April 16 News: Heat Wave Prompts ‘Dire
Warnings’ From Boston Marathon Officials; Glaciers Still Shrinking Rapidly

Our round-up of the latest in climate and clean energy. Please post more links below.

A forecast for intense heat during Monday’s Boston Marathon prompted race officials to issue dire warnings over the weekend, along with the offer of a deferment for runners willing to wait until next year. [Wall Street Journal]

To figure out what is likely to happen to Earth’s climate this century, scientists are looking 3 million years into the past. [Reuters]

“The glaciers are still shrinking ? and rapidly”: With glaciers and ice sheets covering such a diverse range of latitudes (from the tropics to the poles) and altitudes (from sea level to over 6,000 metres), it is not surprising that there are regional variations in their behaviour. Such variability should not, however, distract from the broader and more important story unfolding, which is one of profound and likely irreversible changes to global land and sea ice cover. [Guardian]

Scientists from the United States Geological Survey have cautiously weighed in on a subject that has sparked public concern in some parts of the country: spates of small earthquakes in oil- and gas-producing areas. [New York Times]

Solar panels prices have kept marching lower this year, extending steep declines seen in 2011 and keeping pressure on hard-hit manufacturers who have struggled to eke out profits, industry experts said. [Reuters]

To the world?s military leaders, the debate over climate change is long over. They are preparing for a new kind of Cold War in the Arctic, anticipating that rising temperatures there will open up a treasure trove of resources, long-dreamed-of sea lanes and a slew of potential conflicts. [Washington Post]

The recent setbacks in UK clean energy policy reflect deep confusion over the main governing party’s direction on green policy. One prominent Tory MP said: “As someone who’s convinced by the science, and wants to tackle climate change, I’m finding myself an endangered species within my own party.” [Guardian]

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