What signs of early or late autumn or fall have you seen this year?

Today's topical article: Phenology (Autumn or Fall).

Featured story

Leaves Still Green in New England

It is still summer in many places during what should be the "leaf-peeping" season in New England, when leaves turn autumnal. The tourists have booked their hotels a long time in advance, however, so they are there seeing mostly green trees. The plus side is that it is still T shirt weather. The trees will keep hanging on while it remains warm and sunny.

Other stories

Death toll hits 218 from Central American storms,   Death Toll Up in Central America Flooding

At least 218 people died in landslides and floods in Central America and Southern Mexico. Rescuers were still trying to reach many with further landslides blocking roads, wiping out progress. Two towns have disappeared completely.

Bangladesh floods kill 12, thousands homeless

Monsoon rains have killed at least 12 people in Bangladesh, marooned about 1.5 million and caused up to 50,000 to leave their homes.

Floods Kill 80 Police Officers in China

80 paramilitary police officers were killed in China when floods resulting from Typhoon Longwang swept away their barracks. 57 were rescued and 5 were missing.

Tropical Storm Tammy Brings Some Flooding

Tropical Storm Tammy soaked Brunswick, Georgia as it weakened Thursday. More than 16,500 people lost electricity.

Wildfire Season Unexpectedly Mild

The wildfire season has not been as bad as feared, but with many stands of stressed or diseased trees and some areas still experiencing drought, there are still dangers.

Crews Make Progress Against Wildfires

Firefighters were making progress against a 6,400-acre fire near Los Angeles.

Rain Hinders Wading Birds' Nesting Efforts

The South Florida Wading Bird Report says that many wading birds did poorly during the nesting season because of rain and high water.

Groups Sue Feds to Bar Forest Development

20 environmental groups including the Sierra Club, the National Audubon Society and Greenpeace sued the Bush administration Thursday. They are challenging the U.S. Forest Service decision to repeal President Clinton's 2001 "roadless rule" that protected 58.5 million acres of undeveloped national forest.

Clean coal isn't climate-friendly yet

Integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) clean coal technology prevents many harmful pollutants such as particulates and mercury going up the smokestack by gasifying coal before it's burned. Additionally, pipes can be added to capture the leading greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, but this is expensive, though much less expensive than adding it to conventional coal plants. New IGCC coal fired plants are being planned for the United States since there is plenty of coal and gas prices have risen, but they won't be reducing the USA's contribution to global warming because few will have the capturing equipment. The U.S. would need to formulate climate regulations. Additionally, increased coal demand might lead to pressure to ease the 1990 Clean Air Act so that high sulphur coal in the Midwest could be used. The USA would be heading in the opposite direction to the developed countries that signed up to the Kyoto Protocol.

Nuclear power quietly confident in energy debate

The nuclear power industry expects to see an upswing in its fortunes as people fail to find enough alternative energy sources to ease global warming and oil prices. China plans to build around 30 new nuclear reactors by 2020.

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Strong Earthquake Rocks El Salvador

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake hit El Salvador and Guatemala on Friday. Guatemala was still reeling from heavy flooding.

Witnesses Testify in Mining Pollution Trial

A trial in Indonesia where U.S.-based Newmont Mining Corp. dumped pollutants into a bay is hearing evidence from people claiming to have been made ill as a result.

North Pacific right whale Photo courtesy of MMC

Fishermen to Help Save Alaska Whales

In spite of more animals being discovered this year, there are believed to be fewer than 100 North Pacific right whales. There is still some hope that they might be saved. Alaska's commercial fishing fleet is being given a guide with details of the animals and a list of "dos and don'ts" and asked to report observations to NOAA.

Rare Pangolin, Seized From Tourist, Dies

An endangered ant-eating Pangolin that was confiscated from a tourist returning from Africa ten months ago has died of liver disease at the Los Angeles Zoo.

Grandfather Subdues Attacking Coyote

A grandfather held down a coyote that attacked him while he was out walking with his son and 4-year-old grandson until officers came and dispatched it. It is to be tested for rabies.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita stories

Big Easy Leaders Upset Over Cleanup Jobs

Many of the people cleaning up New Orleans are legal or illegal immigrants, while up to 80,000 New Orleanians are stuck in shelters without work, despite whatever skills they have. Many local leaders are unhappy about this.

Senate OKs Homeland Security Budget Bill

The Senate has unanimously passed a $31.9 billion Homeland Security Department budget bill by voice vote which increases the budget by 5%. It cuts first responder grants for state and local governments by about 17%. Rep. David Obey, D-Wis. included a provision that the Federal Emergency Management Agency should provide much more complete information on how $62 billion in hurricane relief funds are being spent. This would include contracts and government credit card purchases.

Hurricane Tab Below Original Estimates

The original estimate for Hurricane Katrina relief was and rebuilding was at least $200 billion, but it now seems likely that it will be under $150 billion. In contrast the war in Iraq is getting more expensive; about $1 billion more a month than last year. House GOP leaders want to cut another $15 billion (on top of $35 billion) from federal benefit programs such as Medicaid, food stamps and farm subsidies.

Senators vent frustration over Katrina aid bill

Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, and other senators say that the Bush administration is sabotaging a bill to ease Medicaid eligibility requirements for storm victims and reimburse states.

Majority of Dead Katrina Victims Nameless

Nearly 1,000 bodies lie in a New Orleans morgue, and the vast majority of them have not been identified. Many dental records were lost in the floods and the bodies are badly decomposed.

Trailer Town Opens for Katrina Victims

A trailer community built for 2,000 Hurricane Katrina victims has received its first 50 new residents. No reason for the slow start was given, but miscommunication seems likely.

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