Current Events Page

Sites submitted by Envsc 204 Students

The following current events and summaries have been submitted by students from Environmental Science 204 at Bellevue Community College. Be sure to hit the "Reload" or "Refresh" button on your browser to see any new entries.

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Posted Current Events

Extensive flooding, 3 confirmed deaths, hundreds of rescues by By Hal Bernton and Ralph Thomas (seattle times, December 5, 2007)
the floodwater in southwest washington gets bigger by the minutes from the isolated halmets, this region hit by too much rain and wind and lots of do not have electicity at all.

(Submitted at 10:44 PM on 12/5/07 by hoda)

We Americans Love to Drive Our Cars by Amy Myers Jaffe and Kenneth B. Medlock III (Los Angeles Times, November/December 2007)
"The U.S. road fuel market is the largest in the world... U.S. road petroleum use represents 33 percent of all global road petroleum use, about twice as much as all of Europe, which uses 17 percent of all global road petroleum... Improving current on-road vehicle miles per gallon efficiency by one additional mile per gallon per vehicle would save close to 600,000 barrels a day in American oil imports through new tightened CAFE standards."
(Submitted at 3:00 PM on 12/4/07 by Jenny Bloor)

Pesticide use down on California Farms by Marla Cone (Los Angeles Times, November 30, 2007)
"California farmers used 10 million fewer pounds of pesticides on crops last year, but strawberry growers increased their reliance on fumigants, which are considered among the mos dangerous pest-killing chemicals..."
(Submitted at 2:53 PM on 12/4/07 by Jenny Bloor)

Greenpeace activists carry mock thermometer during the demonstration by Henry Romero (http://www.planetark.org/envpicstory.cfm/newsid/45652, December 2,2007)

This article mainly focused global warming and how its deteriorating day after day. They used pictures to emphasize the growing hazard of the globing warming.
(Submitted at 10:14 PM on 12/2/07 by Hoda)

Indonesian Students Carry Trees to be Planted on Cycloops Mountain by By oka Barta Duad (http://www.planetark.org/envpicstory.cfm/newsid/45623, Nove 29,2007)
Indonesia has been losing their forests at a quick speed in recent years, launched a campaign on Wednesday to plant 79 million trees ahead of next month’s U.N. environment change discussion in bali. The story was about saving trees by planted trees on the Cyloops Mountain of Indonesia’s.
(Submitted at 9:58 PM on 12/2/07 by hoda)

Law makers set deal on raising fuel efficiency by John M. Broder and Micheline Maynard (New York Times, 12/1/07)
Congressional negotiators finally decided on a standard of fuel efficiency that will be applied to American automakers across the country. Cars will be required to average 35 m.p.g. by 2020, compared to the current 22.2-27.5 m.p.g. currently.
(Submitted at 3:42 PM on 12/2/07 by Alicia Walker)

Stormwater's damage to Puget Sound huge, report says by Warren Cornwall (Seattle Times, 12/1/07)
Recent reports are showing that between 6.8 and 8 million gallons of oil are washed into the Puget Sound from collected stormwater throughout the city. There are several other contaminants that are found in the sound as well; such as, lead, murcury, and PCBs. This study proves that the pollution in the Puget Sound is not all from industries, but collectively from all of Seattle's residence.
(Submitted at 3:09 PM on 12/2/07 by Alicia Walker)

Eu Forest Expand, Could Aid Climate Goals-study by By alister Doyley (Reuters News Service, November 30, 2007)
Oslo Norway, forests in the European Union are increasing surprisingly fast and could be enlisted to help the Eu achieve goals for fighting climate change, researchers said on Thursday. As The Eu has set a goal cutting emissions to twenty percent below 1990 levels by 2020 as part of a make to moderate the cost of climate change which could mean more heat waves more disease growing seas and droughts.
(Submitted at 10:51 PM on 12/1/07 by Hoda)

Stormwater's damage to Puget Sound huge, report says by Warren Cornwall (Seattle Times, Dec1st.07)
This article talks about how the contaminated water causing problems in Puget sound area.
(Submitted at 11:14 AM on 12/1/07 by Kokoro Yanagita)

Raising tides intensify non volcanic tremor in Earth's crust by Unknown (University of Washington, November 23, 2007)
Evidence about cause of Ultra slow motion earthquakes suggests rise and fall of oceans tides.
(Submitted at 12:09 AM on 11/29/07 by Adis Suljic)

