US West Coast Erosion Spiked In Winter 2009-10, Previewing Likely Future As Climate Changes
Knowing that the U.S. west coast was battered during the winter before last by a climatic pattern expected more often in the future, scientists have now pieced together a San Diego-to-Seattle assessment of the damage wrought by that winter’s extreme waves and higher-than-usual water levels.
Japan Quake Makes 2011 Costliest Disaster Year
Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami in March caused losses of 210 billion euros and 15,500 people perished, making it the costliest natural catastrophe on record.
China’s Northeast Coast: A Second Oil Spill
China National Offshore Oil Corporation, recently accused of covering up a huge spill, is cleaning up another slick after a breakdown at a rig off China’s northeast coast.
Olympia Hypothesis: Tsunamis Buried the Cult Site On the Peloponnese
Olympia, site of the famous Temple of Zeus and original venue of the Olympic Games in ancient Greece, was presumably destroyed by repeated tsunamis that travelled considerable distances inland, new study finds.
Death by Plastic: Is Ocean Plastic Garbage Killing Whales?
From the coasts of California to Adriatic, Tasmania or Normandy, millions of tonnes of plastic debris dumped each year in the world’s oceans, could pose a lethal threat to whales, according to a scientific assessment to be presented at the International Whaling Commission this week. Ingestion of plastic refuse is emerging as a serious cause of disability and death for the large ocean-dwelling mammals.
Japan Says Nuclear Plant Clean-Up Will Take Several Decades
Japan’s prime minister said on Saturday the decommissioning of the tsunami crippled Fukushima nuclear plant would take several decades.
Energy-Short Japan Eyes Renewable Future
In the aftermath of the Fukushima disaster, power shortages have forced one of the world’s most energy-efficient countries to make do with even less.The International Energy Agency (IEA) said in a report this week that tsunami-torn Japan “is in the midst of perhaps one of the most severe electricity shortfalls in history.”
Viruses Bathe at the Beach Too, European Study Finds
European researchers have found viruses in nearly 40% of more than 1,400 bathing water samples gathered from coastal and inland areas in nine countries.
Australia Carbon Pollution Tax Announcement: A Start!
Australia Prime Minister Julia Gillard, is on Sunday due to unveil the full detail of her carbon tax legislation, which will see the country’s top 500 polluters charged per tonne of carbon dioxide they emit into the atmosphere.