Alaska test drills show (over) 90% less oil

Posted on October 28, 2010 by Rolf Schuttenhelm

An update by the US Geological Survey of the estimated fossil fuel reserves in Alaska’s 23-million-acre National Petroleum Reserve, situated on the wildlife harbouring North Slope, shows these dramatically reduced.

What is biodiversity?

Posted on October 16, 2010 by Rolf Schuttenhelm

The United Nations have declared the year 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity. This Monday a big biodiversity conference starts in Nagoya, Japan, in order for countries to define and agree upon a combined strategy to slow the decline. … Continue reading →

China digs for Canadian potash mines

Posted on October 15, 2010 by Rolf Schuttenhelm

But they don’t seem to reach the right depth. According to press agency Reuters Chinese state-owned company Sinochem just dropped its bid for the PotashCorp, the big Canadian mining company and largest producer of potash in the world.

One less planet, need 3 more

Posted on October 13, 2010 by Rolf Schuttenhelm

Confusing planetary news today. We recently reported on the discovery of Gliese 581g, an Earthlike planet, 20.5 light-years away, in the Constellation of Libra. It was claimed by two US astronomers. Now colleague astronomers from a Swiss observatory say they … Continue reading →

Today 33 miners are rescued, this year 12,000 die

Posted on October 13, 2010 by Rolf Schuttenhelm

The Chilean miners are world-famous, as they are unlikely survivors – after being feared dead for two weeks, following the collapse of a mining tunnel. Luck is very rare at such depths. Every year thousands die in mining accidents worldwide, … Continue reading →

Today’s paradox: non-GM crops help promote GMO

Posted on October 12, 2010 by Rolf Schuttenhelm

This week the EU considers decentralising the rules on the production of Genetically Modified Organisms. If they do so, it won’t be Brussels stating GMO risks are unacceptable, but individual member states deciding for themselves – no doubt weighing in … Continue reading →

Rare earth getting rarer

Posted on September 28, 2010 by Rolf Schuttenhelm

State-backed holding company Chinalco – China, Aluminum, Corporation – yesterday announced it will invest 1.5 billion dollars in ‘rare earth’, the collection of 17 trace elements like scandium, yttrium and the lanthanides, which include the densest of metals: iridium – … Continue reading →

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