Nov. 17 – Mongolia is to launch one of the world’s biggest ice-making experiments later this month in an attempt to combat the adverse affects of global warming and the urban heat island effect. The geo-engineering trial, that is being funded by the Ulaanbaatar city government, aims to “store” freezing winter temperatures in a giant block of ice that will help to cool and water the city as it slowly melts during the summer. The scientists behind the 1 billion tugrik (US$700,000) project hope the process will reduce energy demand from air conditioners and regulate drinking water and irrigation supplies.