Environment

Hurricane season begins in the eastern Pacific

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013, 1:33pm

Hurricane season begins in the eastern Pacific

While hurricane season is still two weeks away in the Atlantic, Wednesday is the start of hurricane season in the eastern Pacific.

On average, more storms will form in the Pacific basin, but rarely make landfall. The ocean waters off the west coast are far to cold to sustain a hurricane, which requires sea surface temperatures of at least 80 degrees.

Additionally, the trade winds usually carry the storms westward, away from the coast. Rarely, storms can recurve back toward the coastline and make landfall along Baja California. Occasionally, they can bring heavy rain to southern California, but by then have lost their tropical characteristics.

Forecasters expect an average to below-normal year in terms of cyclone activity in the eastern Pacific.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Concord honored foir sustainability

Submitted by David Whisenant

Sunday, November 4th, 2012, 2:44pm

CONCORD - The N.C. League of Municipalities (NCLM) has announced that the City of Concord is the winner of the 2012 Susan M. Burgess Sustainability Award. The award was presented on Monday, October 22, 2012, at the N.C. League of Municipalities Annual Conference in Charlotte.

The Burgess Sustainability award is presented annually to recognize efforts to lessen the environmental impact of municipal operations and to promote and encourage sustainability throughout the community.

“We are honored to receive this award.” said Concord Mayor Scott Padgett. “Staff has worked hard over the past few years to incorporate sustainability principles and practices in the city’s day to day operations.” “These practices help to ensure that we are reducing our carbon footprint and that we will create a sustainable city for future generations to enjoy.”

View Comments | Post a Comment

AAA Carolinas hosts annual Great Fall Battery Roundup

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Monday, October 15th, 2012, 2:07pm

AAA Carolinas hosts annual Great Fall Battery Roundup

AAA Carolinas will host its annual Great Fall Battery Roundup, a used battery collection and recycling program, as part of Car Care Month in October. It is available to the general public, as well as AAA members.

North Carolina motorists can receive $5 for every auto or marine battery they bring in to any one of 24 AAA Car Care Centers, or 34 Approved Auto Repair shops from October 16 through the 31.

“Improperly disposed batteries do serious harm to our environment,” said David E. Parsons, president and CEO of AAA Carolinas. “This program is a win-win for everyone including motorists, AAA, battery recycle centers and the environment at large.”

AAA encourages residents to help fight stream and ground pollution and raise awareness by recycling batteries at one of 58 convenient North Carolina locations.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Smoke from wildfire no longer producing elevated levels of air pollution

Submitted by Chris Dyches

Monday, June 25th, 2012, 11:27am

NORTH CAROLINA - State air quality officials say smoke from a wildfire in eastern North Carolina is no longer generating elevated concentrations of air pollution, thanks to firefighting efforts and heavy rainfall during the weekend.

For the past seven days, monitors had detected elevated concentrations of particle pollution in parts of eastern North Carolina due to smoke from the Dad Fire, which began June 17 in the Croatan National Forest. Smoke from wildfires can create extremely small particles and liquid droplets that can be harmful to breathe and contribute to haze and other air quality problems.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Viva Verde Earth Fest coming to Cabarrus Saturday

Submitted by David Whisenant

Wednesday, April 11th, 2012, 2:30pm

Viva Verde Earth Fest coming to Cabarrus Saturday

CONCORD - The weather forecast is looking great for Saturday, April 14, when the Cities of Concord and Kannapolis and Cabarrus County will host the third annual Viva Verde Earth Fest (VVEF) at North Cabarrus Park (760 Orphanage Road). The free event will take place from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

VVEF is a fun, family–friendly event that seeks to promote a better understanding of the environment and environmental issues through experiences and education in order to help the public make positive choices to develop and maintain a sustainable lifestyle. In addition to great live music, food, and eco-friendly vendors, attendees can also register to win a refurbished iPad.

Visitors should park across from the North Cabarrus Park entrance at the Church of God Children’s Home, where they will have the option to participate in a free vehicle gas cap check. The parking area will also feature ever-popular Reuse Roundup, where charitable organizations and local businesses will collect unwanted items from the public that can be reused.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Viva Verde Earth Fest looking for sponsors

Submitted by Alison Hill, Community Web Producer

Friday, February 17th, 2012, 2:35pm

Viva Verde Earth Fest looking for sponsors

KANNAPOLIS – The cities of Concord and Kannapolis and Cabarrus County are once again partnering to host Viva Verde Earth Fest (VVEF) at North Cabarrus Park in Kannapolis (address is 760 Orphanage Road, Concord).

The event will take place on Saturday, April 14, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. with a severe weather make-up date on April 21.

Educators, mentors, and community leaders are invited to provide Educational Exhibits to help greater Cabarrus County learn about sustainability, ecology, and green practices. Event planners are also looking for eco‐friendly businesses to provide vendor booths with products and services such as organic produce, fair trade gifts, eco‐fashions, and items made from renewable resources.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Solar-paneled parking deck to help city power grid

Submitted by Alison Hill, Community Web Producer

Friday, January 6th, 2012, 12:37pm

Solar-paneled parking deck to help city power grid

CONCORD - The City of Concord’s Downtown Municipal Parking Deck on Cabarrus Avenue has a new look.

The public is invited to a ceremony on January 10 unveiling newly installed solar modules to the deck's top level, leaving 23 lucky parking spaces in the shade.

View Comments | Post a Comment