Environment News

European beaches improve water quality

editor@surfertoday.com (Editor at SurferToday.com) — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:23:28 +0000

European surfers have reasons to smile, as 94% of bathing sites in the European Union meet minimum standards for water quality.

European Environment Agency's 2012 report on bathing water quality in Europe reveals that there are excellent conditions at 78% of spots and almost 2% more meet the minimum requirements compared to last year's report.

Cyprus and Luxembourg stand out with all listed bathing sites achieving excellent water quality. Eight other countries have excellent quality values above the EU average: Malta (97%), Croatia (95%), Greece (93%), Germany (88%), Portugal (87%), Italy (85%), Finland (83%) and Spain (83%).

Up to 18% of water tests fail quality standards in USA

editor@surfertoday.com (Editor at SurferToday.com) — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:36:49 +0000

Surfrider Foundation's Blue Water Task Force (BWTF) announced that 18% of the annual water tests measured high bacterial levels, above the national water quality standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

In 2012, the Blue Water Task Force collected 2,740 water samples to be analyzed by 23 water testing labs of the Surfrider Foundation network.

Of all water tests, 70% indicated low bacteria levels, 12% indicated medium bacteria levels and 18% measured high bacterial levels above the national water quality standards set by the EPA to protect public health in recreational waters.

Hands Across The Sand against offshore drilling

editor@surfertoday.com (Editor at SurferToday.com) — Tue, 14 May 2013 08:41:43 +0000

World surfers are invited to join hands against expanded offshore drilling, on beaches and in global cities, on the 18th May, at 12pm, in corresponding time zones.

The second annual Hands Across The Sand is calling for clean energy solutions and a sustainable planet. The movement consists of people of all walks of life and crosses all borders and political affiliations.

The goal is to protect coastal economies, oceans, marine wildlife and fisheries from the threats of expanded offshore drilling and the accidents associated with this.

Scientists unveil the Brazilian Atlantis located off Rio de Janeiro

editor@surfertoday.com (Editor at SurferToday.com) — Fri, 10 May 2013 09:38:15 +0000

A Brazilian and Japanese research submarine has discovered evidence of an underwater continent, 900 miles off the coast of Rio de Janeiro.

Is it the Atlantis, the legendary island mentioned by Plato, back in 360 BC? The question might be answered by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) and the Geology Service of Brazil (CPRM), in the next months.

Several rock structures and clear evidences of granite at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean have been unveiled and may confirm the thesis of a former continent that existed before the Americas, Africa, Europe.

Climate change will affect wave height

editor@surfertoday.com (Editor at SurferToday.com) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:53:03 +0000

Average wave heights will decrease across 25% of the global ocean and increase across 7% of the ocean, due to climate change.

Scientists from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) have concluded that climate change will have impact in wave height, near coastal regions.

The initial simulations tell us that the increase of 7% in wave height will take place, predominantly in the Southern Ocean.

USA releases final ocean plan

editor@surfertoday.com (Editor at SurferToday.com) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 08:52:54 +0000

The Obama Administration has released its final plan for translating the National Ocean Policy into on-the-ground actions to benefit the American people.

The final Implementation Plan focuses on improving coordination to speed Federal permitting decisions, better manage the ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and collaborate more effectively with State, local partners and marine industries.

Without creating any new regulations or authorities, the plan will ensure the many Federal agencies involved in ocean management work together to reduce duplication and red tape and use taxpayer dollars more efficiently.

Gulf of Mexico oil disaster still kills dolphins

editor@surfertoday.com (Editor at SurferToday.com) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 08:29:52 +0000

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is still killing dolphins, sea turtles and other marine life in record numbers.

Infant dolphins are dying six times faster than they did before the 4.9 million barrels of oil got spilled in the Gulf of Mexico.

"These ongoing deaths - particularly in an apex predator like the dolphin - are a strong indication that there is something amiss with the Gulf ecosystem," explains Doug Inkley, senior scientist for the National Wildlife Federation.

World Water Day highlights one billion thirsty people

editor@surfertoday.com (Editor at SurferToday.com) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 11:05:23 +0000

The World Water Day is celebrated on the 22nd May 2013, with over 780 million not having access to improved sources of drinking water and 2.5 billion people living without improved sanitation.

By 2025, water withdrawals should increase by 50 percent in developing countries and by 18 percent in developed countries. Water for irrigation and food production constitutes one of the greatest pressures on freshwater resources.

An estimated 148 states share a basin with one or several countries, which is a potential source of conflict, as actions upstream have impacts on downstream countries.

Glaciers of Canada are melting too fast

editor@surfertoday.com (Editor at SurferToday.com) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 09:44:15 +0000

Twenty percent of all the ice contained in Canada's glaciers could melt by the end of this century.

The study developed by Geophysical Research Letters has reached a dramatic conclusion. If global average temperatures rise three degrees Celsius and by eight degrees in the Canadian Arctic, sea levels may go up by 3,5 centimeters.

If 20% of Canada's glaciers melt, this means 75% more water than previously thought. Also, when combined with melting glaciers such as those in Greenland, Russia and South America, the situation gets worse.

Scientists rewrite the rules of Tsunamis

editor@surfertoday.com (Editor at SurferToday.com) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 09:56:54 +0000

The earthquake zones off of certain coasts – like those of Japan and Java - make them especially vulnerable to tsunamis.

The new study authored by Utku Kanoglu and Costas Synolakis has changed the way scientists explain the rules of tsunami. Until now, it was largely believed that the maximum tsunami height onshore could not exceed the depth of the seafloor.

The recent research shows that when focusing occurs, the scaling relationship breaks down and flooding can be up to 50 percent deeper with waves that do not lose height as they get closer to shore.