Most land-based ecosystems worldwide risk ‘major transformation’ due to climate change
Under a “business as usual” emissions scenario, in which little is done to rein in heat-trapping greenhouse-gas emissions, vegetation changes across the planet’s wild landscapes will likely be more far-reaching and disruptive than earlier studies suggested.
World leaders who deny climate change should go to mental hospital – Samoan PM
Tuilaepa Sailele berates leaders who fail to take issue seriously, singling out Australia, India, China and the US.
California moves towards 100% carbon-free electricity after landmark vote
By 2045, California could get 100% of its electricity from zero-carbon sources. On Wednesday, the state senate voted to pass SB100, a bill that speeds up the current goals for renewable energy–the state will now aim to hit 50% renewable electricity by 2026, and 60% by 2030–and then targets 100% carbon-free production in 27 years.
Hundreds of endangered turtles killed in illegal fishing net
About 300 sea turtles have died on Mexico’s southern Pacific coast after they were trapped in an abandoned illegal fishing net.
In India’s Largest City, A Ban on Plastics Faces Big Obstacles
Facing a scourge of plastic bags, the Indian state that includes Mumbai mandated a sweeping ban on plastic bags and other throwaway plastic items. But the chaos that followed shows the challenges of restricting a material so deeply embedded in the modern economy.
California lawmakers vote on bill to go emissions-free by 2045
California state lawmakers are in the middle of a historic vote to move the state completely off fossil fuels.
Scientists discover hidden deep-sea coral reef off South Carolina Coast
In South Carolina, 160 miles off Charleston’s coast a giant deep-sea coral reef system has been hiding for thousands of years. The chief scientist who helped make the discovery called it unbelievable.
Plastic straw ban? Cigarette butts are the single greatest source of ocean trash
Cigarette butts have long been the single most collected item on the world’s beaches, with a total of more than 60 million collected over 32 years.
Preparing for Japan’s Next Tsunami
The Pacific plate is one of many possible tsunamigenic quake sources, and scientists believe the Nankai Trough, another subduction zone much closer to the Japanese coast than the source of 3/11, will produce a similar megaquake and tsunami within the next 30 years.