spacer.gif (46 bytes)

mmmfileslogo1.JPG (23259 bytes)

 
spacer.gif (46 bytes)

OCTOBER

  • In Honduras, the heavy rains killed 20 people and destroyed more than 1,000 homes.  Reuters, 10/1/99.

 

  • High temperatures in the Southland forced several schools to close.  Not all schools have air conditioners, so the students were released under the "Heat Release" program.  Officials say the schools should all have air conditioners by next year.   L.A. Times, 10/1/99.

 

  • Islands urge action on global warming as fiercer hurricanes and typhoons hit them year after year.  These storms feed off warm tropical waters, and some climatologists have predicted that additional atmospheric heat will raise sea temperatures.  Rising sea levels will threaten the existence of some islands.  Several of the outlying atolls of the Pacific Island nation of Vanatua have already been abandoned because of rising waters.  Inquirer, 10/3/99.

 

  • Scientists have been monitoring the effect of fires on greenhouse gas emissions.  They concluded that fires contributed significantly to the greenhouse effect, perhaps as much as 40% of the annual global greenhouse gas emissions.  ENN News, 10/3/99.

 

  • Heavy rains continue to soak Mexico, killing at least one person and sending rivers streaming through towns.  Over 10,000 were left homeless in Veracruz after rains caused a river to break its banks.  The country has asked for international help.  Yahoo! News, 10/4/99.

 

  • Over 1,000 residents of Nigeria are feared drowned and about 30,000 are displaced after flooding and torrential rains.  Xinhua Agency, 10/7/99.

 

  • Some parts of Mexico have received over 2 1/2 feet of rainfall in two days.  This is greater than the average annual rainfall for the entire state.  AP, 10/8/99.

 

  • Typhoon Dan kills at least 8 people in the Philippines, thousands are left homeless and many crops are destroyed.  AP, 10/8/99.

 

  • Fierce storms in Bogota, Columbia have killed 17 people and left more than 50,000 others homeless.  The torrential rains have caused rivers to swell and burst their banks, flooding the nearby towns.  Reuters, 10/8/99.

 

  • Rescuers in Mexico continue to pull bodies out of mudslides, bringing the death toll to 330, making this the worst tragedy in a decade for the area.  Yahoo! News, 10/9/99.

 

  • Forecasters predicted that temperatures in the Southland would continue to remain high as they reached 102 in Woodland Hills. KNBC, 10/9/99.

 

  • Flooding in the Mexico city of Villahermosa left the city virtually under water more than a week.  The death toll has been estimated at 600 with thousands homeless.  More than 250,000 people have been affected by the week of flooding and are asking for more government aid.  AP, 10/10/99.

 

  • Typhoon York has killed 15 people and injured around 700 in China.  Typhoon York is the most violent storm to hit China and Hong Kong, killing 21 in that area.  China Times, 10/11/99.

 

  • According to the Goddard Institute of Space Studies, temperatures have risen by seven to ten degrees over the last 35 years.  They believe that it is quite likely that the warmer winters over the continents are a result of the increasing amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.   ENN News, 10/12/99.

 

  • More than 271,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes in Mexico as flooding continues, causing mudslides.  Many bridges and roads were washed out, isolating many communities.  AP, 10/14/99.

 

  • Hurricane Irene dropped 20 inches of rain on Florida, flooding streets in Miami, stalling cars and knocking out power to at least 80,000 residents.  Five people were electrocuted by downed power lines.  Winds were estimated at 75 miles per hour.  AP, 10/16/99.

 

  • Hurricane Irene continues to wreak havoc on Florida, killing 7 people and knocking out power for over 1 million people.  The National Hurricane Center in Miami had to switch to backup generators when the power went out.  Airlines have suspended service and schools have closed.  AP, 10/16/99.

 

  • Fast moving fires in Redding, California have consumed 20,000 acres and forced the evacuation of 1,000 residents. At least one firefighter was killed battling the blaze. Reuters, 10/17/99.

