Posted by Kelly Smith on Wed, Jul 14, 2010
Seven months ago, the Climategate email scandal broke. Emails that described some statistical methods used with the climate data were made public. To many climate change skeptics, these emails seemed to bring the validity of some climate change research into question and suggest fraudulent or unscientific research methods.
Now an independent review panel has released their findings in this matter to the general public. This 160-page report does not find any problem with the scientists or the data that should cause anyone to question the validity of the climate change research conducted at the Climatic Research Unit of the University of East Anglia, or the data they contributed to reports made by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
The panel did find that researchers should be more open with the public when they receive requests for information, and they should make it more clear to the general public how they used the data to create various graphic organizers and climate predictions.
Climate change skeptics can no longer legitimately hold onto this scandal as a means to deny climate change.
Record heat waves on the East Coast of the US add to the list of recent extreme weather events that will become more common as carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere increase.
Meanwhile, oil is still spilling and cleanup and containment efforts are still going on in the Gulf of Mexico months after an explosion caused oil to start spewing into the water at a rate of 60,000 barrels each day.
Now is not the time to make petty arguments about statistics. Now is the time to find alternatives to the dirty fossil fuels of the past. Investing in energy efficiency, purchasing renewable green power, and conserving conventional energy use are a good way to start turning to clean energy.
Photo via .Martin.
Posted by Rahul Chitrapu on Sun, Jul 11, 2010
"We don't have a long-term plan for humanity," Ted Turner said during the 2010 Summit Series in DC. "Global warming is by far the most complex problem facing us today and we need to phase out fossil fuels...," Ted said. Check out the video.
Posted by Hudson DeWeese on Wed, Jun 23, 2010
The particles released into the atmosphere from aerosols and planes are actually reflecting sunlight back into space which is found to have the effect of cooling the earth. During the three days that followed September 11th, 2001, it was noticed that the average daytime temperature increased by 1.8°F, which proves the significance of what is called global dimming. Some believe that global dimming can be used to as a geoengineering technique to reduce the impact of global warming when in reality it is a cheap and temporary fix to combat global warming.
The full temperature effects of global dimming are not yet fully understood due to the challenge of recording the overall temperature of the earth's atmosphere. Regions that are downwind from major sources of air pollution have generally cooled, which makes global dimming intriguing. This may also explain why the eastern United States is cooling compared to the warming western part.
Aerosols generally have a life of one week until they get collected by rain and fall to the earth's surface. While in the atmosphere, aerosols have a cooling effect by reflecting sunlight back into space while during the nighttime it actually prevents the earth from cooling by trapping the heat in. It has also been noticed that aerosols can decrease rain fall which interferes with the hydrological cycle. In general, most techniques of temporarily cooling the earth's atmosphere have a cooling effect in some regions but a heating effect in others giving no overall change in the earth's climate. For example, volcanic ash has been shown to cool down the atmosphere in a similar way aerosols do, but once the ash settles it absorbs sunlight which in return heats the atmosphere.
The use of green energy reduces the amount of sulfides and CO2 in the atmosphere which has a direct relationship to global warming, which as a result is cooling the earth. Where global dimming is just masking these effects for a temporary amount of time and has yet to be proven effective past regional effects. Although green energy doesn't have an immediate effect on the climate like a volcanic eruption does, there is proof that green energy works with no repercussions of having the earth warm in any other areas.
Posted by Kelly Smith on Tue, Apr 27, 2010
Scientists have known for a long time that there is a link between volcanoes and global climate change. However, the relationship was not thought to be reciprocal until recently. Scientists used to believe that volcanoes contributed to change in global temperatures, but they did not believe that increased carbon dioxide emissions could cause volcanic eruptions. Now they are recognizing that the climate changes caused by these emissions do have an influence on volcanic activity.
The relationship between volcanoes and global temperature is actually a little confusing. Large volcanic eruptions can cause global cooling for short periods of time because the sulphur dioxide they release can reflect the sun's rays away from the earth if they reach high enough into the atmosphere. However, volcanoes also release carbon dioxide, which works to trap heat in our atmosphere and raise global temperatures in the long term.