Delay in Autumn Colour is Caused by Increased Atmospheric CO2 not Global Warming by unknown (University of Southampton, November 19,2007)
Over 30 years that progressive delays in autumnal senescenses have been observed, experimental studies show that increased atmospheric CO2 affects plant physiology and function, influencing a myriad of processes.
(Submitted at 12:01 AM on 11/29/07 by Adis Suljic)

Raising tides intensify non-volcanic tremor in Earth's crust by unknown (University of Washington, November 23, 2007)
Ultra slow motion earthquakes under Washington and British Columbia that is actually affected by the rise and fall of ocean tides.
(Submitted at 11:58 PM on 11/28/07 by Adis Suljic)

Scintists urge $2-3 billion study of ocean health by Allister Doyle (Reuters, November 25, 2007)
Partnership for Observation of the Global Oceans(POGO) wants the 72-nation Group on Earth Observation(GEO),meeting in Cape Town to consider it,s appeal a 2-3 billion study of the oceans.
(Submitted at 11:54 PM on 11/28/07 by Adis Suljic)

Power-plant rejected; Fails to meed emissions law by Warren Cornwall (Seattle Times, Novemver, 28, 2007)
A new WA state law was passed to prevent the construction of power plants that give off high amounts of green-house gases. Energy Northwest was denied permission to build a power plant that would burn coal; unless they could find a way to trap and store the emissions they create.
(Submitted at 5:18 PM on 11/28/07 by Alicia Walker)

Green Group Urges Laos to Stop Dam Expansion Plan by Michael Battye and Roger Crabb/James Jukwey (Planet Ark, Nov28th.2007)
A major expansion of a hydropower dam in communist Laos will cause serious flooding, ruin fisheries and displace thousands of people living downstream, a Norwegian environmental group said on Tuesday.
(Submitted at 10:53 PM on 11/27/07 by Kokoro Yanagita)

Congo creates new refuge for humans' closest relative by by Joe Bavier (Reuters news service, november22,2007)
the democratic republic of congo has founded at 30,000 square km reserve to protect the bonobo, a great ape that is man's closest relative.Bonobo,unlike other related apes, live in unique matriarchal social groups. They parely have difficult conflicts and if they do they solve their conflict through sex. they are very intelligen and peaceful nature.
(Submitted at 3:22 PM on 11/27/07 by Hoda Ahmed)

EU, Norway Agree on Joint Fishing Rights for 2008 by by Jeremy Smith; editing by Sami Aboudi) (REUTERS NEWS SERVICE , November 28, 2007)
this article is mainly focused the deal that EU is making with norwegian. the deal was reached do to the warning by a group of international scientists in october, who called for the 2008 cod catch to be set at less than half of 2006 level. its a huge problem and disturbinly increasing that people dumped overboard unwanted fish.therefore by reducing these behavior would allow more youngeries to survive.
(Submitted at 3:05 PM on 11/27/07 by Hoda)

Australia Unlikely to Sign Kyoto by Bali: Analysts by by Rob Taylor (REUTERS NEWS SERVICE , November 28, 2007)
The article shows that how the Australia's new goverment is unlikely to sign kyoto pact.
(Submitted at 12:14 PM on 11/27/07 by Hoda Ahmed)

China Publish Draft energy law by the year end by by Emma Graham Harrison (Planetark, November 27,2007)
China ministry of energy draft the law to save big consumption of energy in China. The law is in processe.This is what author said about the law."Despite growing concerns in the world's number-two energy consumer about reliance on foreign oil and massive pollution problems, the legislative process is complicated and often slow".

(Submitted at 6:50 PM on 11/26/07 by William Deng2)

Black Sea to take years to recover from oil spill by Unknown (WWF - Climate, November 16th, 2007)
The oil spill that wreaked havoc in the Kerch Strait leading to the Black Sea last week will take at least 5 to 10 years for the marine environment to recover, says WWF. According to WWF specialists, the 2000-tonne spill has badly affected the local fishing industry.
(Submitted at 12:14 AM on 11/20/07 by Steven Nguyen)

Iron Is a Tonic For Climate-Saving Plankton by Eddie Evans (Planet Ark, Nov.20.2007)
Research in Miami determine weather or not putting iron dust in the ocean can help the environment.
(Submitted at 7:40 PM on 11/19/07 by Kokoro Yanagita)

