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Sci/Tech

Intertropical Convergence Zone of Heavy Preciptiation Moving North
July 2, 2009 06:53 AM - Editor, ENN

The rain band near the equator that determines the supply of freshwater to nearly a billion people throughout the tropics and subtropics has been creeping north for more than 300 years, probably because of a warmer world, according to research published in the July issue of Nature Geoscience. If the band continues to migrate at just less than a mile (1.4 kilometers) a year, which is the average for all the years it has been moving north, then some Pacific islands near the equator -- even those that currently enjoy abundant rainfall -- may be drier within decades and starved of freshwater by midcentury or sooner. The prospect of additional warming because of greenhouse gases means that situation could happen even sooner.

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Plant life saved Earth from an icy fate
July 2, 2009 12:06 PM - Anil Ananthaswamy, NewScientist

Besides the obvious benefits they bring, it looks like we owe our very existence to plants, which helped prevent the Earth from freezing over during the past 25 million years.

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SPOTLIGHT

ENN Community Blog: The EcoUsable Stainless Filtered Water Bottle

M Molendyke, ENN Community
In this time of economic troubles, it is a great time to invest in products that will save you money in the long term, contribute to your healthy lifestyle, are good for the environment, and aremade in the USA. Although there is not yet one magical creation on the market that will eliminate your carbon footprint or transform your garbage to energy, there is definitely an emerging market for gadgets to help you take the steps to being more earth- friendly. Indeed, many of these are small steps for you but can potentially have huge impacts on the earth. One of these products is the EcoUsable Stainless Water Bottle, a light steel water bottle with a built- in filter that claims to filter tap, stream, river, lake, and pool water. This product might be ideal for you if: * You want to stop paying for highly polluting and expensive plastic water bottles * You camp, hike, play outdoor sports, etc. * You are traveling to a country with spotty (or no) water quality standards * You are heading on a “staycation,” where sweltering beaches and amusement parks jack up the price of water and water fountains are unsanitary * You live in your car (keep one in your glove compartment in case of an emergency) Reasons You Want This product: * There are many great colors to choose from * The container is not easily damaged and is light, which makes it easily portable * It will filter anything except salt water * It helps save your money, health, and the environment by reducing the use and disposal of plastic water bottles. * It is shipped to you in recyclable and eco- conscious materials Possible Drawbacks: * It doesn’t hold a huge amount of water because the filter is large—It would only be optimally useful if you were traveling short distances between refills * Initial cleaning and care of the bottle may be a bit complex for some users, and accidental misuse could easily damage the product * The filter needs to be replaced about once a year

COMMENTARY

Thoughts on the Waxman-Markey Climate Bill

The Waxman-Markey climate bill (HR 2454), passed in the U.S. House of Representatives today, is hailed by many as the most important piece of climate change legislation ever. Yet it's still receiving a surprising amount of opposition from environmentalists, mostly for it's plentiful polluter permits, weak renewable electricity goals, and low carbon emission reduction targets .

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