tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944286365162986882024-03-15T02:28:19.845-07:00North AmericaArticles, news, events, short stories, photos, artwork, and other information from North America.Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08135306790561737959noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-694428636516298688.post-18312932579208374582021-02-27T13:18:00.002-08:002022-03-02T01:41:29.981-08:00Coastal New England Facts<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ytYW_Ar9OIg/YDqzWJwQHBI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/bEgBDIZwG5AyZkvJyk44BdlqhY-wapJ0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/perfect-storm.gif" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ytYW_Ar9OIg/YDqzWJwQHBI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/bEgBDIZwG5AyZkvJyk44BdlqhY-wapJ0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/perfect-storm.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New England Coast | credit: NOAA<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>This article includes a collection of facts and other information about coastal New England.<p></p><p>New England's coastal states include Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.<br /><br />The region is bordered the Canadian Maritimes to the North and the Mid Atlantic states to the south.<br /><br />Coastal New England is famous for its fishing ports, coastal villages, rocky shorelines, and nautical art.<br /><br />Coastal New England is popular among vacationers, tourists, and newlyweds. The region has an excellent selection of hotels, vacation rentals, bed and breakfasts, inns, shops, taverns, and restaurants.<br /><br />Coastal New England is also famous for its boating culture. Several boat configurations that originated in the region have become popular around the nation. Sailboats are also very popular and are often found in ports throughout New England.</p><p>Coastal New England holds potential as a major producer of offshore wind power. Near Connecticut, the Block Island Wind Farm was the first of its kind in the U.S. Off the coast of Massachusetts, the Vineyard Wind 1 project will include 62 wind turbines with potential to generate 800 megawatts of power annually.<br /><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">New England Seafood</h3><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iKLaw6uxazo/YDq00THW2vI/AAAAAAAAAsY/XGhiPCN4xb87ijwBy79ArlERXhROmxH_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/maine-lobsters.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iKLaw6uxazo/YDq00THW2vI/AAAAAAAAAsY/XGhiPCN4xb87ijwBy79ArlERXhROmxH_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/maine-lobsters.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maine Lobsters<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />New England is world famous for its lobsters, mussels, fish, and other seafood. Much of New England's seafood is available locally (in season).<br /><br />Other fish and shellfish are processed and shipped to American markets or exported to other nations.<p></p><p>Types of saltwater fish that are commonly landed in New England's coastal ports include Atlantic cod, Atlantic haddock, Atlantic pollock, hake, whiting, yellowtail flounder, winter flounder, fluke, monkfish, Acadian redfish, spiny dogfish, scup, weakfish, black sea bass, bluefish, and others.<br /><br />New England is also famous for wild caught shellfish. New England fishermen produce catches of American lobsters, coldwater shrimp, sea scallops, quahog clams, surf clams, soft-shelled clams, oysters, blue mussels, and other shellfish.</p><p>Aquaculture is another important maritime industry in New England.
Aquaculturists produce oysters, clams, scallops, seaweed, and other products.<br /><br />New England seafood cuisine is characterized by clam chowder, baked cod or haddock, fried soft shelled clams, lobster rolls, clam bakes, traditional oyster recipes, and other seafood dishes.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Related Information</h3><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://new-england-usa.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">New England USA</a><br /></p><p><a href="https://north-america-news.blogspot.com/2015/08/an-overview-of-north-america.html" target="_blank">An Overview of North America</a><br /></p>Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08135306790561737959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-694428636516298688.post-66478028230383253612019-12-11T07:36:00.002-08:002019-12-11T07:36:17.641-08:002019 NOAA Arctic Report Card<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-820clFSWyrQ/XfELPPp5N2I/AAAAAAAAAYE/xUwvCHzvPaY4A8_V_WzJeBbOg7btFhjxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/northern-elephant-seal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-820clFSWyrQ/XfELPPp5N2I/AAAAAAAAAYE/xUwvCHzvPaY4A8_V_WzJeBbOg7btFhjxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/northern-elephant-seal.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Fur Seal | credit: NOAA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The latest Arctic Report Card (ARC 2019) from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recounts the numerous geophysical and biological changes that occurred in the northern polar region during 2019.<br />
<br />
The report cites a number of important events, including near-record high air and ocean temperatures and melting of the Greenland ice sheet, low sea-ice extents, and shifts in the distribution of commercially valuable marine species. <br />
<br />
The Arctic Report Card is an annual volume of original, peer-reviewed environmental observations and analysis of a region undergoing rapid and dramatic change.<br />
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Compiled by 81 scientists from 12 nations, the 2019 Arctic Report Card tracks a number of environmental indicators to inform decisions by local, state and federal leaders, as Arctic residents confront the challenges and opportunities presented by a rapidly changing climate and ecosystem.<br />
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<i>"The speed and trajectory of the changes sweeping the Arctic, many occurring faster than anticipated, makes NOAA’s continued investment in Arctic research and activities all the more important,"</i> said retired Navy Rear Adm. Timothy Gallaudet, Ph.D., deputy undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere at NOAA<br />
<br />
<b>The Arctic Report Card is organized into three sections:</b><br />
<br />
Vital Signs provides annual updates on seven topics: Surface Air Temperature; Terrestrial Snow Cover; Greenland Ice Sheet; Sea Ice; Sea Surface Temperature; Arctic Ocean Primary Productivity; and Tundra Greenness.<br />
<br />
Other Indicators explores topics that are updated periodically.<br />
<br />
Frostbites reports on new and emerging issues, and topics that relate to long-term scientific observations in the Arctic. <br />