The Royal Society, the UK's national academy of science, warns that climate change can actually affect the earth's crust. While carbon dioxide itself may not affect the earth's crust, occurrences such as severe weather events and sea level rise caused by carbon dioxide emission-induced climate change are now thought to have an influence on geological events such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis.
Volcanologists such as University College London's Professor Bill McGuire and the University of Iceland's Freysteinn Sigmundsson warn that seemingly minor environmental changes can cause hazardous events such as volcano eruptions. Volcanoes are affected by temperature changes, and by the rise in sea level and loosening of magma below the earth's surface when heavy polar ice caps melt.
A recent volcano eruption in Iceland has been in the news a great deal over the last few days as a cloud of volcanic ash over Europe has grounded flights and stranded thousands of passengers worldwide. Though scientists have not linked this particular eruption to climate change, such events may become more common as climate changes continue.
Posted by Kelly Smith on Thu, Apr 01, 2010
The
recent U.S. jobs bill is a step in the right direction for American investment in sustainable businesses. However, the U.S. government is not the only government initiating investment in green energy. Many other countries worldwide are jumping on the green bandwagon as world governments recognize the imminent threat of climate change to the people of their countries.
In the wake of such climate summits as December's 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, many world leaders are brainstorming ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and increase the use of green power in their nations.
Politicians in the U.K. have designed a three billion dollar investment bank which will focus on encouraging such sustainable projects as green electricity and mass transit. Government officials envision research and development opportunities for generation of offshore wind power in the windy English Channel and the incorporation of more sustainable waste management practices as just a few of the many opportunities this bank will provide.
The Labour government hopes that this new green investment bank, which will be half funded by the government and half funded through private sector investments, will be successful in pulling the U.K. out of its economic slump and creating new environmentally-friendly business opportunities.
The U.K. has set ambitious climate change targets. By the year 2020, their government plans to reduce carbon emissions by 30% and obtain 15% of the nation's energy mix from renewable sources. Government and private investment in such projects is an important step in realizing those goals. The initial outlay of funds by the Labour government will lower the investment risks for private investors, which should be helpful in encouraging public interest in funding new sustainable businesses and eventually shifting England's business environment to a more low-carbon economy.
Photo via david.nikonvscanon
Posted by Kelly Smith on Thu, Apr 01, 2010
There is something missing as politicians debate climate change policy in the U.S. Liberals and conservatives are framing climate change solely as an environmental issue or an economic issue. While these certainly are very relevant to global warming, a commonly disregarded aspect is the effect of global warming on public health. It is not clear why, as online journalist Richard Graves put it, "President Obama and congressional leaders have made health-care reform and tackling global warming their top priorities this year, yet little to no analysis has been made on what a climate policy that shuts down carbon-spewing smokestacks and tailpipes would mean to the health-care sector." This connection between climate change and healthcare seems like an important area to probe.
According to Dr. Matthew Nisbet at Washington D.C.'s American University, several reputable scientific journals, such as the American Journal of Public Health, the Journal of the American Medical Association, and The Lancet, have published articles discussing health issues tied to global warming. For whatever reason, this research has not really come to light through the political arena or the mainstream U.S. media.
Reducing carbon emissions and pollutants entering the atmosphere could certainly have a positive effect on respiratory diseases, an area of health that is otherwise predicted to grow worse as the climate grows warmer. A warming climate could also cause problems with farming, through droughts, floods, severe weather events, and changing climate patterns. This could negatively affect food supplies worldwide. Global warming could also cause heat-related illnesses and extend the range of insects that carry infectious diseases.
Fortunately, the U.S. Center for Disease Control is preparing to respond to these and other possible public health consequences of global warming, using methods similar to its preparations for flu outbreaks or other large-scale health crises in the U.S. In Europe, the E.U. has already foreseen the potential healthcare savings resulting from a reduction in carbon emissions.
