A round-up of the top climate and energy news.
Across a wide stretch of the Midwest, sweltering temperatures and a lack of rain are threatening what had been expected to be the nation’s largest corn crop in generations. [New York Times]
Much of Ohio has slipped officially into drought, creating economic and wildfire concerns for emergency-management officials, as well as for agriculture and farmers statewide. [Columbus Dispatch]
Drought conditions are contributing to a Mississippi River level that may not be the lowest ever but still is cause for concern. [USA Today]
Cyanobacterial populations, primitive aquatic microorganisms, are frequently-encountered in water bodies especially in summer. Their numbers have increased in recent decades and scientists suspect that global warming may be behind the phenomenon. [Environmental Protection]
Climate change, blamed on heavy environmental degradation on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, has dealt a devastating blow on farmers as almost all cash and food crops have been affected by this year’s unreliable weather patterns, it has been revealed. [All Africa]
The nuclear accident at Fukushima was a preventable disaster rooted in government-industry collusion and the worst conformist conventions of Japanese culture, a parliamentary inquiry concluded on Thursday. [New York Times]
The final turbine of China’s massive Three Gorges dam has been connected to the power grid, marking the completion of a controversial hydropower project that cost the country more than £38bn and displaced at least 1.3 million people. [Guardian]
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) subpoenaed JPMorgan twice in the past three months on allegations that the bank manipulated energy markets for financial gain, court filings show. [The Hill]
Previous in TP Climate Progress
Language Intelligence: Lessons on persuasion from Jesus, Shakespeare, Lincoln, and Lady Gaga
I wouldn’t say that cyanobacteria are necessarily ‘primative’ – they may have evolved billions of years ago, but they were the first organisms to exploit oxygenic photosynthesis. The bio-machinery that allows them to do so is one of the most complex structures in nature!
Experts discuss MENA-EU solar energy super-grid
Project to supply solar power to Europe from North African deserts
By Staff
Published Sunday, July 01, 2012
Officials and experts from many countries met in Saudi Arabia this week to discuss renewable energy issues, including a proposed mega project involving a super-grid that will supply solar power to Europe from North African deserts. http://www.emirates247.com/business/energy/experts-discuss-mena-eu-solar-energy-super-grid-2012-07-01-1.465165
Bouts of heavy rain have been sweeping the UK and the forecast is for more, up to a month’s worth expected in 2 days with warnings in force
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/months-rain-expected-in-just-two-days-7912858.html
NYT: Weather Underground sold to Weather Channel
Drat. WC management promises not to dumb the site down.
(knock wood)
From Silicon Valley: The Painting “Sustainability” (24X5) feet, 2012
Demetra McBride, Director, Climate Change and Sustainability, County of Santa Clara, California, introduces artist Michael Killen and his painting.
http://michaelkillen.wordpress.com/2012/04/16/from-silicon-valley-the-painting-sustainability-24×5-feet-2012/
In the drought context, these may be of interest:
http://meteora.ucsd.edu/cap/
California Nevada Applications Program (CNAP) &
The California Climate Change Center (CCCC)
Climate information for California and Nevada decision makers Funded by the NOAA Office of Global Programs and
California Energy Commission
CNAP is a NOAA/OGP Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (RISA) member
Read the latest on the CNAP BLOG
http://cnaprisa.wordpress.com/
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http://cnaprisa.wordpress.com/2012/03/09/linking-global-climate-models-with-groundwater-surface-water-models-a-new-study-for-the-central-california-valley/
Linking global climate models with groundwater-surface water models: A new study for the Central California Valley
March 9, 2012