Decline in Snowpack Is Blamed On Warming. Water Supplies In West Affected

The persistent and dramatic decline in the snowpack of many mountains in the West is caused primarily by human-induced global warming and is not the result of natural variability in weather patterns, researchers reported yesterday.

By Marc Kaufman
Washington Post Staff Writer

Full Story: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/31/AR2008013101868.html?hpid=topnews

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Cancellation of Steve Running speech in Choteau, Montana sparks debate http://matr.net/article-27415.html

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‘Muzzle’ Placed On Federal Scientists
Environment Canada policy meant to control media message

Margaret Munro, Canwest News Service

Environment Canada has "muzzled" its scientists, ordering them to refer all media queries to Ottawa where communications officers will help them respond with "approved lines."

The new policy, which went into force in recent weeks and sent a chill through the department research divisions, is designed to control the department’s media message and ensure there are no "surprises" for Environment Minister John Baird and senior management when they open the newspaper or turn on the television, according to documents obtained by Canwest News Service.

Full Story: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=47bf0fba-b98f-43fb-89fb-58b6464a7b24&k=65248

(Many thanks to Headwaters News for bringing this article to our attention. Russ)