In contrast to the Zaca fire in Southern California, which has killed nobody and damaged no major structures, the fires in Greece this year have been devastating. Over 170 fires are now burning around the country. Mostly they are wildfires in the hills, but yesterday a fire broke out in Athens itself that required tenContinue reading ““An Unspeakable Tragedy” — 170 fires burning, 44 dead, government shaken”
Author Archives: Kit Stolz
Zaca Fire, Still Burning
Although fire lines are holding, and Ojai has been declared out of danger, the Zaca fire grew 2700 acres last night, and isn’t expected to be contained for two weeks. But there are compensations: This photo was taken from the air on the fire’s 45th day, a week ago. (Licensed.)
The Green Flash
The last of the sunset, just before the top of the sun is about to wink out before being swallowed up by the horizon, that last few seconds in which the light changes — below Brad offers some tips on how to see the famous green flash, and mentions it’s a fairly subtle effect. SinceContinue reading “The Green Flash”
A Year After Katrina: Is the Corps Getting a Clue?
We all know that New Orleans is threatened by hurricanes, but less dramatic and less well-known is the fact (as discussed by Time and below) that naturally the Big Muddy would help protect New Orleans by tirelessly constructing wetlands, mud banks, and the like — if only the Army Corps of Engineers didn’t get inContinue reading “A Year After Katrina: Is the Corps Getting a Clue?”
Just Saying “No” to China
Well, we tried. Here’s my account of what happened and what I learned, in the Ventura County Reporter.
A Fiery Gift
In a nice piece in the Ventura County Star by Zeke Barlow, the oceanographer and climatologist Bill Patzert points out a good aspect of the Zaca Fire: some of the sunsets we’ve been seeing. He explains why they look the way they do: The bright color is light bouncing off smoke and ash particles. TheContinue reading “A Fiery Gift”
Burying West Virginia
The Bush administration is giving one last gift to the coal industry: permission to bury much of West Virfginia under a pile of coal tailings, aka "excess spoil." “This is a parting gift to the coal industry from this administration,” said Joe Lovett, executive director of the Appalachian Center for the Economy and the EnvironmentContinue reading “Burying West Virginia”
The No-B.S. Computer for Cheap Geeks
$100, 8 watts, but with no operating system installed. Guess it’s a geeks-only product. Still — wow. Amazing. I have to see this work. Via Eco-Geek.
We’re Getting Drunk on Ethanol, Says LA Times
The Los Angeles Times is going through probably the worst stretch in its entire history, stretching back well over a hundred years. But despite one setback after another on the news pages, it’s shown encouraging signs of life in its daily editorials, specifically a series called "A Warming World," which has brought great discernment andContinue reading “We’re Getting Drunk on Ethanol, Says LA Times”
Dean Reaches Category 5
000WTNT64 KNHC 210034TCUAT4HURRICANE DEAN TROPICAL CYCLONE UPDATENWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL042007835 PM AST MON AUG 20 2007DATA FROM THE AIR FORCE RESERVE HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT CURRENTLYINVESTIGATING HURRICANE DEAN INDICATE THAT MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDSHAVE INCREASED TO 160 MPH…MAKING DEAN A POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHICCATEGORY FIVE HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE SCALE.$$FORECASTER KNABB (HT: Wunderblog)
Kit Stolz 