Water & Oceans

"The island nation of Kiribati is one of the world's most vulnerable to rising sea levels. But residents may have to leave well before the ocean claims their homes."

"Tar sands mining companies have continued to withdraw water from the Athabasca River in northeastern Alberta despite low flows that have made navigation difficult for river users downstream and left Fort Chipewyan's harbor dry."

Melting glaciers in Glacier National Park are endangering stoneflies which are dependent on cold water. In the coming year, federal biologists will decide whether such insects deserve endangered species status.

Scientists have observed a thinning of East Antarctica's Totten Glacier, which they now believe is because it is being undermined by sea water. This could cause significant sea level rise.

"Big changes are occurring in one of the fastest-warming spots on Earth".

"An amateur shipwreck hunter may have stumbled upon one of the greatest threats to the Great Lakes. Federal and local officials have scheduled a news conference Sunday morning to discuss the threat posed by a shipwreck about 15 miles northeast of Lakeside, Ohio.An amateur shipwreck hunter may have stumbled upon one of the greatest threats to the Great Lakes."

"Cuba on Wednesday launched an initiative to protect sharks in some of the most pristine habitat for the predators whose populations have been in steep decline."

"The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board has authorized a Shell Canada Ltd. drilling plan in the Shelburne Basin that allows the company between 12 and 13 days to contain subsea blowouts, but one environmental group is concerned the capping stack won't be housed here."

"The sunscreen that snorkelers, beachgoers and children romping in the waves lather on for protection is killing coral and reefs around the globe. And a new study finds that a single drop in a small area is all it takes for the chemicals in the lotion to mount an attack."