Climate: Which Nations, Cities Most At Risk?
A third of humanity, mostly in Africa and South Asia, face the biggest risks from climate change, and rich nations in northern Europe will be least exposed, according to a report released Wednesday, by Maplecroft, a British firm specialising in risk analysis.
The Condit Dam Breach
For 95 years, the 125-foot high Condit Dam in rural Washington State held back the White Salmon River. In an historic effort, the dam was dramatically breached to restore, for the first time in a century, the waterway to fish and other aquatic organisms, as well as the birds and mammals that rely on them. The dam removal comes just weeks after dismantling began on the Elwha Dam a few hours to the north.
BP Gets 1st Deepwater Gulf Permit Since Oil Spill
U.S. officials have given BP the go-ahead to drill a new deepwater well in the Gulf of Mexico, its first such permit since last year’s catastrophic oil spill…
El Hierro Submarine Eruption
Off the coast of El Hierro, in the southwest reaches of the Canary Islands, Earth has been spewing gas and rock into the ocean. The island off the Atlantic coast of North Africa, built mostly from a shield volcano—has been rocked by thousands of tremors and earthquakes since July 2011, and an underwater volcanic eruption started in mid-October.
Seven Billion And Counting
How is the changing global population affecting people’s daily lives? With the UN set to announce that there are now seven billion people on the planet, BBC News reporters spoke to seven people from around the world to hear their stories.
Thailand floods’ Shut Down Bangkok’s Second Airport
Advancing floodwaters in Thailand breached barriers protecting Bangkok’s second airport, in Don Muang, Tuesday. Don Muang has come to symbolize the gravity of the Southeast Asian nation’s deepening crisis, which has seen advancing waters drown a third of the country and kill 366 people over the last three months.
Up to 20 million tons of debris from Japan’s tsunami moving toward Hawaii
Up to 20 million tons of debris from the Japanese earthquake and tsunami in March, is traveling faster than expected and could reach the U.S. West Coast in three years. The marine debris were recently spotted by a Russian ship’s crew.
NZ, Almost 500 Tonnes Of Oil Pumped From Rena Cargo Ship
481 tonnes of oil has been pumped from the stricken ship Rena, which originally held 772 tonnes of oil, as the salvage operation accelerates. 10 tonnes of fuel oil escaped the beleaguered ship on Saturday night and yesterday morning, and was being swept north by the tide, towards Mayor Island, a wildlife refuge and marine reserve.
Stressors To Florida Keys Marine Ecosystem, A Study
NOAA scientists have found that pressure from increasing coastal populations, ship and boat groundings, marine debris, poaching, and climate change are critically threatening the health of the Florida Keys ecosystem. Many historically abundant marine resources such as green sea turtles and coral habitat continue to be at risk with low rates of recovery.