Japan Firms Log 1st Carbon Credits on New UN System by Risa Maeda (Planet Ark, Nov.19.2007)
Japan has officially received 8.6 million tonnes of carbon credits since becoming the first country to connect to the UN's new carbon-trading system earlier this week.
(Submitted at 7:31 PM on 11/19/07 by Kokoro Yanagita)

U.S. groups Seek Protection for Loggerhead Turtles by Jim Loney (Enn.com, November 15th, 2007)
Two environmental groups believe Loggerhead sea turtles are facing extinction due to commercial fishing and global warming. They are petitioning the U.S. government to win better protection for the turtles.
(Submitted at 1:36 AM on 11/16/07 by Steven Nguyen)

Greenpeace Blocks Shipment of Indonesian Palm Oil by Adhityani Arga (Enn.com, November 15th, 2007)
Greenpeace members blocked a shipment of Indonesian palm oil due to forest destruction. They blamed the forest destruction on the plantations.
(Submitted at 1:26 AM on 11/16/07 by Steven Nguyen)

Wal-Mart Outlines Environmental Efforts Progress by Nicole Maestri (Enn.com, November 15th, 2007)
Wal-mart released news of it's progress in helping out the environment. It talks about implementations and goals that were set by the company.
(Submitted at 1:22 AM on 11/16/07 by Steven Nguyen)

Wal-Mart Outlines Environmental Effects Progress by Nicole Maestri (Planet Ark, Nov.16.2007)
Wal-Mart, which began the environmental push in 2005, has set a goal of one day using only renewable energy and creating zero waste.
(Submitted at 11:50 PM on 11/15/07 by Kokoro Yanagita)

U.N. Warns of Rapid Decay of Environment by JAMES KANTER (New York Times, October 26, 2007)
We already know that the world is small and just now we are realizing that there isnt enough resources being provided. The UN are saying human population is living far beyond its means
(Submitted at 5:31 PM on 11/13/07 by Steve Sanders)

Idaho energy lab tests plug-in hybrid cars in Seattle by Associated Press (King 5, 11-6-07)
They are testing 13 toyota prius cars. Miles per the gallon for these cars has been doubled after being outfitted with lithium plug in batteries to 125 mpg and city driving conditions
(Submitted at 1:25 PM on 11/13/07 by Whitney Luchau)

Oil Spill Could Threaten SF Bay Wildlife for Years by Associated Press (King 5, Friday November 9,2007)
A 58,000 gallon oil spill has largely effected some of northern californa's coastline. Some 9,500 gallons has been recovered and actions are being taken to clean up the state.
(Submitted at 1:22 PM on 11/13/07 by Whitney Luchau)

Hundreds of Thousands Flee Mexico Floods by ANTONIO VILLEGAS (The Associated Press, Nov 3, 2007)
Mexico's worst Natural Disaster hit the gulf of mexico and has covered the Villahermosa's city under water and has affected 2 million people and counting.
(Submitted at 5:43 PM on 11/12/07 by Steve Sanders)

Marketing efforts of gillnetters derailed by Jennifer Langston (Seattle PI, 11/8/07)
New regulations are putting a smaller limit on the amount of chum salmon non-tribal fisherman are allowed to catch in order to peserve the salmon's numbers. Local fisherman are upset about this change because it is drastically changing the amount of fish they are able to catch and deliver.
(Submitted at 10:47 AM on 11/11/07 by Chris Monier)

Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver ports seek to reduce air pollution by KRISTEN MILLARES YOUNG (Seattle PI, 11/9/07)
Many ports around the state have pleged to reduce air pollution output levels by the year 2015. Many local environmental groups do not think that this plan is drastic enough however.
(Submitted at 10:44 AM on 11/11/07 by Chris Monier)

Keeping it local for a green Thanksgiving by Jennifer Langston (Seattle P.I., 11/03/07)
Studies have shown that organic food grown in Washington emit less Carbon Dioxide than those grown in other places. In order to reduce your carbon footprint, the article urges the reader to buy organic Washington food this thanksgiving.
(Submitted at 10:41 AM on 11/11/07 by Chris Monier)

Ship's Oil Washing Up on Calif. Beaches by SCOTT LINDLAW (Associated Press , Nov 8, 2007 )
A Chinese government-owned China Ocean Shipping company vessel crashed and has spilled 58,000 gallons of oil in San Fransico bay quoted a medium size spill, but in San Fransico bay area it's a big deal. Teams and crews are cleaning up the mess, but they cant get it all.
(Submitted at 6:04 PM on 11/8/07 by Steve Sanders)

Eco-labels popping up next to price tags by LORI MATSUKAWA (unknown, 11/1/07)
Certain products have new labeling that show how much carbon is released into the atmosphere to produce the item you purchase.
(Submitted at 11:02 PM on 11/5/07 by Lauren Heino)

Rethinking What Caused the Last Mass Extinction by John Noble Wilford (The New York Times, November 6,2007)
There are some new studies by paleontologists and other scientists. There is a crater at the tip of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, which had been the prime suspect in the extinction. It struck at least 300,000 years before the dinosaurs died out. It is thought that multiple craters caused the extinction, but some are saying that many species lived long after the impacts.

