11-30-14 Date Australia sweats over extreme hot weather
Australia sweats over extreme hot weather
Australia has always suffered from bouts of extreme hot weather but the number and intensity of heatwaves is on the rise, prompting a rethink of how the country lives, works and plays in the sun.
11-30-14 UN climate talks begin as global temperatures break records
UN climate talks begin as global temperatures break records
UN climate negotiators are meeting in Peru to try to advance talks on a new global agreement. One hundred and ninety-five nations have committed to finalising a new climate pact in Paris by 2015's end. In September, millions of people marched in support of a new approach to climate change.
11-27-14 Geoengineering the planet: first experiments take shape
Geoengineering the planet: first experiments take shape
IF WE can't reduce emissions enough, what else can cool the planet? We need to find out if geoengineering works, and soon, say a group of atmospheric scientists. Engineering the planet's weather and climate is a highly controversial idea. That's why we need experiments, the group say, and they want the first to start in two years' time. The frontrunners are schemes to alter the atmosphere to reflect more of the sun's rays back into space, or to change clouds so that they let more of Earth's heat out instead of trapping it.
11-27-14 How could we intervene to change the climate?
How could we intervene to change the climate?
Imagine the trouble that would ensue if China resorted to desperate measures to cool its climate but the result was that the Indian Monsoon suddenly failed. Or that India tried to head off a rise in temperatures only to find that Pakistan suffered from massive flooding. Or that the United States took drastic action to fight global warming and then saw that great tracts of Africa were suddenly left without any rain.
11-26-14 Risk from extreme weather set to rise
Risk from extreme weather set to rise
Climate change and population growth will hugely increase the risk to people from extreme weather, a report says. They estimate the risk to individuals from floods will rise more than four-fold and the drought risk will treble.
11-25-14 Geo-engineering: Climate fixes 'could harm billions'
Geo-engineering: Climate fixes 'could harm billions'
Schemes to tackle climate change could prove disastrous for billions of people, but might be required for the good of the planet, scientists say. This is the so far unproven science of intervening in the climate to bring down temperatures. Using aerosols to block solar radiation represents one approach to geo-engineering. Injecting aerosols into the stratosphere mimics the cooling effects of volcanoes. But blocking the Sun's rays could have undesirable effects, such as disrupting the Indian Monsoon. Dumping iron into the sea was seen as a way to stimulate plankton blooms, and trap carbon. (Webmaster's comment: History has shown repeatedly that mankind's interventions to get rid of some animal or plant, or to improve some environmental condition, ALWAYS leads to a disaster that's just as bad as or worse than the original problem. Reducing mankind's greenhouse gas emissions is really the only solution that will not harm or kill billions of people.)
Also see the news article Geoengineering plan could have 'unintended' side effect
11-25-14 Warming world could make it harder for planes to take off
Warming world could make it harder for planes to take off
Air travel is about to become even more frustrating. Warmer global temperatures will make it tougher for planes to take off, tightening restrictions on just how much luggage or how many people can come aboard, a new study suggests. Higher temperatures make air less dense, reducing the lift force on planes' wings. Because heavier planes are harder to speed up, they'll need more runway distance to reach their minimum takeoff speed in warmer weather.
11-20-14 Climate fund receives $9.3bn pledge
Climate fund receives $9.3bn pledge
Thirty nations meeting in Berlin have pledged $9.3bn (£6bn) for a fund to help developing countries cut emissions and prepare for climate change. One UK minister said rich nations must help developing nations struggling with the effects of climate change.
11-19-14 Warming world means a hike in US lightning strikes
Warming world means a hike in US lightning strikes
We already know that climate change is increasing the likelihood of storms, tornadoes and heatwaves. Now a model of how climate change will affect lightning patterns in the US predicts that the number of lightning bolts will increase by 50 per cent over the next century.
11-19-14 US and China's emission cuts may not be enough
US and China's emission cuts may not be enough
IT HAS been a remarkable fortnight for climate change announcements. First came coordinated Chinese and US promises to cut their greenhouse gas emissions. Then the US and Japan pledged a total of $4.5 billion to an international fund to help poorer countries deal with global warming. The moves are being made ahead of the next round of international climate talks, which kick off in Lima, Peru, on 1 December. The big question is will they be enough to help keep global warming below 2 °C, a politically agreed threshold generally deemed to represent the level of dangerous climate change.
