Navigate / search

Over 30 Feared Dead in Sudden and Devastating Japanese Volcano Eruption

Japan’s Mount Ontake volcano erupted without warning on Saturday, sending plumes of heavy, toxic volcanic ash and rock into the air, and causing embers to fall nearly two miles from its crater.

So far, 12 victims have been retrieved from the mountain, identified, and confirmed dead. Today, Nagano Prefecture Police said that 24 bodies remain on the slopes of the volcano, bringing the suspected death toll to at least 36.

More than 500 rescuers returned to the scene today. It is not yet clear how the victims died, but asphyxiation from poisonous gases is common in eruptions of this kind. This helicopter footage shows the ongoing rescue mission.

The Marijuana ‘Green Rush’ Is Worsening California’s Water Wars

California has been under a state of emergency since January because of dangerous drought conditions that currently affect over 99 per cent of the population and more than 37 million people.

Despite the fact that California has long been vulnerable to forest fires and water shortages, some suggest that a steady increase in cannabis grows since medical marijuana was legalized in the state in 1996 has had a significant impact on conditions. This has led to environmental crimes including water theft.

Scott Bauer of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife examined aerial photographs of four watersheds in northern California’s so-called Emerald Triangle, which contains the counties of Mendocino, Humboldt, and Trinity. He found that marijuana growing areas doubled between 2009 and 2012.

Drought Talk: Is All Water Use Created Equal?

A massive amount of groundwater is being pulled from California’s Central Valley – so much that several cities in the area have started to sink. Corcoran lost 13 inches in eight months, and other areas lost eight inches in the same time period. This puts a strain on infrastructure, like roads and the foundations of buildings. Is a class war lurking behind the drought?

The Pope Wants You To Believe In Climate Change

Pope Francis wants to save not just Christian souls, but the Earth, too. The pontiff has written a 192-page religious text warning the world that more needs to be done to tackle climate change.

Chile’s campaign to combat wildfires shifts to Bío-Bío Region

Flames threaten nearby town of Quillon, as Torres del Paine blaze is brought under control. More than 604 people have been left homeless, 162 homes destroyed and one man killed since a massive fire began on Saturday in the southern Bío-Bío Region, 280 miles south of Santiago.

Chile’s president bows to pressure, reopens Torres del Paine

A week since fire began, 80 percent of national park declared safe for tourists to return. The world-famous Torres del Paine National Park in far southern Chilean reopened to the public on Wednesday, according to President Sebastián Piñera, despite large wildfires on park grounds that are still not fully contained.

Your #Blizzardof2015 social media survival kit

Winter Storm Juno began to descend on north-eastern America and several US states declared states of emergency as hurricane-force winds and more than 90cm (36in) of snow was expected. With all non-emergency vehicles banned on New York City’s roads after 23:00 local time, 6,500 flights in and out of airports along the East Coast cancelled and schools and businesses stopping early on Monday night, what was there left to do for all those trapped inside?

Mauna Kea defenders protest against 18-storey high telescope

A controversial telescope project on the top of the Mauna Kea mountain in Hawaii has sparked peaceful protests on and off social media across the United States. Opponents of the telescope, including celebrities, say the structure desecrates sacred land. They also say the land in question is designated as a conservation area.

‘Droughtshaming’ hopes to out California water cheats

With water levels at a record low in California, vigilantes are using social media to shame their neighbours into saving more water. #Droughtshaming – a practice that began online last year – is back again as California enters its fourth summer of extreme drought. Residents who catch their neighbours wasting water are posting pictures and videos, often with addresses, on Facebook and Twitter as well as via apps. (It is the home of Silicon Valley, after all.)