Extreme weather conditions associated with climate change may extend the ozone season in the Southeastern United States as drought-stressed trees emit more of the precursor compound that helps form the health-threatening pollutant. July and August have traditionally been peak ozone months, but a new study suggests those peaks could extend well into the fall as weather becomes warmer and drier. Ironically, the projected extension of ozone season comes at a time when summertime ground-level ozone levels continue to decline as a result of emission reductions mandated by the Clean Air Act. The paper is believed to be the first to connect variations in ground-level ozone concentrations to the drought stress on trees. Climate modeling suggests that over the next several decades, the Southeast will experience more periods of weather variability, with hot and dry conditions favorable to isoprene emission from trees becoming more likely. In two separate years, both since 2000, they identified unexpected ozone peaks during the month of October and found that those peaks corresponded to spikes in the level of isoprene, a compound emitted by trees. We are likely to have record ozone days in the fall, and we need to prepare for that."
The new findings of extended Ozone season suggests that our recent findings of stopping global warming are happening in small locations and not on a global scale. We need to continue our research for global solutions for global warming and how we can all begin to stop the Ozone extension season. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160822155924.htm
0 Comments
The rapid warming of the Antarctic Peninsula, which occurred from the early-1950s to the late 1990s, has paused. Stabilization of the ozone hole along with natural climate variability were significant in bringing about the change. Together these influences have now caused the peninsula to enter a temporary cooling phase. Temperatures remain higher than measured during the middle of the 20th Century and glacial retreat is still taking place. Even in a generally warming world, over the next couple of decades, temperatures in this region may go up or down, but our models predict that in the longer term greenhouse gases will lead to an increase in temperatures by the end of the 21st Century." A wide range of climate data was analysed for this study, including atmospheric circulation fields, sea-ice records, ocean surface temperatures and meteorological observations from six Antarctic Peninsula research stations with near-continuous records extending back to the 1950s.
This article shows that the actions we are taking for short term affects are working and are having strong benefits to the environment. However long term the global temperature is still supposed to increase by the end of the century. We need to continue to invest in research. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/07/160720135641.htm The impact of old forest roads on the species diversity in the rain forest of Central Guyana has been the focus of recent research. Investigators reached the conclusion that the established roads may be of use for amphibians and should therefore not necessarily be closed or restored to their natural state. For example, ruts in the roads filled with accumulated water can serve as spawning grounds for frogs during dry periods. Senckenberg scientists have studied the impact of old forest roads on the species diversity in the rain forest of Central Guyana. Among other things, the international team of scientists around Ernst intended to find out whether the ecological restoration of the roads would be a sensible measure in terms of the preservation of species diversity. "We were able to demonstrate that water that is retained on the roads can serve as an important habitat for the frogs' reproduction, in particular during dry periods," explains Ernst. However, the study should not be understood as an invitation for establishing additional roads or even for intensified logging in tropical rain forests.
Unfortunately, the rain forest population continues to decrease due to deforestation and need for urbanization in tropical areas. The rain forest holds hundreds of different species of animals and if we continue to destroy these habitats means hurting these species and damaging their environment. In addition the increase in global temperature, which humans are responsible for, is also hurting other environments such as the rain forest. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161011085356.htm One of the most devastating occurrence in the environment are natural disasters. Recently, Hurricane Matthew raised the death tool to at least 283 people killed in Haiti. Communication and physical transportation were all shut down due to cell towers collapsing as well as bridges. The hurricane is expected to have severe impacts on agriculture, environment, and water to Haiti. Haiti has had to postpone the presidential election, with 11 million people voting and being the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Haiti is receiving international aid for delivering lifesaving assistance for the upcoming months of the crisis. More than a million people will need humanitarian assistance. The country is the biggest banana growing area, more than 80 percent of the crops that fed 20,000 families, destroyed by winds and flooding. The country will need to restore homes, grow food, fix sewage systems, and start rescue missions.
This article is important because people forget sometimes how much natural disasters affect our environment. People need to understand when these disasters happen the community needs assistance for the people and the environment. Trees are usual ripped out, animals killed, and land is destroyed, making the environment change. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/07/world/americas/hurricane-matthew-haiti.html |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
May 2017
Categories |