Latest science news in Earth & Climate
White House Spurns Solar Panel
A polite refusal to accept a solar panel that was installed by the Carter administration, removed by the Reagan administration and proffered Friday by environmental campaigners.
A tectonic zip
The complex fracture pattern created by the earthquake in Concepcion (Chile) on 27 February 2010 was to a certain extent predictable. GPS observations from the years before the earthquake showed...
Energy technologies not enough to sufficiently reduce carbon emissions, NYU's Hoffert concludes
Current energy technologies are not enough to reduce carbon emissions to a level needed to lower the risks associated with climate change, New York University physicist Martin Hoffert concludes in...
Winging It: Flying Fish Aerodynamics Directly Measured for the First Time
A fish out of water is not usually a graceful or impressive sight, unless that fish is flying--or hovering inside a laboratory wind tunnel. [More] ...
How Much Global Warming Is Guaranteed Even If We Stopped Building Coal-Fired Power Plants Today?
Humanity has yet to reach the point of no return when it comes to catastrophic climate change, according to new calculations. If we content ourselves with the existing fossil-fuel infrastructure...
Scientists: Biodiversity a world concern
CAMBRIDGE, England, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Halting the decline of Earth's biodiversity will require changes in behavior by human society, British researchers say. ...
The Tale of Two Umudugudus (Villages)
Access to improved water sources changes everything about life for subsistence farmers in Rwanda.
AGU journal highlights
The following highlights summarize research papers that have been recently published in Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres (JGR-D) and Geophysical Research Letters (GRL). In this release:...
Oil mishap averted in Chilean rig fire
BUENOS AIRES, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Rescuers called to a Chilean oil rig in the South Atlantic waters averted an oil mishap after the deep-sea installation was engulfed by...
Satellites spot imminent natural disasters
NASA is designing a pair of robotic probes to keep tabs on how the planet is changing and to help forecasters predict natural disasters, such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and...
Herb quells cows' methane-laden belches
For scientists concerned about greenhouse gas emissions, cow farts are nowhere near as problematic as their methane-laden belches. Now a new oregano supplement could stem the burps and reduce the...
Are you ready for some football science?
Science editor Alan Boyle's weblog: Scientists and sports stars are taking the field with a 10-part series that explains the physics and biology behind football. Physics...
Mars shows signs of recent activity
Carbon dioxide measurements suggest liquid water and volcanoes in past 100 million years
Warming Solution: Just Stop Cold?
The burden on the planet from today's cars and buildings is bearable, say researchers who warn that future added emissions are the real risk. ...
Main climate threat from carbon dioxide sources yet to be built
New energy-efficient or carbon-free technologies can help cut carbon dioxide emissions, but what about the power plants, cars, trucks, and other fossil-fuel-burning devices already in operation? Unless forced into early...
Greener pastures and better breeds could reduce carbon 'hoofprint'
Greenhouse gas emissions caused by livestock operations in tropical countries -- a major contributor to climate change -- could be cut significantly by changing diets and breeds and improving degraded...
Global warming from today's CO2 emitters modest: study
Today's carbon-spewing power plants and vehicles won't raise the global temperature to dangerous levels by 2060 even if they're allowed to keep operating to the end of their normal lifespans,...
Nutrients Speed Oil Clean Up
Exxon Valdez Spill: Adding phosphorus and nitrogen to coastal sediments spurs biodegradation of lingering oil spill.
Strengthening La Nina could mean more hurricanes
(AP) -- The La Nina climate phenomenon is strengthening, increasing the likelihood an active hurricane season could get even busier.
American Society of Agronomy Announce Award Recipients
The American Society of Agronomy will present their 2010 awards at their Annual Meetings, Oct. 31 to Nov. 3 in Long Beach, CA.
Plastic bag found floating near Titanic shipwreck
When oceanographer David Gallo stepped out onto his ship, floating above the resting place of the RMS Titanic, he spotted evidence of a different kind of tragedy — a lone...
AUDIO: Turning water science into smart policies
Listen in on this summer's 2010 Fresh Water Summit in Bracebridge, Ont., where scientists, environmentalists and concerned citizens worked together on ideas to protect, use and manage fresh water in...
Step up for green iron production
Carbon dioxide free method of producing iron could revolutionalise industry
Study says shortage of FSC wood statewide could lead to price premium for green construction
It's no secret: the United States is in the thick of a "green trend." Increased awareness of and commitment to sustainability and improving the environment through reduced carbon emissions and...
The pros and cons of Miscanthus — uses more water, leaches less nitrogen
URBANA -- In the search for the perfect crop for biofuel production, Miscanthus has become the darling to many. But in an effort to not be charmed by its...
World traveling godwits keep a strict schedule
New research has shown bar-tailed godwits are hard-wired to keep to tight schedules for their extraordinary annual 30,000km return journey between New Zealand and Alaska.
Fourth warmest U.S. summer on record according to NOAA
The contiguous United States had its fourth-warmest summer (June-August) on record, according to the latest NOAA State of the Climate report issued today. The report also showed the August average...
Retro-fitting houses might save lives
Retro-fitting existing house foundations to resist earthquakes could save lives and reduce the extent of rebuilding required after a large quake, Victoria University, New Zealand, researchers say.