-million plan to revitalize the Great Lakes, including cleaning up polluted water and beaches, restoring wetlands and fighting invasive species such as Asian carp.
Crafted by 16 federal agencies, the five-year, $475-million proposal seeks to heal the Great Lakes ecosystem from '150 years of abuse' by cleaning up water and beaches, among other initiatives.
Hydrogen taxi cabs to serve London by 2012 Olympics
Alok Jha
The Guardian, Monday 22 February 2010
A taxi cab that runs on the latest hydrogen fuel cell technology is being developed with the aim of being ready for full road trials in time for the 2012 Olympics.
The car looks and drives just like a standard London black cab – but underneath the bonnet is some cutting-edge technology by sports carmaker Lotus.
Rev 'em up: With delta smelt moved, pumps are a go
Bettina Boxall
LA Times
February 18, 2010 6:40 pm
The delta smelt have moved, allowing water managers to turn up -- at least for now -- the federal pumps that draw water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.
Only one smelt has been killed at the pumps in the south delta since Feb. 10, and biologists say most of the smelt are in the north delta now, reducing chances that they will be sucked into the pumps.
Eco-friendly buildings offer employee benefits
by Todd Loesch
Medill Reports at Northwestern University, Chicago
Feb 17, 2010
The chairs and desks lining the third floor of Merchandise Mart may seem like ordinary office furniture. But looks can be deceiving.
The green materials and manufacturing used to make them can actually help businesses become more environmentally friendly. And in the process, they can help buildings save money and earn the coveted LEED status for being eco-conscious. Having that certification has benefits beyond simply going green.
Top 7 Green Trends for 2010
Written by Preston Koerner
Jetson Green
February 21, 2010
At the beginning of every year, there's a tradition for the industry to talk about trends. We've done it in the past, but this year we reviewed trends published by Jerry Yudelson and the Earth Advantage Institute. Now, EcoHome Magazine has published it's own list of seven green trends that will impact homeowners and green building professionals.
Sustainable building poised for explosive growth
BY TONY ILLIA
Las Vegas Business Press
Monday, February 15, 2010
Green building, the term coined to describe ecofriendly sustainable construction, is spreading like wildfire. Government agencies and businesses are increasingly realizing green building's myriad benefits for worker recruitment and retention, productivity and job satisfaction.
Green Home of the Future [Olympics]
Written by Preston Koerner
Jetson Green
February 19, 2010
This is the Home of the Future, which is on display at the BC Hydro Power Smart Village in downtown Vancouver. It's hard to tell, but the home is actually made with two shipping containers and wrapped in cedar and pine beetle wood cladding. In addition, according to a press release, the showcase project is designed with local and recycled materials, as well as energy-efficient appliances and other conservation technologies.
Drilling for oil set to start off the Falkland Islands
BBC
Page last updated at 02:36 GMT, Monday, 22 February 2010
A British rig is due to begin drilling for oil in the territorial waters of the Falkland Islands, despite strong opposition from Argentina.
The platform has been towed to a point 100km (62 miles) north of the islands. Drilling is set to start at 0600 GMT.
Nuclear waste: the Swedish example
Margot Roosevelt
LA Times
February 20, 2010
If the United States is at a loss over what to do about nuclear waste, it may be time to check out the Swedish model. A symposium Friday at the annual meeting of the American Assn. for the Advancement of Science in San Diego highlighted the success of the Swedish power industry in gaining public support for a geological repository for high-level radioactive waste. |
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