USA

A recent study looking into regional tropical cyclone formation conditions in the east and central Pacific has projected that 2 to 3 times more tropical cyclones (Hurricanes) are likely to hit Hawaii in the later part of this century.

San Fransisco tells Obama NO Keystone Pipeline: Photo by Rose Braz, Center for Biological DiversityOver 1000 people are reported to have turned up to keep climate change action in the spotlight and to greet President Barack Obama at a $32,500-per-person dinner in Pacific Heights, San Fransisco, to keep the pressure on for him to reject the Keystone XL pipeline proposal which would see tar sands oil flow from Alberta Canada to the Texas refineries on the Gulf Coast.

The protest even includied a brass band (youtube video), to provide a festival atmosphere.

Related Protest: "No XL Pipeline" Protest Near Obama Fundraiser on the Peninsula

Protests against the Tar Sands are escalating. In Seattle two protestors U-locked their necks to the doors of the Canadian consulate in Solidarity with Tar Sands Blockade and Idle No More and in Protest of West Coast Tar Sands Projects.The activists were arrested and charged with criminal trespass.

The activists issued a media release via Rising Tide North America. You can contribute to Rising Tide Seattle bail fund. See photos on Flickr, and a short  Ustream video coverage.

Washington and Oregon residents are also resisting proposed increases in coal exports from the Powder River Basin in Montana and Wyoming to Asia. See: Seattle Idle No More: Lummi people reject Cherry Point coal loader | Salem Oregon Sounded the Alarm on coal exports.

Seattle Idle No More 21 March 2013Last Thursday Native Americans from the Lummi nation and their supporters rallied and marched in Seattle to stop the Pacific Gateway coal terminal being built at Cherry Point.

Protect Creation - 15 arrested for climate civil disobedience: photos on Flickr by AnonMediaDay 6 of the Tar Sands Blockade continues with 20 civil disobedience arrests in Washington DC according to the Tar Sands Blockade website. Outside the Whitehouse on Thursday March 21 a gathering of concerned citizens from various American religous traditions - Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Native North American - called on President Obama to take bold and courageous actions on climate change, including rejecting the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. The call was underlined by a 'moral act of loving nonviolent civil disobedience' with 15 choosing to be arrested. View photos on Flickr by AnonMedia: 15 NoKXL Protesters Arrested at the White House .

The action was organized by the Interfaith Moral Action on Climate (IMAC) respresenting a wide variety of religious tradtions. They gathered in Lafayette Park at noon carrying three sacred symbols: palm fronds symbolic of greeting Jesus entry into Jerusalem; The Matzoh, unleavened bread that began as the food of the poor and afflicted but became the bread of life and freedom; and the Globe representing the planet we share, God's creation.

Keystone Lockon at TD bank, Washington DC: Still image from Ustream feed @OCCUPYCARLISLEThree protesters have occupied the pre-lobby of a branch of the TD Bank in Washington DC this morning in protest against the Keystone XL pipeline.

9 arrested blockading Gas storage at Watkins Glen NY. Photo: @ShaleshockBreaking Story. Watgins Glen, New York, 18 March 2013: Media Release: Sandra Steingraber Risks Arrest with Local Residents and Students in Blockade of Watkins Glen, NY Natural Gas Storage Facility

Sound the Alarm Rally, Salem OregonOregonians rallied on the steps of the State Capital in Salem on Wednesday 13 March to protest Australian company Ambre Energy's Morrow Pacific coal export project which would transport 8 million metric tonnes of coal annually by rail and barge down the Columbia river destined to be burnt in China, with the pollution returning by prevailing winds to the US and Canada.

Columbia Riverkeeper reported on their facebook page that 425 people attended the midweek rally in Salem to stop coal export. See pictures of the rally on Demotix. You can read more about the fight to stop coal export from the Pacific Northwest at Power Past Coal.

Related: Coal exports emerging as a major climate fight in Pacific Northwest (December 2012)

Stanford researchers map out an alternative energy future for New York

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo will soon decide whether to approve hydraulic fracturing for natural gas in the state. To date, no alternative to expanded gas drilling has been proposed.

'Funeral for Our Future': 26 Arrested Blockading TransCanada Office. Escalating resistance to Keystone XL: 'If President Obama will not reject the pipeline, we will stop it ourselves' Reposted from Common Dreams. By Common Dreams staff writer Jon Queally.

Climate activists in Westborough, Massachusetts were being arrested on Monday after blockading the entrance to corporate offices of the TransCanada corporation, the Canandian tar sands pipeline company hoping to receive approval for its controversial Keystone XL project. Calling it a "Funeral for Our Future" and carrying a coffin emblazoned with the words 'Our Future' the protesters held flowers and sang an elegy as they marched in procession. As supporters gathered outside - chanting and singing songs in unison—dozens of protesters were inside where they refused to move, despite warnings from local police.

Related: Funeral for our Future Blog | Tar Sands Blockade Blog: Over 100 Hold a "Funeral For Our Future" at TransCanada Office Outside Boston | Youtube Video of protest | Desmogblog: State Department Keystone XL Study Done by Oil Industry-Connected Firm with Big Tobacco, Fracking Ties | Ecowatch: Keystone XL petition to President Obama | Sign the Keystone XL Pledge of Resistance