Photo via sarawestermark
Posted by Kelly Smith on Thu, Mar 25, 2010
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce continues to receive criticism from major companies for its reluctance to accept the science behind climate change. Nike, GE, and Apple are just a few of the major companies which have expressed displeasure with the Chamber's active lobbying against cap-and-trade policies in Congress. In addition to standing in opposition to clean energy legislation, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is actually attempting to convince the public that carbon dioxide emissions are beneficial to human health.
Best Buy is the most recent retailer to publicly denounce the Chamber's attempts to deny the science of global warming.
Best Buy released a statement on March 18 to make their opposition clear.
Best Buy has stated that we are supportive of comprehensive climate change legislation and working to move toward a low carbon economy. With regard to the Chamber's climate initiatives, the Chamber has not spoken for Best Buy on these issues. We have shared our views with the Chamber and will continue to do so. Best Buy's commitment to sustainability aligns with global interests in addressing climate change. Best Buy is an innovator in offering our customers products and services that enable them to live more sustainably. At the same time, Best Buy is addressing our own carbon footprint resulting in a positive impact on the economic, environmental and societal well-being of the planet.
Best Buy's sustainable business practices extend beyond reducing their own carbon emissions and advocating for strong energy legislation in the United States. One recent campaign encouraged consumers to recycle their old electronics. Best Buy even offers in-store recycling for some items.
Best Buy is a member of BICEP, or Business for Innovative Climate & Energy Policy. Other members include such American companies as Sun Microsystems, Gap, eBay, Starbucks, and Seventh Generation. BICEP members are committed to encouraging green jobs, reducing greenhouse gases, creating a national standard for renewable energy, starting a cap-and-trade system, and much more. BICEP offers a new forum for the business community to work together to combat global warming.
Posted by Kelly Smith on Tue, Mar 23, 2010
Scientists have been telling people for years that global warming causes problems for animal populations. Migratory birds such as Europe's pied flycatcher are a prime example of the known negative effect of climate change on animals.
As the climate grows warmer, the caterpillars that ordinarily serve as a food source for baby flycatchers may emerge earlier in the spring than the usual arrival of the flycatchers from Africa. The birds cannot easily change their migration pattern, so many starve.
Now scientists have made another startling discovery about the effect of global warming on migratory birds. North American songbirds have been growing smaller over the last fifty years as the climate has grown warmer. This discovery falls in line with biology's Bergmann's Rule, which states that animals in warmer climates tend to be smaller.
North American birds that spend the winter in the tropics seem to be most susceptible to this effect. The scarlet tanager, for example, has decreased in mass by 2.3% over the course of about twenty generations.
The consequences of these changes are uncertain. Dr. Josh Van Buskirk, a professor at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, does not see that this change in weight and wing span in birds is harmful in any way, as population sizes seem to be remaining largely constant.
Such studies continue, as birds provide a glimpse into the effects of global climate change. The National Audubon Society tells us, "When it comes to global warming, birds are like canaries in the coal mine, showing us that temperature increases are reshaping our ecology in potentially dangerous ways."
Photo via Eric Begin
Posted by Rahul Chitrapu on Sat, Mar 06, 2010
"At TED2010, Bill Gates unveils his vision for the world's energy future, describing the need for "miracles" to avoid planetary catastrophe and explaining why he's backing a dramatically different type of nuclear reactor. The necessary goal? Zero carbon emissions globally by 2050."
Posted by Rahul Chitrapu on Tue, Jan 12, 2010
Celebrities including Jessica Biel and Emile Hirsch are climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise awareness about the water crisis. Glaciers on the mountain, Africa's tallest, are expected to disappear within 20 years due to global warming, which would seriously threaten the water supply of milloins. Kenna, a Grammy-nominated musician and philanthropist, organized Summit on the Summit: Kilimanjaro -- an expedition to raise awareness of the global clean water crisis. Kenna was inspired to take action by his father -- who was affected by a water-borne illness as a child in Ethiopia.
via TreeHugger
via SummitOnTheSummit