 

  • Two people were killed and 20,000 people were left homeless following continuous rains and flooding in Sri Lanka.  Xinhua, 10/18/99.

 

  • 1999 is proving to be the worst year for fires.  More than 50 major fires have devastated 243,281 acres in Nevada, threatening wildlife and ruining farmland.  AP, 10/18/99.

 

  • Wildfires continue to be a problem throughout the United States as Oregon battles blazes.  Wildfires sparked by parched conditions burned 1700 acres.  Channel 6000, 10/18/99.

 

  • Fires spark up in the Santa Monica Mountain area of Pacific Palisades, burning 50 acres, but not causing damage to homes.  Channel 2000, 10/18/99.

 

  • Researchers believe that without stabilization of the environment, there will be devastation of the Amazon Rain Forest, widespread hunger, people at risk of Malaria and global temperature rise.  BBC, 10/19/99.

 

  • Tropical Storm Jose became a Hurricane that threatened small Caribbean islands.  Winds were estimated at 74mph.  Reuters, 10/19/99.

 

  • A Swiss based environmental group proposed that global warming will cause floods to swamp New York and Miami, Russia will have pest attacks, and Japan's beaches will be destroyed by rising waters.  They said that greenhouse gases could have devastating effects in the coming decades.  They also said that the U.S. will become warmer than other areas and floods will threaten low-lying areas.  Reuters, 10/19/99.

 

  • Residents of North Carolina are struggling to cope with 4 feet of rain, which damaged homes and businesses.  Hurricane Irene was to blame for the rain, flooding and death of one person.  AP, 10/19/99.

 

  • Tropical Storm Jose tore roofs off homes on the island of St. Kitts with winds up to 100mph and drenching rain.  It flattened small trees and left residents without power.  AP, 10/21/99.

 

  • The Tar River in North Carolina crested for the fourth time in two months as more rain fell onto the flooded state.  The river reached 3 feet above its 19-foot flood stage.  AP, 10/21/99.

 

  • Temperatures soared into the 90's in southern California again.  MSNBC, 10/22/99.

 

  • Farmers come to grips with devastating loss of crops due to Hurricane Irene.  State agriculture officials estimate that 15% of North Carolina's 50,000 farmers might lose their farms from the flooding.  Many farms have filed bankruptcy or in foreclosure.  Chicago Tribune, 10/24/99.

 

  • Twenty-eight of fort-five districts in Uganda are facing severe food shortages due to drought and insurgency.  Xinhua News Agency, 10/24/99.

 

  • Heavy rains caused great losses in life and property in Vietnam.  Xinhua, 10/27/99.

 

  • Three people drowned and hundreds were left homeless in South Africa after torrential rains flooded the area.  AP, 10/27/99.

 

  • At least 50 people were killed in flooding in Southeast Nigeria.  Reuters, 10/28/99.

 

  • Heavy rains caused 4 deaths and the evacuation of hundreds in the northern Dominican Republic.  AP, 10/28/99.

 

  • 1.5 million people are reported homeless after a cyclone flattened the eastern state of India, Orissa.  Winds reached 160mph and killed 22 people. Reuters, 10/31/99.

 

NOVEMBER

  • A cyclone continues to devastate eastern India in what appears to be the worst flooding in 100 years.  Millions were left hungry and homeless.  AP, 11/2/99.

 

  • Rescue workers race against rising floodwaters in Vietnam to evacuate residents.  The floods have affected millions of people, some not eating for several days.  This is the worst flooding in four decades.  MSNBC, 11/5/99.

 

  • Officials in Vietnam have confirmed that 226 people have died as a result of the heavy rains and flooding.  Reuters, 11/7/99.

 

  • Cyclones have devastated beaches in Bonn, Germany.  Entire villages have been evacuated and drinking water has been contaminated.  Drinking water has also been contaminated in Tonga.  Strong winds and salt water spray have cut agricultural production and warming waters affected the fish supply.  AP, 11/7/99.

