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Tropic Atmospheric Circulation

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 23:15:55 +0000

An University of California – Riverside led team has identified black carbon and tropospheric ozone as the most likely drivers of large-scale atmospheric circulation change in the Northern Hemisphere tropics zone. While stratospheric ozone depletion has already been shown to be the primary driver of the expansion of the tropics in the Southern Hemisphere, the researchers are the first to report that black carbon and tropospheric ozone are the most likely primary drivers of the tropical expansion observed in the Northern Hemisphere.

Peabody Coal pays U.S. taxpayers $1.11 per ton of coal, sells it to China for $123

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 20:11:30 +0000

By David

Chefs’ disregard for environment leaves a bad taste

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 18:19:33 +0000

By Twilight

After Greenpeace protests, Apple promises to dump coal power

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:09:34 +0000

By Robert

Natural sinks still sopping up carbon

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:50:29 +0000

Earth’s ecosystems keep soaking up more carbon as greenhouse gases accumulate in the atmosphere, new measurements find. The research contradicts several recent studies suggesting that “carbon sinks” have reached or passed their capacity. By looking at global measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide, the new work calculates instead that total sinks have increased roughly in line with rising emissions.

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Natural sinks still sopping up carbon

Cars That Run on Natural Gas – Alternative Fuels

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:50:28 +0000

Find out how an alternative fuel used all over the world may find its way into American vehicles. Natural gas is abundant, clean and already a part of our everyday lives—and it may be the next big alternative fuel. In the world of alternative fuels, electric, hydrogen and even hybrid vehicles get most of the attention. Not many people are aware of another alternative automotive fuel that burns cleaner than gasoline, is found abundantly in the United States and is already in heavy use around the world: natural gas. Natural gas is by no means a new fuel; it’s been used to heat homes and cook food in gas stoves for more than a century. But only recently have automotive technicians begun exploring the possibility of using natural gas as an alternative to gasoline in automobiles here in the United States. When used in automobiles, natural gas comes in two forms: Compressed natural gas (CNG) Liquefied natural gas (LNG) Both forms require storage in cylinders that are often located in the trunk of the vehicle. When being burned by an engine, natural gas works very similarly to gasoline; vehicles that run on natural gas will have spark plug timing and compression optimized for that type of fuel.

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Cars That Run on Natural Gas – Alternative Fuels

Taste and Temperature

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:50:27 +0000

Some people like food or beverages hot and some like them cold. What’s the difference? Can the temperature of the food we eat affect the intensity of its taste? It depends on the taste, according to a new study by Dr. Gary Pickering and colleagues from Brock University in Canada. Their work shows that changes in the temperature of foods and drinks have an effect on the intensity of sour, bitter and astringent tastes but not sweetness. Their work is published online in Springer’s Chemosensory Perception journal. Humans receive tastes through sensory organs called taste buds concentrated on the top of the tongue. Taste is sensed through taste cells, which are known as taste buds. There are about 100,000 taste buds that are located on the back and front of the tongue. Others are located on the roof, sides and back of the mouth, and in the throat.

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Taste and Temperature

Paper or Plastic?

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:50:26 +0000

Cities in a number of Asian countries, including China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan, are currently on the warpath against plastic shopping bags. The cities have passed local laws that ban such bags, on the basis that they clog sewers and drainage canals, cause street flooding, choke animals and are responsible for other forms of environmental damage. China and Taiwan, for example, impose heavy fines on violators. Other countries are appealing for a switch to the production and use of biodegradable bags. But this misses the point. People do not object to using biodegradable bags, and consider them a welcome return to the traditional practice of using shopping baskets and bags made from locally available materials — such as jute, abaca and cloth — that are less harmful to the environment.

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Paper or Plastic?

Jamie Oliver wants you to join the Food Revolution

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:53:38 +0000

By Claire

Umbra’s second helpings: Riding your bike to work [VIDEO]

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:19:32 +0000

By Grist

NOAA: Six Fish Populations Restored to Healthy Levels in the US

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 01:49:14 +0000

All are aware of the tragic loss of biodiversity that this planet is current going through in various ecosystems. However, a new National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) report shows that when good policies are in place, natural ecosystems can sustain themselves and thrive. NOAA has released its annual report, stating that a record six fish populations have been rebuilt to healthy levels in 2011. This brings the number of rebuilt US marine fish populations to 27 since the start of the 21st century, showing that great strides have been made to end overfishing thanks to all interested parties.

Melting Sea Ice Could Lead to Pressure on Arctic Fishery

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 01:49:13 +0000

With melting sea ice opening up previously inaccessible parts of the Arctic Ocean, the fishing industry sees a potential bonanza. But some scientists and government officials have begun calling for a moratorium on fishing in the region until the true state of the Arctic fishery is assessed. When scientists with the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program began tracking 323 vertebrate species across the entire Arctic several years ago, most assumed that many fish and animals would not fare well in a region where rapid warming is causing such profound changes.

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Melting Sea Ice Could Lead to Pressure on Arctic Fishery

European Agricultural Ministers look to backtrack on Farm Carbon Program

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 01:49:12 +0000

Conservation groups have condemned a move by European agricultural ministers to tone down some of the most controversial environmental proposals in the next phase of the EU’s farm support programme. Agricultural and fisheries ministers from the 27 EU countries called yesterday (15 May) for replacing conservation measures recommended by the European Commission with a more flexible system. The decision was not a surprise – ministers have indicated in the past that there was little political appetite for creating requirements in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) that tie direct payments to farmers to measures aimed at cutting carbon emissions and reducing other pollutants.

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European Agricultural Ministers look to backtrack on Farm Carbon Program

Solar Paint Technology May Revolutionize the Renewable Energy Industry

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 01:49:11 +0000

Lowering your carbon footprint and reducing greenhouse gasses may become as simple as painting your home or office, thanks to breakthrough research from the University of Notre Dame. The researchers, led by Professor Prashant Kamat, have created a new solar paint dubbed Sun-believable, which is laced with power producing nanoparticles capable of producing electricity. With the ability to generate renewable energy from this new, less invasive method, bulky solar panels as we know them today may soon become relics destined for the museum.

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Solar Paint Technology May Revolutionize the Renewable Energy Industry

Hotels charge you (for free)

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 01:49:10 +0000

Curious about electric cars? On your next vacation, give one a test drive—and instead of paying high gas prices, charge up for free. Major car rental companies, which have been offering hybrid vehicles for years, are now getting into the electric car (EV) market. And an ever-growing number of hotels, resorts, and even B&Bs are adding free electric-car charging stations to entice guests to get off the grid and plug in their cars when they travel.

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Hotels charge you (for free)

Department of Commerce slaps large tariffs on Chinese solar modules

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 21:42:53 +0000

By Stephen

Why are U.S. taxpayers subsidizing coal mining?

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:08:20 +0000

By David

A national clean energy standard is good policy — and good politics

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:01:45 +0000

By Richard W.

Romney choosing climate skeptic as running mate

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:31:52 +0000

By Lisa

Put it in your pipe and grow it: Former tobacco farms evolve

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:04:03 +0000

By Claire