Indonesian wins international prize for river clean-up
A biologist who enlisted schoolchildren in his fight to clean up an Indonesian river that led to an international prize said he hoped young people will do more for the environment.
Bioengineering Uses Vetiver Grass to Save Coral Reefs Near Guam
The vetiver grass system is a unique, economical and effective bioengineering technology for protecting coral reefs. It is also expected that these vetiver hedges may even be able to protect the beach area against tidal surge once their root systems are well established.
Adelaide Sinks Off Avoca Beach, Australia
After a year of rolling legal action, the scuttling of HMAS Adelaide off Avoca Beach on the NSW central coast was allowed, and the decommissioned warship will become a scuba diving attraction by month’s end. Environmentalists fears lead paint on the Adelaide is a health risk and that the wreck will cause beach erosion and ruin the surf.
New Rights Challenge to Belo Monte Dam in Brazil
A group of independent Brazilian scientists, who recently studied the environmental impact report, concluded that the project was not viable. The Xingú river basin is home to four times more biodiversity that the whole of Europe.
Transocean claims record sea depth for oil drilling
Offshore oil drilling group Transocean claimed Tuesday that it had a set a world record for deep water drilling at an ocean depth of 3,107 metres (10,194 feet) off the coast of India.
Cuba to begin oil exploration in the Gulf of Mexico This Summer
Experts say the country might have 20 billion barrels oil reserves along Cuba’s north coast. Ocean scientists warn that a well blowout similar to the BP disaster could send oil spewing onto Cuban beaches and then the Florida Keys in as little as three days. If the oil reached the Gulf Stream, a powerful ocean current that passes through the region, oil could flow up the coast to Miami and beyond.
Nags Head beach nourishment approved
With the blessing of a state oversight commission secured last week, the project to nourish Nags Head’s eroded beaches will officially get under way as early as mid-June. The total cost of the project is between $36 million and $37 million
New Strong Earthquake hits Japan as evacuation zone widens
Japan on Monday widened the evacuation zone around a stricken nuclear plant exactly a month on from a huge natural disaster as another strong quake and tsunami alert strained nerves anew.
After the Quake: Japan’s Balance of Technology and Nature
As Japan marks the first month after the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami, the country’s struggle between its technological heart and natural soul continues. In a country where technology is omnipresent, the unpredictability of nature, with its mercurial seasons or weather patterns, can seem like a reprieve. And even if it is not always welcomed, nature will still inflict itself on a country that has tried in vain to rise above it.