MNN - Mother Nature Network

Dec. 19, 1972:  The supertanker Sea Star collided with the tanker Horta Barbosa off the coast of Oman.   Both ships were abandoned.  The Sea Star sank, but not before spilling an estimate 35.3 million gallons of crude oil through a 40-foot gash in its hull.

 

Dec. 19, 2005:  Arctic permafrost may nearly completely disappear by the beginning of the next century, according to a report by the U.S. National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR).  The perpetually-frozen ground holds an estimated 30% of the world’s carbon, which if released, would accelerate climate change.

 

Dec. 19, 2007:  The world’s most expensive six-pack is sold for $15,000 Canadian to benefit the group WildAid.  Six super-sized bottles of Stella Artois Nobilis beer will be consumed to help WildAid’s work to conserve endangered species.   In 2006, the group persuaded Yao Ming, NBA star, to send a message to his native China to avoid shark fin soup, the major cause of the decline of worldwide shark species.