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Sandra
Global Warming News & Updates
by Carolyn Lee, July 2008
The Orion Project
But there's hope, as a new non-profit has now been formed to bring many great minds together to help solve our energy problems without government involvement. It's called The Orion Project. Go to http://whataretheissues2008.blogspot.com/2008/06/energy-independence-help-make-freedom.html and learn about The Orion Project and over-unity energy technology. Donate everything you can, then please help t o spread the word to friends, relatives, and business associates worldwide. Here is something we can all do that can really make a difference! Help to mitigate the damage that we have caused to our home. Help to keep the situation from becoming truly catastrophic. Help to create a brighter future for the earth and future generations.
Soil Carbon Sequestration
7 Rise in chief greenhouse gas worse than feared
7 Earth may be losing ability to absorb CO2, say scientists
Washington, June 28 : Climate experts have warned that the world might have already reached the tipping point of climate change, where immediate actions needed to be done to reduce the effects of global warming.
http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/174930
Tomgram: Bill McKibben, The Defining Moment for Climate Change
Already climate change -- in the form of a changing pattern of global rainfall -- seems to be affecting the planet in significant ways. Take the massive, almost decade-long drought in Australia's wheat-growing heartland, which has been a significant factor in sending flour prices, and so bread prices, soaring globally, leading to desperation and food riots across the planet.
A report from the Bureau of Meteorology in Australia makes clear that, despite recent heavy rains in the eastern Australian breadbasket, years of above normal rainfall would be needed "to remove the very long-term [water] deficits" in the region. The report then adds this ominous note: "The combination of record heat and widespread drought during the past five to 10 years over large parts of southern and eastern Australia is without historical precedent and is, at least partly, a result of climate change."
Think a bit about that phrase -- "without historical precedent."
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080423181652.htm
Greenhouse Gases, Carbon Dioxide And Methane, Rise Sharply in 2007
ScienceDaily (Apr. 24, 2008) Last year alone global levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, the primary driver of global climate change, increased by 0.6 percent, or 19 billion tons. Additionally methane rose by 27 million tons after nearly a decade with little or no increase. NOAA scientists released these and other preliminary findings today as part of an annual update to the agencys greenhouse gas index, which tracks data from 60 sites around the
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming_potential
Global warming potential
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Global warming potential (GWP) is a measure of how much a given mass of greenhouse gas is estimated to contribute to global warming. It is a relative scale which compares the gas in question to that of the same mass of carbon dioxide (whose GWP is by definition 1). A GWP is calculated over a specific time interval and the value of this must be stated whenever a GWP is quoted or else the value is meaningless.
Importance of time horizon
Note that a substance's GWP depends on the timespan over which the potential is calculated. A gas which is quickly removed from the atmosphere may initially have a large effect but for longer time periods as it has been removed becomes less important. Thus methane has a potential of 25 over 100 years but 72 over 20 years; conversely sulfur hexafluoride has a GWP of 22,800 over 100 years but 16,300 over 20 years (IPCC TAR). The GWP value depends on how the gas concentration decays over time in the atmosphere. This is often not precisely known and hence the values should not be considered exact. For this reason when quoting a GWP it is important to give a reference to the calculation.
The GWP for a mixture of gases can not be determined from the GWP of the constituent gases by any form of simple linear addition.
Generally, it is by regulators (i.e. CARB) the time horizon of 100 years.
Values
Carbon dioxide has a GWP of exactly 1 (since it is the baseline unit to which all other greenhouse gases are compared).
| GWP values and lifetimes from 2007 IPCC AR4 [3] (2001 IPCC TAR [4] in brackets) | Lifetime - years | GWP time horizon | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | ||
| Methane | 12 (12) | 72 (62) | 25 (23) | 7.6 (7) |
| Nitrous oxide | 114 (114) | 310 (275) | 298 (296) | 153 (156) |
| HFC-23 (hydrofluorocarbon) | 270 (260) | 12,000 (9400) | 14,800 (12000) | 12,200 (10000) |
| HFC-134a (hydrofluorocarbon) | 14 (13.8) | 3830 (3300) | 1430 (1300) | 435 (400) |
| sulfur hexafluoride | 3200 (3200) | 16,300 (15100) | 22,800 (22200) | 32,600 (32400) |
A GWP is not usually calculated for water vapour. Water vapour has a significant influence with regard to absorbing IR-radiation; however its concentration in the atmosphere mainly depends on air temperature. As there is no possibility to directly influence atmospheric water vapour concentration, the GWP-level for water vapour is not calculated; see greenhouse gas.
