All Environment
California drought: Why less water equals less powerCalifornia's prolonged drought is shrinking its water reservoirs, cutting into the state's electricity generation.聽That鈥檚 because California sources a significant portion of its electricity generation from hydropower, so less precipitation means less electricity.聽
Dead bear cub found in Central ParkA dead bear cub was found in Central Park Monday morning by two women walking their dogs. The dead bear cub聽was being sent to Albany, where the state Department of Environmental Conservation was taking over the case.
Great white shark attack closes California beachesGreat white shark attack in California shut down three beaches over the weekend. A 28-year-old surfer survived the attack Thursday from a great white shark.聽
Reza Baluchi, man in bubble, rescued by Coast GuardReza Baluchi aimed to run to Bermuda in a homemade floating bubble, but was rescued by the US Coast Guard after suffering fatigue. Reza Baluchi was聽transported to a nearby Coast Guard station and found to be uninjured.
Is wearable tech the next big thing in energy?Smartphones and their apps have already been doing great things for users managing their energy, and it looks like smart watches and other wearable technologies could offer added benefits. Wearable tech opens up energy management opportunities at home, at the office, and elsewhere.
Crabs on a plane make for crabby passengersCrabs on a plane delayed a flight from New York to Charlotte, North Carolina Thursday. The live crabs got loose in the cargo hold but it was unclear who was shipping them.
Ukraine gas talks stall; Oil prices slide; A step toward 'clean coal' [Recharge]Gas talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the EU are at a standstill as Ukraine prepares for winter; Oil prices continue their slide on stable supply and weakening demand; A Canadian utility opens the world's first commercial-scale carbon capture and storage plant. Catch up on the latest in global energy with Recharge.聽
Can this coal plant stop climate change?A Canadian utility opened the doors on the world's first commercial-scale coal plant to capture and store its carbon emissions. If the project and others like it are successful, carbon capture and storage technology could play a major role in fighting climate change.
Can coal-heavy India become a 'renewable superpower'?
Scientists invent first rechargeable solar batteryThe rechargeable solar battery could make solar power more affordable, allowing the renewable energy source to be deployed more widely. The rechargeable solar battery was invented at Ohio State University.
Gas platform fire forces evacuation in AlaskaA gas platform fire offshore in Alaska's Cook Inlet broke out early morning Thursday, forcing four workers to evacuate. No one was injured and environmental risk from the gas platform fire is considered minimal.
New technology puts the power in 'power walking'Scientists have found a way to harness the energy of everyday walking. It isn't enough to power a car, but it could one day power watch batteries or even a cell phone.- Persistent beaver vs. road crew: beaver 3, road crew 0A persistent beaver has confounded a road crew in Washington trying to clear its dam under a bridge. Crews have removed a beaver dam three times since August and each time the persistent beaver rebuilds it.
Police help homing pigeon that can't find homeA lost pigeon took refuge at a New Hampshire police station, after cloudy weather affected its ability to navigate. The lost pigeon was waiting for sunny weather, Wednesday night, resting in a box and eating popcorn.聽
As US debates oil train safety, local rules gather steamThe US Department of Transportation is crafting new safety rules for oil train cars, hoping to lower the risk of disaster after several high-profile accidents. But in the meantime, states and cities are mulling action of their own 鈥� from making oil less volatile, to slapping fees on oil cars that run through cities.
Ukraine crisis: Slovakia says Russian gas supply cut in halfRussian gas supplies to Slovakia dropped by 50 percent in the past day, according to Slovakia's government. The report has raised concerns over a potential disruption of gas flows to Europe as winter approaches. Already, Ukraine is preparing for a winter without crucial heating gas, as it tries to negotiate a temporary deal with Russia and the EU.
Solar power: World's No. 1 electricity source by 2050?Solar power could make up more than a quarter of the world's electricity supply by mid-century, according to a new report by the International Energy Agency. That would make solar power the world's largest source of electricity, providing more than聽fossil fuels, wind, hydro, and nuclear.
California bans plastic bags: what you need to know California bans plastic bags in what is the nation's first statewide ban. Here are six things to know about the landmark legislation:
35,000 walrus in Alaska: Why they came ashore35,000 walrus in Alaska sought refuge onshore, without the usual sea ice to rest on, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.聽The gathering of 35,000 walrus in Alaska is a phenomenon that has accompanied the loss of summer sea ice as the climate has warmed.
$1 billion recreation spending fueled by sagebrush, study says$1 billion in recreation spending helped boost economies in 11 Western states and helped efforts to protect greater sage-grouse habitat last year, according to a study commissioned by Pew Charitable Trusts. The $1 billion in recreation spending came mostly from hunters, campers, fishermen, and others.
