Another week of GW news - December 25
H. E. Taylor
to have a lighter list for the holidays...
The prospect of Arctic thawing (with the potential for massive feedback) is alarming many:
<http://www.adn.com/front/story/7312139p-7223885c.html>
2005/12/25: ADN: Permafrost-thawing concern deepens -
Computer scenario shows rising temperatures could melt top 11 feet in Alaska by 2100.
<http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/7301786p-7213572c.html>
2005/12/21: ADN: Permafrost to thaw 11 feet down by century's end, new study says
<http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2005-176>
2005/12/20: NASA:JPL: NASA's Grace Finds Greenland Melting Faster
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/climatechange/story/0,12374,1671773,00.html>
2005/12/21: Guardian(UK): Melting of permafrost threatens homes and roads,
scientists warn - Study foresees huge release of carbon by 2100
<http://www.nature.com/news/2005/051219/full/051219-6.html>
2005/12/20: NSU: Drowning polar bears worry researchers -
Evidence hints that bear populations are on thin ice.
<http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/12/051220085054.htm>
2005/12/20: SciDaily: Most Of Arctic's Near-surface Permafrost To Thaw By 2100
<http://www.ucar.edu/news/releases/2005/permafrost.shtml>
2005/12/19: UCAR: Most of Arctic's Near-Surface Permafrost May Thaw by 2100
And the measured temperature keeps rising:
<http://www.truthout.org/issues_05/121905EC.shtml>
2005/12/19: TruthOut: World Is at Its Hottest since Prehistory, Say Scientists
<http://climatesci.atmos.colostate.edu/?p=106>
2005/12/22: CliSci: Science Questions on the Global Surface Temperature Trends
<http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2005/12/21/144535/29>
2005/12/21: GristMill: Another record year [US GHGs & temp]
<http://www.wired.com/news/print/0,1294,69873,00.html>
2005/12/19: Wired: 2005 May Be Warmest Year Ever
<http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/article333840.ece>
2005/12/18: Independent(UK): World is at its hottest since prehistory, say scientists
<http://www.insidebayarea.com/timesstar/localnews/ci_3321461>
2005/12/18: IBA: Temperatures rising in West -
Evidence of global warming is popping up in the region's mountain climates
A report on aerosols has caused some surprise:
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/climatechange/story/0,12374,1672444,00.html>
2005/12/22: Guardian(UK): Pollutants ward off global warming, study finds -
Research prompts rethink into effect of aerosols
<http://www.nature.com/news/2005/051219/full/051219-11.html>
2005/12/21: NSU: Aerosols cool more than expected -
Researchers measure smog's effect on counteracting global warming
<http://www.climateark.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=49763>
2005/12/22: ClimateArk: Pollution May Slow Warming; Cleaner Air May Speed It, Study
Says
Recent GHG statistics are not encouraging:
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/climatechange/story/0,12374,1672325,00.html>
2005/12/22: Guardian(UK): American global warming gas emissions accelerate to a record
high
<http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8495>
2005/12/21: NewScientist: Record US greenhouse gas emissions in 2004
<http://www.climateark.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=49732>
2005/12/21: ClimateArk: Record US greenhouse gas emissions in 2004
<http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=9494>
2005/12/20: ENN: U.S. Greenhouse Gases Rose Two Percent
The hurricane - GW debate is still around:
<http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/prometheus/archives/climate_change/000660responses_to_emanuel.html>
2005/12/22: Prometheus: Responses to Emanuel in Nature [link to pdf]
There is a new satellite:
<http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/MSG/SEMHF48A9HE_0.html>
2005/12/20: ESA: MSG-2 [Meteosat Second Generation] will advance
long-term monitoring of Earth's energy balance
Yet more GW impacts are being seen:
<http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=2455892005>
2005/12/24: Scotsman: Nuthatch invasion due to climate change
