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Fearless teenage fish don’t run from climate change, death

by EduardoQ85 Posted on April 15, 2014

Smells like teen spirit

Fearless teenage fish don’t run from climate change, death

By

Geir Friestad

Watch out, these hooligans will win a game of chicken or literally die trying.

When we were teens, we rebelled by stealing printer paper from the school library and staying out 15 minutes past curfew. Damselfish, however, really take that burn-the-world attitude to the next level.

A new study out this week in Nature Climate Change suggests that instead of making the fish scared for their very lives, ocean acidification lulls the little buggers into a false sense of security. Rather than being frightened by the smell of predators, the juvenile damselfish subjects of the experiment were more likely to be attracted, leading researchers to say: Dang it, teenagers! Didn’t we warn you about the lionfish in the cool leather jacket?

Researchers gathered fish from sites near seafloor CO2 vents off of Papua New Guinea, where the water is already more acidic than the rest of the ocean — though the researchers predict that the rest of the ocean could hit similar levels by 2100. The four species studied, common varieties of reef-dwelling damselfish and cardinalfish, were placed in tanks that were filled with various streams of water, some straight seawater, others conditioned to smell like predators.

Instead of being damselfish in distress, the CO2-habituated fish spent up to 90 percent of their time in the predator-stinking stream. In contrast, the control fish pretty much only hung out in the undoctored water like little goody-two-shoes. Other experiments involved chasing the fish around with a pencil, then seeing how quickly they emerged from a safe hiding spot; again, most of the acid-head fish just rolled their eyes.

Klaus Stiefel

So moody. Thinking of getting its septum pierced.

Basically, scientists think the increased CO2 is messing with the fish neurotransmitters needed to make sound decisions. If the same effect is present in other juvenile fish, the problem could quickly compound: Increased fearlessness may lead to increased predation of different species, which could take a real toll on future fish populations throughout the ecosystem. From The Economist:

Experimental studies have previously shown that carbon dioxide-induced behavior increases mortality in fish newly settled at a reef by fivefold. As the three sites studied were small, Dr Munday and his team believe that fish who were casualties of their own rash behavior could have been easily replaced. … But as ocean acidification increases, reefs will not be able to recruit new inhabitants from unaffected areas so easily.

Great. Adding dumb teenage fish to the list of ways climate change and its evil twin ocean acidification are messing up the ocean: Fish anxiety, blindness, and bodily dissolution, plus possible total ecosystem collapse. Just no one give those fish a Twitter account, or they’ll probably start sending terrorist threats to airlines.


Source
Rebels without a cause?, The Economist
Ocean Acidification Could Make Fish Lose Their Fear Of Predators, Study Finds, ThinkProgress

Amelia Urry is Grist’s intern. Follow her on Twitter.

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Fearless teenage fish don’t run from climate change, death

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Is the Crisis in Ukraine About to Wind Down?

by DedraFreee Posted on April 15, 2014

Mother Jones

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I’ve been watching the unfolding events in Ukraine with the usual rising mix of apprehension and horror, but I haven’t blogged about it much since I don’t have anything to add in the way of insight or analysis. So instead I’ll turn the mike over to Fred Kaplan, who does:

Contrary to appearances, the crisis in Ukraine might be on the verge of resolution. The potentially crucial move came today when interim President Oleksandr Turchynov said that he would be open to changing the country’s political system from a republic, with power centered in the capital Kiev, to a federation with considerable autonomy for the regional districts.

That has been one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s key demands….If Putin can win this demand—and the political, economic, and cultural inroads it would provide—an invasion would be not just be unnecessary, it’d be loony. War is politics by other means, and a revamping of Ukraine’s power structure would accomplish Putin’s political aims by less costly means.

….Sending NATO fighter aircraft to Poland and the Baltic states, mobilizing warships to the Black Sea, ratcheting up sanctions with threats of more to come—all this sends a signal that the West won’t stand by. In fact, Putin has done more to rivet the NATO nations’ attention, and perhaps get them to boost their defense budgets, than anything in the past decade.

But Obama and the other Western leaders also know they’re not going to go to war over Ukraine. Putin knows this, too. At the same time, if he’s at all rational (and this is the worrying thing—it’s not clear that he is), Putin would calculate that escalation is not a winning strategy for him. He could invade the eastern slices of Ukraine, especially around Donetsk, but he couldn’t go much further. The move would rile the rest of Ukraine to take shelter under the EU’s (and maybe NATO’s) wing, and it would rouse the Western nations to rearm to an extent unseen in 20 years (and to a level that the Russian economy could not match).

