News Roundup
‘Global warming is already cutting substantially into potential crop yields in some countries — to such an extent that it may be a factor in the food price increases that have caused worldwide stress in recent years, researchers suggest in a new study.’
via Global Warming Hinders Crop Yields, Study Finds – NYTimes.com.
‘(Reuters) – China’s energy efficiency company Nobao Renewable Energy Holdings Ltd revived its plan for a U.S. listing on Friday, filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for an initial public offering of up to $300 million.’
via China’s Nobao Renewable Energy revives IPO plan | Reuters.
‘(Reuters) – After a series of high-profile natural gas drilling spills, the Energy Department named a panel to recommend ways to improve the safety of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, a technique that has expanded the country’s potential to extract the fuel.’
‘But here’s something that really is frightening. A new study presented by the International Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program has found that feedback loops are already accelerating warming in the far North, which will rapidly increase the rate of ice melt. As a result, the panel now estimates that sea levels could rise by as much as 5.2 ft. by the end of the century.’
‘(Reuters) – The United Nations said its Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is growing steadily, having registered 3,000 carbon cutting energy projects to date.’
via U.N. clean energy scheme grows, 3,000 projects so far | Reuters.
‘(Reuters) – For the first time in more than 30 years, the construction of new nuclear plants is underway in the United States despite the ongoing nuclear crisis at Fukushima in Japan.’
via New U.S. nuclear reactors close to construction: S&P | Reuters.
‘The Justice Department announced last week that it was seeking a court order against the owner of a Kinzers, Pa., farm, claiming the firm distributed unpasteurized milk across state lines for human consumption. The complaint was filed against Daniel L. Allgyer, owner of the Rainbow Acres Farm.’
via MD, DC raw milk consumers upset over federal action against Pennsylvania farm – The Washington Post.
‘Reuters – The U.S. nuclear safety regulator is studying whether to require plants to more quickly move radioactive waste out of pools as part of a review on safety in the wake of Japan’s nuclear disaster, its chairman said on Monday.’
via Nuclear waste storage a top issue for NRC: chairman | Reuters.
‘A report released last week by the Interior Department said annual flows in three river basins – the Colorado, Rio Grande and San Joaquin – could decline by as much 8 percent to 14 percent over the next four decades.’
via New report says climate change likely to make water more scarce – Pasadena Star-News.
‘(Reuters) – China, the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, could peak in emissions by 2030 or earlier, says a study from U.S. researchers who foresee Chinese demand for appliances, buildings and much industry reaching “saturation” around then.’
via China carbon emissions could peak by 2025-2030: U.S. study | Reuters.