<http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/12/1221_051221_mussels.html>
2005/12/21: NatGeo: Warming Arctic Sees Return of Blue Mussels After 1,000 Years
<http://www.climateark.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=49844>
2005/12/23: ClimateArk: Vanuatu: A village flees for safer ground
<http://www.climateark.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=49737>
2005/12/21: ClimateArk: Global climate changes put Maryland's economy at risk
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/africa/4542882.stm>
2005/12/19: BBC: Deadly drought hits south Somalia
On the carbon sequestration front, a report on the hazards of forests
raised many a merry chuckle:
<http://www.wired.com/news/technology/1,69914-0.html>
2005/12/25: Wired: Careful Where You Put That Tree
<http://www.nature.com/news/2005/051219/full/051219-14.html>
2005/12/22: NSU: Tree planting not always green -
Forests can suck up water and change the soil
<http://www.scidev.net/content/news/eng/climate-change-tactic-could-damage-environment.cfm>
2005/12/23: SciDevNet: Climate change tactic could damage environment
<http://www.dukenews.duke.edu/2005/12/carbontrade.html>
2005/12/22: Duke: Storing Carbon to Combat Global Warming May Cause
Other Environmental Problems, Study Suggests
<http://www.climateark.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=49717>
2005/12/21: ClimateArk: Biologist uses carbon trading to grow forests
<http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-12/du-sct121905.php>
2005/12/22: Eureka: Storing carbon to combat global warming may cause
other environmental problems, study suggests
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/climatechange/story/0,12374,1673264,00.html>
2005/12/23: Guardian(UK): Tree-planting projects may not be so green
Meanwhile on the Kyoto front, some COP/MOP perspective:
<http://www.sundayherald.com/print53282>
2005/12/11: SundayHerald: Why America finally woke up to climate change threat
<http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=9480>
2005/12/19: ENN: Temperatures Climb as Warming Talks Stall
<http://www.climateark.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=49612>
2005/12/19: ClimateArk: Canada: A climate win despite ourselves
While on the emissions control front:
<http://www.climateark.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=49846>
2005/12/23: ClimateArk: Oregon adopts temporary emission rules
[extending California standards down the Pacific Coast from Mexico to Canada]
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/science/nature/4542104.stm>
2005/12/19: BBC: Trade can 'export' CO2 emissions - New research from the US
shows that trade can significantly affect emissions of greenhouse gases.
<http://www.climateark.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=49615>
2005/12/18: ClimateArk: Emission control
And on the American political front:
<http://news.ft.com/cms/s/4af602f0-7359-11da-8b42-0000779e2340.html>
2005/12/23: FT: Evangelicals converted on the environment
<http://www.climateark.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=49852>
2005/12/24: ClimateArk: Poll: Most Oregonians support car standards -
Locals less likely to back cleaner emissions rules
It looks like the RGGI-lite is going ahead:
<http://www.truthout.org/issues_05/122105EB.shtml>
2005/12/21: TruthOut: Seven States Agree on a Regional Program [RGGI]
to Reduce Emissions from Power Plants
<http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1222/p02s02-sten.htm>
2005/12/22: CSM: [RGGI] One region's bid to slow global warming
Seven Northeast states this week agreed to cap emissions -
amid warnings the move will trigger higher electricity costs.
<http://www.climateark.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=49741>
2005/12/21: ClimateArk: Seven States Agree on a Regional Program
to Reduce Emissions From Power Plants
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/americas/4548406.stm>
2005/12/21: BBC: US states sign Kyoto-style deal [RGGI]
Seven north-eastern US states have signed the country's first plan
setting Kyoto-style legal limits on greenhouse gases from power stations.