 

  • Floods in the Central African Republic have left 6,000 people homeless.  Reuters, 11/9/99.

 

  • China is forced to evacuate 700,000 people from flood areas along the Yangtze River.  On average, China relocates 5 million per year due to the problems of flooding along the river.  Reuters, 11/11/99.

 

  • Flooding in Vietnam has killed at least 547 people and damaged 830,000 homes.  Damage is estimated at $215 million.  Reuters, 11/11/99.

 

  • Laboratory tests reveal that gradual global warming may lead to the extinction of animals such as lions, tigers and even humans.  They believe that warming may cause extinction because it alters the rate at which plants grow and consume the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide.  UPI, 11/11/99.

 

  • The Climate Impacts Group believes that climate change will have major impact on the Northwest in the next 50 years.  It is possible that Washington, Oregon and Idaho will have to deal with 5% more rain, 1/3 less winter snowpack and a mountain snow line as much as 1500 higher.  University of Washington, 11/12/99.

 

  • The cyclone that killed more than 7600 in the eastern India state of Orissa may kill more next year in a heat wave, because of the destruction of the trees and other vegetation.  AP, 11/12/99.

 

  • California's leading ecological scientists concluded that the climate change could have serious challenges for the state's environment and economy.  California's future climate may be warmer and wetter and hotter.  The report also states there will be less water to go around.  Dramatic impacts include landslides, wildfires and disease.  Union of Concerned Scientists, 11/12/99.

 

  • Scientists agree that there are steps we can take to reduce the effects of global warming.  People need to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases - in California alone 400 million tons of carbon dioxide is emitted each year.  Environmental News Network, 11/12/99.

 

  • The death toll in Orissa, India has reached 9,392 people, making it the worst disaster in modern history.  The U.N. Disaster Assessment team said that 2.25 million people were in need of food immediately to survive.  AP, 11/15/99.

 

  • Almost 3,000 Honduran residents have been evacuated due to heavy rains and flooding along the coast.  Many rivers overflowed and downed bridges and power poles.  Rains and mudslides since September have caused at least 35 deaths and flooded 18,000 people from their homes.  Reuters, 11/15/99.

 

  • Scientists have found Arctic Sea ice has been thinning during the last decade.  The average draft of the sea ice has declined by 4.3 feet, or 40% since the first measurements were made in 1958.  The thinning of the ice is a major sign of climate variability.  Environmental News Network, 11/16/99.

 

  • Howling winds and torrential rains continue to batter the U.S. Virgin Islands as Hurricane Lenny brought winds up to 135mph.  St. Croix residents reported almost 4 inches of rain and a storm surge of up to 8 feet above normal.   Reuters, 11/17/99.

 

  • Severe storms and flooding have destroyed rail routes in the Greek region of Peloponnese.  52 miles of track have been damaged.  Torrential rains also caused flooding, landslides and power outages.  AP, 11/17/99.

 

  • Heavy rains in New Zealand have caused lakes to rise and flood, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of people.  Rain has fallen for 24 hours straight and sandbagging efforts have failed.  AP, 11/18/99.

 

  • Over 1 million Kenyans are suffering from drought related hunger as poor rains, crop failure and poverty continue to devastate eastern Africa.  Officials state that no one has died as a result of the drought and bad conditions.  NewsEdge, 11/18/99.

 

  • Hurricane Lenny has left 2 people dead and thousands homeless on Colombia's coast.  The worst hit area was Guajira Peninsula where the 2 people drowned.  Strong winds and torrential rains damaged the homes of at least 540 people.  Colombia has already had to deal with 3 months of non-stop rains.  NewsEdge, 11/19/99.

 

  • Extreme cold weather in Poland is being blamed for the deaths of 25 people.  Several young boys died after falling through thin ice.  AP, 11/22/99.

 

  • Flooding in Senegal has killed 103 people and left over 23,000 people homeless and 20 people are still missing.  Reuters, 11/22/99.

