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Global Warming intensifying Global Water Cycle by double current climate model projections

Submitted by takver on Sat, 04/28/2012 - 8:54am
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New research into ocean salinity levels has revealed a strong global water cycle intensification during the period of 1950 to 2000. The researchers report the rate of change in the global water cycle is double the rate projected by current-generation climate models. The study found "robust evidence of an intensified global water cycle at a rate of about eight per cent per degree of surface warming," said study co-author Dr Durack, a post-doctoral fellow at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the US.

Scientists say Pollution caused global warming hole delayed climate change over eastern United States

Submitted by takver on Sat, 04/28/2012 - 6:13am
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Reduction in air pollution from coal fired power stations due to environmental regulations since the 1980s has increased regional global warming in the Central and Eastern United States. Climate scientists from the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) found that particulate pollution, particularly from coal fired power stations, caused a global warming hole, or a large cold patch reducing temperatures by up to 1 degree C in the region, particularly lowering maximum temperatures in Summer and Autumn.

Exelon's 'Nuclear Guy' says.... No New Nukes!

Submitted by tribalscribal on Mon, 04/02/2012 - 3:12pm
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Exelon's 'Nuclear Guy': No New Nukes

U.S.: Far-right ideologue supports corporate welfare for Big Oil

Submitted by tribalscribal on Thu, 03/29/2012 - 2:04pm
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<From: http://thinkprogress.org/green/2012/03/27/452825/sen-rand-paul-when-big-...

Global Warming means 20 Metre sea level rise in the pipeline say scientists

Submitted by takver on Thu, 03/22/2012 - 11:30pm
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Scientists studying the geological record have determined that at slightly above current temperatures we are about 20 metres below what the sea level equilibrium should be. Sea levels are increasing and forecast to rise at least a metre this century (although there is a low probability they could be higher than this), the change in sea level will occur over several hundred or thousands of years.

Scientists looking at the Pliocene period from 2.7 to 3.2 million years ago, the last time temperatures were at a similar range of 2 degrees C above average, estimated peak sea level was 22 ± 10 m higher than modern levels (extreme likelihood). This rise in sea level would require the equivalent of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets disintegrating, and some volume loss from the East Antarctic Ice Sheet. We are already seeing substantial mass loss from Greenland and West Antarctic Ice sheets.

Related: Scientists Estimate Sea level Rise for next 500 years | Sea Level Rise and Australia | Video Interview - The risks of Sea Level Change - Dr Peter Ward

Sea ice volume: Multi-year arctic sea ice reducing dramatically

Submitted by takver on Mon, 03/12/2012 - 9:16am
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A new study has noted a substantial decadal decline in the Arctic Multiyear ice cover. While ice extent has been shrinking, much of this is seasonal ice that reforms each winter and can grow with variable weather factors such as changes in temperature, wind, weather and ocean currents. A reduction in the thicker multiyear ice indicates a much greater impact and collapse of sea ice is evident.

Tropical insects face catastrophic reduction in reproduction with climate change

Submitted by takver on Mon, 03/12/2012 - 9:13am
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It looks like cold blooded species (ectotherms) in the tropics could be at an extreme risk of extinction with just moderate increases in temperature according to scientific studies. The latest study looked at the effects of increased temperature on the entire life cycle of one tropical ectotherm species, suggesting reproduction may suffer a catastrophic reduction as the climate warms with just moderate increases in tropical temperatures. The research has possible ramifications for all tropical ectotherms - Insects, spiders, frogs, snakes, turtles and other reptiles.

This is not the first indication that global warming impact on tropical species is greater than expected. Small increases in temperature in tropical ecosystems can have large impacts as many species are already near their thermal physiological maximum. Many species also have small dispersal ranges which increases their risk of extinction through small changes in habitat or environment.

Ocean acidification increasing at unprecedented rate not seen in last 300 million years

Submitted by takver on Mon, 03/12/2012 - 7:56am
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In a new study marine scientists warn that the rate of ocean acidification presently occurring is unprecedented in the last 300 million years. This is due to dissolving carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, much of which human activity has contributed over the last 200 years through the use of fossil fuels. The extent of the acidification and rate of acidification enhances the prospect for a mass marine extinction event this century.

Related: Dec 2011 - Ocean acidification warning to Durban climate negotiators to act on reducing CO2 emissions | June 2011 - Oceans at high risk of unprecedented Marine extinction scientists warn | April 2010 - Paleo-perspectives on ocean acidification - marine ecosystems under threat | Feb 2010 - Marine Extinction looms with Ocean Acidification increasing

OccupyCOP: Hundreds Protest inside UN climate venue in Durban as talks draw to a close

Submitted by takver on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 2:53pm
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The Durban UN climate talks - COP17 - are drawing to a close. Ministers and heads of state met through Friday night to thrash out some meaning from these talks.

Climate Change a hot issue in Pacific Island nations leading up to Durban climate talks

Submitted by takver on Fri, 11/25/2011 - 11:38pm
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A major new report on climate change in the Pacific Ocean region reports that the region is getter hotter, sea levels are rising, rainfall is changing and equatorial winds have weakened. While cyclone may tend to decrease slightly in the future, cyclone intensity is likely to be greater.

The report launched today - Climate change in the Pacific, scientific assessment and new research - contains 530 pages in 2 volumes with over 100 authors. The research was led by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) with strong input from 15 National Meteorological Services, Geoscience Australia, and from universities in the region. The report includes observations and climate projections for 15 partner countries involved : Cook Islands, East Timor, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.