<br />
<b>2019 Arctic Report Card Highlights:</b><br />
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The average annual land surface air temperature in the Arctic between October 2018 and August 2019 was the second-warmest since 1900. <br />
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North American Arctic snow cover in May 2019 was the 5th lowest for that month in 53 years of record. June snow cover was the 3rd lowest measured.<br />
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Exceptionally early snowmelt was observed in March over the northwestern Canadian Arctic and Alaska, during a month when maximum snow depth is normally reached. <br />
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The extent and magnitude of ice loss on the Greenland Ice Sheet from fall 2018 through 2019 rivaled the previous record year for ice loss, 2012.<br />
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Arctic sea ice extent at the end of summer 2019 was the second-lowest since satellite observations began in 1979.<br />
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The maximum ice cover towards the end of winter 2019 was 7th lowest in the satellite record. Bering Sea winter sea ice extent in 2019 narrowly missed eclipsing the record low set in 2018.<br />
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Loss of sea ice and changes in bottom water temperature caused Arctic fish species to shift to more northern waters between 2010 and 2018. Commercially valuable southern species are expanding their range north to take advantage of changing conditions. <br />
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In addition to the regular chapters, ARC 2019 brings a specific focus on the Bering Sea, including an essay from the Bering Sea Elders, a group representing 70 indigenous communities across the region.<br />
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source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration <br />
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<b>Related Information</b><br />
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<a href="https://north-america-news.blogspot.com/2019/08/2019-summer-weather-facts.html">2019 Summer Weather Facts</a>Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08135306790561737959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-694428636516298688.post-3406097274564753762019-12-04T05:11:00.003-08:002019-12-04T05:11:38.648-08:002020 National Parks Fee Free Days (USA)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-miwekmIM-Y0/XeeuwNTqh0I/AAAAAAAAAXI/fCkrr6JDAS4JXWxmWmCZAsn1vgGZc67lgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Bass-Harbor-Head-Lighthouse-Acadia-National-Park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="375" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-miwekmIM-Y0/XeeuwNTqh0I/AAAAAAAAAXI/fCkrr6JDAS4JXWxmWmCZAsn1vgGZc67lgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Bass-Harbor-Head-Lighthouse-Acadia-National-Park.jpg" title="" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acadia National Park | credit: NPS </td></tr>
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A number of national parks across the USA will waive entrance fees on five days in 2020.<br />
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National Parks Fee Free days encourage people to get outdoors and spend time with friends and family in U.S. national parks.<br />
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<b>The National Park Service (NPS) will offer the following fee-free days in 2020:</b><br />
<ul>
<li> Monday, January 20 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day</li>
<li> Saturday, April 18 – Start of National Park Week / National Junior Ranger Day</li>
<li> Tuesday, August 25 – National Park Service Birthday</li>
<li> Saturday, September 26 – National Public Lands Day</li>
<li> Wednesday, November 11 – Veterans Day</li>
</ul>
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This fee-free opportunity applies to entrance fees only and does not affect fees for camping, backcountry reservations, tours, or other special uses.<br />
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Normally, 110 of the 419 national parks in the country charge an entrance fee, while the other 309 national parks do not.<br />
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The National Park System includes more than 84 million acres and is comprised of 419 sites, including national parks, national historical parks, national monuments, national recreation areas, national battlefields, and national seashores. There is at least one national park in every state.<br />
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source: National Park ServiceStaffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08135306790561737959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-694428636516298688.post-72417621898548313772019-08-24T09:19:00.000-07:002019-12-02T10:34:17.177-08:002019 Summer Weather Facts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sEb2EpodZJY/XWFhb6x7UDI/AAAAAAAAASw/wFzgs2OnLDQBmcBiZfnEXRwNuFA7bSu0QCLcBGAs/s1600/sunup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sEb2EpodZJY/XWFhb6x7UDI/AAAAAAAAASw/wFzgs2OnLDQBmcBiZfnEXRwNuFA7bSu0QCLcBGAs/s320/sunup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
In 2019, weather has had major impacts on North America and Planet Earth in general. Record high temperatures resulted in loss of life, crop failures, and shrank Arctic and Antarctic sea ice to historic lows.<br />
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<b>2019 Weather Facts: </b><br />
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July 2019 was the hottest month ever recorded, according to the U.S. National Weather Service.<br />
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The average global temperature in July was 1.71 degrees F above the 20th-century average of 60.4 degrees, making it the hottest July in the 140-year record, according to scientists at NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information.<br />
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The previous hottest month on record was July 2016.Nine of the 10 hottest Julys have occurred since 2005, with the last five years ranking as the five hottest. July 2019 was also the 43rd consecutive July and 415th consecutive month with above-average global temperatures.<br />
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The period from January through July produced a global temperature that was 1.71 degrees F above the 20th-century average of 56.9 degrees, tying with 2017 as the second-hottest year to date on record. <br />
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It was the hottest year to date for parts of North and South America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the southern half of Africa, portions of the western Pacific Ocean, western Indian Ocean, and the Atlantic Ocean.<br />
