Besides recovery from the Deepwater Horizon disaster, they include reversal of long-term habitat loss, nutrient over-enrichment, overuse, coastal development’s impacts and climate effects, one oceanographer told attendees. A report by Austin writer Melissa Gaskill.
One new report: “Following a relatively wet finish to 2011, the return of warm, dry weather to the nation’s southern tier could be suggestive of an increasingly La Niña-driven atmospheric regime.”
2011 was the driest year on record in Texas. Reuters
Norwegian official to Houston’s Petroleum Club: ‘Absolutely no doubt’ climate change is real. Houston Chronicle
City of Laredo installs solar-powered parking meters. Laredo Sun
Goodbye to the Brazos River? Texas Observer
Amid severe Texas drought, water desalination becomes attractive. Associated Press
State adopts international energy-efficient building codes. Longview News-Journal
Rain brings relief to Groesbeck water crisis. KCEN
2012 brings new water regulations; producers fighting for rights. KJTV
2011 expected to be Lubbock’s driest year on record. Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Mexico: Damage to 600,000 households from drought, freezing weather, floods in 2011. Associated Press
NM fire officials reflect on ‘busiest year’. Associated Press
NM scientists develop drought-tolerant alfalfa. Associated Press
In Louisiana, twist in fight over Texaco drilling lease. New York Times
Tres Amigas raises money for US grid super-hub. Greentech Media
‘Fracking’ moves to the suburbs. American Public Media
SWEPCO, environmental groups settle on coal plant. Associated Press
Fracking moratorium urged as doctors call for health study. Bloomberg
South Florida prepares for higher sea levels. South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Snow drought? Wimpy winter weather across US. Climate Central
Insurance payouts point to climate change. Science News
Belgium fears for its fragile coastline. Guardian
Ohio quakes could incite fracking policy shift. Associated Press
New speculation on who leaked climate-change e-mails. New York Times
The crazy, chaotic and killer weather of 2011: Climate change or coincidence? Cleveland Plain Dealer