(Submitted at 8:57 PM on 11/5/07 by Brittney Cloutier)

China's Cancer Villages by Jean-Francois Tremblay (C&EN (chemical and engineering news), October 29, 2007)
Their water contaminated by industry, farmers in dozens of villages in China die prematurely.
The Kui river in China has been highly contaminated. Factories and households dump waste into the water and now the river is dark, smelly, and lacking fish.
The area is very poor and get water from nearby wells. Many can't afford tests or cancer treatment. The area has about twice as many cases of cancer as other areas.
(Submitted at 8:42 PM on 11/5/07 by Brittney Cloutier)

Wildfire Drives Carbon Levels In Northern Forests by University of Wisconsin-Madison. (Science Daily, Nov. 5, 2007)
Far removed from streams of gas-thirsty cars and pollution-belching factories lies another key player in global climate change. Circling the northern hemisphere, the conifer-dominated boreal forests - one of the largest ecosystems on earth - act as a vast natural regulator of atmospheric carbon levels.

(Submitted at 8:31 PM on 11/5/07 by Brittney Cloutier)

Atmospheric CO2 growing faster than expected, study finds by Randolph E. Schmid (Seattle P-I, October 22, 2007)
There has been recent concern that studies show that carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is rising faster than expected. This is due to increase in use of fossil fuels and making concrete. Amongst these researchers, Alan Robock, an associate director of Center for Environmenal Prediction at Rutgers University says that the cause of the reduction could be due to the inability of the ocean to absorb any more carbon dioxide. Other studies have shown that the Artic Sea ice is melting more rapidly than predicted.
(Submitted at 4:41 PM on 10/30/07 by Yoko Gardiner)

From Balls of Concrete to Habitats for Sea Life by Gautam Naik (Wall Street Journal, Friday, October 26 2007)
Concrete made into balls of artifical reefs are being placed in seas in order, to replace natural reefs as a result of overfising, pollutants and marine degradation. These reefs are glued with live coral in order that the coral will grow and thus support species, such as fish and other orgnanisms. Although the idea of artificial reefs isn't relatively new; Todd Barber, who founded the company, Eternal Reefs created these reefs.
(Submitted at 4:25 PM on 10/30/07 by Yoko Gardiner)

Monkeys, apes at a terrible risk,' says report by Michael Casey (Seattle P-I, Monday 21, 2007)
There are increasing concerns that a third of primateswill go extinct due to increasing habitat loss and over- hunting. These concerns are addressed since relatively new species of primates have been found as well as the Indonesian tarsier, which hasn't been named yet. Scientists are concerned that with increasing extinction and threats, species of primates could go extinct due to habitat loss, which continues to happen; overhunting for commerical uses, such as meat; and climate change, which could lead to loss of habitats and more extinction. However several primates have been taken of the endangered species act list due to conservation efforts.
(Submitted at 4:03 PM on 10/30/07 by Yoko Gardiner)

An Inconvenient Verdict for Al Gore by MARCUS BARAM (ABC News, October 12, 2007 )
This deals with Al Gores' video, "An Inconvenient Truth" and the problems it is dealing with in Britain. They claim there are errors in the film and has challenge Gore to a debate on this topic.
(Submitted at 11:37 PM on 10/28/07 by Mark Tryon)

World's Fish Supply Running Out, Researchers Warn by Juliet Eilperin (Washington Post, November 3, 2006)
This deals with the ever growing problem on over consumtion of fish. Included are charts of the quick drop in fish population and analysis from scientist in the field.
(Submitted at 11:29 PM on 10/28/07 by Mark Tryon)

Oceans of Nothing by UNMESH KHER (Time, November 05, 2006)
This deals with the downward spiral of fish and how we as consumers are the major cause of why there is less and less fish in the waters. Also deals with ways to bring up fish numbers and alternatives for fish eaters.
(Submitted at 11:25 PM on 10/28/07 by Mark Tryon)

