2012 News
April 2012
Major (Missouri) Tour Caves Open to Visitors in 2012. MO DNR. For the 2012 season, Onondaga Cave and Cathedral Cave at Onondaga Cave State Park, Fisher Cave at Meramec State Park, and Ozark Caverns at Lake of the Ozarks State Park will be open for public tours.
Missouri Science Olympiad Winners: Pembroke Hill (KC) and Ladue (St. Louis). MO Science Olympiad 2012.04.26.Congratulations to Ladue and Pembroke Hill for securing a trip to Orlando, FL for the National Science Olympiad tournament. For Division B, Ladue took 1st place while Pembroke Hill took 2nd place. In Division C the roles were reversed and Pembroke Hill took 1st and Ladue secured 2nd place.
New EPA Mapping Tool. Env News Network 2012.04.25. The National Environmental Policy Act, NEPA, requires federal agencies to consider environmental impacts of their decisions. The EPA announced the release of a new mapping tool, NEPAssist to help with that requirement. Visit http://134.67.99.123/nepassist/entry.aspx, type in a zip code or other location information and it opens up a map that allows you to download info on environmental features of the area.
Midwest Democracy: Bill to ease radioactive rules makes some in Missouri worry. Kansas City Star 2012.04.25. The chair of the MO House Transportation Committee can't recall where it came from, but a rule removing fee and inspection requirements for radioactive cargo that travels through Missouri was added to legislation approved by the committee on April 11 without any apparent debate.
Two schools honored for environmental education. St. Louis Today 2012.04.25. TwoSt. Louis private schools — Crossroads College Preparatory School and The College School — are recipients of the U.S. Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools award, given for the first time this year to 78 schools across the country for their environmental education. Missouri is among 29 states and Washington, D.C., with schools receiving the awards.
Five initiatives launched targeting short-lived climate pollutants: black carbon, methane, HFCs. Env News Network 2012.04.24. The US, Canada, Mexico, Ghana and Bangladesh were recently joined by other nations and ther world bank in an effort to reduce short-lived climate pollutants by half or more in the next 30 to 40 years. Five initiatives are reducing diesel and sulfur emissions from heavy duty vehicles, upgrading inefficient brick kilns, reducing methane emissions from landfills, cutting methane emissions from the oil and gas industry, and accelerating alternatives to HFCs.
Leawood school wins green honor from U.S. Kansas City Star 2012.04.23. Brookwood Elementary in the Shawnee Mission district was among 78 schools named to the Green Ribbon Schools list
Burger King makes cage-free promise. AP 2012.04.25. All of its eggs and pork will come from cage-free chickens and pigs by 2017. (Currently 9% of its eggs and 20% of its pork is cage free).
Ex-BP Engineer charged in oil spill probe. USA Today 2012.04.25 U.S. Justice department filed first criminal charges in 2 year-old disaster against engineer accused of deleting emails about how BP's attempts to stop the leak were failing.
Columbia, EPA, slowly moving forward on Hinkson Creek cleanup. Columbia Missourian 2012.04.23. After 12 years, City, County, MU, EPA agree to plan for monitoring stream health as stormwater abatement projects are implemented.
Missouri Botanical Garden, others, to catalog "World Flora". AP 2012.04.24. Four of world's leading botanical institutions plan to make list of over 400,000 plants availalble free on-line by 2020 as part of effort to ensure survival of world's flora. Plan is to add images of each species and detailed scientific information.
Half of college graduates are jobless or underemployed. AP 2012.04.24. According to projections, only 3 of 30 occupations with the largest number of openings will require a bachelor's degree or higher - teahers, college professors and accountants. Graduates majoring in zoology, anthropology, philosophy, art history and humanities least likely to find appropriate jobs, graduates majoring in nursing, teaching, accounting or computer science most likely.
Computer scoring of essays shows promise. USA Today 2012.04.23. The new findings, unveiled last week at the National Council on Measurement in Education meeting in Vancouver, Canada, analyzed 17,500 essays that had already been graded by humans. Funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the analysis was part of an ongoing competition, an X-Prize of sorts, that Hewlett is sponsoring to push the field forward.
FDA: Gulf seafood safe despite oil spill concerns. AP 2012.04.25. Although a small percentage of fish show sores and lesions, federal and state regulations ensure that no visibly diseased fish enter the market, and testing shows contamination is far below levels that could make anyone sick.
Two years later, fish sick near BP oil spill site. AP 2012.04.20. While not conclusive, circumstantial evidence points towards long term impacts of spill on deep water coral, seaweed beds, dolphins, mangroves as well as fish.
Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo recognized as "Waters to Watch". National Fish Habitat Action Plan 2012.04.20. The 2012 "Waters to Watch" features 10 rivers, streams, estuaries, watershed systems, shores and lakes that will benefit from strategic conservation efforts.
Oz Hawksley named Master Conservationist. MDC news release 2012.04.20. Hawksley was recognized by the Conservation Federation of Missouri for a 6-decade long commitment to conservation, including teaching at the University of Central Missouri and authoring Missouri Ozark Waterways.
