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Climate, Air Quality, and Weather Stories July 8, 2002 Quebec wildfires cast pall over Northeast That haziness and funny taste in the air this week comes compliments of wildfires burning out of control in central and northern Quebec. Weather patterns have channeled the air pollution this way. Here are a few stories about it from the Boston Globe, the Woonsocket Call and the Telegraph of Nashua. California auto emissions bill targets carbon dioxide Earlier this year New Hampshire became the first state in the nation to pass a law limiting carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. This month the California legislature became the first to approve a bill to limit carbon dioxide coming from motor vehicles. Lawmakers in both states are concerned about the effects of carbon dioxide emissions on climate change. California Governor Gray Davis was expected to sign the bill into law. MSNBC has the story. A fine place for low-emission car rentals Where can you find the only car rental business in the country that specializes in natural gas, hybrid and electric vehicles? According to the "Business Note" report on this week's Living on Earth program, it's based in one of the nation's smoggiest cities - Los Angeles. Study finds rainy areas downwind of cities NASA researchers say satellite measurements confirm what rain gauges have been showing - that certain areas downwind of large cities are prone to wetter weather. The New Haven Register has a story about the latest research on these odd "city-related wet spots" likely caused by temperature differentials and air pollution. Automobile diagnostic tool could help curb air pollution The New York Times writes this week about a man named Curtis Ford who has come up with a new invention that could help motorists curb pollution from their vehicles. The system helps monitor the automobile's temperature, and in the event it's not right, explains what needs fixing. That's important, according to the Curtis, because if the engine runs too cold it emits excessive amounts of smog-causing compounds. The Times' Web site is free but requires registration. Massachusetts company fined $30,000 for asbestos violation The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has fined a Worcester company, United Realty Corp, $30,000 for releasing asbestos fibers into the air while dismantling a boiler. The DEP says the company has hired a licensed asbestos contractor to properly complete the work. Details are in this DEP news release. Signs of latest El Nino? NASA's Earth Observatory News Web site has a story about the status of the latest El Nino. Satellite measurements show that the mid-equatorial Pacific is warming up but not as much as in past El Nino events, perhaps because of the effect of the larger Pacific Decadal Oscillation. |
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