2011 November « Summit County Citizens Voice

Internet Criticism Pushes China to Act on Pollution January 27, 2012

Under popular pressure, Chinese officials have begun to track the most pernicious measure of urban air pollution and promise to set new health standards and publish data on air pollution.

Violence Rises Sharply in Syria, Flustering Arab League Monitors January 27, 2012

Heavy bloodshed was reported Friday as Arab League monitors expressed exasperation and the United Nations made a step toward a possible resolution condemning the government.

In Syria, Arab League Monitors Face Severe Limits January 27, 2012

The visit, truncated by worries about volatile areas, revealed the limitations of the Arab League’s mission as the conflict shifted to clashes between armed groups and government security forces.

Egypt Bars Sam LaHood From Leaving January 27, 2012

The Obama administration threatened to withhold aid as Egypt confirmed it had kept at least a half-dozen Americans from leaving.

Colorado Independent

Tipton asks Congress to weaken water-storage regulations January 27, 2012

As part of a sustained effort to thin the federal government's powers to protect the environment, Third District Colorado Republican Congressman Scott Tipton is requesting a Capitol Hill hearing to examine water storage rules in the West.

In Colorado, Obama again ties clean energy to national security January 27, 2012

President Barack Obama Thursday drew repeated applause at a private event at Aurora's Buckley Air Force Base when he called on the country to work toward energy independence, which he called a matter of national security.

Finance execs rule today’s mad world of political spending January 26, 2012

Over the last 30 years, political contributions made by financial industry executives increased by 700 percent, according to new analysis by the watchdog Sunlight Foundation. Roughly 5,500 members of the finance, insurance, real estate sector gave $178.2 million to political committees and candidates during the 2010 election cycle, up from $15.4 million in t […]

Tipton struggles to win voter approval, but leads in early poll January 26, 2012

Public Policy Polling this week released survey results from Colorado's Third Congressional District, where first-term GOP Congressman Scott Tipton is being challenged by Democratic state Rep. Sal Pace. Although Tipton is leading among district voters, his job approval numbers come in under 40 percent.

Udall helps block new military detention powers

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Civil liberties versus anti-terror powers By Summit Voice SUMMIT COUNTY — Sen. Mark Udall once again was a stalwart advocate for civil liberties this week as the U.S. Senate voted for an unprecedented expansion of military police power as part of the National Defense Authorization Act — all in the name of fighting terror. According [...]

Filed under: Colorado | Tagged: civil liberties, Mark Udall, National Defense Authorization Act, National security, United States | 2 Comments »

Active 2011 season breaks ‘hurricane amnesia’

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Jenney Coberly

Irene was the first hurricane to hit the U.S. in three years By Summit Voice SUMMIT COUNTY — The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season officially ends November 30 after producing a total of 19 tropical storms. Seven became hurricanes, including three major hurricanes. The activity matched NOAA’s predictions and continues the trend of active hurricane seasons that [...]

Filed under: climate and weather, Hurricanes | Tagged: 2011 hurricane season, Hurricane Irene 2011, NOAA, Tropical cyclones | Leave a Comment »

Summit County: Pine beetle numbers drop sharply

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Only a few pockets of high activity remain SUMMIT COUNTY — The mountain pine beetle epidemic that spread through Colorado’s north-central mountains and other parts of the West is subsiding in Summit and Eagle counties, according to the Colorado State Forest Service. In the end, the bugs killed about 75 percent of the mature, susceptible [...]

Filed under: agriculture, Colorado, Environment, forest fires, Forest health, forests, pine beetles, pine beetles and wildfires, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news | Tagged: bark beetles, Environment, Forest health, Lodgepole Pine, Mountain pine beetle, pine beetles, Summit County News | 4 Comments »

Corals near submarine springs offer global warming hints

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Reef-building hampered by changes in ocean chemistry By Summit Voice SUMMIT COUNTY — Submerged springs along the Yucatan coast may offer a hint of what the coral reefs will look like in coming decades, as global warming inexorably increases concentrations of carbon dioxide in the world’s oceans. The naturally low pH (a measure of acidity) [...]

Filed under: climate and weather, endangered species, Environment, global warming, Marine biology, Summit County news | Tagged: coral reefs, Environment, global warming, ocean acidification, Puerto Morelos, Summit County News | Leave a Comment »

Morning photo: Faves

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Summit County, day by day … SUMMIT COUNTY — It’s debatable whether anyone would really turn back the clock if they had the chance. But with the miracle of digital imaging, it’s at least possible to go back to certain moments in time. That’s what I did with this photo essay, starting with a sunrise [...]

Filed under: Morning photo, photography, Summit County news, Summit County snow and weather | Tagged: photography, Summit County Colorado | Leave a Comment »