SCIENCE

World Environment News Briefs 08/09/2011

Australia's proposed emissions trading scheme has won praise from Beijing, where it will be the model for one of six Chinese pilot schemes to be introduced in 2013. Jiang Kejun, head of the Chinese government's energy and environmental policy agency, said pilot carbon trading schemes currently being researched would trial different designs based on schemes from Australia, Europe and California.

Environmental News 09/09/2011

The Conservation Council says a surfing competition soon on Kangaroo Island could wipe out the entire breeding season for a vulnerable bird species in South Australia.
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Bushfire Alert for Pippingarra Residents

The Fire and Emergency Service Authorities (FESA) reissued on Friday a bushfire alert for residents of Pippingarra in Port Hedland. Reports said the blaze that is razing between Marble Bar Road and Beebingara Creek has become out of control and unpredictable.

Earth’s Gold Came From Outer Space

A new study shows that most of the gold and other precious metals found in Earth today came from a barrage of meteorites that pummeled Earth 3.9 billion years ago.

Nuclear Cars: They're Not Science Fiction Anymore

In the nuke-crazed 1950s, Ford wanted to put mini reactors in cars. That didn't fly, but now we're hearing of radioactive thorium lasers that could power a car 300,000 miles without recharging. But what if two of them have an accident?

Celebrate Landcare Week

It's Landcare Week - 5-11 September 2011 - and we've teamed up with Be Natural to help raise awareness about Landcare and the help they give to the Australian Bush.

Barefoot Power – Power to the Third World

Kerosene, according to the fact sheet provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO), can effect the lungs, brain, skin, eyes, and cause other behavioural issues - burns from the fuel is a dangerous side effect also.

Philippine Environment Agency Catches 21-Foot Crocodile

The Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced on Tuesday the capture of a 21-foot (6.4-metre) crocodile in the remote village of Bunawan, Agusan del Sur Province. The reptile weighed 2,370 pounds (1,075 kilogrammes) and is estimated to be over 50 years old, AFP reported.

How Bad is the Drought in Texas

As I've been living in Austin, Texas, for a while, I thought I would report on the Texas drought situation first hand. How bad is the drought situation here?

Earthquake Prediction Baffles Scientists

Earthquake experts from different parts of the world gathered at the Southern California Earthquake Center to study better ways to forecast tremors. Despite the presentation of several theories on how to predict temblors, the seismologists agreed that more study is needed.

Ode to Martha, the Last Passenger Pigeon

The last passenger pigeon on Earth died 97 years ago today. Housed at the Cincinnati Zoo and named "Martha," she was the final holdout of a species that went from one of the planet's most abundant birds to one of its highest-profile extinctions.

Sunscreen Pills From Coral Reefs?

Scientists have discovered a natural compound that protects coral reefs from sunlight, opening the door to sunscreen pills and UV-resistant crops.

Gambling on Clean Energy

Las Vegas hosts a clean energy summit, and politicians pledge allegiance to green cars, photovoltaic arrays, geothermal and wind turbines.

Industry Interview with Igor Bratnikov from GreenXC

In this month's Industry Interview we are pleased to chat to Igor Bratnikov, one of the initiators and founders behind GeenXC ? an organisation of people trying to raise awareness and raise money for national parks and forests. He's also a seasoned travel photographer and journalist who shares his experiences through his photo blog.

Turtle Crisis Looms in Great Barrier Reef

A wildlife crisis is developing along parts of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef coast with reports of unusually high numbers of endangered turtles washing up dead or starving, WWF said today.

The Milky Way’s Diamond Planet

Professor Matthew Bailes of Melbourne, Australia's Swinburne University of Technology and his team of international astronomers have discovered a planet made of diamond in our Milky Way galaxy.

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