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Average Arctic sea ice set a record low for July, running 19.8% below average – surpassing the previous historic low of July 2012.<br />
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Average Antarctic sea-ice coverage was 4.3% below the 1981-2010 average, making it the smallest for July in the 41-year record.<br />
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Some cool spots: Parts of Scandinavia and western and eastern Russia had temperatures at least 2.7 degrees F below average.<br />
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source: National Weather ServiceStaffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08135306790561737959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-694428636516298688.post-48558195020095038292018-12-05T11:52:00.001-08:002018-12-05T11:52:53.038-08:00Fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA4) Volume IIA new federal report finds that climate change is affecting the natural environment, agriculture, energy production and use, land and water resources, transportation, and human health and welfare across the U.S. and its territories.<br />
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Volume II of the Fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA4), released by the United States Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), focuses on climate change impacts, risks and adaptations occurring in the U.S.<br />
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The report contains supporting evidence from 16 national-level topic chapters (e.g., water, oceans, energy, and human health), 10 regional chapters and two chapters that focus on societal responses to climate change. USGCRP also released the Second State of the Carbon Cycle Report (SOCCR2).<br />
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NOAA is one of 13 federal agencies that contributed significantly to the Fourth National Climate Assessment.<br />
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<b>Key findings of the NCA4, Vol. II:</b><br />
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<b>Communities</b><br />
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Human health and safety, our quality of life, and the rate of economic growth in communities across the U.S. are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.<br />
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The cascading impacts of climate change threaten the natural, built and social systems we rely on, both within and beyond the nation’s borders.<br />
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Societal efforts to respond to climate change have expanded in the last five years, but not at the scale needed to avoid substantial damages to the economy, environment, and human health over the coming decades.<br />
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Without substantial and sustained global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and regional initiatives to prepare for anticipated changes, climate change is expected to cause growing losses to American infrastructure and property and impede the rate of economic growth over this century.<br />
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<b>Agriculture and food production</b><br />
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Rising temperatures, extreme heat, drought, wildfire on rangelands and heavy downpours are expected to increasingly challenge the quality and quantity of U.S. crop yields, livestock health, price stability and rural livelihoods.
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Ecosystems<br />
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Continued changes to Earth’s climate will cause major disruptions in some ecosystems. Some coral reef and sea ice ecosystems are already experiencing transformational changes, affecting communities and economies that rely upon them.<br />
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<b>Water and the coasts</b><br />
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Changes in the quality and quantity of fresh water available for people and the environment are increasing risks and costs to agriculture, energy production, industry and recreation.<br />
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Climate change will transform coastal regions by the latter part of this century, with ripple effects on other regions and sectors. Many communities should expect higher costs and lower property values from sea level rise.<br />
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<b>Health</b><br />
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Climate change threatens the health and well-being of the American people by causing increasing extreme weather, changes to air quality, the spread of new diseases by insects and pests, and changes to the availability of food and water.<br />
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To access the report and find background information, please visit the USGCRP website: https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/<br />
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source: NOAAStaffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08135306790561737959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-694428636516298688.post-35144378707610021622017-09-26T17:16:00.001-07:002017-09-28T02:44:53.486-07:002017 Atlantic Hurricanes - Tropical Storms<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_YcEOPTKQ9A/WcrtY0r0SmI/AAAAAAAAAM8/lAoRpw5xny0YnNcNC02F-D1AzePc2-bSACLcBGAs/s1600/harvey-landfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="500" height="256" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_YcEOPTKQ9A/WcrtY0r0SmI/AAAAAAAAAM8/lAoRpw5xny0YnNcNC02F-D1AzePc2-bSACLcBGAs/s320/harvey-landfall.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hurricane Harvey landfall photo credit: NASA/NOAA GOES Project</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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North America's 2017 Atlantic hurricane season has included a number of record setting storms.<br />
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NOAA's 2017 hurricane season outlook August update called for a 60-percent chance of an above-normal season, with 14-19 named storms, 5-9 hurricanes, and 2-5 major hurricanes.<br />
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<b>Hurricane Harvey</b> made landfall on the night of Friday, August 25th near Rockport, Texas, as a Category 4 storm, according to the National Hurricane Center.<br />
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Rainfall from Hurricane Harvey exceeded 51 inches in some areas, setting a preliminary record for the greatest amount of measured single-storm rainfall for the continental US.<br />
