Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, second only to carbon dioxide in its capacity to trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere for a long time. The gas can originate from lakes and swamps, natural-gas pipelines, deep-sea vents, and livestock. Understanding the sources of methane, and how the gas is formed, could give scientists a better understanding of its role in warming … Read More
Galapagos alert over stranded ship
Ecuador announces a state of emergency in the Galapagos after a ship with hazardous materials ran aground, threatening the islands’ ecosystem.
Icebergs 'have sound signature'
Listening to icebergs could help to assess the extent of glacier melt, a study suggests.
We Haven’t Been This Close to the Apocalypse Since 1984, Scientists Say
In 1947, the specter of nuclear holocaust prompted the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists to come up with a “Doomsday Clock.” The clock was meant to highlight just how close humans had come to wiping ourselves off the map. Midnight on the clock represented global catastrophe—the end of civilization as we know it.
An Integrated Modelling Framework for the Forest-based Bioeconomy
This paper describes the conceptual design of a regional modelling framework to assess scenarios for the forest-based bioeconomy. The framework consists of a core set of tools: a partial equilibrium model for the forest sector, a forestry dynamics model for forest growth and harvest, and a wood resources balance sheet. The framework can be expanded to include an energy model, a landuse model and a forest-owner decision model.
What Is the Carbon Limit? That Depends Who You Ask
Scientists are offering widely varying estimates of how much carbon we can emit into the atmosphere without causing dangerous climate change. But establishing a so-called carbon budget is critical if we are to keep the planet a safe place to live in the coming century.
Birthplace of America's fracking boom votes to ban practice
Denton, Texas, is probably most heavily fracked town in USOil and gas industry spent $700,000 to defeat banDenton, slacker capital of the American south-west, grows up Continue reading…
Meteorite lands in Nicaragua capital
Originally Published by BBC News – A small meteorite which may have broken off an asteroid caused a 12m-wide crater near Managua’s international airport, Nicaraguan officials say.
Mining threatens to eat up northern Europes last wilderness
Originally Published by The Guardian – Vast network of rivers, lakes and mountains in Finland, Sweden and Norway at risk from being exploited for rare earth and other minerals.
A Hitchhiker’s Guide to CubeSats
CubeSats, once viewed with skepticism, are changing the way we think about space exploration and Earth observation.