Weather, Water, Energy 10-04-06

Probably shouldn't do yet another story on that Mexico environmental conference, but I want to emphasize how journalism really could be done in a real country. Here the BBC covers the conference's conclusion, and calls out the BS, exactly what the First Amendment requires, if they had one over there like we do, uh, did. A lot of good talk, they report, but the US is the thorn, with officials admitting the problems but then saying, can't do anything about it because of the oil industry. I especially liked how the Russians didn't attend because they think they'll benefit from a warmer globe. These are the people who gave us Stalin. And how the Indians sent the environmental minister, who favors action, instead of the energy minister, who actually controls things. One delegate gave the globe a 1000-1 shot at overcoming political paralysis and avoiding dangerous climate change . . . then changed the answer to 100-1. I guess that made him feel better. . . . A U of NH Climate Change Research Center report finds that summers in New England will be like South Carolina's by the end of the century, and that's the conservative scenario. . . . OPEC has agreed to a million barrel a day production cut. Let's see if it takes. Coincidentally, the impact on prices should arrive after the elections. . . . Terra Daily pulls a trifecta today. One story discusses a report that shows how dramatic sudden shifts in temps can have quick and impressive effects on ocean circulation and chemistry. Another is a story on the continued annual decreases in sea ice in the Arctic. And the last does the report on how water flows from the Norwegian Sea to the Arctic has been warmer this summer. See how they all tie together? . . . Let's tie in one more, from the Anchorage Daily News. Seems the people closest to the melting (80% of them) believe in global warming (Holy Red State, Batman!), although they seem to think it will help tourism. And the rural types are more convinced than city folk. Most interesting were their responses to whom they believe most about global warming--"family and friends" at the top, closely followed by scientists, with state politicians and corporations way down at the bottom (h/t Governing's 13th Floor). . . . Meanwhile, in NJ, the state is planning a new energy policy focusing on conservation and alternative fuels. . . . This may not seem like a story for this post, but telecommuting is either the answer to much of our energy problems or what we'll wish we did. And this comes with the coffee rules, too. . . . This should get some conservatives into conservation. Research that 53% to 97% of the natural trout populations in the Southern Appalachians could disappear with global warming. . . . A Netherlands study shows that liquid fuels can be produced economically from biomass right now even if the raw materials have to be imported. . . . And if you want to see the future today, check out this story about electricity shortages in Bangladesh. From the BBC, of course. Get ready.