Car emissions claim more UK lives than road accidents. ClickGreen 2012.04.19. MIT researchers looking at 2005 data found truck emissions were responsible for 3,300 premature deaths each year, more than the number caused by road accidents.
New proposed Keystone XL pipeline route unveiled. AP 2012.04.19. The new route proposed by TransCanada veers east around Sandhills before looping back to original route, adding about 100 miles to original project. The 36" pipeline would travel through Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas carrying oil from Alberta tar sands to refineries on the Texas Gulf Coast.
Ghost Factories: poison in the ground. USA Today 2012.04.19 Both the EPA and state regulators consistently failed to follow up on testing and clean-up of former lead smelter sites, exposing thousands of children to potential lead poisoning from contaminated soil. News report, video, historical maps, documents.
Why the extreme weather? USA Today 2012.04.19 Opinion by Penn State Glaciologist Richard Alley explains how warming is loading the dice for more extreme weather events. While you can't prove a link between a specific event and warming, warming makes extreme events more likely.
Bats rebound in NY caves first hit by white-nose. AP 2012.04.19. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation found notable increases in little brown bats in three out five hibernation caves where white-nose was first seen decimating populations six years ago. Scientists cautiously optimistic.
Ameren, Westinghouse seeking to build Small Modular Reactors. St. Louis Today. 2012.04.19. Companies teaming to win $450 million in federal money to license and develop small-scale, next generation Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The SMRs, 1/4 size of typical reactors, would be built in Callaway Co., where Missouri's only existing reactor is already working.
EPA issues air pollution rules for fracking wells. USA Today 2012.04.18. First ever rules require drillers to burn or capture emissions from fracking that cause smog.
Change in labeling of corn syrup opposed. USA Today 2012.04.18. While nutritionists say there is little evidence of difference between corn syrup and sugar nutritionally, consumers (by 100 to 1) and consumer groups, oppose name change from corn syrup to corn sugar as intentionally misleading.
House bill increases hunter access to public lands. AP 2012.04.17. The legislation, which passed 274-146 requires Forest Service and BLM managers to justify closures to hunting and fishing, restricts EPA from regulating lead in ammunition, allows hunters to import polar bear trophies legally taken in Canada and limits the president's authority to set aside historic and culturally important federal lands under the 1906 Antiquities Act. Chances for passage by the senate appear to be slim.
4th National Drug Take-Back Day set for April 28. AP 2012.04.16. Check local news sources for dates, times and locations in your area.
Drought sparks water dispute with Texas, Mexico. AP 2012.04.16. Rocky Mt. meltwater is divided between Mexico, New Mexico and Texas. With concern over potential drought, NM and TX water districts attempted to delay releases until May but the International Boundary Water Commission agreed with Mexico's request to get its share in March, when it is needed for cotton planting.
As ice cap melts, militaries vie for Arctic edge. AP 2012.04.16. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that 13% of the world's undiscovered oil and 30% of its natural gas lie in the arctic, which means increased competition for mineral resources as warming makes this region more accessible. Military chiefs of Canada, the U.S. Russia, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland, gathered to discuss arctic security issues posed by warming.
New energy efficient bulb goes on sale on Earth Day (April 22). USA Today 2012.04.16. The bulb from Phillips lasts up to 20 years and will cost from $20 to $60 depending on utility subsidies available in various markets. The 10 watt bulb should save $8 a year if used 4 hours a day, so payback is with 7 to 8 years or half its life.
Farmers must spend more on herbicides as effectiveness fades. 2012.04.16. Weeds that Roundup (glyphosate) once controlled are now resistant to levels of the herbicide previously used. Due to evolution, widespread use of any pesticide ends up selecting for resistant strains of the pests it is supposed to control. Farmers are returning to other herbicides and more tillage to combat resistant weeds.
Study blames ocean CO2 for oyster decline. AP 2012.04.11. A study in Limnology and Oceanography finds that ocean acidification caused by increased atmospheric CO2 is preventing larval oysters from laying down enough shell (made of calcium carbonate) to survive early stages of settling in hatcheries and oyster farms on the west coast.
Army Lab to develop energy-saving technology. AP 2012.04.11. New U.S.Ground Systems Power and Energy Laboratory simulates desert and arctic conditions to discover ways to save energy and make combat-vehicles more fuel efficient. The lab is part of Obama administration initiatives to make military greener, both to reduce environmental impact and to improve fighting capabilities.
Gas prices may have peaked. USA Today 2012.04.10. Falling prices due to slumping crude oil prices, down because of slower economic growth, especially in China, falling consumer demand, and a slight easing of tension with Iran.
$40.6M to Purchase, Restore Lands in 15 States Including Missouri Mark Twain National Forest 2012.04.06. Funds designated by Congress in the 1964 Land and Water Conservation Fund will be purchased from willing sellers at fair market prices to meet conservation goals. In Missouri $990,000 is designated to purchase prime riparian river frontage on the Current River, to help connect existing national forest lands to the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Consolidating the lands will help protect watershed quality and provide maximum benefit for both resident and migratory wildlife species.
White-nose syndrome confirmed in Missouri bat population. Riverfront Times 2012.04.03. Missouri Department of Conservation confirmed syndrome in bats in Pike, Shannon and Lincoln counties.
