The Human Imprint

Reduce coal use for electricity production in US

Scientific American reports that U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions will be 7 percent lower than their 2005 level of nearly 6 billion metric tons in 2020 as coal's share of electricity production continues a steady descent over the next two decades.

Solar storms this week

 Check out the biggest solar storms since 2003

Floods in Mozambique

Scientific American reports on the recent floods in Mozambique

Birdlife affected by oil spill in Australia

BBC News reports that maritime officials in Queensland, Australia, are trying to clean up an oil spill in the Brisbane River which is threatening local birdlife. About five tonnes of fuel oil leaked into the river while a Korean ship was being refuelled. An investigation into the cause of the spill has been launched.

 

Schmallenberg Virus detected in the UK

Schmallenberg Virus has been detected in the UK. Follow the link to find out more about this animal disease.

China buys into Thames Water for £500m

The Independent reports that China has bought nearly 10 per cent of Thames Water, the UK's largest water and sewage company. Follow the link to find out more.

Indonesia confirms second bird flu death this year

BBC News reports a second death this year from H5N1. A five-year-old toddler has died from the bird flu virus in Jakarta, Indonesia. The virus also claimed the lives of a man in Vietnam and of a toddler in Cambodia this week. The three deaths bring the total number of avian influenza fatalities in the region to five in the last three weeks.

China seeks more Australian cows to boost milk output

BBC News reports in the increasing thirst in China for milk.

No change in childhood obesity

Scientific American reports that the rates of obesity in the U.S. are holding constant despite erfforts to reduce numbers. About 35 percent of adults and about 17 percent of children were obese in the period from 2009 to 2010 (the most recent years for which data were available).

Follow the link to find out more.

Mexico food aid sent to crisis-hit Tarahumara Indians

Check out this BBC News article.