Short-term spikes, long-term warming linked to tropical Pacific. A new analysis of ice cores has determined that dramatic year-to-year temperature swings and a century-long warming trend across West Antarctica are linked to conditions in the tropical Pacific Ocean. [News Source]

America to probe Arctic for oil as sea ice melts. The US is sending a scientific expedition to explore the Arctic seabed, allowing it to gather data to build a claim to the region's natural resources. [News Source]

Hot subways to floods, all part of NYC climate risk. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Tuesday announced an in-depth study of perils the city faces from climate change, ranging from overly hot subways to shoreline floods. [News Source]

Autumn begins early after a washout August. Autumn looks to be arriving early with traditional harbingers such as blackberries and russet-tinted leaves already appearing around the country. [News Source]

Council would fine stores if they cool the sidewalks. Stores would be fined $200 for a second offense and $400 for subsequently using air-conditioning to lure customers from the sidewalk. [News Source]

Gandhi wants solar power plant for Raj Bhavan. After installing the city’s first rainwater harvesting project in Raj Bhavan, Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi is aiming for another first: a clean energy project to meet the power requirements of Raj Bhavan. [News Source]

How do you study where you can’t go? Bitter cold and floating sea ice long frustrated scientists seeking to study the ocean around Antarctica in winter. The solution: Send in the seals. [News Source]

Seals give climate scientists unique glimpse under Antarctic ice. Huge elephant seals have been recruited to help scientists break through a critical blind spot and chart climate change under the Antarctic sea ice in winter, researchers said Tuesday. [News Source]

Sensor-laden super seals dive deep for new global warming data. A behemoth marine mammal whose diving skills would put an Olympic athlete to shame has become a surprise player in climate-change studies, California researchers reported on Monday. [News Source]

Highway 50 plan may not be green enough for state. In what appears to be a California first, state highway officials are shelving a major Highway 50 widening plan in Sacramento until they can study whether the expansion will contribute to global warming. [News Source]

Fewer Americans hit the road in June. As summer vacation season kicked in, Americans got out of their cars, driving 12.2 billion fewer miles in June than the same month a year earlier. [News Source]