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News Archives
Week of June 13, 2004
Water in the world
I've long thought that fresh water — or the lack of it — will become a major world issue even before the end of the oil age forces us to revamp our energy sources. Two stories I've read recently show some of the complexities of water in the world today, and how water distribution is changing as the climate changes.
First, the BBC states that the number of people threatened with flooding will double in the next 50 years, leaving two billion people in danger by the end of that time. These are mostly people in coastal areas and those who live in island states. The article is based on a report by the UN University in Tokyo, which believes the increased danger from flooding will come from rising ocean levels, population growth, and continued deforestation. They cite a steady increase in flood events over the past several decades: six major floods in the '50s, with more each decade until the 1990s had 26 major flood events. The full report itself (.doc file) can be found here.
At the same time, the United Nations warns that one third of the earth's surface is at risk from desertification, as slash-and-burn agriculture, rising populations, and overburdened water supplies — along with the continuing effects of global warming — take their toll on the earth. The U.N. believes that by 2025, two-thirds of the arable land in Africa will disappear and that 135 million people are at risk of being displaced. Most of these people are in dry regions such as China and Africa where large populations are already bordering deserts. But the impact is likely to be felt in the desert west of North America as well, where reservoir levels are already falling. Desertification is not as dramatic as floods, but it can be just as deadly, and the trend towards desertification has been speeding up in recent decades. Today, June 17th, the U.N. is marking a World Day to Combat Desertification, in an attempt to draw attention to the issues of desertification and drought.
So we begin to get a sense of what the earth will be like in a few generations, even barring extreme climate flip-flops. With rising seas on the one hand, and spreading deserts on the other, people will be clustered into ever smaller parts of the globe. The issue of ecological footprints will become more immediately pressing, and we can only hope that this will at last bring home the need for population control.
Comments? Click here.
Posted by Jennifer on Thursday, June 17 2004, 12:55 PM
News of the Day
Or maybe I should call it News of the Week. There's been plenty going on while I've been busy, so let's get to it.
Deer populations hurting diversity in Wisconsin
A new study of 62 sites in Wisconsin forests has found that plant diversity has dropped, with almost 20% fewer native plant species compared to a study in 1950. Rising deer populations were cited as a primary cause of the change, coupled with an increase in exotic plants. Areas where hunting was restricted fared the worst due to large deer numbers. Nearby tribal lands were studied as a control, since deer populations are smaller there. Plant diversity was much higher on the tribal lands, suggesting that a different management plan might help increase diversity in all forests.
Panda populations may be increasing
Panda populations in China may actually be increasing, according to a recent study. The Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) was able to survey areas not accessible before, and also used improved census methods for a more accurate count. WWF praised the Chinese government, which has controlled logging and limited poaching in an attempt to save these endangered and well-loved animals. China has also increased panda reserves from 13 to 40 since the 1980s.
Blackout in 2003 increased air quality
In August of 2003 much of the northeastern US and parts of Canada suffered an electrical blackout, due to an unexpected systems failure. University of Maryland researchers have found a bright side to the blackout — drastically reduced air pollution and brighter skies were the immediate result, as power plants shut down and stopped emitting pollutants into the air. Sulphur dropped by 90% and ozone by 50%, while air visibility increased by over 25 miles. Local environmentalists hope the study will help pressure the Maryland government to adopt stronger clean air standards.
Dinosaur fossils provide clue to ancient continental split
The discovery of a dinosaur in Africa, closely related to dinosaurs already found in South American and India, is providing new information about how and when the ancient continent of Gondwana split apart. These dinosaurs lived in the Cretaceous period, when what is now Africa was covered in lush plains and full rivers. The remains of this 30-foot-long, meat-eating dinosaur are a major archeological find, and will help fill in critical gaps in the evolutionary history of Africa.
California plans an ambitious cut in auto emissions
For reasons I don't entirely understand, California is the only state in the nation allowed to set its own auto emission standards, apart from federal standards. Other states are allowed to follow either California standards or federal standards, but are not allowed to set their own. Once again California is taking a stronger stand than the feds, and intends to require auto makers to reduce emissions by nearly 30% over the next decade. The legislation is specifically aimed at controlling chemicals believed to increase global warming. The manufacturers are considering a lawsuit to stop the change.
You don't have to go to the wilderness to find medicinal plants
A University of Florida researcher, working with Mayans in the Mexican state of Chiapas, has found that fast-growing herbaceous plants which are found in disturbed soils and normally thought of as weeds can serve a number of medicinal purposes. The Mayans have a long history of using herbs for medicine, since modern doctors are not generally available. They know which plants can help with such illnesses as intestinal bacteria, respiratory ailments, or external aches and bruises, and they know how to prepare the herbs for different uses. Dr. Stepp says
"The realization that medicinal plants are readily available in a living pharmacy right outside the door and along the sides of trails rather than deep in the forest could lead governments to encourage and promote traditional medicinal practices," Stepp said. "They are readily available, cost nothing to gather and are often more effective."
Legislators call for labeling ban on Mexican tuna
Hearing allegations that bribery may have led to Mexican tuna being improperly labelled "dolphin safe", two U.S. Congresspersons have asked the Department of Commerce to place an indefinite ban on the practice of labeling any Mexican tuna as "dolphin safe". In 2002, the Commerce Dept. lowered standards for dolphin protection, and there are reports that the Administration has known all along about the mislabeling.
Misc. comments go here!
Posted by Jennifer on Tuesday, June 15 2004, 7:34 PM
Picture of the Day
Once again, I've been too busy to post all of the stuff that's laying around on my desk, so for now here's a picture for you. This one is Felis rufus, the bobcat.
More real news soon.
Posted by Jennifer on Sunday, June 13 2004, 12:57 AM
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