A new plan – scheduled for release in June – sets out to reduce the size of the Gulf of Mexico dead zone to about one-quarter of last summer’s size, or 5000 square kilometers, by 2015. However, it does not set targets for curtailing nutrient levels entering the Gulf and has left critics dubious.
Earth process modeling and data visualization tools are critical to understanding the processes associated with climate change. One such set of tools is Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Sacrificing Water Quality For Quantity
The proposed U.S. budget for 2009 will provide USGS money for determining the nation’s water use but cut funding for the agency’s water-quality program.
Sea Ice Thickness: Hidden Key To Understanding Arctic Change
In the summer of 2007, satellite observations showed that the sea ice coverage of the Arctic Ocean declined to a record low areal extent of only 4.14 km2, 23% less than during the previous summer minimum observed in 2005. The shrinkage of the Arctic sea ice cover is generally considered as one of the most striking expressions of the ongoing global climate warming.
U.S. Spring Season Forecast: More Record Floods
Major floods across the central United States this week are a preview of the spring seasonal outlook, according to the National Weather Service.
Melting Pace of Glaciers Is Accelerating, Report Says
The United Nations report includes data from 30 glaciers spread around nine mountainous regions, charting change through 2006.
Iceland Whaling Go-Ahead "Likely"
The Icelandic government is “likely” to soon issue quotas for the slaughter of about 100 minke whales and a number of endangered fin whales.
Ocean Wave Heights Rising Along East Coast
Ocean wave heights along the U.S. East Coast have progressively increased during the summer months – the time when hurricanes are most important to wave generation, a new study shows.
Great Lakes Health Data Hidden
The Center for Public Integrity has released data on chemical health hazards in the Great Lakes that were part of a previous report in which the CDC allegedly blocked.
World's First Wave Powered Boat
Proving the viability of wave powered propulsion, Ken-ichi Horie, a 69 year old Japanese sailor, is planning a solo 4,350 mile trip from Hawaii to Japan using an innovative wave powered boat – the Suntory Mermaid II.