Plants and animals race for survival as climate change creeps across the globe
Plants and animals race for survival as climate change creeps across the globe
Lowland tropics, mangroves and deserts at greater risk than mountainous areas as global warming spreads, study finds
- guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 23 December 2009 18.20 GMT
- Article history
Mangroves are some of the areas most vulnerable to climate change, as a new study by the Carnegie Instuttion in California reveals the rapid movement of global warming across the world. Photograph: Corbis
Global warming creeps across the world at a speed of a quarter of a mile each year, according to a new study that highlights the problems that rising temperatures pose to plants and animals. Species that can tolerate only a narrow range of temperatures will need to move as quickly if they are to survive. Wildlife in lowland tropics, mangroves and desert areas are at greater risk than species in mountainous areas, the study suggests.
Marine mammals under threat from ocean noise pollution
Marine mammals under threat from ocean noise pollution
Ecologist
21st December, 2009
Oceans becoming noisier as sounds travel further in increasingly acidic water
Ocean noise pollution is getting worse and harming marine mammals because of the affects of carbon emissions and ocean acidification, according to a new study.
Rising carbon emissions are making the oceans more acidic as the CO2 combines with the seawater to produce carbonic acid.
In turn, ocean acidification and rises in seawater temperature make seas less able to absorb low-frequency sounds, so noise travels further. This is linked to deafness in dolphins, beachings and loss of habitat as marine mammals seek quieter surroundings.
Amazon Forest in Critical Danger
Amazon Forest in Critical Danger
Dr. John James. www.planetextinction.com
The vast Amazon rainforest is on the brink of being turned into desert, with catastrophic consequences for the world’s climate. And the process, which would be irreversible, could begin as early as next year. The cause comes from the permanence of the El Nino climate from the Pacific that is altering the precipitation in Amazonia.
Scientists were surprised to find that the forest is rapidly approaching a “tipping point” that would lead to its total destruction. Dr Nepstead covered an area of rainforest the size of a football pitch with plastic panels to see how it would cope without rain, and expected to record only minor changes.
The trees managed the first year of drought without difficulty. In the second year, they sunk their roots deeper to find moisture, but survived. But in year three, they started dying. Beginning with the tallest the trees started to come crashing down, exposing the forest floor to the drying sun.
Gulf Stream Collapse
Gulf Stream Collapse
Dr John James www.planetextinction.com
The Gulf Stream has slowed by 6 million tonnes of water per second over the past 30 years. Many scientists are worried that this portends a collapse and have applied computer models to work out the alternatives. These show there is a 50% chance the current will collapse totally when global temperatures rise by 3°C.
The waters that flow from the Antarctic to the north on the surface of the Atlantic are warm and lose water by evaporating, and therefore get saltier. Salt water is heavier than fresh water and when it reaches the north Atlantic it would sink were it not that the cold water from the arctic is denser still. The arctic water sinks under the warm and provides the force that drives the conveyor and creates the Gulf Stream.
Behind The Scenes At Cop 15
local produce (Source New Matilda Com.)
24 Dec 2009
Behind The Scenes At COP15
While the rest of the world was trying — sorta — to strike a deal at Copenhagen, the internet entity known as Fake Penny Wong prowled the corridors looking for something to eat
Prelude to the conference
One of the things that I’ve learnt in the three months leading up to Copenhagen is how arbitrarily the Liberal Party will destroy good policy, purely to suit their short-term objectives. The National Party supporting sensible policy is about as likely as Warren Truss opening a gay dance club with a hemp product co-operative out the back. That’s fine, but I did expect the Libs to back the CPRS due to its perfect balance between saving the world’s environment and ensuring jobs are protected (colloquially titled “comparative amelioration” in the policy). Tony Abbott is a climate sexist: he believes the Earth is just perspiring a little when in fact it’s a hirsute, obese menopausal woman with a swine flu induced fever. My point? A good outcome at Copenhagen is crucial in order to be able to come back and put a blowtorch to Tony Abbott’s Speedo-crushed testicles over the need for a CPRS.
Tipping Points- the Facts
Tipping Points – the Facts
Dr.John James. www.planetextinction.com
When the temperature gets high enough to cause forests to give up their CO2 rather than sequest it, then every tonne of gas given up to the air increases the temperature and causes even more gas to be given up. This is a tipping point – an irreversible moment when the dreaded feedback loop begins.
This is now the central issue for the scientific community: have humans already have gone too far, and may we now be helpless to stop abrupt and runaway global warming.