The substances subject to restrictions in the Kyoto protocol either are rapidly increasing their concentrations in Earth's atmosphere or have a large GWP.
The GWP depends on the following factors:
- the absorption of infrared radiation by a given species
- the spectral location of its absorbing wavelengths
- the atmospheric lifetime of the species
Equivalent CO2 (CO2e) is the concentration of CO2 that would cause the same level of radiative forcing as a given type and concentration of greenhouse gas. Examples of such greenhouse gases are methane, perfluorocarbons and nitrous oxide. CO2e is expressed as parts per million by volume, ppmv.
- CO2e calculation example:
- The radiative forcing for pure CO2 is approximated by RF = aln(C / C0) where C is the present concentration, a is a constant, 5.35 and C0 the pre-industrial concentration, 278 ppm. Hence the value of CO2e for an arbitrary gas mixture with a known radiative forcing is given by C0exp(RF / a) in ppmv.
- To calculate the radiative forcing for a 1998 gas mixture, IPCC 2001 gives the radiative forcing (relative to 1750) of various gases as: CO2=1.46 (corresponding to a concentration of 365 ppmv), CH4=0.48, N2O=0.15 and other minor gases =0.01 W/m2. The sum of these is 2.10 W/m2. Inserting this to the above formula, we obtain CO2e = 412 ppmv.
Carbon dioxide equivalent
Carbon dioxide equivalency is a quantity that describes, for a given mixture and amount of greenhouse gas, the amount of CO2 that would have the same global warming potential (GWP), when measured over a specified timescale (generally, 100 years). Carbon dioxide equivalency thus reflects the time-integrated radiative forcing, rather than the instantaneous value described by CO2e.
The carbon dioxide equivalency for a gas is obtained by multiplying the mass and the GWP of the gas. The following units are commonly used:
- By the UN climate change panel IPCC: billion metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent (GtCO2eq).
- In industry: million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (MMTCDE).
- For vehicles: g of carbon dioxide equivalents / km (gCDE/km).
For example, the GWP for methane is 21 and for nitrous oxide 310. This means that emissions of 1 million metric tonnes of methane and nitrous oxide respectively is equivalent to emissions of 21 and 310 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide.
ScienceDaily (June 20, 2008) The U.S. Climate Change Science Program and the Subcommittee on Global Change Research has released a scientific assessment that provides the first comprehensive analysis of observed and projected changes in weather and climate extremes in North America and U.S. territories. Among the major findings reported in this assessment are that droughts, heavy downpours, excessive heat, and intense hurricanes are likely to become more commonplace as humans continue to increase the atmospheric concentrations of heat-trapping greenhouse gases.
Source: Copyright 2008, Observer
Date: March 16, 2008
Byline: Juliette Jowit
For centuries, writers, painters and photographers have been drawn to the wild and seemingly indestructible beauty of glaciers. More practically, they are a vital part of the planet's system for collecting, storing and delivering the fresh water that billions of people depend on for washing, drinking, agriculture and power. Now these once indomitable monuments are disappearing. And as they retreat, glacial lakes will burst, debris and ice will fall in avalanches, rivers will flood and then dry up, and sea levels will rise even further, say the climate experts. Communities will be deprived of essential water, crops will be ruined and power stations which rely on river flows paralysed.
Melting mountains a "time bomb" for water shortages
(Corrects name of hydrologist in paragraphs 2, 6 and 15 in story issued on April 14)
By Sylvia Westall
VIENNA, April 15 (Reuters) - Glaciers and mountain snow are melting earlier in the year than usual, meaning the water has already gone when millions of people need it during the summer when rainfall is lower, scientists warned on Monday.
"This is just a time bomb," said hydrologist Carmen de Jong at a meeting of geoscientists in Vienna.
Those areas most at risk from a lack of water for drinking and agriculture include parts of the Middle East, southern Africa, the United States, South America and the Mediterranean.
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/apr2008/2008-04-28-01.asp
Melting Andean Glaciers Could Leave 30 Million High and Dry
WASHINGTON, DC, April 28, 2008 (ENS) - About 99 percent of the Chacaltaya glacier in Bolivia has disappeared since 1940, says World Bank engineer Walter Vergara, in his new report, "The Impacts of Climate Change in Latin America."
