Geography Report

New study confirms low levels of fallout from Fukushima

Monday, February 27, 2012 00:00 MST

Fallout from the 2011 Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power facility in Japan was measured in minimal amounts in precipitation in the United States in about 20 percent of 167 sites sampled in a nationwide study released today. The US Geological Survey led the study as part of the National Atmospheric Deposition Program.

Taking the Earth's pulse: Scientists unveil a new economic and environmental index

Sunday, February 26, 2012 00:00 MST

A growing world population, mixed with the threat of climate change and mounting financial problems, has prompted University of British Columbia researchers to measure the overall "health" of 152 countries around the world.

Taking tips from Vikings can help us adapt to global change

Saturday, February 25, 2012 00:00 MST

Climate change, economic turmoil and cultural upheaval may be pressing concerns today -- but history can teach us how best to respond, research suggests.

Preparing for the flood: Visualizations help communities plan for sea-level rise

Friday, February 24, 2012 00:00 MST

Researchers at the University of British Columbia have produced computer visualizations of rising sea levels in a low-lying coastal municipality, illustrating ways to adapt to climate change impacts such as flooding and storms surges.

Arctic micro-organisms may hold key to dealing with oil spills in the North

Thursday, February 23, 2012 00:00 MST

Arctic micro-organisms may soon allow researchers to have the information they need to accurately predict the environmental impacts of events from oil spills to climate change

Climate change may increase risk of water shortages in hundreds of US counties by 2050

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 00:00 MST

More than one in three counties in the US could face a "high" or "extreme" risk of water shortages due to climate change by the middle of the 21st century, according to a new study in ACS's Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. The report concluded seven in 10 of the more than 3,100 counties could face "some" risk of shortages of fresh water. It includes maps that identify the counties at risk of shortages.

Hot invention cools down environment

Tuesday, February 21, 2012 00:00 MST

The current global energy crisis means that sustainability now supplants necessity as the mother of all invention. Concordia University's Georgios Vatistas, professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, has taken this adage to heart with his reinvention of an industrial staple: the heat exchanger.

Extreme summer temperatures occur more frequently

Monday, February 20, 2012 00:00 MST

Extreme summer temperatures are already occurring more frequently in the United States, and will become normal by mid-century if the world continues on a business as usual schedule of emitting greenhouse gases. By analyzing observations and results obtained from climate models, a study led by Phil Duffy of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory showed that previously rare high summertime (June, July and August) temperatures are already occurring more frequently in some regions of the 48 contiguous United States.

Scientific advances promise better ways to engineer water-safety systems

Sunday, February 19, 2012 00:00 MST

Grants from the US Environmental Protection Agency and the National Science Foundation will support research at Arizona State University seeking better ways to remove health-threatening contaminants from water sources and to develop technologies to help the country's smaller and more remote communities maintain water-safety standards.

Scientists deploy lasers, GPS technology to improve snow measurements

Saturday, February 18, 2012 00:00 MST

Scientists are working to solve a critical wintertime weather mystery: How to accurately measure the amount of snow on the ground.

A look back suggests a sobering future of wildfire dangers in US west

Friday, February 17, 2012 00:00 MST

The American West has seen a recent increase in large wildfires due to droughts, the build-up of combustible fuel, or biomass, in forests, a spread of fire-prone species and increased tree mortality from insects and heat. In a paper appearing online PNAS, a research team warns that these conditions may be "a perfect storm" for more fires.

New web tool to improve accuracy of global land cover maps

Thursday, February 16, 2012 00:00 MST

An interactive web tool has been developed to improve the accuracy and extent of global land use and forest cover information. The new 'Geo-Wiki' uses Google Earth and information provided by a global network of volunteers to fill in 'data gaps' and to verify existing land cover information. Developers this week have launched a Geo-Wiki competition to raise awareness of the tool and to encourage community involvement in environmental monitoring.

Deconstructing a mystery: What caused Snowmaggedon?

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 00:00 MST

NASA scientists are using computer models to help unravel the mystery of a record-setting snowfall in the Washington, DC area in early 2010.

Sustainable land use strategies to support bioenergy described in Industrial Biotechnology journal

Tuesday, February 14, 2012 00:00 MST

Applying 21st century tools and technologies to manage land use, maximize biomass production, and increase the efficiency of processes for extracting energy from renewable resources will enable the biofuels industry to overcome current challenges in bioenergy production, according to a comprehensive review article published in Industrial Biotechnology, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert Inc.

Planet Under Pressure conference (London, UK, March 26-29)

Monday, February 13, 2012 00:00 MST

More than 2,500 leading thinkers in a wide range of global change research areas will present new findings in climate change, environmental geo-engineering, international governance, the future of the oceans and biodiversity, global trade, development, poverty alleviation, food security and more. Authoritative perspectives on today's State of the Planet and recommendations will form a contribution to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 20-22.