I keep thinking that even from a nationalistic Russian point of view, the cost of invading and holding eastern Ukraine is simply too large. The game isn’t worth the candle. And yet….who knows? Rationality is sometimes in short supply. I’d still bet against a Russian invasion, especially if Putin can get much of what he wants without it, but it would be a pretty iffy bet.

In any case, I wonder how long this “federation” will last? If Putin is smart, he can bide his time and just wait. A federated Ukraine could organically turn into eastern and western Ukraine with a bit of patience and without firing a shot. In the end, that would probably suit Russia’s interests better than outright annexation.

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Is the Crisis in Ukraine About to Wind Down?

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Ohio blames frackers for earthquakes

by MeganChelmsford Posted on April 14, 2014

Let’s get ready to not rumble!

Ohio blames frackers for earthquakes

By

Shutterstock

Ohio officials have linked fracking in the state to an unprecedented swarm of earthquakes that struck last month. Following its investigation, the state is imposing new rules to help reduce frackquake hazards.

It’s well-known that frackers can cause earthquakes when they shoot their polluted wastewater into so-called injection wells. But a swarm of earthquakes that hit Mahoning County, Ohio, last month was different — it occurred not near an injection well, but near a site where fracking had recently begun. State officials investigated the temblors and concluded that there was a “probable connection” between them and hydraulic fracturing near “a previously unknown microfault.”

On Friday, following the discovery, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources announced that frackers will need to comply with new permit regulations. Under the tougher rules, frackers operating within three miles of a known fault or seismically active area will need to deploy sensitive seismic monitors. And if those monitors detect an earthquake, even if the magnitude is as small as 1.0 on the Richter scale, fracking will be suspended while the state investigates.

Meanwhile, the fracking operation linked to the recent quakes will remain suspended until a plan is developed that could see drilling resumed safely, an official told Reuters.

“While we can never be 100 percent sure that drilling activities are connected to a seismic event, caution dictates that we take these new steps to protect human health, safety and the environment,” said agency head James Zehringer.

Leaders in other states, including fracker-friendly California Gov. Jerry Brown (D), might want to pay attention to Ohio’s findings and its sensible new regulations. You may recall that frackers recently called L.A. city council members “appallingly irresponsible” after they asked scientists to investigate whether a swarm of earthquakes in the city was linked to nearby fracking. “Appealingly responsible” might be more apt.


Source
Ohio Announces Tougher Permit Conditions for Drilling Activities Near Faults and Areas of Seismic Activity, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Ohio links fracking to earthquakes, announces tougher rules, Reuters

John Upton is a science fan and green news boffin who tweets, posts articles to Facebook, and blogs about ecology. He welcomes reader questions, tips, and incoherent rants: johnupton@gmail.com.

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Philippe Van Den Bossche & The Most Vital Flowers

by Michael Robert Peterson Posted on April 14, 2014

There are many factors to consider when it comes to preparing a garden and amongst them is the absence of pests. You want to be able to take care of them as quickly as possible and you may find that there are actually a number of flowers that can help here, as well as in other respects. What are some of the methods to take into account, you may wonder? If you would like to learn more, Philippe van den Bossche may be able to offer greater insight.

Prior to going about this endeavor, though, Philippe van den Bossche will tell you about the methods that shouldn’t be put to use. While organic soil is a product that serves a tremendous purpose, it seems like there are many conventional growers that would rather stick to synthetic growths instead. The problem here is that your garden will wind up looking disappointing, to say the least, as it isn’t receiving enough natural nutrition. The importance of organic products is heavily supported by names like Philippe.

What are some of the best flowers that can help to enhance your garden in all senses, you may wonder? Sunflowers are great for this purpose but what are some of the specifics associated with them? It’s possible that you’ll be happy to know about the way that sunflowers can attract ladybugs, which are able to feed on aphids, amongst other small insects that can be categorized as “pests.” The peaceful ladybug can be integrated into your garden and the benefits will be great, as Philippe van den Bossche will support.

Cosmos are another type of plant that you should consider if you want to make your garden even better. Keep in mind that, unlike other flowers, cosmos do not require nearly as much maintenance so you can easily set your focus on other plants while leaving said cosmos alone. These flowers are also able to hold their own during periods of drought. Add in the fact that they are rather useful in terms of attracting butterflies and the plants in question are made that much better.