<http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/34100/story.htm>
2005/12/19: PlanetArk: [Seven] US States Forge on With Slimmer Plan [RGGI] to Cut CO2
The NYT did an article on greenwashing that got echoed:
<http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/22/business/22adco.html?ei=5090&en=a365063fabd379c1&ex=1292907600&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=print>
2005/12/22: NYT: It's Getting Crowded on the Environmental Bandwagon
<http://www.truthout.org/issues_05/122205EC.shtml>
2005/12/22: TruthOut: It's Getting Crowded on the Environmental Bandwagon
Meanwhile in Europe:
<http://www.climateark.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=49822>
2005/12/23: ClimateArk: New Swedish Air Ticket Tax Set at Minimum $12
And in New Zealand:
<http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/34180/story.htm>
2005/12/22: PlanetArk: New Zealand Scraps Kyoto Carbon-Tax Plan
<http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411423/642453>
2005/12/22: TVNZ: Mixed reaction to dumping carbon tax
<http://www.climateark.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=49731>
2005/12/22: ClimateArk: NZ backs down on carbon tax plans
<http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10360930>
2005/12/21: NZHerald: Carbon tax ditched
<http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10360979>
2005/12/21: NZHerald: Dumping of carbon tax delights business, angers Greens
<http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/bulletins/radionz/200512211304/1ea89b59>
2005/12/21: RadioNZ: Government dumps carbon tax plan
Here is something for your library:
<http://www.nybooks.com/articles/18616>
2005/12/24: NYRB: The Coming Meltdown [Book Reviews]
Thin Ice: Unlocking the Secrets of Climate in the World's Highest Mountains by Mark
Bowen
Dancing at the Dead Sea: Tracking the World's Environmental Hotspots by Alanna
Mitchell
<http://www.energybulletin.net/11790.html>
2005/12/21: EnergyBulletin: Climate change expert’s new book on oil depletion
[Oil, Gas, Hot Air, and the Coming Global Financial Catastrophe by Jeremy Leggett]
Meanwhile in the 'Sue the Bastards!' contingent:
<http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=9484>
2005/12/19: ENN: Green Groups Sue U.S. To Protect Polar Bears
Developing a new energy infrastructure is the fundamental challenge of
the current generation:
<http://www.truthout.org/issues_05/121905EA.shtml>
2005/12/19: TruthOut: Kyoto Treaty Powers Up US Alternative Energy Firms
<http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/business/technology/13468057.htm>
2005/12/22: CentreDaily: Solar-energy boom a growing magnet for venture funding
<http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2446512005>
2005/12/22: Scotsman: Blair urged to drop nuclear option
<http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=9511>
2005/12/22: ENN: Canada Looks Set To Require Ethanol in Gasoline
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/uk_news/politics/4552040.stm>
2005/12/22: BBC: Anti-nuclear MPs challenge Blair -
Labour backbench MPs are to mount a campaign urging the
prime minister not to build more nuclear power stations.
<http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/peninsula/13455635.htm>
2005/12/21: Mercury: [California] Cities slash solar permit fees
<http://renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=40851>
2005/12/21: REA: Honda to Mass Produce Next-Generation Thin Film Solar Cell
<http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2005/12/21/afx2407050.html>
2005/12/21: Forbes: UK, China sign deal to develop clean coal technology
<http://www.climateark.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=49655>
2005/12/20: ClimateArk: China firms, World Bank in $930 mln emissions deal
<http://csmonitor.com/2005/1219/p03s02-sten.htm>
2005/12/19: CSM: A big wave of mini-hydro projects - Interest revives in
hydropower on a small scale, sparked by the new energy bill and high fuel costs.
<http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/34108/story.htm>
2005/12/19: PlanetArk: Honda to Mass-Produce Solar [Cells] Batteries - Report
<http://www.climateark.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=49611>
2005/12/19: ClimateArk: Kyoto Treaty Powers Up U.S. Alternative Energy Firms -
American companies benefit from European demand for solar and wind power products.
The reaction of business to climate change will be critical:
<http://news.ft.com/cms/s/b6a6631a-7358-11da-8b42-0000779e2340.html>
2005/12/23: FT: [British] True blues may go a shade green and end hostility
to climate change levy
<http://www.nynewsday.com/news/printedition/opinion/ny-vpduo184556890dec18,0,875116.story>
2005/12/18: NYDN: Business puts own twist on Kyoto
There are strong signs that business, once categorically opposed to cutting CO2
emissions, is now seeing the light. And it's buying into market-based solutions based
on voluntary emission targets and the trading of emission credits, a stratagem that
bypasses political and ideological snags altogether but may later suck in governments,
too, almost despite themselves.
Insurance and re-insurance companies are feeling the pressure:
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/business/4546982.stm>
2005/12/20: BBC: Insurers had their costliest year ever in 2005
as a deluge of natural disasters saw total insured losses of
about $80bn (£45bn), says Swiss Re.