Why spinach could be a potent weapon against citrus disease. USA Today 12.04.01. Genes for bacteria fighting proteins in spinach, inserted into citrus plants, may fight citrus greening or HLB (from Chinese name Huanglongbing), a disease that affect over 405 of Florida citrus. Field testing will begin next month near Lake Okeechobee, FL., along with seeking regulatory approval to speed up the release ahead of the coming year's crop season.
March 2012
Gas prices driving behavior change. USA Today 2012.03.30. 84% of those responding to a AAA survey are changing routines as a result of fuel prices - planning trips, carpooling, taking buses, biking and buying more efficient cars.
Chronic wasting disease a concern in Missouri Deer. Missourian 2012.03.30. MDC hoping to avoid different outcome than Wisconsin where infections have increased 10% per year.
Four Missouri districts flagged for suspicious scores. Atlanta Journal Constitution 2012.03.30. Hannibal, Kirkwood, St. Louis and the Special School district had scores that were unusually high or low (in more than 5%) of classes relative to performance in the previous year. Multiple years of flagged classes are of most concern, small districts with change in one year are of least concern.
Two studies in Science Magazine show insecticides affect bees. Environmental Network News 2012.03.29. Dosed bumblebee hives were smaller and produced fewer queens, and dosed honeybees died 2-3 more often before returning to the hive than undosed bees.
History and Geography to get the Common Core treatment. Education News 2012.03.29. The Social Studies fields covered by the Common Core Curriculum will be getting a second look as teachers and other education experts protest that not enough attention is being paid to subjects outside the STEM fields. The body responsible for drafting the standards has announced that it will be developing curriculum maps in history and geography, drawing for their inspiration from the best social studies standards in the nation.
New EPA rules for future power plants limit emissions to 1000 lbs of CO2 per megawatt hour. Environmental Network News 2012.03. 29. The rules do not affect existing plants, plants that begin construction over the next 12 months, or plants smaller than 25 megawatts.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts rise in extreme climate events. Science and Development Network. 2012.03.28. First time report synthesizes data and research on extreme events and makes predictions about temperature, rainfall and drought for 26 regions. (increased dry weather for central North America). See written summary for policy makers and related video (about 5 minutes) at http://ipcc-wg2.gov/SREX/
Sustainable Cities Meeting: "Planet Under Presssure 2012" . Environmental Network News 2012.03.28. Increase in human population to 9 billion by 2030 means 1.5 million more square km of urbanized land. The question is how should that happen, in sprawling suburbs or dense, efficient and sustainable communities.
Economic impact of climate change could be huge. Environmental Network News. 2012.03.28. Under a low emissions scenario, income impacts from ocean fisheries, tourism, sea-level rise and storms could be $612 billion per year by 2100. Under a high emissions scenario, the cost rises to $2 trillion per year.
4th Annual MO Archery Tournament draws almost 1,200 competitors. MDC News 2012.03. 27. Brandon Whitley of St. Clair Junior High School set a new scoring record for the meet and was top individual male shooter and top shooter for middle school males. Anna Hughes of Logan-Rogersville High School was the top female archer. The highest possible score from shooting 30 arrows at two distances is 300. Whitley set the new meet record for an individual competitor with a 293 score, while Hughes was tops among female archers with 281.
Martinsburg MO (Audrain Co.) receives $100,000 low-interest loan from DNR to update its wastewater system. DNR News 2012.03.23. Funds will go to construct a new lagoon, a land application system and new sewer mains to reduce municipal sewage discharges into local streams. The entire project will cost around $2 milion with additional funding from USDA grants and loans.
Zebra mussels confirmed at Smithville Lake (KC Area). MDC News 2012.03.23. Biologists on Wednesday determined that zebra mussels are present in Smithville Lake, a 7,200-acre impoundment north of Kansas City. Zebra mussels, mollusks which look like small clams, are an invasive species from Eurasia that can cause ecological and property damage.
American Burying Beetle to be reintroduced at Wah' kon-Tah Pairie. Riverfront Times 2012.03.2. The St. Louis Zoo has perfected culture of the carrion-eating beetle and will work with the US Fish and Wildlife Service to reintroduce the beetles into their native prairie habitat.
McDonalds testing paper cups for hot drinks. Triple Pundit 2012.03.22. West coast McDonalds will be piloting replacing current styrene cups with paper in an effort to reduce unrecyclable waste, or at least produce waste that can decompose under the right conditions.
U.S. forms water partnership to boost national and global security. Environmental News Service 2012.03.22. The National Intelligence Council's report found that by 2040, fresh water availability will not keep up with demands without more effective management of resources. While shortages have historically led to more agreements than to conflict, the State Department is taking the initiative to ensure cooperation.
Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement awarded to air pollution experts. Environmental News Service 2012.03.22. John Seinfeld of the California Inst Tech won for research on the role of airborne particles that led to enhanced standards and Kirk Smith of UCal Berkeley won for discovering the role of indoor pollution in premature deaths in the developing world.
