A possible connection between global warming and violent hurricanes; auto sales plunge in August; and Boston eyes an all-hybrid taxi fleet by 2015.

Warmer seas linked to strengthening hurricanes: FSU study fuels global warming debate: A new report published today by Florida State University is likely to reignite the debate over the connection between global warming and stronger hurricanes. While the researchers involved are not climatologists and theor goals were not to prove the so-called “heat engine” theory of cyclone intensity, they found that the theory is, indeed, consistent with what is happening. The report — which appears in the current issue of Nature — finds that the strongest tropical storms really are getting stronger, and the trend appears connected with rising sea temperatures. The study is based on a computer crunch of storm and oceanographic data going back 25 years. (Eureka Alert)

GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota post sales drop as auto slump continues: The Big Three American car makers posted stunning, double-digit losses Wednesday as consumers stayed away from showroom floors, concerned more by economic uncertainty than gasoline prices. Toyota also posted a modest loss. One bright spot for U.S. automakers: truck sales, which rebounded to March levels. Nissan reported a surprising 13.6 percent increase in August sales, driven by a 32.6 percent jump in light truck sales. On the small car side, Ford’s popular Focus and Escape small SUV were standouts, as were the Impala and Malibu models for GM. (USA Today)

Shell comes under fire for role in Sakhalin audit: Royal Dutch Shell is taking heat for allegedly jiggering an environmental report on a massive oil and gas project. Internal emails show company officials attempted to downplay concerns about the proposed Sakhalin II field off Russia’s eastern coastline. The report was used by banks to determine whether the project would be safe to fund. Critics say Shell worked to have potentially damning environmental concerns buried deep in the report, rather than arranged in a single, easy-to-evaluate appendix. The $22 billion development was eventually given the green light, despite fears that the new fields might threaten fragile Arctic ecosystems. (The Guardian)

Mazda Planning Chevy Volt Rival : Chevy’s upcoming Volt plug-in car is already inspiring competitors, though the GM vehicle isn’t bound for showrooms until sometime in 2010. Mazda says it will produce its own Volt-like passenger car with an electric drivetrain backed by a gasoline charging engine. One difference: Mazda’s auxiliary powerplant will be a scaled-down version of the rotary engine in its RX-8 sports car. The first pre-production test beds are already being road tested in Japan. (Good Clean Tech)

Boston’s taxi fleet to go hybrid by 2015: Boston’s Mayor, Thomas Menino, is proposing that the city require cab companies to replace their fleets with hybrid vehicles by 2015. Menino termed the move an “essential step” in improving Boston’s air quality. But there’s a problem: where are the hybrids going to come from? New York City has already embarked on a similar program, but first negotiated with automakers to produce hundred of hybrids each month earmarked for taxi service. Battery supplies have not been sufficient this year to pace consumer demand for more guel-efficient hybrid vehicles. (Boston.com)