Sea-based windmills could blunt eyesore criticisms
Norwegian energy group Norsk Hydro wants to create parks of tethered floating non-polluting windmills well out to sea. Whilst the electricity would be more expensive, there would be fewer objections and more wind and therefore more wind power. They could supply power to coastal cities or to offshore oil and gas platforms. They would be a new combination of existing technologies.
US proposes protections for imperiled right whales
The National Marine Fisheries Service wants to designate a 36,750-square-mile (95,000 sq-km) area near southwestern Alaska's Bristol Bay as critical habitat for Pacific right whales, the most endangered large whales in the world.
Trees Where Famous Parrots Live May Be Cut
The trees that are home to the parrots made famous by the book and film "The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill" are being cut down as they pose a hazard. The author stepped in to stop contractors after they had cut one down and the birds flew off.
Deer Stops at Nurse's Station at Hospital
A deer burst into a medical centre in Alma, Michigan. It was caught, tied up and taken outside, but later killed because of the serious injuries it had gained smashing through two glass panels.
Ga. Tech Conference Focuses on Farming
Delegates at the University of Georgia's Unwired 2005 Conference were told that farmers would be able to use laptop computers in their tractors because of wireless technology and allow rural people access to faster speeds than dial-up. Farming could be made more efficient and less environmentally destructive through more targeted use of pesticides.
Calif. Quake Could Devastate Water Supply
California Senators heard that if there were a major earthquake in Northern California, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta levee system could be severely damaged, jeopardizing much of the water supply for more than a year. Many homes and a lot of farmland could be flooded, along with highways and railway tracks. It would be necessary to shut down petroleum and natural gas pipelines.
Zoo Atlanta Gorilla Gives Birth to Twins
One of Zoo Atlanta's western lowland gorillas has given birth to twins; a relatively rare event.
Revealed: Why London's Millennium Bridge wobbled
Researchers have come up with a theory about why London's Millennium Bridge wobbled and swayed when the public were allowed on. They call it "collective synchronisation". They say it was a natural phenomenon rather than a design fault.
Ancient Burial Ground Discovered in N.Y.
An ancient burial ground has been discovered on eastern Long Island. The erosion that is causing such finds to become more common recently is blamed on global warming, with the ocean rising.
China mine gas leak kills 17
17 people died in a coal mine gas leak in Xinzhou in northern Shanxi province in China. About 6,000 people die a year in Chinese mines.
Seal Rescue: Foolish or Brave?
A South African woman not only let her infant granddaughter pet a female seal, but then tried to push it into the water. It bit off her nose. She is blaming local authorities.
Index of topics in this series.
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