One of the highest glaciers in South America, Chacaltaya is one of the first glaciers to melt due to climate change. Although the glacier is over 18,000 years old, it is expected to vanish this year.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-ichfish15-2008jun15,0,587682.story
Alaska Salmon May Bear Scars of Global Warming
"See, it's all of the biggest, best-looking fish," said Pat Moore, waving a stogie at the pile of discards. "It breaks my heart. My dogs cannot eat all that. The maggots will get them first."
The sorting of winners and losers at Moore's riverbank fish camp illustrates what scientists have been predicting will accompany global warming: Cold-temperature barriers are giving way, allowing parasites, bacteria and other disease-spreading organisms to move toward higher latitudes.
Tuesday, 6 May 2008
Insects in the tropics are already living at the limit of their temperature range and any further increases could quickly kill them off with huge repercussions for tropical habitats, which rely on insects for everything from pollination to waste disposal. Scientists have found that a rise in average temperatures in the tropics of just 1C or 2C could be enough to exert a significant and harmful effect on the survival of a wide variety of important insects.
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=tropical-insects-may-not-thrive-in-warming-world
May 6, 2008 in Earth & Environment
Toasted Bugs? Tropical Insects May Not Thrive in Warming World
Although insects, frogs, lizards and turtles in the tropics are used to hot weather, climate change may prove too much for many species
By David Biello
BYE BYE BEETLE: This leaf beetle, which lives in the cloud forest in the Ecuadorean Andes, may find future condtions too warm--or dry--for it to thrive.
)KIMBERLY SHELDON, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
Global warming may prove worse for insectsand other cold-blooded crittersliving in the steamy tropics than for their counterparts living closer to the frigid polar regions, according to a new study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. Even though climate change is likely to affect areas near the poles, tropical insects are already living in conditions that verge on being too hot for them, which means they could be teetering on the edge of extinction.
http://www.ecoearth.info/shared/reader/welcome.aspx?linkid=96331
Australia: Koalas may be threatened as climate change makes leaves inedible
Source: Copyright 2008, Asia News International
Date: April 6, 2008
Original URL
A new research has indicated that Koalas and other leaf-eating animals may be threatened because of climate change causing eucalyptus leaves to become inedible.
The research, carried out in Australia, saw eucalyptus leaves, which are the staple diet of Koalas, turning to leather. Koalas and greater gliders depend entirely on eucalyptus leaves for food, while some other marsupials, including brushtail and ringtail possums and many wallaby species, feed extensively on the leaves.
WASHINGTON, May 14 (Reuters) - Human-generated climate change made flowers bloom sooner and autumn leaves fall later, turned some polar bears into cannibals and some birds into early breeders, a vast global study reported on Wednesday.
Forests Besieged: With Africa Ahead, World Fells Trees at 'Alarming' Rate, Imperiling Climate
ISSUE: Spring 2008, feature stories | February 29, 2008
Click for full-size image New science explains how forests could help save us from global warming. Oksana Badrak For some people forests are measured in board-feet of lumber. For others they're a source of spiritual renewal. But scientists are finding that protecting ancient trees could also be an important new strategy in the fight against global warming.
ScienceDaily (Feb. 24, 2008) Climate change is rapidly transforming the world's oceans by increasing the temperature and acidity of seawater, and altering atmospheric and oceanic circulation, reported a panel of scientists at the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting in Boston.
"The vastness of our oceans may have engendered a sense of complacency about potential impacts from global climate change," said Jane Lubchenco, the Wayne and Gladys Valley Chair of Marine Biology at Oregon State University, who moderated the panel. "The world's oceans are undergoing profound physical, chemical and biological changes whose impacts are just beginning to be felt."
Panelist Gretchen Hofmann, a molecular physiologist at the University of California, Santa Barbara, describes the situation as "multiple jeopardy."
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080521105251.htm
Ocean Acidification: Another Undesired Side Effect of Fossil Fuel-burning
ScienceDaily (May 24, 2008) Up to now, the oceans have buffered climate change considerably by absorbing almost one third of the worldwide emitted carbon dioxide. The oceans represent a significant carbon sink, but the uptake of excess CO2 stemming from man's burning of fossil fuels comes at a high cost: ocean acidification.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004431933_webacidocean22m.html
Acidified ocean water rising up nearly 100 years earlier than scientists predicted
Seattle Times science reporter
Climate models predicted it wouldn't happen until the end of the century.
So Seattle researchers were stunned to discover that vast swaths of acidified sea water are already showing up along the Pacific Coast as carbon dioxide from power plants, cars and factories mixes into the ocean.
By Stephen Leahy
FORT LAUDERDALE, U.S., Jul 8 (IPS) - Coral reefs need to be put on "life support" if they are to survive climate change, but their ultimate survival is dependant on major reductions in fossil fuel emissions, say experts.
