Showing posts with label climate change. Show all posts
Showing posts with label climate change. Show all posts
Friday, March 23, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
Warm Winter: No Ice in the Baltic Sea
Normally, the Baltic is Frozen this time of year
Normally this time of year, the northern section of the Baltic Sea (the Gulf of Bothnia) and the Gulf of Finland have a lot of ice cover, similar to the above, if not completely covered.
This year, both bodies of water are almost completely ice-free.
Meanwhile, last year it was Hudson Bay in northern Canada that was near ice-free until much later in winter than usual. This year, Hudson Bay is close to normal.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Arctic Sea Ice Extent at Lowest Ever December Level
The extent of sea ice in the Arctic hit its lowest December level ever in 2010.
While reports from the National Snow and Ice Data Center have shown low ice levels through all of 2010, the yearly low this past September was the third lowest ever.
Ice has been slow to form this year, particularly in Hudson's Bay and the strait that runs between Baffin Island and Quebec.
High temperatures in the Canadian and Siberian north are cited as reasons for the slow ice build-up.
These results seem consistent with the predictions of a new Canadian study modeling effects of climate change on worldwide weather patterns over the next 1000 years.
The study, by researchers from the University of Victoria's Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis and the University of Calgary's Dept of Geography, predicts global weather turmoil, weather extremes and a four-metre sea level rise.
Canada and Russia fare relatively well compared to much of the world in the long-range scenario, as somewhat warmer temperatures would make much of the countries more habitable for people, even though existing ecosystems would be threatened. The study, published in the journal Nature Geoscience, assumes "zero emissions" from human sources going forward.
While reports from the National Snow and Ice Data Center have shown low ice levels through all of 2010, the yearly low this past September was the third lowest ever.
High Temperatures in the Arctic
High temperatures in the Canadian and Siberian north are cited as reasons for the slow ice build-up.
These results seem consistent with the predictions of a new Canadian study modeling effects of climate change on worldwide weather patterns over the next 1000 years.
Canadian Climate Study
The study, by researchers from the University of Victoria's Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis and the University of Calgary's Dept of Geography, predicts global weather turmoil, weather extremes and a four-metre sea level rise.
Canada and Russia fare relatively well compared to much of the world in the long-range scenario, as somewhat warmer temperatures would make much of the countries more habitable for people, even though existing ecosystems would be threatened. The study, published in the journal Nature Geoscience, assumes "zero emissions" from human sources going forward.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Rising Lake Temps Confirmed 12th Indicator of AGW Climate Change
Out of 104 large freshwater lakes tested in the study by NASA, the temperatures of 41 have increased significantly since 1985, 59 have increased but not significantly and only four had a temperature drop, none of them significant.
Among the two most startling increases were at Lake Tahoe CA and Lake Ladoga, Russia, which have increased 3 and 4 degrees F respectively. The study was published by the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
Lake Ladoga, which backs onto the northeast edge of the Russian city of St. Petersburg, served as a lifeline for citizens of the city, then known as Leningrad, who survived the epic 900-day blockade imposed by the Nazis during World War II. Hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated across the frozen lake in winters and by boat during the summers. No word as to whether Ladoga remains drivable during the winter...
Other previous studies have predicted that the water level in the Great Lakes could drop as much as two feet by the end of the century if global warming continues.
Now with 12 undisputed indicators pointing squarely at AGW, denier audacity continues to baffle brains. Though the brains are responding, as climate scientists are preparing a more organized effort to counter misinformation, in consideration of impending smoke blowing of a Republican Congress in the U.S.
Among the two most startling increases were at Lake Tahoe CA and Lake Ladoga, Russia, which have increased 3 and 4 degrees F respectively. The study was published by the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
Lake Ladoga, which backs onto the northeast edge of the Russian city of St. Petersburg, served as a lifeline for citizens of the city, then known as Leningrad, who survived the epic 900-day blockade imposed by the Nazis during World War II. Hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated across the frozen lake in winters and by boat during the summers. No word as to whether Ladoga remains drivable during the winter...
