Houses built too close to bush spread huge California fires on 'front line of climate change'

CBCnews

California wildfires from the International Space Station. NASA/Randy Bresnik
State's 'new normal' is a fire season 70 days longer than just 15 years ago. Story here.

While America Focuses on Tax Bill, Congress Quietly Tries to Open Arctic Refuge to Oil Drilling

EcoWatch

The U.S. Senate has passed a Republican tax-reform package that contains a provision to authorize oil drilling on the coastal plain of Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, placing the biological heart of one of our last pristine, untouched places in severe peril. Story here.

Barrenground caribou, Nunavut. 

Ansgar Walk photo.

RELATED: Proposed oil development threatens yet another caribou herd.

In 10 years, the world may not be able to feed itself

The World EconomicForum

Combines in a wheat field in Manitoba, Canada. PinP photo.

By 2027 the world could be facing a 214 trillion calorie deficit, says Sara Menker, founder of an agricultural data technology company. In other words, in just a decade, we won’t have enough food to feed the planet. More here.

Fracking linked to low birth weight in Pennsylvania babies

ScienceNews

Study of birth records finds association between infant health and mom’s proximity to production sites. Story here.

Photo by Pexels.

Expert reaction to research on Hurricane Harvey and links to climate change

Science Media Centre

A new study, published in Environmental Research Letters, reported that human-caused climate change made the record rainfall that fell over Houston during Hurricane Harvey roughly three times more likely and 15% more intense. Story here.

Hurricane Harvey. 

 Photo by urban.houstonian

How a Wayward Arctic Current Could Cool the Climate in Europe

YaleEnvironment360

The Beaufort Gyre, a key Arctic Ocean current, is acting strangely. Scientists say it may be on the verge of discharging a huge amount of ice and cold freshwater that could kick off a period of lower temperatures in northern Europe. Story here.

In Hogs WeTrust - a Radio Interview

Alon at CKUW Radio (95.9 fm) at the University of Winnipeg, interviews journalist/blogger/activist Larry Powell (L.)  about the recent decision by the Government of Manitoba to expand the hog industry in the province. Are the rewards worth the risk? You be the judge. Runs 38'30". Interview proper starts at the 1'45" mark. This is a podcast (no picture). COMMENTS WELCOME. Thanks to CKUW for the opportunity to get the word out about these important issues. L.P.