An international global warming conference approved a report Friday warning of dire threats to the Earth and to mankind - from increased hunger to the extinction of species - unless the world adapts to climate change and halts its progress.
Agreement came after an all-night session during which key sections were deleted from the draft and scientists angrily confronted government negotiators who they feared were watering down their findings.
"It has been a complex exercise," said Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Earth Changes
A total of 303 seals have died for unknown reasons on the Caspian sea shore in Kazakhstan, a spokesman for the local emergencies ministry said Monday.
From March 31 through April 8 266 dead seals were washed up along the sea shore from the Kalamkas oil field to the Karazhanbas field in western Kazakhstan, with more than half of them being baby seals.
Kazakh Environmental Protection Minister Nurlan Iskakov said if oil companies were found guilty, they would be brought to justice.
Iskakov said, "[They could face] fines, penalties and the suspension of oil production until the reasons [for the large number of deaths] have been established."
He said a special commission was investigating the causes of animals' death, which could take another two weeks.
From March 31 through April 8 266 dead seals were washed up along the sea shore from the Kalamkas oil field to the Karazhanbas field in western Kazakhstan, with more than half of them being baby seals.
Kazakh Environmental Protection Minister Nurlan Iskakov said if oil companies were found guilty, they would be brought to justice.
Iskakov said, "[They could face] fines, penalties and the suspension of oil production until the reasons [for the large number of deaths] have been established."
He said a special commission was investigating the causes of animals' death, which could take another two weeks.
Ten days after violently awakening, a volcano on the Indian Ocean island of Réunion continued spewing lava on Sunday in what experts called "the eruption of the century".
But the Piton de la Fournaise volcano on eastern Réunion, a French overseas department, had lulled considerably, and residents remained out of danger.
Tourists and residents have been able to take in the sights of the smouldering lava and magma being tossed as high as skyscrapers.
"We can call it the eruption of the century," said Zacharie Duputel, a seismologist at the Volcano Observatory for the island. "We have never observed such a phenomenon."
But the Piton de la Fournaise volcano on eastern Réunion, a French overseas department, had lulled considerably, and residents remained out of danger.
Tourists and residents have been able to take in the sights of the smouldering lava and magma being tossed as high as skyscrapers.
"We can call it the eruption of the century," said Zacharie Duputel, a seismologist at the Volcano Observatory for the island. "We have never observed such a phenomenon."
Maritimers were digging out on Easter morning after an early-spring storm pummeled much of the region with snow.
The storm began Saturday night and delivered as much as 31 centimetres of snow and wild winds to many areas of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick by Sunday morning.
The storm began Saturday night and delivered as much as 31 centimetres of snow and wild winds to many areas of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick by Sunday morning.
Moscow airports have not been affected by a heavy snowfall in the Russian capital, Moscow's central dispatch service said Sunday.
"Currently, all airports in Moscow [Vnukovo, Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo] are operating in their normal regime and visibility in airports is normal...
"Currently, all airports in Moscow [Vnukovo, Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo] are operating in their normal regime and visibility in airports is normal...
Something is killing the nation's honeybees.
Dave Hackenberg of central Pennsylvania had 3,000 hives and figures he has lost all but about 800 of them.
In labs at Pennsylvania State University, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and elsewhere in the nation, researchers have been stunned by the number of calls about the mysterious losses.
Dave Hackenberg of central Pennsylvania had 3,000 hives and figures he has lost all but about 800 of them.
In labs at Pennsylvania State University, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and elsewhere in the nation, researchers have been stunned by the number of calls about the mysterious losses.
Devastating diseases are killing off vast numbers of bees across the country, threatening major ecological and economic problems. Honeybee colonies have been wiped out this winter at twice the usual rate or worse in some areas.
US beekeepers have been stung in recent months by the mysterious disappearance of millions of bees threatening honey supplies as well as crops which depend on the insects for pollination.
Bee numbers on parts of the east coast and in Texas have fallen by more than 70 percent, while California has seen colonies drop by 30 to 60 percent.
According to estimates from the US
Department of Agriculture, bees are vanishing across a total of 22 states, and for the time being no one really knows why.
Bee numbers on parts of the east coast and in Texas have fallen by more than 70 percent, while California has seen colonies drop by 30 to 60 percent.
According to estimates from the US
Department of Agriculture, bees are vanishing across a total of 22 states, and for the time being no one really knows why.
ATLANTA - It may be two weeks into spring, but it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
Cold temperatures in much of the country have those celebrating Easter this weekend swapping out frills, bonnets and sandals for coats, scarves and socks. Baseball fans are huddled in blankets, and instead of spring planting, backyard gardeners are bundling their crops.
Cold temperatures in much of the country have those celebrating Easter this weekend swapping out frills, bonnets and sandals for coats, scarves and socks. Baseball fans are huddled in blankets, and instead of spring planting, backyard gardeners are bundling their crops.
ALMATY, Kazakhstan - Nearly 250 dead seals have washed up on the shores of the Caspian Sea in Kazakhstan in the past week, emergency officials said Saturday.
Comment: There it is, folks. Life on the Big Blue Marble in a microcosym. Let's separate out the facts and the players.
Let's start with the data:
Global warming is real. It is here. It will "affect billions of people" and will lead to the extinction of many species, storms, drought, and the possible cutting by one-half of food production in certain countries. The model used doesn't include, from what we can glean from this article, any research into the effects of a sudden global drop in temperatures leading to a new ice age. So keep in mind the report, as dire as it is, could be optimistic.
Next we get the governments who don't want to admit publically that the situation is so bad. That is to be expected, and anyone who still thinks that governments have the best interests of their citizens at heart is delusional. Global warming and the war on smoking while filling the Middle East and the atmosphere with depleted uranium... yeah, these people really care about humanity.
Then we come to the explanation for why the Earth is warming. Of course, it is our fault! Get out the whips and the guides to self-flaggellation. "I'm bad! I'm bad!" and beat yourself because of the SUV in the driveway.
The problem isn't that you are driving the SUV. The problem is that you are a self-centered, narcissistic, mechanical robot, inbided with a pathological culture, who is incapable of seeing the ramifications of even the smallest and least important of your acts. That's why you drive the damn SUV.
People! We are so screwed! Do you get it yet?!
What does that have to do with global warming? Check out the following articles to learn more:
Climate Change Swindlers and the Political Agenda
Forget About Global Warming: We're One Step From Extinction!
The Hope
The Body Snatchers
Environment of Evil