11-14-14 We're Tired of Telling You These Things, but Last Month Was the Hottest October on Record
We're Tired of Telling You These Things, but Last Month Was the Hottest October on Record
After a relatively cool start-January and March were only the fourth- or fifth-warmest months globally, depending on the data set you choose-this year has already featured the warmest April on record, the warmest May on record, the warmest June on record, the warmest August on record, the warmest September on record, and the warmest ocean temperatures on record for any month (twice). Buried within the surge of warmth was the warmest six months on record (April to September), and last month capped off the warmest 12-month period on record.
11-13-14 Climate change 'will make lightning strike more'
Climate change 'will make lightning strike more'
Global warming will significantly increase the frequency of lightning strikes, according to US research. "For every two lightning strikes in 2000, there will be three lightning strikes in 2100," said David Romps, at the University of California, Berkeley. As well as triggering more wild fires, he said, this would alter the chemistry of the atmosphere.
11-12-14 Record-breaking ocean temperatures wreak havoc
Record-breaking ocean temperatures wreak havoc
Warm water in the North Pacific could be cancelling out an El Niño event and is expected to threaten valuable marine life. THE world's oceans are the hottest they've ever been in the modern record. An analysis shared exclusively with New Scientist suggests that the global slowdown in the rise of air temperatures is probably over, and we are entering another period of rapid warming.
11-12-14 China climate deal sets stage for US political warfare
China climate deal sets stage for US political warfare
It is a historic climate change agreement between the world's two largest economies. At least, that's the way US Secretary of State John Kerry is describing the plan to reduce US greenhouse gas emissions by 26%-28% below 2005 levels by 2025 and halt the growth of Chinese emissions by 2030. But Republicans scored a sweeping victory in last week's mid-term elections, and they are firmly opposed to any new efforts to use government regulation to address climate change.
11-12-14 Will Obama's climate surprise deliver a global deal?
Will Obama's climate surprise deliver a global deal?
Back in 2009, the US signed the Copenhagen Accord and pledged that they would cut their emissions in 2025 by 30% compared to 2005 levels. Today, in an "historic" agreement announced with China, the US are committing to cutting their emissions by less than that, (26-28% by the same date) and the world is cheering. In the agreement, the Chinese promise not just to peak their emissions by 2030 but to increase the share of non-fossil fuels in their energy mix to 20% by the same date. Strangely, earlier this year a report from analysts GlobalData suggested that China is already on course to get 20% of its energy from greener sources by 2020.
11-12-14 US and China leaders in 'historic' greenhouse gas emissions pledge
US and China leaders in 'historic' greenhouse gas emissions pledge
China and the US have unveiled new pledges on greenhouse gas emissions, as the leaders of the two countries met for talks in Beijing. US President Barack Obama said the move was "historic", as he set a new goal of reducing US levels between 26%-28% by 2025, compared with 2005 levels.
11-11-14 Fossil fuel promises are being broken, report says
Fossil fuel promises are being broken, report says
World governments have been breaking promises to phase out subsidies for fossil fuels, a report says. The Overseas Development Institute says G20 nations spent almost £56bn ($90bn) a year finding oil, gas and coal. It comes despite evidence that two thirds of existing reserves must be left in the ground if the world is to avoid dangerous climate change.
11-10-14 Robots controlled from Norfolk seek sea change data in Antarctica
Robots controlled from Norfolk seek sea change data in Antarctica
Robots roaming the Southern Ocean, controlled from Norfolk by satellite, are collecting information on how warm water is melting the Antarctic ice cap. Scientists hope to predict more accurately the rate at which ice sheets retreat and sea levels rise.
11-5-14 Methane cuts won't buy us time on climate change
Methane cuts won't buy us time on climate change
WE CAN'T get around it. To prevent dangerous climate change, there is no alternative to ending human emissions of carbon dioxide. Suggestions that cutting other greenhouse gases such as methane might do part of the job are based on faulty accounting, according to a new study.
11-2-14 Fossil fuels should be phased out by 2100 says IPCC
Fossil fuels should be phased out by 2100 says IPCC
The unrestricted use of fossil fuels should be phased out by 2100 if the world is to avoid dangerous climate change, a UN-backed expert panel says. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says in a stark report that most of the world's electricity can - and must - be produced from low-carbon sources by 2050. If not, the world faces "severe, pervasive and irreversible" damage. The UN said inaction would cost "much more" than taking the necessary action.