Fukushima’s Nuclear Imprint Is Found in California Wine (Drinkers, Don’t Panic)

In a new study, the researchers report testing 18 bottles of California rosé and cabernet sauvignon from 2009 onward and finding increased levels of radioactive particles in the wine produced after the Fukushima disaster. In the case of the cabernet, the levels of the radioactive materials doubled.  https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/20/science/fukushima-radiation-levels-california-wine-nyt.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience&action=click&contentCollection=science&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=7&pgtype=sectionfront
Article courtesy of The New York Times by Mihir Zaveri

Radioactive Boars in Fukushima Thwart Residents’ Plans to Return Home

They descend on towns and villages, plundering crops and rampaging through homes. They occasionally attack humans. But perhaps most dangerous of all, the marauders carry with them highly radioactive material.  https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/09/world/asia/radioactive-boars-in-fukushima-thwart-residents-plans-to-return-home.html
Article courtesy of The New York Times by Kimiko de Freytas-Tamura

U.S. intel chief warns of devastating cyber threat to U.S. infrastructure.

Cybersecurity attacks could take down parts or all of the utility grid, or other important components of a country's infrastructure, including in the United States. A few days without grid would be tolerable, but some plausible scenarios involve weeks or months—or longer—down times. Check out Ted Koppel's book "Lights Out."

A few weeks without a functioning grid would be devastating. Consider what the Hurricane Maria did to health, water supply, food security and more on Puerto Rico.  https://www.dailyclimate.org/u-s-intel-chief-warns-of-devastating-cyber-threat-to-u-s-infrastructure-reuters-2587910755.html

Article courtesy of The Daily Climate by Douglas Fischer

This Power Plant Has Cracked Carbon Capture

A company called NET Power,at their 50-megawatt demonstration plant outside Houston,  is testing a way of drawing power from natural gas that (they say) is at least as cheap as traditional methods—and captures 100 percent of the resulting carbon emissions. Instead of using steam to push a turbine, as in a traditional power plant, Net Power uses pressurized CO2, which increases efficiency while keeping the CO2 contained.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-07-03/this-power-plant-has-cracked-carbon-capture
Article courtesy of Bloomberg by Alan Jeffries

Rising seas will erode the Jersey shore real estate market | Editorial

Here's something to ponder if you have just acquired a 30-year mortgage for a beachfront property in Lavallette, Long Beach, Little Egg Harbor or a few dozen other New Jersey towns: That house is likely to be underwater by the time you pay it off.  https://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2018/06/rising_seas_will_erode_the_jersey_shore_real_estat.html

Article courtesy of NJ.com true by Star--Ledger Editorial Board eletters@starledger.com

Oregon ‘Mega-Dairy’ Loses Waste Management Permit

With contamination seeping into the soil from overfilled lagoons, the second largest dairy in Oregon, Lost Valley Farm, has only 60 days to remove 13,000 cows and clean their manure management system. After failing to comply with multiple violations, the operation now faces an uncertain future with the state revoking their waste management permit.  https://www.dairyherd.com/article/oregon-mega-dairy-loses-waste-management-permit.
Article courtesy of Dairy Herd Management by Taylor Leach

Jennifer Wilcox: A new way to remove CO2 from the atmosphere

Our planet has a carbon problem -- if we don't start removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, we'll grow hotter, faster. Chemical engineer Jennifer Wilcox previews some amazing technology to scrub carbon from the air, using chemical reactions that capture and reuse CO2 in much the same way trees do ... but at a vast scale. This detailed talk reviews both the promise and the pitfalls.  https://www.ted.com/talks/jennifer_wilcox_a_new_way_to_remove_co2_from_the_atmosphere
Article courtesy of TED Ideas worth spreading by Jennifer Wilcox

Red-hot planet: All-time heat records have been set all over the world during the past week

From the normally mild summer climes of Ireland, Scotland and Canada to the scorching Middle East, numerous locations in the Northern Hemisphere have witnessed their hottest weather ever recorded over the past week.  https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2018/07/03/hot-planet-all-time-heat-records-have-been-set-all-over-the-world-in-last-week/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.350f8fcfa848
Article courtesy of The Washington Post by Jason Samenow