Other previous studies have predicted that the water level in the Great Lakes could drop as much as two feet by the end of the century if global warming continues.
Now with 12 undisputed indicators pointing squarely at AGW, denier audacity continues to baffle brains. Though the brains are responding, as climate scientists are preparing a more organized effort to counter misinformation, in consideration of impending smoke blowing of a Republican Congress in the U.S.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Media Fail: World Media Suckered By Big Oil Denier Lobby Over Copenhagen, Emails
An analysis of 400 articles written about the Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change last December showed that less than 10% of the articles dealt primarily with the science behind climate change, according to an article in the Washington Post.
The study, prepared for Oxford University's Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, showed that much of the reporting was focused on the relative non-issue of the hacked emails of British scientists, who have since been cleared of wrong-doing. The report's author, James Painter, wrote, "We need more discussion between scientists, journalists and policymakers on how to keep highly significant, slow-burn issues like climate change interesting and engaging to different audiences around the world."
Instead, the media permitted themselves to be led down the garden path by the Big Oil funded denial lobby and allowed themselves to be convinced that the email issue was important.
Also implied by the study was the fact that a large portion of the public may not be engaged at all by more dry articles about climate science. The study draws a conclusion that conference organizers in these situations could benefit from paying more attention to delivering a message that is going to be compelling for media and their readers.
Responding to this study on his blog, Al Gore says media are failing in their responsibilities: "Our media has a responsibility to educate the public on issues affecting the planet. Covering the climate crisis only as a political issue shields from public view the vital scientific and moral elements of the debate."
The study, prepared for Oxford University's Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, showed that much of the reporting was focused on the relative non-issue of the hacked emails of British scientists, who have since been cleared of wrong-doing. The report's author, James Painter, wrote, "We need more discussion between scientists, journalists and policymakers on how to keep highly significant, slow-burn issues like climate change interesting and engaging to different audiences around the world."
Instead, the media permitted themselves to be led down the garden path by the Big Oil funded denial lobby and allowed themselves to be convinced that the email issue was important.
Also implied by the study was the fact that a large portion of the public may not be engaged at all by more dry articles about climate science. The study draws a conclusion that conference organizers in these situations could benefit from paying more attention to delivering a message that is going to be compelling for media and their readers.
Responding to this study on his blog, Al Gore says media are failing in their responsibilities: "Our media has a responsibility to educate the public on issues affecting the planet. Covering the climate crisis only as a political issue shields from public view the vital scientific and moral elements of the debate."
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
BP and Major Euro Polluters Funding U.S. Senate Climate Deniers and Tea Partiers
A report released yesterday by the Climate Action Network Europe has revealed that heavy-polluting European corporations are big financial supporters of U.S. Senate climate change deniers and climate legislation opponents.
The report, drawing on analysis of publicly available information fingers such large European emitters as BAYER, BASF, Solvay, Lafarge, BP, GDF-SUEZ, Arcelor-Mittal and EON, for their active support of denier campaigns. In 2009, these seven corporations' GHG emissions were roughly equivalent to that of the entire country of Belgium.
In the European context, it should be noted that these same companies argue that Europe should not do more to fight global warming until the U.S. starts to act.
The Climate Action Network Europe is a coalition of 130 European environmental and development NGOs working to fight dangerous climate change.
The report, drawing on analysis of publicly available information fingers such large European emitters as BAYER, BASF, Solvay, Lafarge, BP, GDF-SUEZ, Arcelor-Mittal and EON, for their active support of denier campaigns. In 2009, these seven corporations' GHG emissions were roughly equivalent to that of the entire country of Belgium.
In the European context, it should be noted that these same companies argue that Europe should not do more to fight global warming until the U.S. starts to act.
The Climate Action Network Europe is a coalition of 130 European environmental and development NGOs working to fight dangerous climate change.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Time to polish up your climate change denial myths
Bring em on... ...it's a cycle... ...it's the volcanoes... ...it's all normal... ...it's a CBC plot... ...it's a blip...
all welcome!
Hottest June on record worldwide
The article also mentions that the periods of Jan-June and Apr-Jun were the hottest ever recorded worldwide.
all welcome!
