Experts: Disaster-Free Zones Hard to Find
There are few places in the United States that are not vulnerable to at least one of: blizzards, drought, earthquakes, flooding, heat waves, hurricanes, ice storms, tornadoes, and wildfires. Whilst some weather phenomena such as heat waves are less of a problem where people are used to them, they can be deadly elsewhere. Nevertheless, people are far more likely to be killed in traffic accidents than by the weather.
US Midwest farmers' latest harvest: wind energy
U.S. wind energy output at the end of 2005 is predicted to be 35% higher than a year earlier. The wind is free, no air pollution is created, and it brings in an income for the landowners on whose land the turbines are built. With oil and natural gas becoming less price-competitive and some states are offering tax incentives, wind and other renewable energy sources are becoming more popular. The wind industry wants to double its contribution towards U.S. power needs to 6 percent by 2020, then 15% by 2030 or 2040.
Renewable energy investment at record high: report
Last year 20-25 percent of all investment in the power industry, or $30 billion, was in renewable energy. Solar power grew fastest. The Kyoto Protocol deadline of 2012 is helping countries to focus on targets. A 2-day conference on renewable energy began in Beijing on Monday. China is a world leader in renewable energy use.
New Turbine Design May Boost Wind Energy
Terra Moya Aqua Inc. says that its new vertical wind turbine is up to 80 percent more efficient than traditional propeller designs, can utilise slower winds, is safer for birds, is quieter, and is less tall so can be used in areas where tall turbines are not allowed.
Ill. Couple Betting on Bison Meat's Future
An Illinois couple believe there is a demand for bison meat as it is healthier, with much less fat. Processing of bison meat has doubled since 2001.
Astronauts Want Asteroid Collision Plan
When an asteroid collides with Earth, the result could be worse than last year's tsunami, last month's earthquake in Pakistan, and Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma all at once. There is a 1-in-5,500 chance that a small asteroid called 99942 Apophis, which large enough to do considerable damage, could hit the Earth in 30 years. At the Association of Space Explorers' annual congress in Salt Lake City last month astronauts issued an open letter (pdf) calling for NASA to expand its Spaceguard Survey which discovers and tracks near-Earth objects.
Big Meteor Shower Puts on Show in Alaska
Alaska enjoyed a fiery meteor shower; the Taurids, which come from the comet Encke each year in late October and early November. Encke was discovered in 1786. They are best seen this week after midnight, ideally around 3 a.m.
Two Workers Die at Oil Refinery in Del.
Two workers were killed at the Valero Energy Corp. oil refinery in Delaware, apparently by asphyxiation caused by nitrogen gas. There was also a fatal accident at the plant in July 2001.
Blast in Northern Chinese Mine Kills 13
13 miners died and 3 were missing after an explosion at a coal mine in northern China. Nine miners escaped. An investigation is underway.
Index of topics in this series.
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