04 December Forest gumption: How scientists are tapping everything from drones to pruning shears to stem global warming

December 3, 2017 Kilombero Valley, Tanzania—Andy Marshall, a biologist, yanks on the steering wheel of a battered Nissan station wagon and swings it off a track in the Kilombero Valley of southern Tanzania. Rain from the night before has left hubcap-deep puddles across the road. Mr. Marshall downshifts, swerves onto a recently harvested field of sugar cane, and parks on the furrows. The Nissan shudders for an instant before going quiet. https://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2017/1203/Forest-gumption-How-scientists-are-tapping-everything-from-drones-to-pruning-shears-to-stem-global-warming
Article courtesy of CSM by Daniel Grossman

Rising Waters: Can a Massive Barrier Save Venice from Drowning?

A huge barrier designed to protect Venice from sea level rise and storm surges is set to be operational next year. But the project’s engineering limitations and cost overruns are raising questions about the mega-projects that many coastal cities are hoping can save them.http://e360.yale.edu/features/rising-waters-can-a-massive-sea-barrier-save-venice-from-drowning
Article courtesy of Yale Environment 360 by Jeff Goodell

Driverless Shuttle Gets Hit By A Truck During Its Debut Ride In Las Vegas

The shuttle did what it was supposed to do, in that it’s sensors registered the truck and the shuttle stopped to avoid the accident,” the city said in a statement. “Unfortunately the delivery truck did not stop and grazed the front fender of the shuttle. Had the truck had the same sensing equipment that the shuttle has the accident would have been avoided. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/driverless-shuttle-hit-by-truck_us_5a0371bfe4b03deac08af3db?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009
Article courtesy of Huffington Post by Nina Golgowski

In harsh corner of Uganda, herders fight climate change

The sun is setting over Karamoja. Time for the nomadic herders to return their cattle to thorn-ringed enclosures. They've roamed since first light, searching for pasture in Uganda's poorest region where water and grazing land are scarce. http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/harsh-corner-uganda-herders-fight-climate-change-51033758
Article courtesy of ABC News by Adelle Kalakouti/Associated Press

 

Globetrotter, stormchaser George Kourounis brings climate-change message to Edmonton

George Kourounis stood on the precipice of a spitting lake of fire before rappelling down into the depths of the fiery inferno.

The Darvaza Crater in Turkmenistan, known as the 'Door to Hell,' was created when a natural gas field collapsed into an underground cavern, creating a massive burning crater that has been burning for more than 40 years.  http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/george-kourounis-angry-planet-edmonton-1.4393168
Article courtesy of CBC New/Edmonton by Wallis Snowdon

There Will Soon Be Floods Of Climate Refugees: Will They Get Asylum?

New Zealand’s new climate change minister hopes to create an experimental humanitarian visa for “climate refugees.”  https://www.fastcompany.com/40491897/there-will-soon-be-floods-of-climate-refugees-will-they-get-asylum
Article courtesy of Fast Company by Adele Peters

Europe Calls for Cutting Car Emissions by a Third. Not Enough, Critics Say.

The proposals by the European Commission, the European Union’s executive arm, would force automakers to cut vehicle carbon dioxide emissions by 30 percent by 2030 compared to 2021 levels, and to achieved half of the cuts by 2025.  https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/08/business/energy-environment/eu-cars-emissions.html
Article courtesy of the New York Times by Jack Ewing