Stark warning over climate change by Richard Black (BBC News, January 30, 2006)
Dealing with the growing concern with green house gases and the affects it has on our ice caps. Also talks about rising sea levels and how Greenland is playing a role in that.
(Submitted at 11:19 PM on 10/28/07 by Mark Tryom)

China to spend $14.5 billion to clean up lake by Someone from the Associated Press (MSNBC, 10/27/07)
Lake Tai, northwest of Shanghai, has become so polluted that water supplies to many people were suspended this summer. China has announced a multi-billion dollar plan to clean the lake, that is estimated to take about five years.
(Submitted at 9:26 PM on 10/28/07 by Dylan Simpson)

$125,000 in Pollution Fines to Help Duwamish Salmon by Erik Lacitis (Seattle Times, 10/25/07)
During construction of the light rail system that is going to connect Seattle to the Sea-Tac Airport, illegal pollution caused Sound Transit to be fined $125,000. This money is going to be put towards helping salmon in the Duwamish river.
(Submitted at 9:10 PM on 10/28/07 by Dylan Simpson)

France On Green Crusade by CNN (CNN, 1/023/07)
France, in an attempt to raise France's "eco-profile," is implementing a number of new laws in defense of the environment. Many environmentalists however, fear that the legislation will be too watered down.
(Submitted at 8:10 PM on 10/25/07 by Dylan Simpson)

Massive California Fires Consistent With Climate Change, Experts Say by Adapted from materials provided by Oregon State University (Science Daily, Oct. 24, 2007)
Climate change models have long predicted these massive wildfires.Several wet years in a row lead to lots of plant growth. When followed by a long drought period, as happened in California, there is plenty of vegetation available to burn.
(Submitted at 8:50 AM on 10/25/07 by Brian Diez)

Kokanee fail to garner protection by Craig Welch (Seattle Times , October 24, 2007 )
US Fish and Wildlife have refused to place the endangered species, kokanee of Issaquah Creek, on its list of protected species. It was once thought to be extinct. The reason being that they aren't significant enough to affect the current kokanee population.
(Submitted at 6:33 AM on 10/24/07 by Brian Diez)

Continent-size toxic stew of plastic trash fouling swath of Pacific Ocean by Justin Berton (San Francisco Chronicle, October 19, 2007)
There are 3.5 million tons of land originated trash floating between San Francisco and Hawaii. It has been growing since 1950 and is mostly made up of plastic. It is impossible to clean it up, but we can help stop its growth by reducing our plastics use.
(Submitted at 9:31 AM on 10/22/07 by Brian Diez)

A wolf's life by Erin Halcomb (High Country News, March 5, 2007)
The wolf was one of 15 gray wolves transferred from Canada to central Idaho in a 1995 recovery effort. Biologists called him B7, and estimate that he was 14 years old when he died. He was Believed to have been the last gray wolf to be alive
(Submitted at 11:04 PM on 10/21/07 by Michael Posey)

New strain of strep emerges as major U.S. infection by Maggie Fox (Reuters, October 19, 2007)
A new strain of bacteria is emerging as a major cause of childhood infections but even drug-resistant versions of the bug can be killed off with the right antibiotics, doctors said on Thursday. Doctors and parents should be aware of it, however, and switch antibiotics for children with severe infections who do not respond quickly to standard therapy.
(Submitted at 6:43 PM on 10/21/07 by Michael Posey)

Oceans seen soaking up less CO2 by Unknown (http://www.enn.com, October 20, 2007)
The world's oceans appear to be soaking up less carbon dioxide, new environmental research has shown, a development that could speed up global warming. If the oceans soak up less CO2, it means CO2 levels in the atmosphere will rise much faster and the climate could warm more rapidly, the researchers said in a statement.
(Submitted at 6:32 PM on 10/21/07 by Michael Posey)

Can coal gasification deliver on promises? by John Richardson (Portland Press Herald Maine Sunday Telegram, October 14th, 2007)
Maine, one of several Eastern states that now regulates Carbon Dioxide emissions, has a new proposal in front of them for a Coal Gasification Power Plant. Many environmentalists are skeptical about the promises made from the future Twin River Energy Center project. Theoretically though, when coal is converted into gas in a gasification power plant, it would be easier to clean, meaning less toxins in the atmosphere. Many see this as a step in the wrong direction as coal hasn't proven to be clean and that ultimately, it offers very little reprieve from the amount of carbon dioxide released into the air over the "old system." While relatively small news, this article offers up some interesting insight as to the nature of the economy/environmental conservation.
(Submitted at 12:54 PM on 10/21/07 by Peter J Yoakum)