Hottest June on record worldwide
The article also mentions that the periods of Jan-June and Apr-Jun were the hottest ever recorded worldwide.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Canada's Tar Sands as Risky as the Gulf: Report
A typical comment around Canadian water coolers and message boards, when the topic of the BP environmental disaster in the Gulf arises, is: "yeah it's a tragedy but the Alberta oil sands are looking better every day."
Whooaa... not so fast there.
A new report claims that "Canada's Oil Sands Face Significant Financial and Environmental Risks as Great as Those in BP Spill"
The report was commissioned by Ceres and authored by RiskMetrics Group.
At the press conference announcing the report May 17, Ceres President Mindy Lubber said, "The risks for companies involved in developing Canada's oil sands are arguably greater than those in the Gulf of Mexico,"
The report cites numerous risks, including pricing, market conditions, transportation obstacles, water and other resource shortages, first nations issues and the mounting costs and liability connected with land reclamation.
Even without considering environ- mental factors, pricing alone is a potential game breaker. If the price of oil is too low, the oil sands then become uneconomical. But, if the price goes too high, alternative sustainable energy sources suddenly become extremely viable.
What the Gulf situation tells us is that the unthinkable does happen and if something can go wrong it will.
About Ceres
Ceres is leading coalition of investors, environmental groups and other public interest groups working with companies to address sustainability challenges such as climate change. Ceres also directs the Investor Network on Climate Risk, a network of 90 institutional investors with $10 trillion of collective assets focused on the business impacts of climate change.
About RiskMetrics Group
RiskMetrics is a leading provider of risk management and corporate governance services. Its ESG Analytics Group analyzes cutting edge issues like climate change, water and ecosystem services that support the global economy.
Whooaa... not so fast there.
A new report claims that "Canada's Oil Sands Face Significant Financial and Environmental Risks as Great as Those in BP Spill"
The report was commissioned by Ceres and authored by RiskMetrics Group.
At the press conference announcing the report May 17, Ceres President Mindy Lubber said, "The risks for companies involved in developing Canada's oil sands are arguably greater than those in the Gulf of Mexico,"
The report cites numerous risks, including pricing, market conditions, transportation obstacles, water and other resource shortages, first nations issues and the mounting costs and liability connected with land reclamation.
Even without considering environ- mental factors, pricing alone is a potential game breaker. If the price of oil is too low, the oil sands then become uneconomical. But, if the price goes too high, alternative sustainable energy sources suddenly become extremely viable.
What the Gulf situation tells us is that the unthinkable does happen and if something can go wrong it will.
About Ceres
Ceres is leading coalition of investors, environmental groups and other public interest groups working with companies to address sustainability challenges such as climate change. Ceres also directs the Investor Network on Climate Risk, a network of 90 institutional investors with $10 trillion of collective assets focused on the business impacts of climate change.
About RiskMetrics Group
RiskMetrics is a leading provider of risk management and corporate governance services. Its ESG Analytics Group analyzes cutting edge issues like climate change, water and ecosystem services that support the global economy.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Can You Reverse Climate Change By Having a Tea Party?
Just as climate change deniers had begun to breathe easy, convincing themselves that, based on repeating the word "climategate" a few million times, global warming no longer exists, a few minor irritants have begun to cloud the crystal clear, cool air of Denierland.
First the obvious, like, Winter Olympics are supposed to occur in snow, eh? You may say, "yeah but Vancouver is always warm in winter..." But what some people may not know is that it has been balmy throughout Canada. Today in Montreal: +5 C with sun, clouds and rain. In fact, there are usually a few stretches of -20 and we have barely had anything of the sort this year. On one of the first days of the Olympics, you cold barely find a below freezing high in any city in Canada. Bizarre.
As if to confirm our curiosity, the UAH Globally Averaged Temperatures recently came out and, guess what? It was worldwide the warmest January on record.
You see that blue dot on the very right? I don't know how anyone can look at this graph and think that they can have a tea party or post pictures of every snowflake that falls in Texas and it will make global warming go away.
