Category: Environment

Photo Courtesy of AP Photo/Los Angeles Times, Mel Melcon

Massive Wildfires in US West Bring Haze to East Coast

7/21/2021 - By Gillian Flaccus. PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Wildfires in the American West, including one burning in Oregon that’s currently the largest in the U.S., are creating hazy skies as far away as New York as the massive infernos spew smoke and ash into the air in columns up to six… SEE MORE

Maine Ocean Lab to get $2M to Study Deep Ocean Resiliency

7/19/2021 - EAST BOOTHBAY, Maine (AP) — A Maine marine science lab is set to receive about $2 million to study the resiliency of deep sea ecosystems in the era of climate change. Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree said the National Science Foundation is giving the grant to Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences… SEE MORE

https://apnews.com/article/science-fires-environment-and-nature-oregon-wildfires-3255d07c698462a9221c090f212ac98e/gallery/cadcfa0ac4e64fa6ad729b944b0e8500

Oregon Wildfire Forms ‘Fire Clouds’ that Pose Danger Below

7/18/2021 - By Gillian Flaccus. PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Smoke and heat from a massive wildfire in southeastern Oregon are creating giant “fire clouds” over the blaze — dangerous columns of smoke and ash that can reach up to 6 miles (10 kilometers) in the sky and are visible from more than… SEE MORE

oastline of the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Alabama Credit: Mike Reynolds Uploaded by mrjohncummings, Public Domain,

AP Interview: EPA Water Chief on Clean Water Protections

7/15/2021 - By Suman Naishadham. WASHINGTON (AP) — To finally determine a lasting definition of waterways that qualify for federal protection under the Clean Water Act, the Environmental Protection Agency’s new water director says everyone with a stake in the issue will need to be engaged. Radhika Fox recently spoke to The… SEE MORE

Unwanted Pets: Giant Goldfish Turn Up in Minnesota Waterways

7/14/2021 - BURNSVILLE, Minn. (AP) — Officials in Minnesota said they’re finding more giant goldfish in waterways, prompting a plea to citizens to stop illegally dumping their unwanted fish into ponds and lakes. The goldfish, which can grow to the size of a football, compete with native species for food and increase… SEE MORE

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_City_of_Newport_Beach_July_2014_photo_D_Ramey_Logan.jpg

California Nixing Algae that Crowds Out Food for Sea Animals

7/9/2021 - By Amy Taxin. NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) — For the first time, scientists say they have seen a species of bright green algae growing in the waters off California — and they are hoping it’s the last. The invasive algae can overtake the environment and displace critical food sources for… SEE MORE

Tropical Storm Elsa Headed to Landfall on Central Cuba Coast

7/5/2021 - By Andrea Rodriguez. HAVANA (AP) — Tropical Storm Elsa swept along Cuba’s southern coast early Monday, and forecasters said it could make landfall on the island’s central shore by midafternoon. By Sunday, Cuban officials had evacuated 180,000 people as a precaution against the possibility of heavy flooding from a storm… SEE MORE

Lake Erie Lighthouse - Image by Mike Toler from Pixabay

Another Mild Algae Bloom Forecast for Lake Erie this Summer

7/2/2021 - By John Seewer. TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — The toxic blob of algae that turns western Lake Erie a ghastly shade of green each summer and threatens drinking water and fish should be on the smaller side again this year following another dry spring, scientists predicted Wednesday. Researchers expect this will… SEE MORE

NASA Looks at Louisiana Delta System, Eyes Global Forecasts

6/30/2021 - By Janet McConnaughey. MIKE ISLAND, La. (AP) — Erosion, sinking land and sea rise from climate change have killed the Louisiana woods where a 41-year-old Native American chief played as a child. Not far away in the Mississippi River delta system, middle-school students can stand on islands that emerged the… SEE MORE

Drought Woes in Dry US West Raise July 4 Fireworks Fears

6/29/2021 - By Lindsay Whitehurst. SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Many Americans aching for normalcy as pandemic restrictions end are looking forward to traditional Fourth of July fireworks. But with a historic drought in the U.S. West and fears of another devastating wildfire season, officials are canceling displays, passing bans on setting… SEE MORE