Just 1 percent of headlines these days cover environmental news, despite findings that 80 percent of readers, listeners and viewers want to hear more, according to the nonprofit initiative, Project for Improved Environmental Coverage. Asheville’s fortunate to be near the center of environmental studies, activism and interest — in part due to the work of such experts as Warren Wilson College professor/scientist Laura Lengnick.
Tag: climate change
Showing 169-189 of 195 results
Speak out against tar-sands pipeline
I'm planning to hop on the bus along with fellow Ashevilleans to head up to Washington, D.C., on Feb. 16, for the "Forward on Climate" rally. Why? Because it's been over a year since Obama agreed to postpone (for one year) a decision on building the Keystone XL pipeline, that would conduct tar sands oil […]
The hockey stick and the climatologist: An evening with Michael Mann
Since publishing the Hockey Stick climate graph in 1998, climatologist Michael Mann has had his email hacked and picked apart for the purpose of incriminating and discrediting his studies; his family has received death threats. On April 3, he shared his story and conclusions during a presentation at Warren Wilson College.
Noted climate change author will speak at UNCA Tuesday, April 3
Noted climate scientist Michael Mann will speak Tuesday, April 3, at UNCA; Nobel Prize-winning researcher will discuss his new book, “The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars.”
Film seeks climate change solutions
Find like-minded people and learn about climate change at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville’s screening of Carbon Nation
“Global warming is a myth” is a dangerous myth
I have to say this about the global-warming-is-a-myth-crowd: They sure are spunky. Able to hold onto their conspiracy theories in the face of all evidence to the contrary — a testament to the power of selective belief to reduce cognitive dissonance. Unfortunately, neither the facts nor the overwhelming majority opinion supports them. The trend of […]
Where does global-warming denial come from?
Thanks to Susan Andrew for the rebuttal to Michael Ivey’s letter [“‘Man-Made Global Warming,” Dec. 1 Xpress]. The vast majority of researchers agree that the human impact on our ecosystem is undeniable. Al Gore makes a strong point: With global population pushing seven billion, there might be a billion of us daily clawing away at […]
God bless the farmers
Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn what the World Bank environmental advisors say — or think, for that matter. I would speculate that, before the 16th century, there were more buffalo in America than there are cattle now. I would even go further to speculate that there were many more wild animal farts […]
Edgy Mama: Summer’s ending early — thank you, snow
This summer constitutes the shortest break ever for most of the schools in Western North Carolina (at least for students in the public school systems).
NOAA announces new National Climate Service, taps Asheville’s Karl to lead
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Monday announced a plan to create a new Climate Service to meet an ever-increasing demand for information about climate change, and officials tapped Thomas R. Karl, the director of NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, to work as “transitional director” of the new Climate Service.
Headwaters Gathering shines spotlight on local climate change
Now’s the time to consider how climate change might affect our region, say the organizers of the first Headwaters Gathering. Dubbed “Southern Appalachia at the Crossroads,” the conference, slated for the weekend of March 27-29 at Warren Wilson College, will bring together a diverse mix of experts, environmentalists, activists, writers and community leaders, says Margo […]
The Green Scene
Rick Borchelt is one of those rare scientists who’s also a good communicator. So says Pamela McCown, a former TV meteorologist who’s now involved in educational and job-creation initiatives in Western North Carolina. She describes Borchelt as a biologist who “was bit by the science-communication bug.” Communications director for the Genetics and Public Policy Center […]
War gaming for climate security
The United Nations secretary-general speaks in grave tones to a room packed with officials from some of the world’s largest, most powerful countries. He’s called them together, he says, to help them save their nations by saving the planet. The situation’s getting desperate: A Category 5 hurricane has reduced much of Miami to ruins and […]
A postcard from the climate frontier
Editor’s note: Xpress reporter Rebecca Bowe was part of a team of journalists invited by the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism to travel to Alaska Aug. 13-16 to view the on-the-ground effects of climate change. Her experiences there provided some of the material for this article. Click the image above to view a slideshow by […]
Xpress-rated: Video sneak peek
Here’s your preview of the Sept. 17 edition of Mountain Xpress, puppets and all.
Hot air
Several years ago, poet/farmer Wendell Berry penned a controversial essay titled “Why I am Not Going to Buy a Computer,” in which he presented a clearheaded rationale for not buying into this form of technological slavery. His critics countered that computers enable them to follow and respond to the numerous environmental issues we face. Berry […]
Dole, Burr split on global-warming bill
Sen. Elizabeth Dole has concluded that climate change is real, and is one of a handful of Republicans supporting a bill expected to see Senate action this morning.
Asheville activists arrested at Cliffside power plant
As the sky grew light on the morning of April 1, a half-dozen activists locked themselves to the heavy earth-moving equipment parked at the Cliffside power plant construction site in Rutherford County. At least three Asheville residents joined others from across the state to protest Duke Energy’s recently permitted, 800-megawatt coal-fired facility. The 20 or […]
The Green Scene
Asheville’s air quality “borderline” under new standard Every five years, the Environmental Protection Agency is required to take a hard look at its air-quality standards to verify that they’re strict enough to protect public health. During the latest assessment, announced March 12, the federal agency concluded that its restriction on ground-level ozone—the pollutant that causes […]
The Green Scene
Tracking N.C.‘s carbon footprint A new online database called Carbon Monitoring for Action could prove to be a powerful tool for activists who are pushing companies and policy-makers to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. Available at no cost to users, the easy-to-navigate database displays information about how much carbon dioxide individual power plants, utilities and geographic regions […]
About that climate change business …
While environmentalists’ discussions tend revolve around how to avert catastrophic climate change, the business world is slowly starting hatch plans for adapting to the looming repercussions of an altered climate. Wired earth: On a tour of the National Climatic Data Center, staffer Carmella Watkins introduces “the magic planet,” an educational tool that creates a visual […]