This iceberg may not have a direct connection to global warming. And, then again, it may.
First the obvious, like, Winter Olympics are supposed to occur in snow, eh? You may say, "yeah but Vancouver is always warm in winter..." But what some people may not know is that it has been balmy throughout Canada. Today in Montreal: +5 C with sun, clouds and rain. In fact, there are usually a few stretches of -20 and we have barely had anything of the sort this year. On one of the first days of the Olympics, you cold barely find a below freezing high in any city in Canada. Bizarre.
As if to confirm our curiosity, the UAH Globally Averaged Temperatures recently came out and, guess what? It was worldwide the warmest January on record.
You see that blue dot on the very right? I don't know how anyone can look at this graph and think that they can have a tea party or post pictures of every snowflake that falls in Texas and it will make global warming go away.As if this all isn't enough, we also get the news that an iceberg the size of Luxembourg has been chipped off of Antarctica. Amazingly, the iceberg that struck this ice "tongue" to remove it from the ice cap was itself some 97 km long and has been around since it calved off the ice cap in 1987. Obviously it takes these things a while to melt. According to one source, there is enough fresh water in an iceberg this size to supply water for the population of the world to have non-stop tea parties for about a year.
This iceberg may not have a direct connection to global warming. And, then again, it may.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Canwest resorts to publishing unrefined propaganda
Extra! Extra! Read all about it!
Canadian newspapers now at the beck and call of the oil industry. (and, presumably, any industry or corporation with the bucks to pay)
Today's print edition of the Montreal Gazette contains a full-page feature on Page A20 sub-titled in small type:
"A six-week Canwest special information feature on climate change, in partnership with Shell Canada."
Mired in red ink and hopelessly unable to adapt effectively to a changing information landscape, Canwest has sold out to corporate influence. The page in the print version of the Gazette doesn't even come with a normal lame disclaimer such as "advertising feature".
By way of contrast, there is another full-page adver-news feature on Page A23, placed by the McGill University Health Centre, which does include the disclaimer "Advertisement" in tiny type at the top of the page, as is customary. This does not appear on the Shell page.
Even though the page does not contain a disclaimer and is presented as genuine news, the Shell page includes blatant promotional content, unfiltered by any pretense of journalism, such as:
"Shell innovation unlocks oil sands"
"Q: Some groups call the oil sands dirty oil.
A: I don't understand where that comes from..."
"Q: You're also inspired about oil sands work. what motivates you?
A: When we get done, there's not going to be any sign that we were there at all"
"THE CRC ADVANTAGE
Shell's Calgary Research Centre (CRC) employs more than 200 scientists, ..."
"The trademark Shell Enhance froth treatment is the first commercial application of an innovative technology..."
"By saving energy, the company will prevent the release of about 40,000 tonnes per year of GHG emissions as well as air pollutants."
Today's article is centred around Shell chemist Brad Komishke, "whose blue-grey eyes take on intensity when he talks about Alberta's oil sands and using science to protect the environment."
He says: "That's why I am at Shell. I feel I can make a difference."
The online version seems to be different. Either that or they are presenting the information in a different sequence.
The headline on the apparent lead article in the online version reads: "Climate change: a reality check."
Unlike the shadowy petro-industry funded think-tanks, (so-called) institutes and PR agencies which spend millions to foment doubt and confusion in the climate change discussion, Shell's overt corporate line is as green as you please:
"The debate about climate change is over and we need to take action," says Ertel, Shell Canada's climate change expert.
Unfortunately, Shell's strategy for dealing with climate change is more about cap and trade, and carbon capture and storage, neither of which is a primary solution in the GHG emission equation.
I don't really put this on Shell. I might question their sincerity or their operational processes (like how about just beginning to replace natural gas with green power sources in the tar sands?). But Shell is behaving with both eyes on the bottom line, like any corporation would.
This is on Canwest. It is a sell-out of the worst kind. It is the sell-out of a profession which operates with the understanding of public trust. It's as if you could instantly become a doctor and operate on patients by paying a given fee.
Canwest owns 13 daily newspapers and 26 community newspapers.