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In early September, Hurricane Irma, a powerful category 5 storm churned across the Atlantic and Caribbean, and continental U.S.<br />
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The storm made landfall on September 10th in the Florida Keys as a category four storm.<br />
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<b>Hurricane Irma</b> caused severe damage in Barbuda, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, Anguilla, the Virgin Islands (British and U.S.), and Florida (USA).<br />
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<b>Hurricane Jose</b> (Category 4) affected the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, The Bahamas, Bermuda, and the East Coast of the United States.<br />
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On September 8, <b>Hurricane Katia</b> (Category 1) made landfall near Tecolutla, Mexico.<br />
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Another storm, <b>Maria</b>, reached Hurricane status On September 17, 2017. Over the next 24 hours, Maria intensified explosively into a Category 5 hurricane.<br />
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On September 20th, Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico as a strong category 4 hurricane, with winds of 155 mph that knocked out power for the entire island.Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08135306790561737959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-694428636516298688.post-7623050469019685782016-12-24T14:17:00.000-08:002016-12-24T14:17:03.865-08:00Jaguars in North America<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DNhGNGuq2YM/WF7zHE4QvtI/AAAAAAAAALE/BeejPMbeLSonIMmEWyNzEtM44tTlsWHewCLcB/s1600/jaguar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DNhGNGuq2YM/WF7zHE4QvtI/AAAAAAAAALE/BeejPMbeLSonIMmEWyNzEtM44tTlsWHewCLcB/s1600/jaguar.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaguar (photo credit: USFWS)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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An iconic species, the jaguar is North America's largest cat.<br />
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Although jaguars have been exterminated in much of their historical range, a recovery is possible, according to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) - binational Jaguar Recovery Team draft jaguar recovery plan.<br />
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The draft plan sets goals for improving the species’ status through its entire 19-country range and provides a framework for achieving recovery.<br />
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The draft plan focuses on the cat’s northwestern population in Mexico and the southwestern United States.<br />
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The jaguar recovery plan will allow agencies and organizations, particularly in the U.S. and Mexico, to align their efforts to make meaningful advances in sustaining and improving the status of this iconic species.<br />
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<b>USA Jaguars</b><br />
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Since 1996, as many as seven individual jaguars have been documented in the U.S.<br />
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Jaguar sightings in the USA have consisted of male jaguars in southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico.<br />
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These jaguars are believed to be coming from the nearest core area and breeding population, which is approximately 130 miles south of the U.S.-Mexico border in Sonora.<br />
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Jaguar re-introductions in the USA are not planned for the short term.
Instead, the plan focuses on efforts to sustain habitat, eliminate
poaching, and improve social acceptance of the jaguar to accommodate
jaguars that disperse into the U.S.<br />
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<b>Long Term Jaguar Recovery</b><br />
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The plan cites habitat loss, direct killing of jaguars, and depletion of prey as primary factors contributing to the jaguar’s current status and decreasing population trend.<br />
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The plan calls for a minimum timespan of 50 years to achieve a jaguar recovery in North America.Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08135306790561737959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-694428636516298688.post-22985713345118688582016-08-13T04:35:00.000-07:002016-08-13T04:36:12.452-07:00Black Elk Peak - South Dakota<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uiKKM7_zsB8/V68E-nA8kkI/AAAAAAAAAJw/SbRVLiQKTJUbDyBwMe37IMR1am68lIBlwCLcB/s1600/black-elk-peak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uiKKM7_zsB8/V68E-nA8kkI/AAAAAAAAAJw/SbRVLiQKTJUbDyBwMe37IMR1am68lIBlwCLcB/s1600/black-elk-peak.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Elk Peak - Black Hills National Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The highest peak east of the Rocky Mountains will now be called Black Elk Peak on federal maps. Located in South Dakota, the summit had been labeled Harney Peak on federal maps since 1896.<br />
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The feature is located in the Black Elk Wilderness of Black Hills National Forest in Pennington County in southwestern South Dakota.<br />
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The name change was approved August by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN). The name Black Elk Peak was formally proposed to the BGN in October 2014.<br />
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The BGN sought opinions from the U.S. Forest Service and the South Dakota Board on Geographic Names (SDBGN), which in turn sought opinions from the county government, numerous local, State, and Tribal organizations, and the general public.<br />
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The new name is now considered official for use in federal maps and publications. State and local governments as well as commercial entities generally follow the federal use of geographic names.<br />
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photo credit: Gary Chancey - Black Hills National Forest <br />
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source: U.S. Geological SurveyStaffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08135306790561737959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-694428636516298688.post-23416184609018608562016-07-04T04:25:00.000-07:002016-07-04T04:25:39.466-07:00DOI Economic Report for 2015<br />
The U.S. Department of the Interior recently released its Economic Report for Fiscal Year 2015.<br />
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The report highlights a variety of Interior investments in recreation, conservation, water, and renewable energy.<br />
