USA TODAY’s study of residential water rates over the past 12 years for large and small water agencies nationwide found that monthly costs doubled for more in 29 localities. The unique look at costs for a diverse mix of water suppliers representing every state and Washington, D.C. found that a resource long taken for granted will continue to become more costly for millions of Americans. Indeed, rates haven’t crested yet because huge costs to upgrade or repair pipes, reservoirs and treatment plants loom nationwide.

In three municipalities — Atlanta, San Francisco and Wilmington, Del. — water costs tripled or more. Monthly costs topped $50 for consumers in Atlanta, Seattle and San Diego who used 1,000 cubic feet of water, a typical residential consumption level in many areas. Officials in the three municipalities and elsewhere, however, say actual consumption is often lower. But conservation efforts counter-intuitively may raise water rates in some localities.

The trend toward higher bills is being driven by:

— The cost of paying off the debt on bonds municipalities issue to fund expensive repairs or upgrades on aging water systems.

— Increases in the cost of electricity, chemicals and fuel used to supply and treat water.

— Compliance with federal government clean-water mandates.

— Rising pension and health care costs for water agency workers.

— Increased security safeguards for water systems since the 9/11 terror attacks.

Via USA TODAY analysis: Nation’s water costs rushing higher

There’s nothing remotely normal about Fukushima since the earthquake and tsunami in 2011. Photograph: Magdalena Solé

The Guardian. Follow Climate Adaptation.

(via zenvision)

A 66-foot dock washed onto a beach in Oregon last week. The dock broke off from a port in Japan during the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

A 66 foot dock washed ashore in Oregon from the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.

Senate Commerce Committee Holds Marine Debris Hearing ›

A Harley-Davidson motorcycle swept away by Japan tsunami washes up on Canada coast

Objects and debris from last year’s tsunami, carried by ocean currents, have been washing up with increasing frequency on the west coast of Canada and the United States.

Recent discoveries include a soccer ball and a volleyball that were swept away in Iwate prefecture and washed ashore on Alaska’s Middleton Island. The items were returned to their Japanese owners.

The Maritime Museum of BC last week launched the Tsunami Debris Project, an online effort to collect photos of flotsam that has washed ashore, with the hope that some items can be reunited with their owners.

The magnitude-9 earthquake and tsunami killed more than 15,000 people and crippled several nuclear plants. Tons of debris were swept into the Pacific Ocean.

Full story at MSNBC

Cool map. Each color represents a year. Also, another fantastic tumblr to follow is sunfoundation:

NGA Providing Imagery for Tracking Japan Tsunami Debris Hitting U.S. Shores

One year after the devastating tsunami in Japan sent a wall of water that overtook much of eastern Japan, it seems that debris from that tragedy is making its way to the shores of California. It is estimated that 20 million tons of debris was swept out at sea, and many experts predicted that it would end up in the “great Pacific garbage patch,” which is the swirling area in the Pacific that has become a holding ground for plastic and other floating debris.

According to a recent New York Times article, a month after the tsunami the debris was no longer visible in NOAA’s satellite images. And, to assist in the search, officials have requested higher-resolution satellite images from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA).

One year ago, a 9.0 earthquake caused a tsunami to crash into northern Japan. It killed 15,850 people, destroyed 125,000 homes, and created one of the biggest nuclear disasters in history.

Video (screen shot above)
Wikipedia’s excellent entry

Dang. I forgot that nearly 16,000 people were killed in Japan from the tsunami.

2011: The Year in Photos, Part 1 of 3

2011 was a year of global tumult, marked by widespread social and political uprisings, economic crises, and a great deal more. We saw the fall of multiple dictators, welcomed a new country (South Sudan), witnessed our planet’s population grow to 7 billion, and watched in horror as Japan was struck by a devastating earthquake, a tsunami, and a nuclear disaster. From the Arab Spring to Los Indignados to Occupy Wall Street, citizens around the world took to the streets in massive numbers, protesting against governments and financial institutions, risking arrest, injury, and in some cases their lives. Collected here is Part 1 of a three-part photo summary of the last year, covering 2011’s first several months.

Above: A wave approaches Miyako City from the Heigawa estuary in Iwate Prefecture after the magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck the area March 11, 2011. The earthquake, the most powerful ever known to have hit Japan, combined with the massive tsunami, claimed more than 15,800 lives, devastated many eastern coastline communities, and triggered a nuclear catastrophe at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power station. (Reuters/Mainichi Shimbun)

See more incredible images at In Focus

magicbus-ryu:

Radiation counter map of the Fukushima Daiichi accident. June 18, 2011

The red/orange/yellow is about the same sized area as Baltimore, MD, Washington, DC, Arlington, WV, and Richmond, VA. See below comparison of East Coast USA to Japan in land area. Fukushima, above, is just about aligned with where DC is below: 

Note: You can read updates on the IAEA’s website, here.

(via fuckyeahcartography)

Two New Nuclear Reactors Cancelled in Texas

Compare to Haiti, Pakistan, and, sadly, New Orleans, Louisiana.

copyeditor:

Evacuation center. Japan.

(via futurejournalismproject)

jtotheizzoe:

This weekend, the Washington Post took a look at the safety of nuclear power in comparison to other sources (like coal) in the wake of the Fukushima disaster. When the future effects of climate change are included, nuclear comes out way ahead. But when compared to the visible and potent disaster in Japan, long-term dangers (even if they are worse) seem like they are unlikely to sway critics.

People just aren’t very good dealing with the future. They’d rather be safer now.

More at: Nuclear power is safest way to make electricity, according to study

(via jtotheizzoe)

Hi-rez photos of Fukushima Nuclear Power plant. More photos here. Meanwhile, decommissioning and dismantling the plant will take over 20 years, here. 

Celebrated, 60-year old albatross “Wisdom” survives tsunami