 

  • Severe weather and blizzards in Mongolia has forced the evacuation of 1400 people and 141,000 heads of livestock.  Snow is usually uncommon or at least light in this region.  Reuters, 11/22/99.

 

  • Major religious leaders are pleading that "we should be thankful for what we have and not to squander the future."  The U.S. is seen as being a major carbon contributor, with 22% of the carbon emissions that play a major role in global warming.  The National Council of Churches took a stand on global warming, declaring the Kyoto Protocol an "important move toward protecting God's children and his creation."  MSNBC, 11/26/99.

 

  • Biologists believe that global climate change is causing an outbreak of "human plague," which is caused by the bacterium Yersinia Pestis.  Global warming could increase the risk of contracting such diseases.  PR Newswire, 11/26/99.

 

  • Floods in the Sudan have killed 8 people and left 66,000 homeless.  Farmlands have been devastated by the heavy rains.  Reuters, 11/27/99.

 

  • Over 10,000 people are living in tents in eastern China due to the summer flooding of the Yangtze River.  AP, 11/27/99.

 

 

      DECEMBER

      Tornado Hurts 10 in Pennsylvania

  • “An unusual November Tornado ripped apart homes, toppled trees and injured at least 10 people in eastern Pennsylvania.  Some 1,800 customers still had no electricity today, Chester County emergency officials said” AP, 12/1/99.

 

      Indian cyclone damage estimate at $1.5 billion

  • “A fierce cyclone that killed nearly 10,000 people in eastern India last month is estimated to have destroyed property worth $1.5 billion.” Reuters, 12/1/99.

 

  • Virgin Mary’s tomb damaged in flash flood

“The Virgin Mary’s tomb at the foot of Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives was flooded on Monday by a surge of water that filled the underground chapel, damaging precious Christian icons and forcing monks and nuns to flee . . . The flood was caused by a deluge rare in the drought-ridden Holy Land, which has had one of the driest years on record, with only sparse rainfall since the start of winter. Reuters, 12/1/99.

 

  • “Rising Sea Levels

“Florida’s coastal forests are dying.  Caught between rising sea levels and the development of inland areas for agriculture, silvicultue and condominiums, the cabbage pals and other species occupying the coastal strand are being squeezed out of existence.” Carolee Boyles, ENN, 12/3/99, pg.1.

 

  • River Congo bursts banks, floods capitals

“Central Africa’s Congo River, fed by unusually heavy rains, has burst its banks, flooding the twin capitals of the two Congos and making thousands of people homeless, officials on both sides of the river said.” FOCUS, 12/3/99, Pg.1.

 

  • Melting Arctic Ice Linked to Human Combustion of Oil and Gas

Enormous swaths of Arctic sea ice are vanishing each year, and humans are the likely culprits, a team of scientists announced Thursday.  Using ground based and satellite data, the researchers estimate there is a 98 percent chance that the melt is due, at least in part, to global warming caused by human activities. Cat Lazaroff. ENS, 12/3/99.

 

  • Storm Across N. Europe Leaves 17 Dead, Devastation

      “A strong storm blasted across northern Europe, killing at least 17 people,

      injuring dozens more . . . Analysts in several countries called it one of the

strongest storms of the century . . . damage was estimated in the tens of millions of dollars.” AP, 12/5/99.

 

  • Global Warming & the Federal Budget

The recently proposed FY 2000 Federal Budget contains a request for $4 billion for measures to help reduce the risk of global warming.  This includes $3.6 billion for tax incentives to encourage the purchase of efficient homes, cars and appliances and $200 million for the previously proposed Clean Air Fund. The promotion of clean and efficient energy will also be funded.” Global Warming Central, 12/5/99. pg.1.

 

  • Ford exits anti-Kyoto climate change group

“Ford Motor Co said on Monday it was quitting the Global Climate Coalition because the industry-funded lobbying group was standing in the way of the automaker’s own efforts to make progress on the environment . . . Ford was the third major company, after oil giants BP Amoco and Royal Dutch/Shell, to recently drop its ties with the coalition, which was founded in 1989 and works with industry supporters in lobbying the U.S. Congress against the Kyoto climate change treaty.” Patrick Connole. Reuters, 12/6/99.

