Changing Climate May Raise Ocean By Up To 40 Inches
Climate change could lead to sea-level rise capable of flooding 56 square miles of South Sound by the end of the century, a report released Wednesday says.
The rising waters of Puget Sound would affect at least 44,429 people, a population greater than the city of Olympia. The city, particularly its downtown, would be one of the most heavily affected areas, the $100,000 report says.
The study group used a 24-inch sea-level rise estimate, based on a projection that the northeast Pacific Ocean will rise between 3 and 40 inches.
For more information, please visit: The Olympian
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Climate Experts Worry as 2006 Is Hottest Year on Record in U.S.
Last year was the warmest in the continental United States in the past 112 years -- capping a nine-year warming streak "unprecedented in the historical record" that was driven in part by the burning of fossil fuels, the government reported yesterday.
According to the government's National Climatic Data Center, the record-breaking warmth -- which caused daffodils and cherry trees to bloom throughout the East on New Year's Day -- was the result of both unusual regional weather patterns and the long-term effects of the buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
"People should be concerned about what we are doing to the climate," said Jay Lawrimore, chief of the climate monitoring branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "Burning of fossil fuels is causing an increase in greenhouse gases, and there's a broad scientific consensus that is producing climate change."
For more information, please visit: The Washington Post
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Lower Colorado River Basin Crops Fare Well In Perchlorate Testing
Collaborative efforts over the last three- and a-half years by three researchers portends the perchlorate level in food and feed crops grown in the lower Colorado River basin is far lower than the 2005 National Academy of Sciences' recommended reference dose of .7 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day.
"Even the latest research indicates the perchlorate level in crops is not a serious public health issue," said Charles Sanchez, who spoke to farmers during the Desert Vegetable Crops Workshop in Yuma, Ariz., in late November. He is the resident director of the University of Arizona's Yuma Agricultural Center in Yuma, Ariz., and a professor of soil, water and environmental science.
For more information, please visit: Western Farm Press
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American Water Works Association Offers Tips to Protect Pipes From Freezing in Winter
Much of North America is entering the coldest months of the year, and falling temperatures can lead to broken water pipes in the home. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) today issued a series of important tips to help residents across the country protect their pipes and property.
"Nothing is more important to the water community than ensuring that the public continue to receive a safe and steady supply of water -- especially during the tough winter months," said Jack Hoffbuhr, executive director of AWWA. "By taking a few simple steps, residents can protect their pipes from freezing and keep their water flowing."
These steps include: -- Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses. -- Insulate pipes or faucets in unheated areas of the house. -- Consider installing "heat tape" or "heat cable." -- Seal off outside access doors and cracks to keep the cold out. -- Locate your master shutoff so you know where it is if you do have a pipe break. -- Check with your local water company for more advice on preventing breaks and thawing pipes.
For more information, please visit: RedOrbit
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Anti-Nuke Agency Helps Africa Boost Water Supplies
The United Nations atomic watchdog agency, better known for its efforts to prevent nuclear weapons proliferation, is boosting the use of radiation technology in Africa to promote development in numerous fields, from groundwater management and pest control to battling cancer and supplying energy.
Nearly all of the IAEA's development activities in Africa support in some way the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)," UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Muhamad ElBaradei said on an official visit to Algeria.
The MDGs seek to slash a host of social ills, such as extreme hunger and poverty, infant and maternal mortality and lack of access to education and health care, all by 2015.
For more information, please visit: Scoop Independent News
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