Weather, Water, Energy 9-28-06

In a galaxy far, far away, China has run a successful test of an experimental fusion reactor. Not sure if I like the news of not, on several levels. . . . Clearly related, the Independent reports that global methane emissions have soared in the last 7 years as the Chinese economy has boomed. Previous methane declines turned out to be due to the drying of wetlands by global warming(!) so, if rains do return, the problem gets even worse. Guess fusion isn't the worst idea at that. . . . This comes from the WaPo, but via MSNBC, so I'll link to them--a repeat of the NE governors' agreement to set up rules to cut their states' greenhouse emissions by 10% by 2019, apparently following the European Union's carbon emission market scheme. Good primer on the topic, interesting details. . . . Unicef says a billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water from protected sources, which means death for 1.5 m. children under 5 each year. The UN wants to cut that number in half by 2015 but progress is unfortunately slowing. . . . The San Fran Chron digs deeply into all the CA politicians joining the anti-global warming parade in their gas guzzlers. . . . And the Geological Society of America meeting in Denver featured an Australian speaker advocating her country's policy approach to drought, with agencies on all levels coordinated around the realization that drought is a norm, not an aberration, and something to plan in advance for. Imagine that. Those crazy Aussies.