BP gets “wake-up call” and $32 billion in spill charges

BP Plc's newly named chief executive on Tuesday called the Gulf oil spill a "wake-up call" for the entire industry as the company tallied up its losses and disclosed two U.S. investigations. Bob Dudley, who will replace gaffe-prone Tony Hayward as chief executive on October 1, said safety would be among his highest priorities as the first American to lead BP tries to refurbish the British oil company's battered reputation. Image repair may become even tougher after BP said it would offset the cost of the spill against its taxes, costing U.S. taxpayers almost $10 billion. BP reported a second-quarter loss of $17 billion, including $32 billion in charges related to the oil spill, the largest in U.S. history. It also announced plans to sell $30 billion in assets over the next 18 months to help cover its liabilities.

Gulf Environment Forum 2011

ENN is proud to be a media sponsor of the The Gulf Environment Forum. Environmental issues in the middle east are taken very seriously, and there are challenges to living and operating industries in an area with limited water and cooling capacity for industry. The Gulf Environment Forum (GEF) is Saudi Arabia’s official environment event, spearheaded by the presidency of Meteorology & Environment. Combining an international exhibition and conference, GEF provides a unique business platform for industry experts to demonstrate their expertise and play an active part in establishing a sustainable and environmentally responsible region for generations to come.

GULF ENVIRONMENT FORUM 2011

ENN is proud to be a media sponsor of the The Gulf Environment Forum. Environmental issues in the middle east are taken very seriously, and there are challenges to living and operating industries in an area with limited water and cooling capacity for industry. The Gulf Environment Forum (GEF) is Saudi Arabia’s official environment event, spearheaded by the presidency of Meteorology & Environment. Combining an international exhibition and conference, GEF provides a unique business platform for industry experts to demonstrate their expertise and play an active part in establishing a sustainable and environmentally responsible region for generations to come.

The Surface of Mars

A century ago an astronomer by the name of Lowell "discovered" the canals of Mars. Since then better images has shown that there are no canals. Now a camera aboard NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft has helped develop the most accurate global Martian map ever. Researchers and the public can access the map via several websites and explore and survey the entire surface of the Red Planet and imagine what it might be on the surface.

Holding Off Dementia

A new study by researchers at the University of Cambridge has discovered that people who have received more education are less likely to develop dementia. Previous studies have looked at this issue but have been unable to determine if it was education, and not its effects such as higher economic status or healthier living, that impacted the chances of dementia. This new study has found that dementia is in fact a direct consequence of the amount of education received earlier in life.

New Health Risk Found in Public Pools

Public swimming pools are more dangerous than you might think, a new study suggests. When sweat and urine, among other organics, mix with the disinfectants in pool water, the result can be hazardous to health. The findings, announced this week, link the application of disinfectants in recreational pools to genetic cell damage that has been shown to be linked with adverse health outcomes such as asthma and bladder cancer.

Pollution makes quarter of China water unusable

Almost a quarter of China's surface water remains so polluted that it is unfit even for industrial use, while less than half of total supplies are drinkable, data from the environment watchdog showed on Monday. Inspectors from China's Ministry of Environmental Protection tested water samples from the country's major rivers and lakes in the first half of the year and declared just 49.3 percent to be safe for drinking, up from 48 percent last year, the ministry said in a notice posted on its website (www.mep.gov.cn).

What to do with the CO2

Burning fuel releases a lot of carbon dioxide. For more is emitted than any other air emission. What can we do with it all? A basic reuse of carbon dioxide or CO2 is to have plants and trees use it to make new plants and trees. Recently, the U.S. government has been funding more than $100 million to six research projects that will turn carbon dioxide into fuel, plastics, cement and more. Though the US is spending some money even more comes from private investors.

EPA to Study Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water; Seeks Public Input

This July and August, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") is holding a series of public meetings seeking input on the design for an upcoming study to assess the effect of hydraulic fracturing on public drinking water supplies. Hydraulic fracturing uses high-pressured water, combined with chemicals, to release natural gas present underground in shale formations. Use of this process has raised concerns across the country that this process will contaminate, or has contaminated, drinking water supplies.

Stellar Heavyweight Breaks the Scales

Using the world's most powerful ground-based telescope, astronomers have identified the seven heaviest stars ever found. One of these behemoths is so big, it's forcing researchers to rethink just how bulky stars can become.