-11.26.08- The study, conducted in the Tatra Mountains of Slovakia by the University of Colorado, University of Montana, Slovak Academy of Sciences, and the U.S. Instituto Geológico y Minero, shows what can happen when nitrogen deposition in any part of the world increases to certain levels�levels similar to those projected to occur in parts of Europe by 2050, according to some global change models… Leer más

-11.25.08- Scientists from the University of Chicago, using ocean pH data over the span of eight years have determined that the ocean is growing more acidic at a faster rate (10 times more) than earlier studies and climate models suggested. What is causing the increase in acidity? Atmospheric carbon dioxide. The increasing acidity of the ocean harms certain sea animals and in return could reduce the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide (positive feedback). .. Leer más

-11.25.08- GENEVA (AP) � The U.N. weather agency says the three main greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere have reached new record highs. Geir Braathen of the World Meteorological Organization says carbon dioxide was up the most in 2007, one-half percent, with methane and nitrous oxide rising by lesser amounts… Leer más

-11.25.08- DALLAS � This time of year, Debbie Davis usually sees green clover and winter grasses across the grazing pastures of her ranch. Now she sees only yellowing fields. “There’s nothing. It’s bad.” said Davis, who fears continuing dry conditions will also fuel wildfires like a small one near her San Antonio-area spread a few days ago. “It was small because they caught it early.” Even though Texas was soaked by three hurricanes this year, nearly half the state remains under drought conditions that heighten fire concerns and threaten cattle herds in need of green grazing areas. Parts of Texas have been in at least moderate drought for a year and about 41% is in some stage of drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor map… Leer más

-11.26.08- SAO PAULO, Brasil (AP) � Rescue workers desperately digging through the wreckage of homes engulfed by mudslides found more bodies on Tuesday in southern Brazil, raising the death toll from rain-spawned floods and hillside collapses to 79. As many as 30 people were still missing in small cities and towns across Santa Catarina state, where torrential weekend rains far surpassed records going back to 1961… Leer más

-11.13.08- BEIJING � Thick brown clouds of soot, particles and chemicals stretching from the Persian Gulf to Asia threaten health and food supplies in the world, the U.N. reported Thursday, citing what it called the newest threat to the global environment. The regional haze, known as atmospheric brown clouds, contributes to glacial melting, reduces sunlight, and helps create extreme weather conditions that impact agricultural production, according to the report commissioned by the U.N. Environment Program. The huge plumes have darkened 13 megacities in Asia � including Beijing, Shanghai, Bangkok, Cairo, Mumbai and New Delhi � sharply “dimming” the amount of light by as much as 25% in some places. Caused by the burning of fossil fuels, wood and plants, the brown clouds also play a significant role in exacerbating the effects of greenhouse gases in warming up the Earth’s atmosphere, the report said. “Imagine for a moment a three-kilometer-thick (1.8-mile-thick) band of soot, particles, a cocktail of chemicals that stretches from the Arabic Peninsula to Asia,” said Achim Steiner, Naciones Unidas. undersecretary general and executive director of the U.N. Environment Program. Leer más

-11.19.08- KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia � Half the world’s population could face a shortage of clean water by 2080 because of climate change, experts warned Tuesday. Wong Poh Poh, a professor at the National University of Singapore, told a regional conference that global warming was disrupting water flow patterns and increasing the severity of floods, droughts and storms � all of which reduce the availability of drinking water. Wong said the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change found that as many as 2 billion people won’t have sufficient access to clean water by 2050. That figure is expected to rise to 3.2 billion by 2080 � nearly tripling the number who now do without it. Reduced access to clean water � which refers to water that can be used for drinking, bathing or cooking � forces many villagers in poor countries to walk miles to reach supplies. Others, including those living in urban shanties, suffer from diseases caused by drinking from unclean sources. Leer más

-11.24.08- SAO PAULO, Brasil (AP) � The death toll from flooding and landslides caused by heavy rains in southern Brazil has increased to 33, state media said Monday. The count of deaths from the weekend devastation rose from 20 reported on Sunday as civil defense officials receive updated information, Agencia Brasil said. Casi 20,000 people have been forced from their homes, and access was cut off to four towns where residents have no electricity. Leer más

-11.17.08- A series of violent storms tore across Australia�s eastern coast over the weekend, producing golf ball sized hail stones, strong winds and heavy rain. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology reported that between 50-70mm of rainfall (2-3 pulgadas) of hit southern Queensland on Sunday, leading to widespread flash floods. Brisbane was the hardest hit as 80mph (129kph) winds lashed central and southern parts of the state. The winds uprooted more than 20 millas (32kilometros) of power lines, leaving around 230,000 residents without power. Leer más

-11.20.08- As the 2008 Atlantic Hurricane season comes to a close, officials at the National Hurricane Centre in Miami report that there has above average storm activity. A total of 16 tormentas, including 8 hurricanes have formed since the season began on June 1st, with forecasters expecting a few more to form before the season officially ends on November 30th. Leer más