It’s important to keep in mind the importance of many flowers, as they can offer many different benefits to your garden. These will vary from one plant type to another but it is up to you to take the effort to cultivate them in the best of ways. You are going to need to attain soil but not just any soil; make sure that you invest in the type that is organic, as it will last. Understanding tips like these will help you to bring life to the best garden imaginable.

Please contact Philippe van den Bossche if you would like more information about sustainable and organic agricultural processes.. This article, Philippe Van Den Bossche & The Most Vital Flowers has free reprint rights.

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Gardening Tips By Philippe Van Den Bossche

by Robbie Sutter Posted on April 8, 2014

Gardening can be done for many reasons, as you can very well imagine. There are a number of benefits associated with it in terms of health, as it can offer not only a lighter form of exercise but a way to relieve stress as well. It is also very possible that crops can rise to the surface, which can only expand on the idea of health that much more. With that said, though, what are some of the tips that Philippe van den Bossche can offer you in order to bring about the best garden?

What are some of the most important qualities to consider as far as soil is concerned? Philippe van den Bossche will be able to tell you all about them, amongst them being the moisture that is associated with the healthiest types of soil. What about the deepness that it possesses as well? These are just a couple of aspects to look to and I am sure that authorities such as Philippe can tell you that there are ways to easily see if your soil is not of the utmost quality.

As you can probably imagine, soil itself is very dark in color, which is a good indicator of just how healthy it is. What this means is that this type of soil should be put to use in order to bring some of the best possible crops to the surface. While the type of soil is vital, there is also a level of importance to keep in mind when it comes to the ways in which crops can be brought to the surface. There are a couple of points to consider as far as this idea is concerned.

One of said aspects is to give your plants and crops enough room so that they will be able to grow more effectively. One of the biggest rookie mistakes that anyone can make in the way of gardening is to place seeds too close together, which can impede growth. Instead, try to space seeds out as much as possible. In addition, if you are concerned about pests negatively impacting what it is that you are growing in the long term, crop rotation can be looked into as well.

If you want to maintain the best possible garden, these tips are more than worth taking into account. These are just a few nuggets of information that, in my view, Philippe van den Bossche can support. To me, though, it’s just a matter of making sure that your garden is maintained over the course of several days. If you are able to work on it each day without fail, it’s easy to say that your ability to grow crops will prove to be that much greater.

If you would like to learn more regarding organic agriculture and the positives it can offer, please get in touch with Philippe van den Bossche for further details.. This article, Gardening Tips By Philippe Van Den Bossche is available for free reprint.

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What’s worse than burning coal? Burning wood

by GabriellaGunder Posted on April 3, 2014

What’s worse than burning coal? Burning wood

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In its scramble for new and clean energy sources, the U.S. government is failing to see the forest for the burning trees.

The burning of biomass to produce electricity is marketed as clean and renewable, and promoted by federal policies. But a report published Wednesday concludes that burning wood is more polluting than burning coal.

More than 70 wood-burning plants are under construction or have been built in the U.S. since 2005, with 75 more planned, according to the analysis by the nonprofit Partnership for Public Integrity.

For every megawatt-hour of electricity produced, even the “cleanest” of the American biomass plants pump out nearly 50 percent more carbon dioxide than coal-burning plants, PFPI staff researcher Mary Booth, a former Environmental Working Group scientist, concluded after poring over data associated with 88 air emissions permits. The biomass plants also produce more than twice as much nitrogen oxide, soot, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic matter as coal plants.

The problem is rooted in lax regulations for an industry that’s widely mistaken to be clean. EPA rules allow biomass-burning plants to produce more than twice as much pollution as coal plants.

Click to embiggen.

Worsening the problem, many wood-burning power plants are partly fueled with contaminated waste wood, including paint-coated construction debris. From the report:

Because of this perfect storm of lax regulation and regulatory rollbacks, biomass power plants marketed as “clean” to host communities are increasingly likely to emit toxic compounds like dioxins; heavy metals including lead, arsenic, and mercury; and even emerging contaminants, like phthalates, which are found in the “waste-derived” fuel products that are being approved under new EPA rules. …

As such, it is not a stretch to conclude that biomass plants being permitted throughout the country combine some of the worst emissions characteristics of coal-fired power plants and waste incinerators, all the while professing to be clean and green. …

The air permit for the 70 MW Burgess BioPower plant in Berlin, New Hampshire states it will burn close to a million tons of trees a year, consuming “whole logs” at a rate of 113 tons per hour, the equivalent of clear-cutting more than one acre of New Hampshire’s forests every hour.

