Latest science news in Earth & Climate
Could Pond Scum Undo Pollution, Fight Global Warming And Alleviate World Hunger?
Three plant biologists at Rutgers' Waksman Institute of Microbiology are obsessed with duckweed, a tiny aquatic plant with an unassuming name. Now they have convinced the federal government to focus...
Intensified Ice Sheet Movements Do Not Affect Rising Sea Levels
Meltwater is rapidly increasing the tempo of glacial movements on the rim of the Greenland ice sheet. Over the long term, however, this process is interrupted as meltwater drains away...
G8 leaders pledge to halve carbon emissions by 2050
G8 leaders pledge to cut carbon emission levels to 50 per cent by 2050, but developing countries continue to insist on more concrete targets.
Coal-generated Carbon Dioxide Captured In Australia -- A First
In a first for Australia, carbon dioxide has been captured from power station flue gases in a post-combustion-capture pilot plant at Loy Yang Power Station in Victoria's Latrobe Valley.
Geologists Discover Magma and Carbon Dioxide Combine to Make 'Soda-Pop' Eruption
This discovery overturns a longtime belief by geologists, who thought that carbon dioxide was incapable of dissolving in magma, said Calvin Barnes, professor of geosciences and lead investigator.
Crop Management: How Many On-the-go Crop And Soil Sensors Do Growers Need?
The use of on-the-go crop and soil sensors has greatly increased the precision with which farmers can manage their crops. Recent research in Agronomy Journal questions whether more precise management...
Satellite View Of Cloud Tops Might Warn Of Storms
For three years, a new way to use data collected by NOAA weather satellites has been giving North Alabama short-term warnings of "pop-up" thunderstorms. This new computer program is now...
Climate change amplified in the Arctic
WOODS HOLE, Mass., July 9 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists predict human-induced climate change will be greatly amplified in the Arctic, both on the surrounding continents and in the...
Cheney’s Office Sought to Change Climate Testimony
The vice president’s office pushed for major deletions in congressional testimony on climate change, a former E.P.A. official said.
Feature: Budgets green side draws a mixed response
There have been mixed responses to the environmental decisions made in the Australian Government's 2008–09 Budget. Mary-Lou Considine explores both sides of the discussion.
Solving P.E.I. nitrates problem will take decades: report
It took decades to raise nitrate levels in P.E.I.'s groundwater to serious levels, and it will take decades to fix the problem, says a commission study.
Developing economies don't back G-8 climate goal
(AP) -- A joint gathering of major developed and developing nations on Wednesday agreed that climate change was "one of the great global challenges of our time" and pledged...
Polar bear harassment by oil companies challenged
(AP) -- Two conservation groups filed a lawsuit on Tuesday challenging the Bush administration's decision to let oil companies unintentionally harass or harm polar bears and walruses off the...
Cargill rolling out natural, no-calorie sweetener
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Agribusiness giant Cargill Inc is starting to roll out Truvia, its natural, no-calorie sweetener on Wednesday, and expects the product to be on grocery shelves across...
How Intense Will Storms Get? New Model Helps Answer Question
A new mathematical model indicates that dust devils, water spouts, tornadoes, hurricanes and cyclones are all born of the same mechanism and will intensify as climate change warms the Earth's...
Some Plants Can Adapt To Widespread Climate Change
While many plant species move to a new location or go extinct as a result of climate change, grasslands clinging to a steep, rocky dale-side in Northern England seem to...
In Silicon Valley, A Sea Lion Rescue
A wayward sea lion showed up in an office park stream, three miles from San Francisco Bay. John Blackstone reports on his arrival and eventual rescue.
Most Popular Baby Names Change Dramatically
When Sunday Rose Kidman Urban was born this week, news of her distinctive name created only a small stir.
Researchers study ground cover to reduce impact of biomass harvest
Ground cover may be one workable method to reduce the effects of erosion that future biomass harvests are predicted to bring. Iowa State University researchers are looking at ways to...
NASA Mission to be Crystal Ball into Oceans' Future, Mirror to the Past
Imagine the lives that could be saved from flash floods, and the homes that could be spared from the effects of coastline erosion if only scientists could more accurately predict...
Nutrition: The best foods of summer
'Tis the season for big bowls of salty chips, creamy potato salad and hefty mouth-watering burgers. Top that off with ice cream, cold beer and tangy margaritas, and your summer...
Improving swine waste fertilizer
Swine production generates large amounts of waste. While this waste contains nutrients that may serve as fertilizer when applied to agricultural fields, the ratio of nutrients in the waste is...
Some European Grasslands May Resist Warming
A grassland like those found throughout Western Europe shows very little change in species composition even after 13 years of controlled exposure to higher temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns, a...
Airship designed to fly through remote skies
A Calgary company is spearheading a new aircraft, filled with helium and powered by four rotors, that will be used to move materials in remote areas including the Canadian North.
Senate Resolution Shines Spotlight on the Importance of Soils
The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) applauds the visionary action taken by Senator Sherrod Brown and his colleagues in the Senate who helped usher in legislation to recognize soils...
Brown faces climate change revolt
Gordon Brown is facing the prospect of another significant backbench rebellion - this time over climate change.
Feature: Turning household wastes into energy
Australian researchers are working hard to turn our biodegradable waste into energy, writes Carmelo Amalfi.
EU includes aviation in CO2 curbs
The European Parliament backs a law to include aviation in the CO2 Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) for cutting greenhouse gases.