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According to the report, DOI investments led to $106 billion in economic output, and supported 862,000 jobs.<br />
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The report includes information regarding the economic and culture value of U.S. public lands.<br />
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The report found that national parks, national wildlife refuges, national monuments, and other public lands managed by Interior hosted an estimated 443 million visits, supporting $45 billion in economic output and about 396,000 jobs.<br />
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In total, the report identifies about $300 billion in economic output and 1.8 million jobs supported through Interior’s activities including: tourism and outdoor recreation at parks, monuments and refuges, water management, energy and mineral development on public lands and waters, wildlife conservation, hunting and fishing, support for American Indian tribal communities and U.S. island territories, as well as scientific research and innovation endeavors.<br />
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U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell noted that many of Interior’s activities have economic values that are not easily calculated, and are not included in the report’s totals.<br />
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<i>“Much of the value of our lands and historic sites cannot be expressed in dollars,”</i> said Secretary Jewell. <i>“Beyond their contributions to clean air, clean water and wildlife habitat, many are priceless treasures that belong to all Americans and help define our cultural heritage for present and future generations.”</i><br />
<br />
The DOI report differs from other economic contribution studies in that it is a comprehensive analysis of the economic impacts from DOI activities. This report includes data from reports produced by Bureau of
Land Management (BLM) and the National Park Service (NPS) that focus on impacts from specific agencies and activities.<br />
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A separate economic analysis of the U.S. outdoor recreation sector is being compiled by the Federal Recreation Council and the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis.<br />
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That report will document the industry’s value and contributions to the national economy, specifically shedding light on the role public lands and waters play, and will develop a baseline for informing future decision-making, governance and long-term management of public lands and waters.<br />
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source: U.S. Department of the InteriorStaffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08135306790561737959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-694428636516298688.post-6256738274791422016-06-26T16:17:00.000-07:002016-06-29T02:03:01.893-07:00Greenland Facts and Information<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M_tPtce0kUE/V3BiH0ErF_I/AAAAAAAAAIw/Z49hhQNKsHckT16NXRHSO3RfCdtPy36NwCLcB/s1600/steensby-glacier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M_tPtce0kUE/V3BiH0ErF_I/AAAAAAAAAIw/Z49hhQNKsHckT16NXRHSO3RfCdtPy36NwCLcB/s320/steensby-glacier.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
This article includes a brief overview of Greenland as well as variety of facts, statistics, and other information.<br />
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Greenland is the world's largest island. The majority of the land is ice-capped and unsuitable for human habitation.<br />
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In its native language, Greenland is called Kalaallit Nunaat, which means “the Country of the Greenlanders”. <br />
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Greenland is a self governing country that is part of the kingdom of Denmark.<br />
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Greenland has political and cultural ties with Denmark, Norway, and Iceland.<br />
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The currency of Greenland is the Danish krone (DKK).<br />
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Greenland withdrew from the European Union in 1985. Its relations with the EU are now guided by a special agreement. Greenland's exit from the EU is sometimes known as "Grexit."<br />
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Nuuk, the capital, is home to approximately one quarter of Greenland's population. <br />
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Fishing is the main industry in Greenland. In addition to <a href="http://www.commercial-fishing.org/regional/greenland/" target="_blank">commercial fishing</a>, Greenlanders practice subsistence fishing, sealing, whaling, and other activities.<br />
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Greenland is home to some of North America's most iconic animals, including seals, walruses, whales, polar bears, arctic foxes, arctic wolves, reindeer, musk oxen, lemmings, snow hares, and many species of birds.<br />
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The longest day of the year, June 21, is a national holiday.<br />
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Greenland is a member of the Arctic Council, Nordic Council, and other international organizations.<br />
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sources: Statistics Greenland, Government of Greenland, CIA World Factbook<br />
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<br />Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08135306790561737959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-694428636516298688.post-25026745349430990902016-04-02T16:31:00.002-07:002016-04-02T16:31:19.275-07:00Earth Day 2016Over one billion people in 192 countries are expected to participate in Earth Day 2016.<br />
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Participants are organizing, demanding climate action, performing community services, meeting with elected officials, planting trees, and teaching children to protect the planet.<br /><br />This year, in a rare and special event, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has invited every world leader to the United Nations to officially sign the Paris Climate Agreement on April 22nd, Earth Day 2016.<br /><i><br />“Earth Day is the largest, most recognizable face of the environmental movement,”</i> said Kathleen Rogers, president of Earth Day Network.<br />
<br />This year, Earth Day Network is emphasizing the need to plant new trees and forests worldwide. Throughout the year, EDN sponsors and takes part in tree plantings across the US and worldwide. Earth Day Network is pledging to plant 7.8 billion trees worldwide in 2016.<br /><br />Across the world, schoolchildren and teachers will take part in education, civic, and outdoor programs that will teach them about the importance of clean air and water, how to begin a lifelong practice of civic participation, and experience the wonders of nature.<br />
