OSLO - Early flowers, migrating swallows and sleepless bears are among signs that spring has arrived long ago in the northern hemisphere even as a record mild winter formally ends on Tuesday with a rare chill.
Spring officially starts on Wednesday at 0007 GMT when the sun passes north over the celestial equator but scientists say the biological clocks of animals and plants are running ahead of time, perhaps upset by global warming.
Earth Changes
OK, John Howard says, if panic-merchants want to cut carbon dioxide emissions we'll have to do it with nuclear power. Chernobyl and Three Mile Island notwithstanding, that's perfectly safe these days, even though rogue states and Osama bin Laden franchisees are desperate for bombs.
As for that pesky radioactive waste, it can be safely accommodated underground for the next million years barring accidents or earthquakes. Remember that nuclear power plants only become dangerous when the wrong people want to build them. So Iranian or North Korean nuclear plants may need to be nuked.
As for that pesky radioactive waste, it can be safely accommodated underground for the next million years barring accidents or earthquakes. Remember that nuclear power plants only become dangerous when the wrong people want to build them. So Iranian or North Korean nuclear plants may need to be nuked.
|
| ©Daily Mail |
| When Knut was born last December his mother ignored him, zoo officials intervened and chose to raise him themselves |
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Navy on Tuesday said it had asserted the "state secrets" privilege in a lawsuit by environmental groups, a move to keep the military from being forced to disclose information about the use of sonar believed to injure whales and other animals.
Navy Secretary Donald Winter, in a court filing submitted on Monday, said the information requested by plaintiffs was classified and its disclosure "could reasonably be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to national security."
Navy Secretary Donald Winter, in a court filing submitted on Monday, said the information requested by plaintiffs was classified and its disclosure "could reasonably be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to national security."
The stranding deaths of about 60 bottlenose dolphins on Texas beaches over the past three weeks has puzzled researchers and is a cause for concern during the calving season, a senior scientist said on Monday.
The causes of climate change, its intensity and the future effects on mankind are far from settled, say a growing number of climate scientists.
The popular "global warming" theory touted by politicians, the media, and the majority of scientists, says that the observed heating-up of the Earth is a result of increases in man-made greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide - the products of industrialisation.
The predicted results are more violent weather, melting of the polar ice caps and sea-level rise. Urgent action is, therefore, needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stop climate change.
The popular "global warming" theory touted by politicians, the media, and the majority of scientists, says that the observed heating-up of the Earth is a result of increases in man-made greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide - the products of industrialisation.
The predicted results are more violent weather, melting of the polar ice caps and sea-level rise. Urgent action is, therefore, needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stop climate change.
Tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, floods, wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis: Mother Nature seems to have it in for our world these days.
In a way, though, we live in a relatively peaceful time. While it's no comfort to those hurting or grieving now, Earth saw far greater catastrophes in its long and troubled past.
The planet has been frozen, roasted, smothered, battered, shaken, half-drowned. Entire species have been obliterated; so far, fortunately, that doesn't include Homo sapiens, but we've had a close call.
And these are all natural calamities, not those caused by humans, such as war, terrorism or the Holocaust.
In a way, though, we live in a relatively peaceful time. While it's no comfort to those hurting or grieving now, Earth saw far greater catastrophes in its long and troubled past.
The planet has been frozen, roasted, smothered, battered, shaken, half-drowned. Entire species have been obliterated; so far, fortunately, that doesn't include Homo sapiens, but we've had a close call.
And these are all natural calamities, not those caused by humans, such as war, terrorism or the Holocaust.
Some of the world's major rivers are reaching crisis point because of dams, shipping, pollution and climate change, according to the environment group WWF.
Its report, World's Top 10 Rivers at Risk, says the river "crisis" rivals climate change in importance.
Its report, World's Top 10 Rivers at Risk, says the river "crisis" rivals climate change in importance.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (KUNA) -- Indonesia has raised the alert level on Mount Talang, Sumatra Island, after increase in rising columns of smoke and tremors in the area.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand - A mix of mud, acidic water and rocks tore down the slope of a volcano in New Zealand on Sunday, bursting through a 23-foot wall of volcanic ash and sand built up in an eruption 12 years ago.