I don't know to what extent this series is running in all of them.
Shame.
* The National Post nationalpost.com
• The Gazette (Montreal) montrealgazette.com
• Ottawa Citizen ottawacitizen.com
• The Windsor Star windsorstar.com
• Leader-Post (Regina) leaderpost.com
• The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) thestarphoenix.com
• Edmonton Journal edmontonjournal.com
• Calgary Herald calgaryherald.com
• The Province (Vancouver) theprovince.com
• The Vancouver Sun vancouversun.com
• Times Colonist (Victoria) timescolonist.com
• Nanaimo Daily News nanaimodailynews.com
• Alberni Valley Times avtimes.net
Canadian newspapers now at the beck and call of the oil industry. (and, presumably, any industry or corporation with the bucks to pay)
Today's print edition of the Montreal Gazette contains a full-page feature on Page A20 sub-titled in small type:
"A six-week Canwest special information feature on climate change, in partnership with Shell Canada."
Mired in red ink and hopelessly unable to adapt effectively to a changing information landscape, Canwest has sold out to corporate influence. The page in the print version of the Gazette doesn't even come with a normal lame disclaimer such as "advertising feature".
By way of contrast, there is another full-page adver-news feature on Page A23, placed by the McGill University Health Centre, which does include the disclaimer "Advertisement" in tiny type at the top of the page, as is customary. This does not appear on the Shell page.
Even though the page does not contain a disclaimer and is presented as genuine news, the Shell page includes blatant promotional content, unfiltered by any pretense of journalism, such as:
"Shell innovation unlocks oil sands"
"Q: Some groups call the oil sands dirty oil.
A: I don't understand where that comes from..."
"Q: You're also inspired about oil sands work. what motivates you?
A: When we get done, there's not going to be any sign that we were there at all"
"THE CRC ADVANTAGE
Shell's Calgary Research Centre (CRC) employs more than 200 scientists, ..."
"The trademark Shell Enhance froth treatment is the first commercial application of an innovative technology..."
"By saving energy, the company will prevent the release of about 40,000 tonnes per year of GHG emissions as well as air pollutants."
Today's article is centred around Shell chemist Brad Komishke, "whose blue-grey eyes take on intensity when he talks about Alberta's oil sands and using science to protect the environment."
He says: "That's why I am at Shell. I feel I can make a difference."
The online version seems to be different. Either that or they are presenting the information in a different sequence.
The headline on the apparent lead article in the online version reads: "Climate change: a reality check."
Unlike the shadowy petro-industry funded think-tanks, (so-called) institutes and PR agencies which spend millions to foment doubt and confusion in the climate change discussion, Shell's overt corporate line is as green as you please:
"The debate about climate change is over and we need to take action," says Ertel, Shell Canada's climate change expert.
Unfortunately, Shell's strategy for dealing with climate change is more about cap and trade, and carbon capture and storage, neither of which is a primary solution in the GHG emission equation.
I don't really put this on Shell. I might question their sincerity or their operational processes (like how about just beginning to replace natural gas with green power sources in the tar sands?). But Shell is behaving with both eyes on the bottom line, like any corporation would.
This is on Canwest. It is a sell-out of the worst kind. It is the sell-out of a profession which operates with the understanding of public trust. It's as if you could instantly become a doctor and operate on patients by paying a given fee.
Canwest owns 13 daily newspapers and 26 community newspapers.
I don't know to what extent this series is running in all of them.
Shame.
* The National Post nationalpost.com
• The Gazette (Montreal) montrealgazette.com
• Ottawa Citizen ottawacitizen.com
• The Windsor Star windsorstar.com
• Leader-Post (Regina) leaderpost.com
• The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) thestarphoenix.com
• Edmonton Journal edmontonjournal.com
• Calgary Herald calgaryherald.com
• The Province (Vancouver) theprovince.com
• The Vancouver Sun vancouversun.com
• Times Colonist (Victoria) timescolonist.com
• Nanaimo Daily News nanaimodailynews.com
• Alberni Valley Times avtimes.net
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
