Antarctic methane could worsen global warming: scientists
(August 29, 2012)
Reuters
Large volumes of the greenhouse gas methane could have been produced under the Antarctic Ice Sheet over millions of years, which could add to global warming if released into the atmosphere by a thaw, a study said on Wednesday.
To save costs, USFS aims to stamp out all fires
(August 22, 2012)
EE Daily News via Redlodge Clearinghouse
After years of allowing small fires to burn out on their own — and clean up the landscape in the process — the Forest Service is sending crews to stamp out every flame for financial reasons.
Why forest-killing megafires are the new normal
(August 23, 2012)
Second of a five part series by NPR
Fire scientists are calling it “the new normal”: a time of fires so big and hot that no one can remember anything like it.
‘Torture Lab’ kills trees to learn how to save them
(August 26, 2012)
Last of a five part series by NPR
The droughts that have parched big regions of the country are killing forests. In the arid Southwest, the body count is especially high. Besides trying to keep wildfires from burning up these desiccated forests, there’s not much anyone can do. In fact, scientists are only now figuring out how drought affects trees.
Interactive map: fire forecast
(updated daily)
NPR
Obama order targets industrial efficiency, emissions
(August 31, 2012)
Reuters
President Barack Obama issued an executive order on Thursday that would increase the number of cogeneration plants in the U.S. by 50 percent by 2020, a move that would boost U.S. industrial energy efficiency and slash carbon emissions by 150 million tons per year.
White House finalizes higher fuel economy standards
(August 29, 2012)
EE Daily News via Redlodge Clearinghouse
The White House today finalized rules that could double fuel economy in light-duty vehicles by 2025, a move the administration says will reduce domestic oil consumption by 12 billion barrels over the life of the program.