Greenpeace Urges by Adhityani Arga (Planetark, 10 October, 2007)
The home of hundreds of thousands of Indonesia species are destory.The farmer clearing most of the the land for their benefit,but the put wildlife in great risk. This is somethings human being need to take a look at. If human being do not care for another creature habitat,who will be caring for them?.
(Submitted at 8:51 AM on 10/21/07 by William Deng2)

One if land, two if sea by By Andrew Sharpless (Grist, 20 October 2007)
The protection of sea Turtle is important.They are in title to suffer in the sea and in land due to human being consumption. They about to extinct in the most of the coasts in the U.S
(Submitted at 8:14 AM on 10/21/07 by William Deng2)

Acid Oceans From Carbon Dioxide Will Endanger One Third Of Marine Life, Scientists Predict by unknown (Science Daily, October 19th, 2007)
As you would expect from a tertiary-source online science publication; things don't look good for the planet, again: Our ocean has shown it is becoming more acidic (one third of a pH unit difference since 1960) and it is contributed, for the most part to Carbon Dioxide build up in our hydrosphere. In short, what this means is: acidity affects the ability for certain seaborne animals to make shells, the structural integrity of many animal's skeletal structures, the coral reefs, and Australia's $5 Billion Great Barrier tourism industry.
(Submitted at 1:58 AM on 10/21/07 by Peter J Yoakum)

GM trees clean pollutants from air and soil by Jonathan Edwards (Chemistry World, October 15th, 2007)
At the University of Washington -- A breakthrough in the science of using genetically modified plants to absorb toxins from the air and soil: This concept, while not "new," as far as cutting edge genetic research and development goes, has seen significant progress at the hands of University of Washington's Sharon Doty's research team. While this task can technically be done by many types of plants, these genetically modified plants have shown an increased "toxin metabolism," about three times over their organic counterparts.
(Submitted at 1:32 AM on 10/21/07 by Peter J Yoakum)

'Planet in Peril' focuses on four ecological issues by Terry Morrow (Scripps Howard News Service, October 18, 2007)
Airing this coming week, CNN has spent over a year creating this documentary focusing on all the important issues the world is facing. Issues such as overpopulation, species extinction and climate change.
(Submitted at 9:48 AM on 10/20/07 by Lauren Clapp)

Cheers...to an eco-friendly vodka by McClatchy Newspapers (North Jersey.com, October 18, 2007)
Thats right, New Jersey is promoting a new eco-friendly vodka. 360 Vodka is locally grown and is bottled in recyclable material. Its a small step, but it is a step in the right direction to make even the little things green.
(Submitted at 9:45 AM on 10/20/07 by Lauren Clapp)

Gore Nobel prize puts environment back on Democrats' agendas by Leonard Doyle (The Independent, October 15, 2007)
Thanks to his work on climate control mainly through his documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore was awarded the Nobel Prize. This has Democratic candidates to bring global warming into their campaign platforms. More people are paying attention to this issue because it has been brought back into the main stream with the recent award.
(Submitted at 9:41 AM on 10/20/07 by Lauren Clapp)

EPA worries new forest management plan and spotted owl recovery strategy could harm Oregon rivers by By Susan Palmer (Tidepool, wednessday,October 17,2007)
We need to be worries for the lives of our roommat.We are in the same room which is planet earth with all living things.Draft plans by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the U. S. Bureau of Land Management that could increase logging in federal forests in Western Oregon have drawn criticism from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which says the harvesting could harm rivers and imperil fish.

William

(Submitted at 7:39 PM on 10/17/07 by William Deng2)

Garbage can Do by unknown (girst.org, 13th oct)
"Strange but true: Our trash is going green. The nation's largest garbage hauler and landfill operator, Waste Management Inc., has announced plans to make its operations more eco-friendly."says the grist. They have plans to double the landfill for waste by 2020. which would therefore cut down on waste production.
(Submitted at 12:08 AM on 10/17/07 by Lake Roberts)

Hold the Phone by unknown (Grist.com, 16th oct)
"Greenpeace claimed recently that Apple's much-hyped iPhone contains dangerous levels of phthalates, chlorine, and bromine, and now another environmental group, the Center for Environmental Health in Oakland, Calif., has sent the company a formal warning claiming that Apple violated California's Proposition 65, which requires companies to warn consumers of the risk of toxic exposure."

