Month: November 2014

Close Call for the Keystone XL Pipeline

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Today, the Senate’s voting results defeated Bill 2280: the construction of a 1,179-mile-long pipeline meant to deliver crude oil from Canadian tar sands to oil refineries and existing pipelines in the U.S., ultimately distributing over 800,000 barrels a day to the Texas Gulf Coast. The pipeline has been a hugely controversial topic for six years, ever since TransCanada Corporation put in the request for a cross-border permit to build.

Environmental leaders and many Democrats are definitely applauding this victory, but it was much too close for comfort: as of 5:55 PM on Tuesday, November 18th, the pipeline failed to pass by only one vote.

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Tipping Point Set for Global Warming

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A new study reveals that by the year 2047, climate change will reach its tipping point and every year after that will be hotter than any since 2005.

Here is how some scientists have been reacting to this discovery.

As long as no significant changes are made to the pace in which humans emit carbon, the planet could reach the point of no return in only 34 years. As emphasized in a published paper by biodiversity scientist Camilo Mora, the coldest year in the future will be warmer than the hottest year in the past.

I recommend reading that five more times to fully grasp the gravity of the statement. Continue reading →