Currents Bring Litter to South Texas Coast
Litter from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita is travelling on Gulf currents and arriving on the beaches of South Padre Island, Texas.
New Orleans Mayor: New Evacuation Possible
Mayor Ray Nagin warned residents that it may be necessary to evacuate again ahead of Hurricane Wilma. New Orleans levees have been built up to the point where they could withstand a storm with sustained winds up to 110 mph. The city has found spaces for 3,500 trailers for workers, and is looking for 20,000. Roughly 60,000 to 75,000 people stay in the city overnight, with an additional 150,000 to 200,000 people during the day.
Wilma Now a Hurricane, May Threaten Fla., Â Wilma set to become intense hurricane,
New Storm Gains Strength Near Caymans
Tropical Storm Wilma became the 12th hurricane of the season Tuesday, heading for Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. It was expected to head for Florida after that.
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Mass. Town Evacuated Over Threatened Dam
The century-old dam wooden Whittenton Pond Dam upstream from Taunton, Massachusetts was damaged in recent flooding and people downstream have been told to evacuate. Gates have been opened and the level of Lake Sabbatia has begun to fall. Formerly used to power local textile mills, the dam is no longer used by industry.
Calif. Thunderstorms Trigger Mudslides
Southern California experienced a spectacular series of thunderstorms, triggering mudslides. The Interstate 5 between Los Angeles and San Francisco was completely closed for about five hours on Monday.
John Edwards Starts Poverty Awareness Tour
Former Sen. John Edwards has begun a national anti-poverty campaign saying that Hurricane Katrina showed the divide between rich and poor.
Malawi Village Underscores Impact of AIDS
Malawi is struggling with poverty, hunger and disease. People are not able to work many of the fields because of AIDS, and what crops there are, are shrivelling in the drought. Many children have lost one or both parents to AIDS. The President has declared the entire nation a disaster area and appealed for international aid. There is little money for drugs. There is despair.
Lawsuits on N.D. Derailment to Hit Courts
On Jan. 18, 2002 a toxic cloud of farm fertilizer was released by a train derailment and much of the city of Minot was blanketed by it. The first case for compensation for the chronic health affects begins in court this week. One man died, many were sickened and many had to leave their homes for up to 3 months whilst 97,000 tons of contaminated soil and 25,000 square feet of river ice were removed. Some cases have been settled recently.
Greenland Visitors Marvel at Icebergs
Roughly 30,000 tourists visit Greenland each year, most going to Ilulissat to see the glacier and icebergs of the Kangia fjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Antarctic ozone hole may have peaked, UN agency says
The ozone hole due to the seasonal depletion of the ozone layer above Antarctica appears to have peaked and has begun shrinking, falling short of the records of 2000 and 2003. Scientists think it may have reached a plateau and expect it to gradually decline as the levels of chlorine and bromine from chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) fall. CFCs were banned by the Montreal Protocol of the Vienna Convention in 1987.
Bushmen's quiver tree threatened by climate change
The quiver tree, used for by Africa's bushmen to make quivers for their arrows, appears to be affected by global warming. It is faring less well nearer the equator and on the lower slopes. If it does not expand its range away from the equator, there will be fewer specimens in future. Its seeds are dispersed by wind or by bird or animal droppings.
Global warming takes toll on Africa's coral reefs
Global warming is harming coral reefs off east Africa. A lot died during the El Nino in 1997-98 and with rising sea surface temperatures, such events could become more common.
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