Environment http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1025&ft=1&f=1025 Breaking news on the environment, climate change, pollution, and endangered species. Also featuring Climate Connections, a special series on climate change co-produced by NPR and National Geographic. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Mon, 20 May 2013 18:37:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Environment http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1025&ft=1&f=1025 Measuring The Power Of Deadly Tornadoes Tornado strength is currently measured on what is called the Enhanced Fujita Scale, which gives the tornado a rating from 0 to 5 based on estimated wind speeds and the severity of the damage. Mon, 20 May 2013 18:37:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/20/185610261/measuring-the-power-of-deadly-tornadoes?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/20/185610261/measuring-the-power-of-deadly-tornadoes?ft=1&f=1025 Tornado strength is currently measured on what is called the Enhanced Fujita Scale, which gives the tornado a rating from 0 to 5 based on estimated wind speeds and the severity of the damage.

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]]> Forecasters Had Chance To Warn Moore, Okla., Before Tornado Melissa Block talks to Jon Hamilton about the science of tornadoes. Mon, 20 May 2013 20:12:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/185631833/forecasters-had-chance-to-warn-moore-okla-before-tornado?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/185631833/forecasters-had-chance-to-warn-moore-okla-before-tornado?ft=1&f=1025 Melissa Block talks to Jon Hamilton about the science of tornadoes.

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]]> Calif. Law To Require Ships To Cut Pollution California is about to become the first state to require shore power at its ports. A new law mandates at least half of a shipping line's fleet to shut down their diesel engines and plug into shore-side electric power when they unload their cargo. It's part of a larger effort to cut pollution at the state's busiest ports, but costs have been a sticking point. Mon, 20 May 2013 04:52:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/185437447/calif-law-to-require-ships-to-cut-pollution?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/185437447/calif-law-to-require-ships-to-cut-pollution?ft=1&f=1025 California is about to become the first state to require shore power at its ports. A new law mandates at least half of a shipping line's fleet to shut down their diesel engines and plug into shore-side electric power when they unload their cargo. It's part of a larger effort to cut pollution at the state's busiest ports, but costs have been a sticking point.

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]]> Impossible Choice Faces America's First 'Climate Refugees' The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the tiny town of Newtok, Alaska, could be completely underwater by 2017. Its 350 residents must relocate or stay to face the floods, but a move is easier said than done. Sat, 18 May 2013 16:41:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/18/185068648/impossible-choice-faces-americas-first-climate-refugees?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/18/185068648/impossible-choice-faces-americas-first-climate-refugees?ft=1&f=1025 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the tiny town of Newtok, Alaska, could be completely underwater by 2017. Its 350 residents must relocate or stay to face the floods, but a move is easier said than done.

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]]> Afghan Mineral Treasures Stay Buried, Hostages To Uncertainty Afghanistan is believed to be home to world-class mineral deposits, valued at up to $3 trillion and offering hope for the country's economic future. But in the current environment of uncertainty, investors are nervous and it could be many years before Afghanistan strikes pay dirt. Sat, 18 May 2013 05:13:53 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/05/18/184775139/Afghan-Mineral-Treasures-Stay-Buried-Hostage-To-Uncertainty?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/05/18/184775139/Afghan-Mineral-Treasures-Stay-Buried-Hostage-To-Uncertainty?ft=1&f=1025 Afghanistan is believed to be home to world-class mineral deposits, valued at up to $3 trillion and offering hope for the country's economic future. But in the current environment of uncertainty, investors are nervous and it could be many years before Afghanistan strikes pay dirt.

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]]> Not Your Grandpa's RV: This Roving Lab Tracks Air Pollution Atmospheric scientist Ira Leifer installed special air sensors on a camper, then drove from Florida to California, measuring methane levels all along the way. More than 6,000 readings later, he found some noticeable spikes, especially around petrochemical plants and urban areas like Los Angeles. Sat, 18 May 2013 05:13:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/18/184863769/not-your-grandpas-rv-this-roving-lab-tracks-air-pollution?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/18/184863769/not-your-grandpas-rv-this-roving-lab-tracks-air-pollution?ft=1&f=1025 Atmospheric scientist Ira Leifer installed special air sensors on a camper, then drove from Florida to California, measuring methane levels all along the way. More than 6,000 readings later, he found some noticeable spikes, especially around petrochemical plants and urban areas like Los Angeles.

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]]> Scientists Agree On Climate Change, Why Doesn't The Public? A new study confirms that the vast majority of scientists who research the climate accept that the planet is warming and human beings are largely responsible. Yet a large slice of the American public believes that scientists are deeply split about global warming. Fri, 17 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=184845126&ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=184845126&ft=1&f=1025 A new study confirms that the vast majority of scientists who research the climate accept that the planet is warming and human beings are largely responsible. Yet a large slice of the American public believes that scientists are deeply split about global warming.

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]]> How Can You Give A Community Better Health? Ron Finley plants vegetable gardens in South Central LA — in abandoned lots, traffic medians, along the curbs. He hopes to offer some alternative to fast food in a community where "the drive-thrus are killing more people than the drive-bys." Fri, 17 May 2013 09:55:46 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/181691507/how-can-you-give-a-community-better-health?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/181691507/how-can-you-give-a-community-better-health?ft=1&f=1025 Ron Finley plants vegetable gardens in South Central LA — in abandoned lots, traffic medians, along the curbs. He hopes to offer some alternative to fast food in a community where "the drive-thrus are killing more people than the drive-bys."