No credit as oceans turn sour
Anthony Bergin and Ross Allen | July 05, 2008
NOW that Ross Garnaut's draft report has been released, most of the climate change debate in Australia will focus on the economic effects of any emissions trading scheme.
However, there's another carbon problem, which will profoundly affect our oceans, that has received scant attention beyond a small band of marine scientists and is largely independent of global warming.
The public, aware of the role of carbon dioxide in climate change, doesn't know of its function in acidifying the oceans and the hundreds of years that would be required for recovery.
Ocean acidification refers to the natural process whereby carbon dioxide dissolves in the sea, forming a weak carbonic acid. The ocean is a major sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide and has absorbed about 48 per cent of the CO2 emitted by human activities since the pre-industrial age.
A recent report from the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Co-operative Research Centre claimed that carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is at its highest level in 650,000 years, and possibly 23 million years, and half has been dissolved in the oceans, making them more acidic.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The thickest, oldest and toughest sea ice around the North Pole is melting, a bad sign for the future of the Arctic ice cap, NASA satellite data showed on Tuesday.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2008/04/16/arctic-ice.html
Cracks in Arctic ice shelves even worse than feared: scientist
Last Updated: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 | 4:08 PM CT CBC News
Polar ice researchers who teamed up with Canadian Rangers on a patrol around Ellesmere Island this month say they've found that cracks in ice shelves are worse than they originally thought.
By Volker Mrasek
Researchers have found alarming evidence that the frozen Arctic floor has started to thaw and release long-stored methane gas. The results could be a catastrophic warming of the earth, since methane is a far more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. But can the methane also be used as fuel?
30.05.2008
An abrupt release of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, about 635 million years ago from ice sheets that then extended to Earths low latitudes caused a dramatic shift in climate, triggering a series of events that resulted in global warming and effectively ended the last snowball ice age, a UC Riverside-led study reports.
Saturday, 14 June 2008
The permafrost belt stretching across Siberia to Alaska and Canada could start melting three times faster than expected because of the speed at which Arctic Sea ice is disappearing.
http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/49255/story.htm
| Global Warming Will Push Russia to Destruction - WWF |
| RUSSIA: July 9, 2008 |
MOSCOW - Global warming will sow destruction across Russia and ex-Soviet states, a report said on Tuesday after the world's richest countries issued targets on harmful emissions that environmentalists criticised as too soft. |
The 52-page report -- written by green group WWF and British charity Oxfam -- described a grim picture of social, ecological and economic collapse in the world's biggest country and its former empire unless the world took urgent action. |
New Research Confirms Antarctic Thaw Fears
New research confirms that ice sheets in West Antarctica are thinning at a far faster rate than in past millennia. Although scientists are divided as to the cause of the melt, many feel it is directly related to climate change.
The boom must have been deafening last fall as the gigantic chunk of ice finally broke off from the Pine Island Glacier in Antarctica. For almost a year, the creaks and groans from the river of ice had presaged the birth of a new, expansive iceberg. And finally it was there -- 34 kilometers long by 20 kilometers wide, an area almost as great as that of New York City.
http://www.reuters.com/article/reutersEdge/idUSN1462532420080314
MARAMBIO BASE, Antarctica (Reuters) - A glacier used as a benchmark to measure global warming's impact on the Antarctic Peninsula melted more than usual in the past year, according to an Argentine glacier researcher.
For more than 20 years, Pedro Skvarca has studied the Devil's Bay glacier on Vega Island off the Antarctic Peninsula, a part of Antarctica that is warming five times faster than the average in the rest of the world.
The whole of Antarctica holds enough ice and snow to raise world sea levels by 187 feet if it all melted over thousands of years, according to U.N. data.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKN2529744920080326
Slab of Antarctic ice shelf collapses amid warming
By Will Dunham
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Satellite images show that a large hunk of Antarctica's Wilkins Ice Shelf has started to collapse in a fast-warming region of the continent, scientists said on Tuesday.
The area of collapse measured about 160 square miles of the Wilkins Ice Shelf, according to satellite imagery from the University of Colorado's National Snow and Ice Data Center.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/03/26/healthscience/ice.php
Runaway ice chunk in Antarctica worries scientists
Satellite images starting Feb. 28 show the runaway disintegration of a chunk covering 414 square kilometers, or 160 square miles. The ice was on the edge of the Wilkins Ice Shelf and had been there for possibly 1,500 years.
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