Late Don Robinson donates 843 acres for new Missouri State Park. St. Louis Business Journal 2012.03.22. The land is located in Cedar Hills, 38 miles southwest of St. Louis in the upper watershed of Le Barque Creek. The sandstone bedrock supports a diverse plant community. The donation includes a trust fund for park maintenance.
EPA regulates five new chemicals under Toxic Substances Control Act (ToSCA). Environmental News Service 2012.03.20. Anyone who intends to manufacture, import or process any of the chemicals for a significant new use must submit notification to EPA at least 90 days before beginning any activity. The chemicals are Polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs), Benzidine dyes, a short chain chlorinated paraffin, a lubricant and other uses, Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), a flame retardant, and Pthalate di-n-pentyl pththalate (DnPP), a plasticizer. This effort is part of EPA's plan to systematically evaluate chemicals under ToSCA.
Study reveals young not as green-minded as baby-boomers. AP 2012.03.15. A generation ago about 1/3 of baby boomers said it was important to take action to protect the environment. Only 1/4 of GenX'ers(1962-1981 and 21% of Millenials(after 1982) thought it was important. study available at http://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/psp-ofp-twenge.pdf
Scotts pleads guilty to selling birdseed treated with un-approved pesticide for last two years. Environmental News Service 2012.03.14. Brands "Morning Song" and "Country Pride" were treated with chlorpyrifos and pirimiphos-methyl to keep insects from destroying the seed. The company continued to make and sell the product despite warning from a Scotts chemist. Records show that Scotts management deliberately mislead the EPA about the products when registering them.
Can green games save the world? Triple Pundit 2012.03.14.The UVA Bay game is a massive, multiplayer simulation of impacts of various stakeholders on the health of Chesapeake Bay. the simulation runs for 20 years with players making moves every two years. At Southby Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Associate VP of Resarch at UVA reported that stakeholders (farmers, regulators, fisherman, etc.) using the UVA Bay Game quickly started to exchange information and collaborate with the goal of optimizing relationhships among players.
New biomass co-generation plant replaces coal-fired plant at Savannah River. Environmental News Service 2012.03.13. The new plant usese biomass and a more efficient coal operation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 100,000 tons a year. The plant is also expected to save $34 million in utility costs.
Unusual Warmth Expected to Fuel Extreme Weather in U.S. Scientific American 2012.03.12. Forecasters expect more tornadoes than normal in 2012, following the near-record tornado season of 2011.
Roaring River State Park (near Cassville, south of Branson) to get a new water line. DNR News 2012.03.12. The project will improve visitor services at the park by installing new lines, spigots and valves in the park. Expect minor disruptions.
MIssouri 8th most miserable state (Kansas 7th happiest). KC Star 2012.03.05. Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index measured state well-being on a 100 point scale. Missouri was 11th in smoking, and in the top 20 in heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
MO river funding priorities anger farmers affected by flooding. Associatied Press 2012.03.03. President's budget allocates $90 million for environmental projects, including shallow water habitat for pallid sturgeon, piping plover and least tern. Growers groups want more funds for flood control.
February 2012
Amazon may become greenhouse gas emitter. ScienceNews 2012.02.11
Lincoln University and EPA Announce Partnership to Promote EnvironementaNl Careers. EPA Website 2012.01.23
Miller's Grizzled Langur Rediscovered in Borneo. USA Today (AP) 2012.01.20
La Nina Cooled Global Temperature in 2011 (avg tem 57.9 F still 0.9 F higher than 20th century average of 50 F). USA Today 2012.01.20
Resistant TB Emerging. USA Today 2012.01.20
Feds Seek Help to Stop Teacher Cheats (creating manual on prevention). USA Today 2012.01.20
Apple Looks to Transform E-textbooks. USA Today 2012.01.20
Reid Delays Senate Vote on SOPA/PIPA After Internet Protest. USA Today January 2012.01.20
Mount Sinai Medical Center Team Finds Association between Phthalates and Obesity in Young Children. Mt Sinai Press Office. 2012.01.20
Exxon to Pay $1.6 Million for Yellowstone River Spill. USA Today 2012.01.19
Seaweed as Biofuel. USA Today 2012.01.19
Most Gen Y (born 1982 or later) Drivers Want to Own Hybrids. USA Today 2012.01.19
Obama Rejects Keystone Pipeline. USA Today 1012.01.18
Measure Filed to Ban Teacher Tenure (constitutional intitiative). Columbia Daily Tribune (AP) 2012.01.18
Nixon Budge Hits Higher ED Hard. Columbia Daily Tribune 2012.01.18
Average Car Ages at Record 10.8 Years. USA Today 2012.01.18
Bat Death Toll From Fungus Reaches 6.7 Million. USA Today 2012.01.18
Cleaning Up a Cold War Mess (radiation clean up at Hanford is 8 years late, $800 millon short). USA Today 2012.01.18
Is Obesity Epidemic Flattening? USA Today 2012.01.17
Reaction to Paula Deen's Diabetes Diagnosis, Novartis Endorsement. USA Today, 2012.01.17
Columbia Mulls Wind Deal. Columbia Daily Tribune 2012.01.17