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For more information, visit: www.earthday.org.Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08135306790561737959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-694428636516298688.post-70559246773112940122016-03-19T12:13:00.001-07:002016-03-19T12:13:37.070-07:00Gulf of Alaska Online Coastal GuideTerry Johnson, an Alaska Sea Grant marine recreation and tourism
specialist, has completed an online guide for recreational boaters interested in the central and western Gulf of Alaska coast.<br />
<br />Johnson compiled information for navigating, anchoring, handling typical weather conditions and other challenges over several years, while operating a variety of recreational boats from a 40-foot tri-cabin trawler to a 15-foot Runabout.<br /><br />The guide is appropriate for adventurers, fishermen, sailors, and recreational boaters. Although vessel traffic is sparse, communities are few and exposure to the North Pacific is challenging,<br />
<br />
<i>“it is a spectacular trip in good weather, with opportunities to experience the scenery, the solitude, geology, human history, wildlife and excellent angling,” </i>said Johnson.<br /><br />The guide begins at Cape Spencer near Glacier Bay and runs west along the coast all the way to Homer, Alaska. <br /><br />The Gulf of Alaska Coastal Travel Routes website includes maps, photos, location information, and basic safety tips.<br />
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<br />
For more information, visit https://seagrant.uaf.edu/news/2016/03-09-16-coastal-guide-online.php<br />Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08135306790561737959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-694428636516298688.post-70589051552050859152016-03-07T10:27:00.000-08:002016-03-07T10:27:43.935-08:00Ontario Maple Syrup SeasonAs winter gives way to spring, Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is encouraging consumers to take a trip to a local maple syrup producer to try sweet, local, and delicious maple syrup.<br />
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With the variety of maple products available, there's a maple syrup colour and flavour intensity to please everyone's taste.<br /><br />During Ontario's maple harvest season, mid-February to early April, more than two million litres of syrup is produced.<br />
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<b>Maple Syrup Facts</b><br />
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Maple syrup is made from the sap of primarily sugar, black, soft and red maple trees<br />
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Maple syrup is a natural product with no additives, and is a source of several vitamins and minerals.<br />
<br />Each spring Ontario Maple syrup festivals offer fun, family activities.<br />
<br />Ontario Maple Weekend will be held April 2 - 3, 2016 (www.mapleweekend.ca).<br />
<br />
On January 1, 2016, amended maple regulations came into effect on how maple syrup is graded, classified and labelled.<br /><br />source: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs<br />Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08135306790561737959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-694428636516298688.post-57885873901542851432016-02-08T04:20:00.000-08:002016-02-08T04:20:30.086-08:00January 2016 Atlantic Coast BlizzardThe January 22-24 blizzard, which dumped heavy snow from the Mid-Atlantic to southern New England has been rated as a Category 4 or “Crippling” winter storm on NOAA’s Northeast Snowfall Impact Scale, also known as NESIS.<br />
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The storm ranked as the fourth most powerful winter storm to impact the Northeast U.S. since 1950.<br />
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The snowstorm covered about 434 thousand square miles and impacted about 102.8 million people. Of those, about 1.5 million people had over 30 inches of snowfall; almost 24 million had over 20 inches.<br />
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The storm was given a variety of names including Jonas, snowzilla, and others.Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08135306790561737959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-694428636516298688.post-159360370013379812016-01-01T03:29:00.001-08:002016-01-02T02:33:50.854-08:00Record Floods on USA RiversIn the final days of 2015, record floods threatened communities throughout the Mississippi River Basin.<br />
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In late December, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) field crews recorded 18 preliminary record-high flood measurements along the Meramac River. Additional historic peaks were expected throughout the southern part of the state.<br />
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The National Weather Service reported that major flooding was occurring or forecast on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers and tributaries in Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky, and the Arkansas River & tributaries in Arkansas.<br />
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In response to dangerous flooding, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) issued river closures on the Upper Mississippi River between mile markers 184 and 179 and the Illinois River between mile markers 0 to 50. In other areas, high water safety advisories and high water towing restrictions were in effect.<br />
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Floodwaters were predicted to downstream, with significant river flooding expected for the lower Mississippi into mid-January.<br />
<br />Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08135306790561737959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-694428636516298688.post-22234166824739068182015-12-08T15:46:00.000-08:002015-12-08T15:46:31.174-08:00Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River Water QualityGreat Lakes and St. Lawrence River beach water quality met government standards 76.5% of the time in 2015, according to a recent report from Swim Guide (www.theswimguide.org). By comparison, water quality standards were met 72.5% of the 2014 season.<br />
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Swim Guide compared monitoring results for 1,496 beaches around the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River and calculated the number of days beaches in each watershed passed water quality tests, failed water quality tests, or had no data. The findings published in the second annual <i><b>Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Beach Report</b></i>.<br />