The carbon lobby are up to the usual:
<http://www.chriscmooney.com/blog.asp?Id=2313>
2005/12/19: CCM: A Meeting of Great Minds [denialist religion]
<http://www.realclimate.org/index.php?p=210>
2005/12/19: RealClimate: How to be a real sceptic
There are a couple of older stories still reverberating through
the media echo chamber:
<http://www.climateark.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=49833>
2005/12/22: ClimateArk: Climate in the balance [Gulf stream & rapid climate change]
Then there was the usual news and commentary:
<http://www.energybulletin.net/11524.html>
2005/12/23: EnergyBulletin: The struggle against ourselves
[Monbiot speech to Dec 3rd marchers]
<http://mustelid.blogspot.com/2005/12/economist-on-climate-change-sigh.html>
2005/12/22: Stoat: The Economist on Climate Change (sigh)
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/climatechange/story/0,12374,1671722,00.html>
2005/12/21: Guardian(UK): Motorbikes '16 times worse than cars for pollution'
<http://climatesci.atmos.colostate.edu/?p=105>
2005/12/20: CliSci: The Role of Human Intervention in the Mediterranean Region
on the Earth System including Climate
<http://julesandjames.blogspot.com/2005/12/whither-realclimate.html>
2005/12/19: JEB: Whither RealClimate?
<http://climatesci.atmos.colostate.edu/?p=104>
2005/12/19: CliSci: Is Soil an Important Component of the Climate System?
And here are a couple of sites which you may find interesting &/ useful:
<http://home.badc.rl.ac.uk/lawrence/blog>
Bryan's Blog [Bryan Lawrence]
<http://neespi.org/>
NEESPI: The Northern Eurasia Earth Science Partnership Initiative
<http://www.oar.noaa.gov/spotlite/archive/spot_archive.html>
Spotlite Archive
<http://www.iodp.org/index.php>
IODP: Integrated Ocean Drilling Program
<http://www.agu.org/sci_soc/media.html>
AGU Press Releases
<http://www.giss.nasa.gov/research/briefs/hansen_11/>
2005/02/: NASA:GISS: Trial of the Century: Co-Conspirators Convicted
<http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/cat/Environment.html>
Earth Times
<http://www.theweathermakers.com/weathermakers/>
The Weather Makers: The History and Future Impact of Climate Change
<http://data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/>
NASA:GISS: Surface Temperature Analysis
<http://www.newscientist.com/channel/earth/climate-change>
New Scientist on Climate Change
<http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/news.shtml>
SaGG: Science a GoGo
<http://www.agu.org/pubs/current/gl/>
GRL: Published This Year in Geophysical Research Letters
<http://www.purdue.edu/climate/>
PCCRC: Purdue Climate Change Research Center
<http://www.magazine.noaa.gov/>
NOAA News mag
<http://www.jamstec.go.jp/frsgc/research/d5/jdannan/>
James Annan's Work Page (with list of publications)
<http://www.aip.org/history/climate/index.html>
2005/06/: AIP: The Discovery of Global Warming - A hypertext history
<http://www.aip.org/history/climate/Radmath.htm>
2005/06/: AIP: Basic Radiation Calculations
<regards>
-het
PS.
You can access the previous postings of this series at:
<http://tinyurl.com/9zyom>
which should open to:
<http://groups.google.com/groups?num=100&scoring=d&as_ugroup=sci.environment&as_usubject=%22Another+week+of+GW+news%22&&safe=off>
PPS.
2005/12/25: SeattlePI: (cartoon - Horsey) PC Police & Merry Elf
<http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/dayart/20051225/cartoon20051225.jpg>
--
"We can stay with business as usual and be the generation that presides
over a global bubble economy that keeps expanding until it bursts, or
we can be the generation that stabilizes population, eradicates poverty,
and stabilizes climate. Historians will record the choice,
but it is ours to make." -Lester Brown: Plan B - Rescuing a Planet
Global Warming: http://www.autobahn.mb.ca/~het/enviro/globalwarming.html
GW News: http://www.autobahn.mb.ca/~het/enviro/gwnews.html
GW News Archive: http://www.autobahn.mb.ca/~het/enviro/gwna.html
H.E. Taylor http://www.autobahn.mb.ca/~het/