Latest News
California’s snowpack is the deepest it’s been in five years -
Snowpack in the Sierra Nevadas hit an all-time low last April, but recent El Niño-fueled storms have things looking a little wetter and better. Recent readings say water content statewide is 115 percent of the historical average for this time of year. Still, officials say it’s too early to know if this is enough to make a dent in the drought. Los Angeles Times
The Doomsday Clock will remain at 11:57 p.m. -
For the second year in a row, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists announced that humanity has three minutes to go on its metaphorical apocalypse clock. The group cites climate change and nuclear weapons as continued major threats, despite last year’s progress on both fronts. The Guardian
Justin Trudeau says he won’t be a “cheerleader” for new pipeline projects -
Canada’s new prime minister criticized the previous government for not reviewing proposed pipelines with rigor and transparency. Trudeau says he has a responsibility to evaluate the environmental impacts of national pipelines, including their greenhouse gas emissions. CBC
Scientists say we’ve underestimated sea level rise from ocean warming -
A new study says the amount of sea level rise caused by thermal expansion of warming ocean water could actually be up to twice as much as previously calculated. The Guardian
Storks are changing their migration pattern to go dumpster diving -
Come winter, Europe’s white storks usually fly south to Africa. But recently, more and more birds have been staying behind to feast on discarded food in landfills. So far the strategy seems to be serving them well, but researchers say there could be long-term ecological consequences (and migratory species that actually benefit from human activity are the exception, not the rule). BBC
Supreme Court upholds federal rule to reduce electricity use -
The court ruled today that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission does have the authority to pay consumers to lay off their electricity consumption during peak hours and thus encourage “demand response.” The decision paves the way for a more efficient grid. Forbes