McCaskill's Visit Focuses on Energy Sources, Jobs. Columbia Missourian 2012.01.17
Senator Ends Energy Tour in Columbia. Columbia Daily Tribune 2012.01.17
Science Educators Take on Climate Naysayers (National Center for Science Education). USA Today 2012.01.16
Airlines Find Windfalls in Carbon Emissions Payments to EU. USA Today 2012.01.16
Apple Admits Outside Monitors into its Foreign Factories. USA Today 2012.01.15
MO Deer Hunters Can Bow Hunt in Kansas City to Help Control Deer Population. Columbia Missourian (AP) 2012.01.15
Coal Plant Use in West Scrutinized (how to transition to clean energy). USA Today 2012.01.15
Cut Soot and Methane to Curb Warming in Short Term. USA Today 2012.01.13
Project to Pour Water into Volcano to Make Power. USA Today (AP) 2012.01.14
EPA: Power Plants are Main GW Culprits (releasing 72% of GHGs in US). USA Today 2012.01.11
Lone Gray Wolf Crosses into California from Oregon. USA Today 2012.01.10
Drinking Wastewater Preferable to Wasting Water. USA Today 2012.01.10
EPA and GSA Recognize Surplus Exchange for Electronics Recycling Certification in KC EPA 2012.01.09
Promise of No Child Left Behind Falls Short after 10 Years. USA Today 2012.01.07
Giant Pythons Spreading in Everglades. USA Today 2012.01.04
7 States Win Race to the Top. USA Today 2011.12.23
Study: Male (College) Students' Grades Drop When Football Teams Win. USA Today 2011.12.20
Howardville Community Betterment Committee Wins Environmental Justice Grant from EPA EPA 2011.12.19
Migrant Farmworkers Project and El Centro Inc of KC Win Environmental Justice Grant from EPA EPA 2011.12.19
Joplin Gets $500,000 from EPA to Address Lead Exposure From May 22 Tornado EPA 2011.12.16
Amazon may become greenhouse gas emitter. ScienceNews 2012.02.11
January 2012
Watershed Committee Ozarks (Springfield) Announces New Executive Director. WCO Blog 2012.01.31
Kick-starting the bio-based economy. Matter Network 2012.01.31
Energy poverty remains a global challenge for the future. Worldwatch. 2012.01.31
Ford to use Kenaf plant materials in new Escape. Triple Pundit 2012.01.31
NASA: Global warming caused mostly by humans. USA Today 2012.01.31
Plan to block Asian carp carries $3 B price tag. USA Today 2012.01.31
New York skies still gridlocked. Reworking space may cut fuel costs by $285 million yearly. USA Today 2012.01.31
2012 off to furious start in tornadoes. Warmth helps trigger twisters. USA Today 2012.01.31
Pythons strangling Everglades. USA Today 2012.01.31
MU scientist fights BPA (bisphenol-A). Columbia Missourian 2012.01.31
Japan’s population to fall by a third by 2060. Columbia Daily Tribune (AP) 2012.01.30
Strong work ethics stem from early childhood development. Environmental Network News 2012.01.30
(Keystone) Competitor’s pipeline would cross part of Missouri (Hannibal to Bates). Enbridge plan links Chicago, Oklahoma. Columbia Daily Tribune (St. Louis Post Dispatch) 2012.01.30
Hybrids spark concern. Responders learn about dangerous electric charges at accidents. Columbia Missourian 2012.01.29/30
Ag chief strikes optimistic tone (more emphasis on biofuels) Columbia Daily Tribune 2012.01.27
Rolla team picked for solar decathalon contest (one of 20 selected by DoE). Columbia Daily Tribune 2012.01.26
Report critical of teacher policies. Missouri scores a D; progress ranks low. Columbia Daily Tribune 2012.01.26
U.S. unveils new rules for forests. Guidelines seek to balance interest. Columbia Daily Tribune. (AP) 2012.01.26
Measure seeks swift action in failing schools. State currently waits two years. Columbia Daily Tribune (AP) 2012.01.26
Planting zones shift to the north. USA Today 2012.01.26
Today’s freshman hit books harder. USA Today 2012.01.26
New plant map embraces Web (hardiness zones in half mile sections). USA Today 2012.01.26
Stormwater project to give insight on pollution (project evaluates methods for improving water quality, reducing runoff). Columbia Missourian 2012.01.26
Chemical exposure may limit vaccines (study looks at perfluorinated compounds, PFCs). USA Today 2012.01.25
Government requires more fruits, veggies for school lunches. USA Today 2012.01.25
Wasting disease found in wild bucks (Macon county). Columbia Missourian 2012.01.25
Department of State pans (Keystone) pipeline proposal. Columbia Daily Tribune 2012.01.25
Officials aim to end tenure protections. Columbia Daily Tribune (AP) 2012.01.25
Father, son sentenced for destroying (Bald Eagle) nests AP 2012.01.25
"Nonstick" pollutants may cut efficiency of vaccines in kids. ScienceNews 2012.01.24
Coalition to sue EPA over ash pond rules delay. USA Today 2012.01.23
Heavy weather rakes South. Columbia Daily Tribune (AP) 2012.01.23
Obesity rates plateau in U.S CDC finds. Bloomberg News 2012.01.20
Boxwood blight invades North America. ScienceNews 2012.01.20
Science educators take on climate change. USA Today 2012.01.16
Bill seeks charter (school) changes. Rules could help schools expand. Columbia Daily Tribune (AP) 2012.01.15
Miller's Grizzled Langur Rediscovered in Borneo. USA Today (AP) 2012.01.20
La Nina Cooled Global Temperature in 2011 (avg tem 57.9 F still 0.9 F higher than 20th century average of 50 F). USA Today 2012.01.20
Resistant TB Emerging. USA Today 2012.01.20
Feds Seek Help to Stop Teacher Cheats (creating manual on prevention). USA Today 2012.01.20
Apple Looks to Transform E-textbooks. USA Today 2012.01.20
