Surfing from / September, 2011
Canadian Arctic Nearly Loses Entire Ice Shelf
Two ice shelves that existed before Canada was settled by Europeans diminished significantly this summer, one nearly disappearing altogether, Canadian scientists say in new research. The loss is important as a marker of global warming, returning the Canadian Arctic to conditions that date back thousands of years.
$102 Million in Wetlands, Barrier Island Restoration Awards for Louisiana
Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank just announced $102 million for three Louisiana projects in the Barataria and Terrebone basins, to restore deteriorated wetlands and barrier island habitats along the state’s coast.
Study Uncovers a Predictable Sequence Toward Coral Reef Collapse
Using data from coral reef systems across the western Indian Ocean, researchers identified how overfishing creates a series of at least eight big changes on reefs that precipitate a final collapse. This information can help assessing the health of a reef and tell when to restrict fishing in order to avoid a collapse of the ecosystem and fishery.
Chile Reels in Salmon Farming
Chile is the second largest producer of salmon in the world. But these fish don’t occur there naturally. Instead, the salmon swim within enclosed nets, often tightly packed together. Kept off the country’s coastline, fish farms like these can pollute local ecosystems. But in Patagonia, Chile has begun taking steps to protect some of its wild waters from the farmed fish.
Sand mining Is Booming Along With Fracking
Fracking, the latest craze in the quest to produce oil and gas, has been blamed for environmental problems ranging from flammable tap water to minor earthquakes. Now a new risk is emerging: sand mining. To squeeze hydrocarbons out of shale through hydraulic fracturing of the rock, the process known as fracking, producers need to pump an enormous amount of sand into the ground.
Green Project Attempts To Tackle Jakarta’s Huge Mountains of Waste
Mountains of trash, about 6,000 tons, are dumped unceremoniously into Jakarta’s open landfills every day, leaking pollution into the waters or just ending up blown into the sea…But enterprising groups of activists have been busy trying to reduce the growing pile of garbage.
Officials Seek Public Comment On Beach Renourishment Project, California
Residents have two weeks left to comment on the Army Corps of Engineers beach replenishment project. In 2011 dollars, the project will cost $84.9 million over the 50-year lifespan.
A Tribute to Professor Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peace Prize, Green Belt Movement Founder
Kenya’s most recognizable woman, Pr. Wangari Maathai, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for combining environmentalism and social activism. She was the founder of the Green Belt Movement, where over 30 years she mobilized poor women to plant 30 million trees.
Great White Shark, Studied By Oceans Research
There is no such thing as “swimming beaches” or “surfing beaches.” These are just qualities humans attribute to these areas. All of them are just beaches, all holding the same types of dangers; rip-tides, waves, currents and of course wild animals. Great white sharks are commonly found in near shore locations, and its important again to remind people that the environment does not belong to us selectively for our use.