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Swim Guide is a beach information service created by Lake Ontario Waterkeeper in Toronto. The resource offers water quality alerts, beach descriptions, photos, and directions for over 7,000 beaches in Canada, the U.S.A., as well as Baja Mexico, and New Zealand.<br />
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For more information, visit www.theswimguide.org.Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08135306790561737959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-694428636516298688.post-73583935406783885362015-12-04T13:24:00.001-08:002015-12-04T13:24:46.058-08:00BC Canada Parks and Protected AreasThe Province of British Columbia (BC) is home to more than 1000 national parks, provincial parks, recreation areas, conservancies, ecological reserves, and other protected areas.<br />
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<b>BC parks and protected areas facts:</b><br />
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- British Columbia has one of the largest protected areas systems in North America<br />
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- British Columbia has the highest percentage of its land base dedicated to protected areas of all provincial Canadian jurisdictions.<br /><br />
- Since 2004, the area of parks, conservancies, ecological reserves, and protected areas has increased by more than 3.3 million hectares.<br />
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- British Columbia is home to some of Canada's most popular national parks including Glacier National Park, Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, Kootenay National Park, Mount Revelstoke National Park, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, and Yoho National Park<br />Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08135306790561737959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-694428636516298688.post-12016735592493104162015-12-03T12:15:00.002-08:002015-12-03T12:15:36.157-08:00Canada to Support Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS)The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, recently announced Canada’s contribution of $10 million to support Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) in vulnerable communities.<br />
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Canada’s contribution will be delivered through the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to improve Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems in developing countries, particularly the small island developing states and least developed countries.<br />
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These systems have been proven to reduce loss of life and economic hardship caused by meteorological hazards such as tropical cyclones, floods, severe storms, forest fires, and heat waves.<br />
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The announcement is part of Canada’s historic pledge of $2.65 billion over the next five years to support developing countries’ transition to low carbon economies and adapt to the changing climate.<br />
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source: Canada Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08135306790561737959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-694428636516298688.post-57693453784134020992015-12-02T03:13:00.002-08:002015-12-02T03:13:21.778-08:00USGS Alaska Permafrost StudyPermafrost in Alaska could be reduced significantly by the end of the century, according to a recent U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) study.<br />
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Using statistically modeled maps drawn from satellite data and other sources, USGS scientists have projected that the near-surface permafrost that presently underlies 38 percent of boreal and arctic Alaska would be reduced by 16 to 24 percent by the end of the 21st century under widely accepted climate scenarios.<br />
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Permafrost is defined by USGS as <b><i>ground that stays below freezing for at least two consecutive years.</i></b><br />
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In addition to developing maps of near-surface permafrost distributions, the researchers developed maps of maximum thaw depth, or active-layer depth, and provided uncertainty estimates.<br />
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The research has been published in Remote Sensing of Environment. The current near-surface permafrost map is available via ScienceBase.Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08135306790561737959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-694428636516298688.post-12530101794819376382015-11-20T12:05:00.001-08:002015-11-27T03:51:07.877-08:00Where is the Salish Sea?The Salish Sea is an inland sea along the Pacific Coast of North America.<br />
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The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) defines the Salish Sea as:<br />
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<i><b>"5,500 square miles; extends from the mouth of the Strait of Juan de Fuca
eastward and northward to include Puget Sound and Georgia Strait, and
their associated bays, coves, and inlets."</b></i><br />
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The Salish Sea is home to several of North America's most famous port cities including Vancouver, Seattle, Tacoma, Bellingham, Port Angeles and Victoria.<br />
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The first known use of the term Salish Sea was in 1988, when marine biologist Bert Webber from Bellingham, Washington, created the name for the combined waters in the region. The term was officially recognized by British Columbia in 2010.<br />
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sources: U.S. Geological Survey, NOAA Fisheries Alaska Fisheries Science Center, British Columbia Geographical Names OfficeStaffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08135306790561737959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-694428636516298688.post-26704746582345153342015-11-12T07:45:00.000-08:002015-11-12T07:45:33.568-08:00USGS Field Photographs CollectionThe U.S. Geological Survey has made part of a huge national repository of geographically referenced USGS field photographs publicly available, according to a recent announcement.<br />
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Images in the collection can be located by using a new mapping portal called the <i><b>Land Cover Trends Field Photo Map</b></i>. The collection contains over 33,000 geo-referenced field photos with associated keywords describing the land-use and land-cover change processes taking place.<br />
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Initially, nearly 13,000 photos from across the continental US will be available to the public, yet the online collection will grow as more processed photos become available. Photos may also be found on
the USGS Earth Explorer website.<br />