 

  • Central Vietnam floods leave 750,000 homeless

“Raging floodwaters have left some 750,000 people homeless across central coastal Vietnam and more than 100 people have died, official media and relief agencies said on Tuesday.”  Reuters, 12/9/99.

 

  • 43 missing in Indonesia landslide

“Mud swept down a hillside and buried at least 17 houses in the landslide on Thursday, triggered by torrential rains.” Reuters, 12/11/99.

 

  • Coal plants spark problems for Tennessee Valley Authority

      “The Tennessee Valley Authority, which struggled to meet regulatory

requirements for its nuclear plants during the past two decades, is ending the 1990s in a fight with federal regulators and environmentalists over emissions from its 59 coal-fired units . . . At he same time, TVA is being challenged by environmentalists for releases of the unregulated but potentially toxic amounts of mercury from its coal plants . . . [E]missions from TVA coal plants, which supply two thirds of the electricity in the Valley, remain one of the region’s biggest  sources of air pollution and the deteriorating quality of vegetation in the Smokies . . . The Environmental Working Group (also) criticized TVA for releasing 7,535 pounds of mercury into the environment from its coal plants last year, including 4, 109 pounds into the air.”  Dave Flessner. Chattanooga Times/Free Press, 12/11/99.

 

  • Protected forests in jeopardy, study finds

“Most protected wildlife areas in developing countries are in serious jeopardy, according to a study released recently by the World Bank and Worldwide Fund for Nature . . . The World Bank and the Worldwide Fund for Nature launched a partnership in April 1998 to promote forest conservation and better practices in forest management.” Margot Higgins. ENN, 12/12/99.

 

  • Cyclone John batters Australia’s northwest coast

“Destructive gale force winds and heavy rain pounded Australia’s northwest coast on Wednesday . . . Cyclone John, the most severe category five storm with winds up to 300 kph (188mph) . . . billed as possibly the strongest  (cyclone) to threaten the country.” Reuters, 12/15/99.

 

  • 60-mpg hybrid car hits U.S. streets

“The era of 60-mpg and better cars was ushered in Wednesday as two-       seater ‘hybrids’ arrived at Honda dealers in California . . . the base price is $19,000 and includes dual-air bags and an antitheft system . . . THE INSIGHT . . .uses gasoline and electric power.  Drivers fill it with unleaded gas and an electric motor is charged by the car’s brakes so it never needs to be plugged in . . . Insight will go 600 to 700 miles on its 10 gallon tank . . .. Unlike electric cars, Insight does not require an outside source of electric power . . . it recharges without ever plugging in.  The electric motor draws power from the batteries to boost engine performance.  It also generates power during braking -- which captures energy from forward momentum -- as a way to recharge the car’s batteries . . .. General Motors, Ford, and Daimler Chrysler also are working on hybrid vehicles . . . that use ‘fuel cells’ to power a car . . . Fuel-cells have no moving parts and create power through an electrochemical reaction.” Miguel Llanos. MSNBC, 12/15/99.

 

  • Weird weather tied to polar winds

“Shifting wind patterns around the North Pole are partly to blame for a raft of weather changes in recent decades ranging from warmer temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere to declining sea-level pressure over the Arctic . . . Scientists presented reports . . . (that) frigid polar weather has not moved as far south during the Northern Hemisphere winter, leading to climate changes ranging from higher temperatures across Europe and Asia to a sharp decrease in Spanish rainfall . . . Those who believe man may be to blame theorize that as greenhouse gases warm the lower atmosphere they are cooling the upper atmosphere, setting up a climate change that is slowly drawing the vortex winds closer to the  pole.” Reuters, 12/17/99.

 

  • Venezuelan Mudslides Kill Thousands

“Thousands of people have died in mudslides and flash floods that swamped Venezuelan’s scenic Caribbean coast . . . Another 200,000 people were made homeless by the South American country’s worst natural disaster this century and the biggest such tragedy.” Tom Ashby. Reuters, 12/19/99.