This was from the summerized version.
(Submitted at 12:04 AM on 10/17/07 by Lake Roberts)

New maps detail quake risk zones by Sandi Doughton (Seattle Times, October 13, 2007)
A decade-long study (one of the most sophisticated they've done anywhere in the country) by the U.S. Geological Survey has found new details about Seattle's earthquake risk. There is a probable fault line running under Lake Washington south of the I-90 bridge, which appears to have ruptured about 1000 years ago, thrusting upwards as much as 12 feet. The study also found that the Interbay area and the University District are more vulnerable to earthquakes than previously thought.
(Submitted at 8:01 PM on 10/13/07 by Alexis Ressler)

Orbiting solar panels' day may be near by Theo Milonopoulos (Los Angeles Times, October 11, 2007)
A federal study concluded that increases in oil prices may make solar power in orbit economically competitive. The orbiting solar panels would help reduce the U.S.'s dependence on oil and the production of carbon dioxide. The study estimated that in one year, satellites in a continuously sunlit orbit could generate nearly the same amount of energy available in all the world's oil reserves.
(Submitted at 7:51 PM on 10/13/07 by Alexis Ressler)

It's the Heat and the Humidity by Grist (Reuters, October 10, 2007)
Climate change may indirectly cause many deaths. If the Earth heats up as projected, the humidity will also increase. Although this may not in itself be deadly, a study in the American Journal of Public Health predicts that the number of heat-related deaths around New York City will almost double by 2050.
(Submitted at 7:41 PM on 10/13/07 by Alexis Ressler)

Tuna fishing kills endangered birds, sea life - WWF by Not Listed (Reuters, October 10, 2007)
The Humane Society of the United States offers additional information on their website:

http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/issues_facing_wildlife/longline_fishing_threatens_sea_birds_and_other_marine_life.html

--------------------------------------------
An estimated 13,500 endangered seabirds, including 10,000 albatross are caught every year by long-line fisheries. Most of the fishing vessels were from Japan targeting southern bluefin tuna. The fishhooks are mostly used on the southern Pacific and Indian Oceans.
(Submitted at 7:34 PM on 10/12/07 by Kennedy James)

5,000 Trees Stand as One Man's Green Legacy by Kie Relyea (The Bellingham Herald, Oct. 11, 2007)
The 79 year old retired accountant Bill Hogan spent the last 20 years planting 5,000 tress on his 20 acre lot. He finished recently and gave the land to a local concervation group Whatcom Land Trust.
(Submitted at 9:46 PM on 10/11/07 by Alicia Walker)

Pits and Starts by grist (The New York Times, Oct 9th 2007)
In Montana there is a pit called berkeley pit. In this pit there is over 40 billion gallons of poisonous copper mine runoff. This mine is so poisonous that once there was a flock of hundreds of geese that landed in this pit and secounds after touching down they died. This pit has over 142 organisms in it that have been said to help fight cancer.
(Submitted at 3:57 PM on 10/11/07 by Lake Roberts)

Study: Killer whales store pollution found in coastal waters by Donna Gordon Blankinship (Seattle PI, Wednesday, October 10, 2007)
In stuyding the blubber of nine local orcas, scientists found that the endangered animals contained enough PCBs (which were banned over 30 years ago) to cause health problems. Also found were PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) a non-banned chemical which is commonly used as flame retardants. According to the article, "The chemicals cling to fat and can cause reproductive and immunological problems."
(Submitted at 10:09 AM on 10/11/07 by Kennedy James)

Tapping Tidal Energy: The Wave of the Future by Sandi Doughton (The Seattle Times, Sunday, October 7, 2007)
Wave-power devices will be tested off pacific regional coasts would harness the ocean's power for onshore use. One type, the wave energy water buoy, floats up and down while internal mechanisms convert the vertical kinetic energy into electricity. Another type uses pressured seawater to power a turbine, which then drives an electrical generator. "Energy from the ocean could provide up to 10 percent of the nation's electricity, according to an analysis by the Electric Power Research Institute."

