Friday, 17 Aug 2007

All So You Can Have Cheap Electricity

Three workers killed, six injured in Utah coal-mine rescue effort

Three rescue workers were killed and at least six others injured when a section of Utah's Crandall Canyon coal mine caved in Thursday night. The workers were involved in the nine-day effort to reach six miners trapped deep within the mine. Seismic activity has caused the operation to halt several times; a seismic "bump" caused the latest collapse. The injured included two officials from the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration. "The seismic activity underground has just been relentless," said Bob Murray, head of Murray Energy Corp., which co-owns the mine. "The mountain is still alive, the mountain is still moving, and we cannot endanger the rescue workers as we drive toward these trapped miners." As of last night, all rescue workers had been evacuated and the operation put on hold. "It's a devastating blow to what was already a tragic situation," said Joe Piccolo, the mayor of nearby Price. "It's a very stressful part of the way of life that's been known here for years."

Scaling Down

Another judge rules that hatchery fish don't count when determining ESA status

The federal government does not have to count hatchery fish along with wild fish when deciding whether to protect dwindling Northwest populations under the Endangered Species Act, U.S. District Judge Michael Hogan ruled yesterday. In 2001, Hogan had ruled in favor of builders and farmers, saying that the feds should count hatchery fish toward recovery goals -- which somehow makes recovery come a lot quicker. But he dashed the hopes of property-rights advocates with his declaration yesterday that his previous ruling "does not require [the National Marine Fisheries Service] to treat natural populations and hatchery stocks equally." A property-rights law group will appeal Hogan's decision; it's also appealing a decision made in June by a different judge who went further, disallowing the Bush administration from counting hatchery-raised salmon along with wild ones when determining the species' status under the ESA. Contacted for comment, the salmon just blew bubbles.

So That's What Those Trains Are For

Beijing enacts four-day ban on vehicles, pushes public transportation

Today marks the start of an experimental four-day vehicle ban in Beijing, China. While the motivation for the scheme is finding ways to clear the air for next year's Olympics, its execution is a lovely reminder that change is possible. Home to 16 million people, Beijing has about 3 million registered vehicles; today and Sunday, license plates ending in even numbers must stay parked, with odd-numbered plates banned on Saturday and Monday. The experiment will see 1.3 million fewer cars on the city's busy streets, and officials hope for some change in their notoriously smoggy skies. Commuters -- who face a $13 fine if they violate the rule -- can take advantage of taxis, extra buses, and expanded subway hours. "Of course I back the scheme," said one. "It's all to do with the Olympics ... Although it will be a little inconvenient, it's not that hard to use public transport." Said a surprised bus rider, "It's very convenient, actually, it's no more trouble than taking the car." Hear that, world?

This Gives Us Paws

Flame retardants linked to thyroid disease in house cats

Thyroid disease in house cats may be linked to common flame retardants called PBDEs, according to U.S. EPA researchers. In a small study of 23 cats, all the felines had blood concentrations of the chemical 20 to 100 times higher than average U.S. adults -- who, it oughta be noted, carry the highest human PBDE load in the world. PBDEs first began to be used about three decades ago; at that time, feline hyperthyroidism was rare, but has now become one of the most common diseases in older cats. The fireproofing chemical is used in TVs, carpet padding, furniture, and mattresses; kitties easily take the substance in by grooming themselves after lounging about. (Food for thought: pound for pound, a 2-year-old child ingests about as much dust as a feline.) While the link between PBDEs and kitty sickness is still a hypothesis, researchers urged further analysis. PBDEs already have a bad rep when it comes to health, and two of the three main types of the chemical have already been banned in the U.S.

Sorry, Grandchildren

Climate tipping points could happen sooner than expected, says research

You thought the predictions of climate chaos by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change were scary? You ain't seen nothin' yet. The IPCC predicted that the massive Greenland ice sheet could completely melt in 1,000 years, raising sea levels by almost 23 feet. But in a new study, British researcher Tim Lenton says it might happen in a mere 300 years. By the end of the century, says Lenton's study, we may pass tipping points for the destruction of the Amazon, melting of the west Antarctic ice sheet, shrinking of the Northern boreal forest, and collapse of the global ocean circulation system. So hey, let's hope that doesn't happen. Happy Friday!