Weather, Water, Energy 9-18-06

How's this for a headline? "Is Lake Michigan Draining?" You just know the Army Corps of Engineers is in there somewhere, don't you? Well, you're right. . . . Worried about water wars? Historians alert us that we humans really haven't had a good one for 4500 years. Not going to happen, they predict. Too irrational, basically. (In my experience, the time to get ready for something is when a bunch of experts tell us that we shouldn't worry. Sorry.). . . Terra Daily rings the bell a couple of times today. First, a story on how OPEC might be put off by conservation measures in the West and how it might be worth their time to pay attention to global warming. Better than it sounds. Second, a story about how China wants to build up international negotiation to ensure energy security. OPEC and China, people whose feelings we should be sensitive about, I'm sure we agree. . . . The BBC has two weirdly juxtaposed stories. This one talks about the importance of the next generation of biofuels and what Britain is doing. This one talks about how "UK 'lacks ambition' on bioenergy." Come on, editors. . . . The Concord Monitor discusses a NH report on global warming and the state, noting that "Concord's average temperature was 0.6 degrees above normal. In the first half of this year, it was 2.6 degrees above normal." Not enough to prove anything, we suppose, but the state is taking a stand. . . . Climate Progress shows us how the MSM once again is clueless on these important issues, not once but twice. . . . Good news from PA, which is considering following CA's lead on stricter auto pollution rules. . . . Speaking of CA, its new rules on protected marine areas are drawing criticism from the state's fishing industry. The whole article is good, full of details on the nature of the plans and the complaints. Hopefully CA is setting another path for the rest of us. . . . Balancing irrigation and environment in AR, right here. . . .Finally, here's a smile for you. U of Nebraska researchers have come up with ways to make clothes from chicken feathers and rice straw (not supposed to be all that feathery). Why am I linking to it? Because clothes made from chicken feathers don't have to be made from synthetics, which are made from petroleum. Now we're on track. . . .