Month: June 2001

Impurities can move through ice cores, skewing climate research findings

Impurities trapped in ancient glacial or polar ice and used by researchers to draw up a picture of past climates can actually migrate considerable distances, providing false data.

Mountain glaciers around the world are shrinking

Mountain glaciers, which are more sensitive to changes in climate than polar ice, have been found to have been receding over the past decade, following research by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Peru increases rainforest protections, while Ecuador is to allow an oil pipeline through its Amazon forests

Peru has announced the creation of a huge new national park, while the nation’s smaller neighbour is under fire from environmentalists and indigenous people for allowing the construction of an oil pipeline traversing the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Scientific research gives added weight to calls for an end to waste incineration

New research shows adolescents living near waste incinerators had smaller sexual organs than those in rural areas.

Greens take on the private car, and Plaid Cymru integrates sustainable development, while a number of parties fail to mention the environment

Food experts warn of dioxins in milk

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned of the presence of dioxins in whole milk and whole milk products from animals that have been grazing within 2 km (1.2 miles) of pyres used for burning suspected foot-and-mouth infected carcasses.

Toxic blooms spotted in Devon

Environment Agency biologists have seen freshwater algae that can produce harmful toxins forming in Devon and have warned of the possibility of blooms occurring across the south west.

LA’s solar dream could turn into an embarrassment

Los Angeles’ aim to increase household generation of solar power could fall well short of the city’s target of 100,000 households by the end of the decade, with only 40 systems installed in the last year, according to a report in the Washington Post.

US EPA proposes haze rule on industry to protect national parks

To clear the increasingly hazy views in US national parks and wilderness areas, the Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a rule to help states take steps to control haze-causing emissions from older power plants and industrial facilities.

Much maligned diesel vehicles could cut greenhouse gas emissions

The US attitude of pouring scorn on noisy and dirty diesel-powered vehicles could be a mistake, and could soon change to be more like that of Europe, where diesel engines account for nearly one third of all new cars sold, according to the New York Times.

Shareholders at annual meeting of world’s largest oil company defeat environmental proposals

Shareholders have rejected a raft of environmental proposals at ExxonMobil’s conference, but backers claim significant increase in support.

US researchers warn of the dangers of toxic dust

Dust blown up from agricultural and industrial sites could be a major health hazard warn Arizona scientists, who have drawn up maps showing health risk areas.