Tungurahua Volcano Evacuates 25,000

Four different villages on the slope of the Tungurahua Volcano ("Throat of Fire" in the indigenous Quechua languague) in Ecuador were evacuated on December 1 as the volcano became active for the first time in four months. This 16,500 foot volcano, located in the Andes Mountains just south of the capital Quito, forced 25,000 people out of their native villages and homes and into refugee housing provided by local authorities. 

Information for this story was found at:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/12/pictures/111207-tungurahua-volcano-eruption-science-ecuador/#/tungurahua-volcano-erupts-in-ecuador-

cone_44911_600x450.jpg

http://www.hispanicallyspeakingnews.com/notitas-de-noticias/details/25000-evacuated-in-ecuador-due-to-tungurahua-volcano/12149/

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/pb-111130-volcano-ecuador-nj-02.photoblog900.jpg

Japan Hands Over Tsunami Relief Funds

I wanted to share this story with my extreme weather tracking blog to show another side of donating and the use of relief funds that I found to be very interesting.

The Japanese government decided to give $29 million of their tsunami relief funds to the whaling industry, which the government explains as a long-standing Japanese tradition. While there is not much of a demand (if any) for whale meat in this day and age, Japan has been receiving permission from the International Whaling Commission for years now to continue their "research-based" whale hunt, claiming 1000 (accounted for) whales every winter. Recent polls in Japan even show that 95% of residents say they rarely eat whale meat, if ever.

While there are several thousands still awaiting relief from the tsunamis in March, Japan is backing their decision entirely, claiming several people are awaiting the whale meat. Many residents of Japan disagree, saying they could spend the money on helping suffering Japanese.

While several are left awaiting relief in the form of food, shelter, or medical attention, Japan will be using the money you donated to buy a new whaling fleet.

http://globalspin.blogs.time.com/2011/12/12/blood-money-tsunami-recovery-funds-go-to-japans-whaling-industry/

Quake Hits Mexico

12-11-2011- A 6.5 magnitude earthquake strikes just 100 miles outside of Mexico City in the state of Guerrero, even shaking resorts in Acapulco. It is said the quake was felt in nearly nine of Mexico's state, and claimed 3 lives. These lives were claimed by caving rooftops, and car accidents caused by falling rocks. Many other residents were frightened by the swaying buildings and waited outside, hoping for the best.

The USGS reports the quake occurred at a depth of 40.3 miles.

More on this, http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2011-12-10/mexico-earthquake/51788440/1?csp=hf

10th Hottest Year Since 1850

Recent reports released suggest that this year has become the 10th hottest year on record since 1850 (when they started to record data). The secretary for the World Meteorological Organization, Michael Jarraud, states that greenhouse gases are continuing to rise, and the global average temperature has risen nearly 2.4 degree Celsius. Jarraud also argues that this increase in temperature is due to human activity and that the science behind it is indisputable.

Scientists suggest that if the temperatures keep rising over 2 degrees Celsius, this will lead to mass extinctions and other catastrophic events.

Some suggest that La Nina is to blame for the rise in temperatures and extreme weather patterns this year. Droughts in East Africa, the United States, large floods in Thailand and Asia, and an extremely active tornado season. Sea ice in the Arctic was also measured to be the second-lowest it has ever been.

For more on this, http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/world_now/2011/11/2011-a-year-of-extreme-weather-and-the-10th-hottest-on-record.html

Is frequent extreme weather becoming the norm?

As I peruse the internet for articles on extreme weather events around the world, I cannot help but notice most articles are reporting on a recent reports that have come out of the climate change conference. 194 countries plan to meet tomorrow in South Africa (Monday, Novemeber 28th) to discuss what they plan to do about these increasing threats. Some of the problems they plan to address include who will help to fund developing countries in their needs for disaster prevention, safety and relief, how to protect rain forests and the need for clean energy and technology. Many developing countries feel that their needs are being neglected and they are not receiving the help they truly need in these disasters increasing in frequency.

Some of the main obstacles come from the United States Congress, and other climate-change skeptics that believe human influence on the increasing problems is non-existent. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change worries that there is not enough faith in scientifically-based evidence, as they just recently released a detailed report on the increasing frequency and intensity of storms around the world (such as cyclones, droughts, and others).

These conferences tend to largely criticize the United States for their lack of effort towards reducing their emissions, even though they play a large role in green house gas emissions. The U.S. has previously rejected Kyoto Protocol, which required countries to reduce their overall emissions.

More on this, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/28/science/earth/nations-meet-to-address-problems-of-climate-change.html

Minnesota Shocked by First Snow Fall

I wanted to report on this story because I was driving from Minneapolis to Eau Claire on Saturday as the snow began to fall, and witnessed large amounts of terrible driving skills combined with first-snow-fall paranoia.

Reporters say that with just 3 inches of an icy-snow mix, there were 261 crashes on the highway alone in less than 3 hours time. Of these accidents, 49 people were hospitalized and 1 was killed.

Minnesota Officials want to remind everyone that when the snow falls, most speed rules can be adjusted. Even if you have ABS or new tires, reducing your speed is the easiest thing we can do to reduce the risk of an accident.

REMEMBER: If you are afraid or just simply do not drive well in the snow, Minnesota/Wisconsin is not the right place for you to live :)

More on this, http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/Slick-Roads-Follow-Saturday-Minn.-Snow-nov-20-2011
http://www.sctimes.com/article/20111120/NEWS01/111190040/1st-snow-year-creates-some-havoc-temperatures-rise-week

Bangkok Cleans Up

Residents of Bangkok pitch in to help begin a massive clean up effort in their city from the major flooding they've been experiencing since this summer. Over 600 people were killed in these floods, mostly from drowning. Business and homeowners say that their efforts in clean up and rebuilding will be centralized around more "flood-friendly" buildings, using different materials such as bricks to resist mold build up, etc. These efforts are costing citizens anywhere from $400-6,000 US dollars.

For more on this story, http://blogs.wsj.com/searealtime/2011/11/21/bangkok-begins-post-flood-clean-up/