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]]> When Is the Right Time To Give? Volunteer firefighter Mark Bezos tells a story of an act of heroism that didn't go quite as expected — but that taught him a big lesson: Don't wait — give now.<strong> </strong> Fri, 17 May 2013 09:55:46 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/181685278/when-is-the-right-time-to-give?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/181685278/when-is-the-right-time-to-give?ft=1&f=1025 Volunteer firefighter Mark Bezos tells a story of an act of heroism that didn't go quite as expected — but that taught him a big lesson: Don't wait — give now.

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]]> Cape Cod Community To Vote On Status Of Wind Turbines In the Cape Cod community of Falmouth, voters will decide if two, town-owned wind turbines will be taken down. Dozens have complained of headaches, insomnia and other issues since the first turbine started spinning in 2010. Fri, 17 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/184700636/cape-cod-community-to-vote-on-status-of-wind-turbines?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/184700636/cape-cod-community-to-vote-on-status-of-wind-turbines?ft=1&f=1025 In the Cape Cod community of Falmouth, voters will decide if two, town-owned wind turbines will be taken down. Dozens have complained of headaches, insomnia and other issues since the first turbine started spinning in 2010.

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]]> First U.S. Company To Enter Export Market For Natural Gas With supplies high and prices at historic lows, there's debate whether U.S. companies should be allowed to export the gas overseas for a higher price. Many energy companies have applied for government approval to ship liquefied natural gas worldwide. So far, only one company has gotten a license to do that in the past 30 years.. Fri, 17 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/184700638/first-u-s-company-to-enter-export-market-for-natural-gas?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/184700638/first-u-s-company-to-enter-export-market-for-natural-gas?ft=1&f=1025 With supplies high and prices at historic lows, there's debate whether U.S. companies should be allowed to export the gas overseas for a higher price. Many energy companies have applied for government approval to ship liquefied natural gas worldwide. So far, only one company has gotten a license to do that in the past 30 years..

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]]> How Trace Amounts Of Arsenic End Up In Grocery Store Meat A recently published study found slightly elevated amounts of inorganic arsenic in samples of chicken meat purchased at grocery stores. Arsenic-based drugs are no longer used in chickens — but they are still used in turkeys. Thu, 16 May 2013 13:15:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/05/15/184261664/how-trace-amounts-of-arsenic-end-up-in-grocery-store-meat?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/05/15/184261664/how-trace-amounts-of-arsenic-end-up-in-grocery-store-meat?ft=1&f=1025 A recently published study found slightly elevated amounts of inorganic arsenic in samples of chicken meat purchased at grocery stores. Arsenic-based drugs are no longer used in chickens — but they are still used in turkeys.

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]]> Water Trapped For 1.5 Billion Years Could Hold Ancient Life Scientists have discovered water that was sealed in Canadian bedrock for nearly half of Earth's history. It may contain the descendants of ancient microbes. The discovery could give scientists new insights into early life on Earth and inform the search for life on other planets. Thu, 16 May 2013 03:03:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/16/183950854/water-trapped-for-1-5-billion-years-could-hold-ancient-life?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/16/183950854/water-trapped-for-1-5-billion-years-could-hold-ancient-life?ft=1&f=1025 Scientists have discovered water that was sealed in Canadian bedrock for nearly half of Earth's history. It may contain the descendants of ancient microbes. The discovery could give scientists new insights into early life on Earth and inform the search for life on other planets.

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]]> Dam Removal Ushers In New Life In Washington State New life is coming to Washington State's Olympic Peninsula. Two dams along the Elwha River are being removed, bringing a rush of sediment downstream and exposing hundreds of acres of once-submerged land. The dams were built in the early 1900s to power nearby timber mills. But they blocked salmon migration and their power is no longer needed, so they're coming out. This story originated as part of the public media collaboration, <a href="http://earthfix.info/" target="_blank">EarthFix</a>. Wed, 15 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/15/184261897/dam-removal-ushers-in-new-life-in-washington-state?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/15/184261897/dam-removal-ushers-in-new-life-in-washington-state?ft=1&f=1025 New life is coming to Washington State's Olympic Peninsula. Two dams along the Elwha River are being removed, bringing a rush of sediment downstream and exposing hundreds of acres of once-submerged land. The dams were built in the early 1900s to power nearby timber mills. But they blocked salmon migration and their power is no longer needed, so they're coming out. This story originated as part of the public media collaboration, EarthFix.

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]]> Go Fish (Somewhere Else): Warming Oceans Are Altering Catches Fish are moving away from the equator and toward the poles to maintain their preferred water temperature. That means, for example, that fishermen are seeing swordfish normally found in the Mediterranean swimming near Denmark. But in the tropics, there are no fish to replace the ones that are leaving. Wed, 15 May 2013 13:06:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/05/15/183968378/go-fish-somewhere-else-warming-oceans-are-altering-catches?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/05/15/183968378/go-fish-somewhere-else-warming-oceans-are-altering-catches?ft=1&f=1025 Fish are moving away from the equator and toward the poles to maintain their preferred water temperature. That means, for example, that fishermen are seeing swordfish normally found in the Mediterranean swimming near Denmark. But in the tropics, there are no fish to replace the ones that are leaving.

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