Reid Delays Senate Vote on SOPA/PIPA After Internet Protest. USA Today January 2012.01.20
Mount Sinai Medical Center Team Finds Association between Phthalates and Obesity in Young Children. Mt Sinai Press Office. 2012.01.20
Exxon to Pay $1.6 Million for Yellowstone River Spill. USA Today 2012.01.19
Seaweed as Biofuel. USA Today 2012.01.19
Most Gen Y (born 1982 or later) Drivers Want to Own Hybrids. USA Today 2012.01.19
Obama Rejects Keystone Pipeline. USA Today 1012.01.18
Measure Filed to Ban Teacher Tenure (constitutional intitiative). Columbia Daily Tribune (AP) 2012.01.18
Nixon Budge Hits Higher ED Hard. Columbia Daily Tribune 2012.01.18
Average Car Ages at Record 10.8 Years. USA Today 2012.01.18
Bat Death Toll From Fungus Reaches 6.7 Million. USA Today 2012.01.18
Cleaning Up a Cold War Mess (radiation clean up at Hanford is 8 years late, $800 millon short). USA Today 2012.01.18
Is Obesity Epidemic Flattening? USA Today 2012.01.17
Reaction to Paula Deen's Diabetes Diagnosis, Novartis Endorsement. USA Today, 2012.01.17
Columbia Mulls Wind Deal. Columbia Daily Tribune 2012.01.17
McCaskill's Visit Focuses on Energy Sources, Jobs. Columbia Missourian 2012.01.17
Senator Ends Energy Tour in Columbia. Columbia Daily Tribune 2012.01.17
Science Educators Take on Climate Naysayers (National Center for Science Education). USA Today 2012.01.16
Airlines Find Windfalls in Carbon Emissions Payments to EU. USA Today 2012.01.16
Rising carbon dioxide confuses brain signaling in fish. ScienceNews 2012.01.15
Apple Admits Outside Monitors into its Foreign Factories. USA Today 2012.01.15
MO Deer Hunters Can Bow Hunt in Kansas City to Help Control Deer Population. Columbia Missourian (AP) 2012.01.15
Coal Plant Use in West Scrutinized (how to transition to clean energy). USA Today 2012.01.15
Project to Pour Water into Volcano to Make Power. USA Today (AP) 2012.01.14
Cut Soot and Methane to Curb Warming in Short Term. USA Today 2012.01.13
Bush meat can be a viral feast. ScienceNews Sciend & the Public Blog 2012.01.12
EPA: Power Plants are Main GW Culprits (releasing 72% of GHGs in US). USA Today 2012.01.11
Lone Gray Wolf Crosses into California from Oregon. USA Today 2012.01.10
Drinking Wastewater Preferable to Wasting Water. USA Today 2012.01.10
Promise of No Child Left Behind Falls Short after 10 Years. USA Today 2012.01.07
Insurance payouts point to climate change. ScienceNews Science and the Public 2012.02.04
Giant Pythons Spreading in Everglades. USA Today 2012.01.04
7 States Win Race to the Top. USA Today 2011.12.23
Study: Male (College) Students' Grades Drop When Football Teams Win. USA Today 2011.12.20
2011 News
MO Conservation Heritage Foundation seeks donations for Bennett Spring State Park 2011.08.26
$53 Million for Habitat Acquisition and Conservation Planning for Endangered Species 2011.08.24
AgriMissouri website connecting producers to consumers and consumers to agriculture
AgriMissouri 10,000 Garden Challenge
Clarence Cannon NWR to Hire for Summer Youth Program 01.31.11
2010 News
CalTech Solar Reactors Produce Liquid Fuel from CO2 and Water - Environmental News Network 12.27.10
Paradoxically, Snowstorms Consistent with Climate Change - TIME 12.27.10
Congress Passes Strengthened Shark Conservation Act - Env News Network 12.27.10
St. Louis Gets $1 million to Improve Trail Connections to Gateway Arch - Post Dispatch 12.24.10
Drury University Bike Loan Program to Expand - Springfield News Leader 12.27.10
Non-Academic Skills Students Need to Succeed in College - Education Week 12.23.10
Columbia, Boone Co Ask EPA for a Break on TMDLs for the Hinkson - Columbia Daily Tribune 12.23.10
States Moving Towards Common Calculation of H. S. Graduation Rates - Education Week 12.27.10
St. Louis Beta Testing STAR, a Community Sustainabilty Index Tool - Local Govts for Sustainability
Chromium 6 (see "Erin Brockovich") Found in Water Supply of 31 Cities - Post Dispatch 12.22.10
Europe Moving On, Japan Stalling On Cap and Trade - Environmental News Network 12.22.10
Air Pollution Linked to 200,000 Deaths in UK - Environmental News Network 12.22.10
Columbia OKs Solar Expansion - Columbia Tribune 12.21.10
Nordic Windpower Setting Up Shop in KC - KC Star 12.21.10
70 Submit Plans for Illinois Clean Energy Challenge - St. Louis Business Journal 12.21.10
Union, Franklin CO Coal Ash Landfill Hearing is Packed - Sierra Club 12.21.10
Ocean Acidification Killing Corals - Environmental News Network 12.20.10
MO Governor Picks New DNR Director: Sara Parker Pauley - AP 12.13.10
Americans' Knowledge of Climate Change - Yale Environment 10.12.2010
DESE Releases Preliminary Annual Performance Reports for Missouri Schools
Whole Foods Plans to Post Color Coded Seafood Ratings
Shark Attack Survivors Band Together to Save Sharks
Polar Bears Get Some Company: Melting Sea Ice Forces Walruses Ashore in Alaska
Multiple Drug Resistant Microbes show up in California, Massachusettes and Illinois
Southern Cities Waco, Tulsa and Baton Rouge Going for "New Urbanism"
Hemp Home in Asheville Saves Resources Sept 13, 2010 (USA Today)
Changing Chew Cuts Cow Climate Gases
Camp Pin Oak Dining Lodge at Lake of the Ozarks Burns Sept 3, 2010 (DNR)
MO DNR News Releases - http://www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel/index.html
July 11, 2010 News
NAAEE (North American Association for Environmental Education now on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8548813173