The U.S. government isn’t just tolerating these polluting and deforesting practices — it’s helping to bankroll them with subsidies and tax credits.

“The American Lung Association has opposed granting renewable energy subsidies for biomass combustion precisely because it is so polluting,” association official Jeff Seyler said. “Why we are using taxpayer dollars to subsidize power plants that are more polluting than coal?”

It’s sometimes argued that biomass fuel helps the climate, because the trees suck up carbon dioxide as they grow, offsetting the emissions that are released when the fuel is burned. But the report notes that it can take decades for forests to suck up the carbon dioxide that’s released when they are incinerated — and that “carbon offsets are never actually required to be obtained or demonstrated by these plants.”

The worrisome trend toward subsidized wood-burning plants is not just confined to the U.S. American trees are being cut down and exported to the U.K., where they are being burned to produce electricity and to earn British green energy subsidies.

John Upton is a science fan and green news boffin who tweets, posts articles to Facebook, and blogs about ecology. He welcomes reader questions, tips, and incoherent rants: johnupton@gmail.com.Find this article interesting? Donate now to support our work.Read more: Business & Technology

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What’s worse than burning coal? Burning wood

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Study: Fad Diets Work (But Not Why You Think)

by Polly Browder Posted on April 2, 2014

Mother Jones

What’s the best diet to follow to get healthy—should you go Paleo, low glycemic, low-carb, Mediterranean, or low-fat? For a paper released last month in the Annual Review of Public Health, Yale medical researchers David Katz and Samuel Meller surveyed the scientific evidence and decided … all of the above. Specifically, they found that all of these fad diets can be consistent with these basic principles:

The weight of evidence strongly supports a theme of healthful eating while allowing for variations on that theme. A diet of minimally processed foods close to nature, predominantly plants, is decisively associated with health promotion and disease prevention and is consistent with the salient components of seemingly distinct dietary approaches. Emphasis added.

But what about the Paleo diet, which encourages meat eating? The authors conclude the “aggregation of evidence” supports meat eating, as long as the “animal foods are themselves the products, directly or ultimately, of pure plant foods—the composition of animal flesh and milk is as much influenced by diet as we are.” That’s entirely consistent with the Paleo push for meat from pasture-raised animals, and brought to mind a study I wrote about late last year finding that cows fed on grass deliver milk with healthier fat profile than their industrially raised peers.

The Yale paper essentially cuts through the hype of various fad diets and affirms the koan-like advice put forward by author Michael Pollan in his 2008 book In Defense of Food: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” In fact, the authors reference Pollan directly in the chart that summarizes their findings:

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Study: Fad Diets Work (But Not Why You Think)

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Steelhead Drive Is Gone After Mudslide, Along With Many Lives Lived on It

by Myrna Posted on April 1, 2014

What had once been a canvas for many families’ dreams and memories is now a barren wreck as local authorities have released the names of 22 of the dead who have been identified. Continued:  Steelhead Drive Is Gone After Mudslide, Along With Many Lives Lived on It ; ;Related ArticlesLandslide Death Toll Hits 27, with 22 MissingSteelhead Drive Is Gone, Along With So Many Lives Lived on ItLandslide’s Debris Hampers a Search for Remains ;

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Steelhead Drive Is Gone After Mudslide, Along With Many Lives Lived on It

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Steelhead Drive Is Gone, Along With So Many Lives Lived on It

by Myrna Posted on April 1, 2014

Local authorities in Washington released the names of 19 of the dead who have been identified, the youngest 4 months old and the oldest 71. Original source:  Steelhead Drive Is Gone, Along With So Many Lives Lived on It ; ;Related ArticlesLandslide Death Toll Hits 27, with 22 MissingLandslide’s Debris Hampers a Search for RemainsNew Endurance Records Set as Snow Vanishes From Iditarod Trail ;

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Steelhead Drive Is Gone, Along With So Many Lives Lived on It

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A Race Defined by Snow Finds Itself With Little

by Myrna Posted on April 1, 2014

Temperatures topped 60 degrees this year during the Iditarod Trail Invitational, leaving trails bare and prompting speculation that climate change was responsible. Source article: A Race Defined by Snow Finds Itself With Little ; ;Related ArticlesNew Endurance Records Set as Snow Vanishes From Iditarod TrailDot Earth Blog: U.N. Climate Report Authors Answer 11 Basic QuestionsLandslide Death Toll Hits 27, with 22 Missing ;

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A Race Defined by Snow Finds Itself With Little

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