Echo

Did your mood drop with the leaves?

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A less colorful outdoor environment could cause a less positive outlook, some experts say.

Does that mean the faster than usual loss of fall’s warm colors spell an early bout of the winter blahs?

Echo

Students use social media to gather climate change information

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A group of Central Michigan University students is using social media to gather information on climate change and periodic natural events, in the Great Lakes region. Tom Rohrer, the director of the Great Lakes Institute for Sustainable Systems at Central Michigan University,  and his students created a Facebook page called  “Climate Change in the Great Lakes Basin.”  On the page students post studies, articles, pictures and other observation, which address changing weather patterns. The page is also open for the public to post  their observations, creating a free and vast collection of climate change information. The project stems from a CMU course taught by Rohrer on building sustainability. The idea came during a class discussion on how to influence people do to the right thing for the environment, he said.

Echo

Chicago River haunted by Asian carp and ghosts?

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Terrifying events will conspire on the Chicago River this week, and it’s not just the launching of the latest search for Asian carp. Starting today, the company Living Social is taking customers on haunted kayaking tours. During the night, paddlers will make their way along the Chicago River, pausing to hear tales of  “ghost, haunting, and other river — borne horrors,”  according to the event brief. Living Social’s website warns, “there may be some actual scream-inducing moments along the way.”

While kayakers listen to frightening river tales, scientists will search for a potentially alarming truth. They’re looking for Asian carp, also starting today and continuing through Sunday, according to the Associated Press.

Water

Scientists collaborate to understand warming lakes

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Have the Great Lakes seemed a little less chilly in the past few years? It’s probably because the Great Lakes, like 95 percent of the world’s lakes, are warming. According to National Geographic, researchers from all over are trying to understand the repercussions of increasing lake temperatures.  The Global Lake Temperature Collaboration is a network of researchers, including Great Lakes scientists, collecting data about lakes worldwide. The groups first meeting this summer allowed participants to share, analyze and compile findings.

Echo

Federal officials weigh new beach health standard

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The current standard was set only for saltwater and involved too small of a sample of swimmers, critics say. It also overlooks the impact of certain pathogens. A new standard may allow greater local flexibility.

Echo

Using coal to deliver wind power

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The Ludington Daily News reports that the S.S. Badger carferry is expanding its operating season until Nov. 2 to transport wind tower parts. That means the Badger will be moving parts for building clean alternative energy while under steam provided by a power plant criticized for polluting Lake Michigan. The vessel is the last operational coal-fired steamship. It travels between Ludington Mich., and Manitowoc Wis., and is  under fire for dumping coal ash into the lake.