And now it’s time for the (sarcastic) good news roundup.

First off, from The Guardian via Grist Magazine, comes a story of how several nuclear power plants in Europe have been forced to reduce or stop production during the current heat wave. Seems the rivers that cool the reactors warmed a bit too much. So much for the global-warming-proof power source of the future - it’s vulnerabile to heat!

Secondly, from Climate Ark, the vast Amazon rainforest is on the brink of being turned into desert, with catastrophic consequences for the world’s climate, alarming research suggests. And the process, which would be irreversible, could begin as early as next year. Scientists say that this would spread drought into the northern hemisphere, including Britain, and could massively accelerate global warming with incalculable consequences, spinning out of control, a process that might end in the world becoming uninhabitable.

And finally, from USA Today, ethanol is far from a cure-all for the nation’s energy problems. It’s not as environmentally friendly as some supporters claim and would supply only 12% of U.S. motoring fuel - even if every acre of corn were used. A number of researchers are warning about exaggerated expectations that ethanol could dramatically change America’s dependence on foreign oil by shifting motorists away from gasoline.

Yay!

All stories and photo via David Suzuki Foundation.