The processes by which fertile topsoil is created are slow ones, to put it in mild terms. Generally speaking, the timespans necessary to turn glacial rock dust into something that … [Read full article]
Tag: soil
Wicked Fires of Climate Change Inflame The West (photo-essay)
There are the good wildfires, and there are the bad. Unfortunately, the latter often overwhelm the beneficial ones. We’ll go on with stories from San Diego in a minute—it’s a … [Read full article]
Refitted Tunnel Shelter Farms Zero Carbon Veggies
Premium hydroponic-grown, pesticide-free vegetables and herbs growing in the U.S. Gotham Greens facility (from eponline.com). Two entrepreneurs have recently made London the home of a very creative architectural reuse for … [Read full article]
Thawing Arctic Permafrost Likely to Release Large Amounts of Carbon
New research which contradicts 2007’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s assessment suggests that billions of tons of carbon dioxide trapped in high-latitude permafrost may be released into the atmosphere by the end of this century if the temperatures continue to rise apace, which in turn will only further and quicken global warming.
Global Warming May Decrease Forest Carbon Storage, Not Increase
There have been hopes in the scientific community that as the increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere warmed the planet’s climate, the forests would grow and increase their carbon storage capacity. But new research suggests that another factor – increased litterfall – may turn about turn about any increased carbon storage.
Devastating African Droughts Seen from Space
The European Space Agency’s Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) satellite has shone the spotlight on just how dire the drought in countries like Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti really is, with tens of thousands of people now looking for succour and refuge in neighbouring countries.
Liquefaction after Japanese Earthquake Larger than Expected
The level of soil liquefaction that took place as a result of the Japanese earthquake has surprised researchers who have been studying the damage.
Running Out of P ? – World Nearing Peak Phosphorus
It seems we always take the most basic things for granted. With regards to adequate water, air, and soil (things we assume will always be there) we are gradually becoming … [Read full article]
Top 10 Climate Science News of 2010
Climate Progress recently put together a piece on the top 10 climate science news stories of 2010 (so far). A lot of news that doesn’t hit the mainstream media. Here’s … [Read full article]
Conserving and Rebuilding Soils
This is a special guest post from the Earth Policy Institute (subheadings and photo added). Enjoy. Lester R. Brown The literature on soil erosion contains countless references to the “loss … [Read full article]
Our Water Planet – How Much Do You Know?
This post is part of our participation in Blog Action Day 2010, which is on the topic of Water. As R. Buckminster Fuller reminded us, we are all traveling aboard “spaceship … [Read full article]
'Millennium Goal' to End World Hunger Will Not Be Met
The UN’s Millennium Development Goal of ending global under-nourishment by 2015 will not be met, but a new set of “mega” initiatives are being implemented to achieve more efficient delivery of “research outputs” to speed agricultural development.