Washington State Declares Drought Emergency

HuffPost

Drought isn't just a California problem, folks. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee declared a statewide drought emergency on Friday, with snowpack and stream flows dramatically below normal. Story here.

Canada Announces Climate Commitment and it’s Weaker Than it Looks

Climate Action Network

Canada has announced it will cut carbon pollution by 30% below 2005 levels by 2030 as part of this year’s international climate negotiations in Paris. While any action is an improvement, the proposed target is….Story here.

The Alberta-Based Think-Tank, the Pembina Institute, is Skeptical About Canada's Latest Greenhouse Gas Targets

The Pembina Insitute

The Koch Brothers fertilizer plant in Brandon, MB: At one time, 

Manitoba's largest single source of greenhouse gas pollution. (PinP photo.)

Given Canada’s history of setting climate targets while failing to implement regulations to meet them, today’s announcement doesn’t mean much without a credible plan of action to back it up. Story here.

California's Fire Season Is Shaping Up to Be a "Disaster"

Mother Jones

It's already looking bad, and it's going to get worse. Story here.

A US Energy Giant Gets a Big Fine After Pleading Guilty to Environmental Crimes

Winnipeg Free Press

GREENVILLE, N.C. - Duke Energy has pleaded guilty in federal court to environmental crimes and agreed to pay $102 million in fines and restitution for illegally discharging pollution from coal-ash dumps at five North Carolina power plants. Story here.

Groups Call on National Energy Board to Suspend Energy East Application

Winnipeg Free Press

TORONTO - More than 60 organizations are calling on the National Energy Board to suspend TransCanada's application for the Energy East Pipeline. Story here.

'The World is Watching' Seattle as Arctic Drilling Fight Heats Up

Common Dreams

Shell says 'drop dead' after Port Commission calls for delay of rig arrival. Story here.

Canada’s Forest Fires Threaten the Whooping Crane

World Resources Institute

Canada, home to two of the Whooping Crane Summer Ranges, topped the list of countries with the most forest loss. The loss is likely due to sweeping boreal forest fires in the Wood Buffalo National Park. Story here.

Related: "Only 'Heroic Efforts' Will Spare Earth’s Mighty Boreal Forest From the Worst Ravages of Climate Change - Experts."

Letting Shell Drill in Arctic Could Lead to Catastrophic Oil Spill, Experts Warn

theguardian

Lack of local infrastructure to undertake oil exploration will prove devastating, environmentalists say – there is one road, no rail system and limited air facilities. Story here.

Glyphosate-Resistant Palmer Amaranth Confirmed in Southwest Nebraska, US

AgroNews

Palmer amaranth is a broadleaf annual weed that has created significant problems for growers in the Mid-South US over the past 10 years due to its prolific seed production and resistance to glyphosate. Story here.


Superweed rendering 
by Paul Hoppe

USDA: Cotton Production in California Expected to Decline Due to Drought

AgroNews
California is the fourth largest cotton producing state in US, and production there depends heavily on irrigation.