Missouri Farm to Institution Grant - University of Missouri Extension, working with the Missouri Council for Activity and Nutrition (MoCAN), is the recipient of a contract through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) to initiate a statewide Farm to Institution (FTI) Project. This work is funded by a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grant. The project’s primary goals include 1) building institutional and legislative support for a Farm to Institution state level policy and 2) providing technical assistance, resource materials, and trainings to help schools, hospitals, care centers, and other institutions initiate Farm to Institution programs. Program Coordinator is Bill McKelvey - mcKelvey@umsystem.edu
Park System Slide Show from Missouri Parks Association - Visit You Tube to see a 10 minute slide show narrated by Professor Susan Flader on Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites and the critical need to fund capital improvements - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRWwoUdGJQo
US Has 8th Warmest June on Record, Above Normal Precipitation - NOAA’s State of the Climate report shows the June 2010 average temperature for the contiguous United States was 71.4 degrees F, which is 2.2 degrees F above the long-term average (1901-2000). The average precipitation for June was 3.33 inches, 0.44 inch above the long-term average - http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/ncdc.html
Missouri to Host National Natural Areas Conference October 26-29, 2010-The Conference theme, “Connecting for the Future Across Generations and Disciplines,” brings together natural resource professionals, students and volunteers in a forum that provides practical land-management information through symposia, workshops, field trips, paper sessions, posters, round tables and opportunities for social networking - http://www.naturalarea.org/10conference/
June 15, 2010 News
- Alberici Foundation Gives $5 Million to Establish Sustainability Center at SLU Saint Louis University announced recently a $5 million grant from the Alberici Foundation to establish the new Center for Sustainability — a first for the nation’s 28 Jesuit colleges and universities. http://sustainstl.org/alberici-foundation-gives-5-million-to-establish-sustainability-center-at-slu/
May 11, 2010 News
Morgan Selvidge Middle School in Ballwin Missouri a Finalist in the 2010 Siemens "We Can Change the World Contest" The members of Double Agents decided to focus their project on invasive plants after noting the detrimental effect Bush Honeysuckle, one of the most common invasive species in Missouri, was having on woodlands, prairies, savannas and flood plains where it was destroying native vegetation. The team decided to focus on assessing awareness of the plant among students, implementing various mechanisms to communicate the importance of preventing the spread of this plant, and assessing the role schools can play in controlling the spread of invasive plants. First, they distributed a survey to gauge community and school awareness. They also posted flyers, created a website, contacted schools and neighbors, and prepared articles for local newspapers informing the public of the importance of controlling the spread of Bush Honeysuckle. The group plans to continue to inform other elementary schools and the rest of their community about the dangers of invasive species. Teacher: Sally Blackburn. Finalists announced May 24, 2010. http://wecanchange.http://wecanchange.com/media/uploads/winners/MO-double-agents.jpgcom/community/about-challenge/winners/2010-state-finalists/#missouri
March 10, 2010 News
Governor
Nixon Establishes "Children in Nature Challenge"
The Missouri Departments of Elementary and Secondary Education, Health and
Senior Services, Mental Health, Higher Education, and Economic Development
shall actively support the Departments of Conservation and Natural Resources
to implement this Challenge by: 1. Reaching out to Missouri communities to
encourage utilization of existing state programs that help educate children
about and connect them with nature and the outdoors; 2. Encouraging Missouri
communities to build local programs that expand upon existing state programs;
3. Serving as an informational resource for Missouri communities undertaking
this Challenge; 4. Championing the use of the Discover Nature Schools program
and other indoor and outdoor instructional components for K-12 curriculum
that strengthen children’s connection to nature and enhance their education
about the environment; and 5. Promoting this Challenge and developing a process
to recognize Missouri communities for their efforts and successes in meeting
it. http://governor.mo.gov/orders/2010/10-18.htm
Missouri
Kicks off Fishing Season with 25th Annual Fish Advisory
The health department advises consumers to be aware of the potential for
adverse effects on the central nervous and cardiovascular systems from mercury
in fish. Because of the potential risk mercury poses to the developing nervous
system of fetuses and young children, the department recommends limits on
fish consumption for children younger than 13 years, nursing mothers and
women who are pregnant or may become pregnant. More information can be found
at www.epa.gov/mercury/effects.htm. The statewide mercury advisory for all