(Submitted at 9:33 AM on 10/11/07 by Kennedy James)

Anti-bottled Water Campaign says Portland should do more by Shelby Wood (The Oregonian, Oct. 10, 2007)
Today Oregon and six other cities began a campaign to get rid of plastic bottles, which are polluting the environment. The national campaign is called Think Outside the Bottle. The campaigners will be doing taste tests to see if the public can tell the difference between bottled and tap water.
(Submitted at 7:37 PM on 10/10/07 by Alicia Walker)

In the Battle Against Cancer, Researchers Find Hope in a Toxic Wasteland by Christopher Maag (New York Times, Oct. 9 2007)
Two researchers have discovered potential cancer fighting agents in the Berkely Pit in Montana. The pit used to be a copper mine until 1982 when it was shut down. Over time the pit filled with water and became toxic to most normal organisms. What has survived the toxic pit may someday become cancer fighting drugs in the future.
(Submitted at 12:20 AM on 10/10/07 by Alicia Walker)

Arctic Melt Unnerves the Experts by Andrew C. Revkin (Truth Out, New York Times, 10-2-07)
It's becoming more and more apparent even for the most skeptical of climate change that it is upon us. This articles discusses how this summer we saw the least amount of sea ice ever in our time. while to most this is a very terrible thing. the sad part is that many people in the world are looking at this as a positive because it opens new shipping lanes thus cutting down costs of there companies.
(Submitted at 12:05 AM on 10/9/07 by John Morrison)

Juicing up your cellphone by Jeremy Elton Jacquot (tree hugger, losangeles, 10-6-07)
This is very exciting while the technology is not new it's a exciting step forward. In the past with Microbial fuel cells they were extremely expensive and these five MIT students came up with a way of creating similar results at a fraction of the cost. The basic concept is that there able to harness energy from decomposing plant waste.
(Submitted at 11:57 PM on 10/8/07 by John Morrison)

Saving wind Energy by Jeremy Elton Jacquot (tree hugger, los angeles, 10-6-07)
This article gives a brief description of a somewhat new way of storing unused wind energy. One current problem with this technology is that currently wind turbines aren't even producing enough energy to store extra energy. maybe when wind turbines become more efficient this technology can be better implemented and be more cost effective.
(Submitted at 11:51 PM on 10/8/07 by John Morrison)

What Can Brown do for You? by n/a (Los Angeles Times, October 3, 2007)
General Jerry Brown is petitioning the Bush administrative control the green-house gas emissions from vessels coming in to California. Ships are said to have 5% of golbal emissions, that is suppose to rise in the next 20 years to 75%.
(Submitted at 7:52 AM on 10/6/07 by Malia Laigo)

California, environmentalists ask EPA to regulate ship emissions by Associated press- San Francisco (King 5- Environment Northwest, October 3, 2007)
Here is some potentially positive news. Jerry Brown California’s Attorney General and various environmental groups petitioned the federal government in hopes of getting some regulation emissions from ships crossing long distances. The vessels these people are talking about are massive and are responsible for almost 3 percent of the world’s greenhouse gases, which of course leads directly to global warming issues. They have also attempted to ask for guidelines and standards regarding carbon dioxide emissions from all enormous ships including cargo, cruises, and boats from other countries that dock in America. There is a lot of interesting information included in this article and it gives me a sense of hope and encouragement from reading about the people who care and how they are taking action.
(Submitted at 10:12 AM on 10/4/07 by Lauren Sinclair)

Taste For Sushi Threatens Mediterranean Tuna by Ben Harding (MSNBC, October 3, 2007)

Due to a high demand for sushi across the world, Bluefin tuna fish in the Mediterranean Sea are becoming scarce where there were once in overabundance. Scientists from ICCAT have been following the decline in tuna over the years and are concerned that a major drop in numbers may be headed soon. If this were to happen, experts say many major issues would result from an off-balanced Mediterranean habitat. Sadly, because this fish is becoming less available, the demand is increasing and so are the profits for the fishermen which in turn motivates them to fish more and break catch limits. There is a lot of useful information included further in the article that discusses what effects this might have on our world in other ways.
(Submitted at 10:08 AM on 10/4/07 by Lauren Sinclair)

Globally Threatened Corals by American Chemical Society (Environmental Science & Technology Online, October 3, 2007)
I am sad to report that for the first time the World Conservation Union has had to add coral as another threatened species on the “Red List.” There seem to be actually three different types of coral across the globe that are now on the “critically endangered” list. Scientists believe a main cause of this happening is due to the continuing and drastic climate change. Read on to learn about other species that are joining the list and what the experts are saying.
(Submitted at 10:01 AM on 10/4/07 by Lauren Sinclair)

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