 

  • Venezuela’s neighbor also hit by rains, worst in 30 years

“Landslides and flooding caused by the heaviest rains in 30 years have killed six Colombians this weekend and 95 people since August . . . More than 771,000 others have been at least temporarily displaced.” AP, 12/20/99.

 

  • Two killed in fresh flooding in central Vietnam

“Two people were killed as a tropical depression moved over central Vietnam, causing new foods in areas that had been inundated twice in the past month, officials said Friday. AP, 12/20/99.

 

  • Venezuela Floods Could Have Killed Up to 30,000

“The death toll from mudslides and flash floods that swamped Venezuela’s Caribbean coast last week could be as high as 30,000, authorities said Tuesday . . . The death toll would make it one of Latin America’s worst natural disasters of the 20th century.” Tom Ashby. Reuters, 12/21/99.

 

  • Columbia Hit by Heavy Rain

“Landslides and flooding caused by the heaviest rains in 30 years killed six Colombians this weekend and 95 people since August.” Reuters, 12/21/99.

 

  • Far North Braces for Climate Changes

“A recent shift in weather trends above the Arctic Circle has created abnormal climate conditions for much of the Northern Hemisphere.  Scientists now believe that human activities may be to blame.”  According to Mark Baldwin, of Northwest Research Associates, “The shifting state of the Arctic Oscillation could be a sign of human induced climate change.”  In agreement is John Wallace, professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Washington who says, “We have a record going back to the late part of the 19th century - there’s no big trend until 1970 and then you see a big swing from 1970-1995, extreme to the point that it’s noticeably impacted the climate in places such as Europe . . . Regardless of the cause, long-term changes in Arctic Oscillation pose a potential threat to the Earth’s environment.”  Adds Wallace, “This might be the first case where we have compelling evidence that human are changing the climate on Earth’s surface.’”  Gila Reckess.  ENN, 12/23/99.

                 

·        Scores evacuated as Southern England Hit by Storms

“Scores of Britons were evacuated from their homes and more than 5,000 houses were without electricity as gales and heavy rain lashed Southern Britain on Christmas Day ... Flood warning were issued for 60 rivers in ... Cornwall and Devon.” Jason Hopps. Reuters, 12/25/99.

 

·        16 Dead, 8 Missing in South African Floods

“At least 16 people died and another eight were reported missing and feared to have drowned in two days of flooding... Torrential rains ... caused a collapse of the roadbed ... At least 13 others have died ... and more than 1,000 left homeless.” AP, 12/27/99.

 
·        Singapore Hit by High Tide Flooding

“High tides churned up by monsoon winds and an unusually close moon have caused flooding in Singapore... Merchants slogged through ankle-deep water ... in (the) Chinatown district and sea water flooded parking lots near the international airport.” AP, 12/27/99.

 

·        Dozens Dead After Thai Cold Spell

“At least 33 people have died in Thailand in.. unusually cold weather (that) has swept down from China and Mongolia.… At Loei in the northeast, the mercury dived to 2.9 degress Celsius (37.2F)... Northern Thailand is usually cool in the winter months of December, but is normally closer to 10 degrees Celsius.” Reuters, 12/27/99.

 

·        Death Toll From Europe Storms at 93

“A second wave of fierce gales tore up trees and blew roofs from buildings ... in France, killing 13 people ... bringing up the toll from recent storms in Western Europe to 93.” AP, 12/28/99.

 

·        U.S. 1999 Temperatures Second-Warmest of Century

“Temperatures in the United States will finish 1999 as the second-warmest on record since 1900, only topped by last year’s all-time high mark, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations said... NOAA said records were also posted in the number of unusual winter tornadoes last January.  More than 70 tornadoes also occurred during a May outbreak, making 1999 the fourth busiest year for the storms with 1,225 reported.” Reuters, 12/28/1999.