bodies of water in Missouri is as follows: Sensitive populations are advised
to eat no more than: * One meal per month: walleye, largemouth bass, spotted
bass, and smallmouth bass greater than 12 inches in length. * One meal per
week: all other sport fish. In the absence of local advisories, consumers
are advised to restrict fish consumption of locally caught fish to one meal
per week because all fish have various levels of mercury. http://www.dhss.mo.gov/NewsAndPublicNotices/2010/fishadvisory_3-4-10.html
The Missouri Department of Conservation in cooperation with the USDA recently awarded almost $6 million in grant to seven distrcits for Fuels to Schools projects from teh American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The schools are Southern Reynolds County R-II - $970,000, Perry County 32 - $970,000, Steelville R-III - $900,000, Rolla 31Jr. High - $760,000, Gainesville R-V - $970,000, Emimence R-1 Elementary - $350,000 and Mountain View-Birch Tree Liberty H.S. - $850,000. Schools will use the funds to install and operate boiler systems that use woody biomass. http://mdc.mo.gov/cgi-bin/news/news_search.cgi?item=1267558191,70735,
Climate
Change-Human Link Stronger
The UK Met Office (UK national weather service) finds the link between climate
change and human activity is even stronger than the IPCC found in 2007. Changes
in Arctic sea ice, atmospheric moisture, saltiness in parts of the Atlantic
and temperature changes in the Antarctic are consistent with human influence.http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporate/pressoffice/2010/pr20100305.html
UK
MET Office Releases Data on 1500 More Weather Stations
The data from an addtional 1500 weather stations was recently made available
to the public by the UK Met Office. The data from 3000 of the 5000 land weather
stations is now available. It is not a new data set and does not replace
records from HadCRUT, NASA GISS and NCDC. This subset is evenly distributed
across the gloe and it shows global average land temperatures have risen
over the last 150 years, similar to the rise of the complete set of 5000
stations. As soon as the Met has permission from the data owners in place,
it will release data from all 5000 stations. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climatechange/news/latest/data.html
January 10, 2010 News
Dave Murphy of Conservation Federation of Missouri Recognized by Oudoor Life - Dave Murphy of CFM was recently recognized as one of Outdoor Life's 25 people who have changed the face of hunting and fishing. Dave was honored for "Inspiring the next generation" Go to the Outdoor Life website to read about Dave and to vote for him in the Reader's Choice selection (must register for this- click on the thumbs up) http://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/hunting/2009/11/outdoor-life-25-2010?photo=0#1001319097
A Safe Operating Space for Humanity- Nature September 2009 - Summary: 1) A safe operating space for humanity Online collection. 2) New approach proposed for defining preconditions for human development 3) Crossing certain biophysical thresholds could have disastrous consequences for humanity 4) Three of nine interlinked planetary boundaries have already been overstepped. http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v461/n7263/full/461472a.html
Boundaries image from the Nature paper: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v461/n7263/images/461472a-f1.2.jpgrage
NOAA: 2009 Global Temperatures Well Above Average - Slightly Above -Average for U.S., U.S. precipitation above normal for 2009 - Global surface temperatures for 2009 will be well above the long-term average, while the annual temperature for the contiguous United States will likely be above the long-term average, according to a preliminary analysis by NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C. The analysis is based on global records, which began in 1880 and U.S. records beginning in 1895. The NCDC analysis is part of the suite of climate services NOAA provides. More at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/
November 4 Updates
NOAA: Global Surface Temperature Was Second Warmest for September The combined global land and ocean surface temperature was the second warmest September on record, according to NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C. Based on records going back to 1880, the monthly National Climatic Data Center analysis is part of the suite of climate services NOAA provides. NCDC scientists also reported that the average land surface temperature for September was the second warmest on record, behind 2005. Additionally, the global ocean surface temperature was tied for the fifth warmest on record for September. http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov
Classroom Earth Success Stories : How to reduce your carbon footprint and save your school $11,000 Doreen Petri teaches AP Environmental Science and Anatomy and Physiology at the Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy in Erie, Pa. Petri has translated classroom content into action through an energy initiative at her school. The initiative helps students understand the connection between their energy use and climate change and allows them to take a lead role taking actions that save the school energy and money on the electric bill.http://www.classroomearth.org/success_stories