<br /><i>“This is a treasure trove of royalty and copyright-free photography collected using consistent procedures,”</i> said Chris Soulard, project leader and USGS research geographer.<br />
<br />“<i>The benefit of these photos being hosted by the USGS is equal access to all without copyright concerns and quality control,”</i> said Jason Sherba, USGS geographer and project web-developer.<br /><br />The photography was collected as part the USGS National Land Cover Trends Project, a research effort that spanned over ten years and represented one of USGS’ largest cross-center research efforts.<br /><br />source: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological SurveyStaffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08135306790561737959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-694428636516298688.post-21511242714178319392015-10-24T02:09:00.000-07:002015-10-24T02:09:25.857-07:00USA Winter Weather Predictions 2015-2016 (NOAA)In North America, information related to weather is always popular. One of the anticipated reports is the U.S. Winter Outlook, issued by the NOAA Climate Prediction Center.<br />
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According to NOAA's 2015-2016 U.S. Winter Outlook, the upcoming winter could be cooler and wetter weather in Southern Tier states with above-average temperatures most likely in the West and across the Northern Tier.<br />
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This year’s El Niño, among the strongest on record, is expected to influence weather and climate patterns this winter by impacting the position of the Pacific jet stream.<br /><br />Other factors that often play a role in the winter weather include the Arctic Oscillation, which influences the number of arctic air masses that penetrate into the South and nor'easters on the East Coast, and the Madden-Julian Oscillation, which can impact the number of heavy rain storms in the Pacific Northwest.<br /><br /><b>2015 USA Winter Outlook Highlights </b>(December through February)<b>:</b><br /><br /><b>Precipitation</b> <br />
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Wetter-than-average conditions most likely in the Southern Tier of the United States, from central and southern California, across Texas, to Florida, and up the East Coast to southern New England. Above-average precipitation is also favored in southeastern Alaska. <br /><br />Drier-than-average conditions most likely for Hawaii, central and western Alaska, parts of the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies, and for areas near the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley.<br /><br /><b>Temperatures </b><br />
<b> </b><br />Above-average temperatures are favored across much of the West and the northern half of the contiguous United States. Temperatures are also favored to be above-average in Alaska and much of Hawaii. Below-average temperatures are most likely in the southern Plains and Southeast.<br />
<br />source: NOAA Climate Prediction CenterStaffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08135306790561737959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-694428636516298688.post-24150619940961965372015-09-17T15:07:00.003-07:002015-09-17T15:07:56.373-07:00Maine Coastal Cleanup 2015Hundreds of volunteers along the Maine coastline will join people around world for the 30th annual International Coastal Cleanup, September 19th to 26th.<br /><br />Volunteers will be participating in Coastweek, which is part of the 30th annual International Coastal Cleanup, the world's largest single day volunteer effort to clean up beaches, lakes and rivers.<br /><br />Last year, more than 500,000 people globally picked up 16 million pounds of trash along 13,000 miles of coastline. In Maine, volunteers found 10,484 pounds of trash in 2014. <br /><br />For more information, visit mainecoastalprogram.org.Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08135306790561737959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-694428636516298688.post-78892261731513350482015-09-07T14:02:00.001-07:002015-09-07T14:03:47.562-07:00Highest Mountain in North America - DenaliA new, official height for Denali has been measured at 20,310 feet, 10 feet lower than the previous elevation, According to the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS).<br />
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Denali (also known as Mount McKinley) is the highest mountain on the
North American continent. It is located in the USA, in the state of
Alaska.<br />
<br />
According to USGS, the new elevation is due to advances in technology to better measure the elevation at the surface of the Earth.<br />
<br />
To establish a more accurate summit height, the USGS partnered with NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey (NGS), Dewberry, CompassData, (a subcontractor to Dewberry), and the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, to conduct a precise Global Positioning System (GPS) measurement of a specific point at the mountain’s peak.<br />
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Denali National Park where the mountain is located, was established in
1917. Each year, more than 500,000 people visit the park. Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08135306790561737959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-694428636516298688.post-19076360587282873632015-08-19T12:46:00.002-07:002015-08-19T12:51:06.205-07:00Green Movement TrendsThe green movement in North America is gaining momentum as more and more people become interested ecology, sustainability, alternative energy, and other subjects.<br />
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This list includes recent trends that are associated with the green movement:<br />
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<b>alternative energy</b> <br />
<br />
- solar power<br />
- wind power<br />
- electric vehicles<br />
- wood fuels<br />
<br />
<b>food</b><br />
<br />
- organic foods<br />
- farmer's markets<br />
- community supported agriculture<br />
- small scale farms<br />
- homesteading <br />
- home gardening<br />
- hoop houses, greenhouses <br />
- heirloom vegetables<br />
- home canning<br />
- vegetable fermentation <br />
- heritage breed animals <br />
- free range chickens, ducks, geese<br />
- grass fed beef, pork, lamb<br />
- locally sourced foods; bread, milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs<br />
- aquaculture <br />
- small scale wineries<br />
- craft brewing<br />
- non GMO foods<br />
- reduced food miles <br />
<br />
<b>recreation</b><br />
<br />
- kayaking<br />
- canoeing<br />
- stand up paddleboarding (SUP)<br />
- hiking<br />
- eco-tours<br />
- wildlife appreciation<br />
<br />
<b>arts and crafts</b><br />
<br />
- repurposed wood<br />
- hippie art<br />
- organic materials, weavingStaffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08135306790561737959noreply@blogger.com0