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
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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 The last place most scientist would look to advance in the process of decreasing the amount of CO2 is Iceland. Compared to the U.S., the country of 331,000 barley has a carbon issue. The small amounts of carbon comes from the process of Iceland's geothermal energy production. The project to begin solving the issue of too much CO2 in the air is called CarbFix. The goal was to take some of the CO2 emissions in the air and stow them away in the rocky ground 400 to 800 meets in depth. The gas is then dissolved and undergoes a chemical reaction that turns the CO2 into a solid carbonate rock. The process of taking the CO2 from the air and turning into a solid rock happens very rapidly. The scientist on this project feel it is extremely beneficial and hope that other companies around the world assist in a similar process. The struggle however is dealing with larger amounts with CO2 but scientist are still optimistic for the potential that is there.
This idea is extremely beneficial and important to know because it is a good idea, and it helps inform us what new ideas scientist are coming up with. Everyone should attempt to read or research the ideas for more potential ways to bring down the CO2 levels. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/06/09/scientists-in-iceland-have-a-solution-to-our-carbon-dioxide-problem-turn-it-into-stone/?utm_term=.1769dd95f5aa A common myth about climate change is that most people think the climate has changed before to explain the recent climate change. Our Climate is always changing. Ice ages have taken place in a hundred thousand year cycle and there have been past times that appear to have been warmer than the present despite CO2 levels. Now what scientist say the greenhouse gases being mainly CO2 are involved in the climate changes. When the CO2 levels increased so did the global temperatures and it works the same way when the CO2 levels are low the global temperatures decrease. Humans are emitting CO2 at a faster rate than than even the most destructive climate changes.
A second common myth is that climate change is not bad. People said that warmer periods were good for people and the Little Ice ages brought storms, frost, famine, and plague. However, scientists say that most climate changes impacts will have few or no benefits, and will have great harm at a considerable cost. For agriculture CO2 maybe helpful to plants but is likely to disrupt the water supply through floods and droughts. Our health is also in danger my warmer temperatures would mean fewer deaths and increase the migration of disease carrying insects like mosquitoes. The usual cold temperatures near the poles is decreasing and is melting the ice caps and glaciers, causing to have more ice hazards for ships. The ocean is even taking into effect by the change in PH levels due to the CO2 being absorbed in the water. Environmentally the fresh water supplies could be exhausted, increase in natural fires, increase of coral extinction, change in bird migration, and seasonal times. Even the economy will face negative affects by the cost of global trade, transport, energy supplies, insurance, and investments. Developing countries would begin to have conflict over water, energy supplies, and food. http://www.skepticalscience.com/global-warming-positives-negatives.htm Obviously our climate is changing and possibly for the worst. However, several companies are trying to attempt to change the direction we are heading, such as Total. Total is fully aware of the role oil and gas industries play in climate change and has been striving for a better energy future. By inviting specialist to debate key energy issues, fueling the collective discussion of new energy resources. Total supports the United Nations Global Compact's call for protections to factor an internal carbon price into their investment decisions. In addition, they want to reduce greenhouse gases, and effectively measure, manage, and mitigate emissions of methane. Finally Total is wanting to work hand-in-hand with key oil and gas industries to build a better energy future together.
Global warming is becoming more and more of an upcoming issue. However thousands of people are helping to find multiple solutions to slow global warming and hopefully solving this on going issue. In the U.S. alone there are over 6,000 wind turbines to produce clean renewable energy. The energy captured from the wind turbines is enough to power more than 4.2 million households with electricity daily. Also Hybrid energy systems are combined with renewable energy and hydrogen storage to optimize off-grid power supplies. The electrical power is turned into stored gas by transforming the wind to produce energy. The wind power is becoming easier on the electrical grid system. Furthermore solar-energy prices are continuing to drop. Since 2009, the price per watt of installed solar energy in the U.S. has declined across all sectors. The NCAR (National Cenre for Atmospheric Research) has been working since 2013 to work on building an improved solar forecasting system.
Thousands of firefighters were battling wildfires in Central California that have nearly burned 50,000 acres and have required thousands of citizens to evacuate from their homes. The causes of the fires are still being investigated. In July of this year over three fires were taking place in Big Sur, and even Santa Clara. Both of these fires continued to spread, and teams of 30,000 firefighters have been battling both blazes. Not only did the firefighters have to deal with containing the fair but with the rising temperature and high winds. In addition with a combination of heat and wind, the humidity was at a solid 60% during this time. Furthermore the firefighters are in danger themselves trying to contain a fire on hazardous steep hills, forested terrain, and power lines. Four evacuation centers had to be opened, but not just for people, large animals such as horses included. Residents say the sky is blanketed with the smoke, causes the sun to be barley visible. Experts say wildfires in the U.S. are becoming more destructive due to the warm climate, and the drought.
In our environment, air pollution is becoming more of an urgent issue. Almost half of the U.S. population lives in areas where the air pollution levels are up to 47%. The U.S. citizens are frequently living in unhealthy levels of either ozone or particulate pollution. The top five most polluted cities are all from California with Los Angeles and Long Beach are highest in ozone levels, while Fresno and Madera have the most particle pollution. Even though the air quality was cleaner a decade ago, the air quality took a turn for the worst from 2010 to 2012. Reports found the ozone levels were higher at this time period most likely to the warmer temperatures. In 2014 Dr. Norman Edelman reported a "great increase in ozone pollution is of great concern. The amount of ozone is related to the automobile exhaust. The amount of particulate pollution in the air comes from coal fired power plants. Over the years hospitals have seen an increase in patients with heart and lung diseases. Reports are estimating more than 140 million Americans live in areas with higher levels of ozone. The U.S. has cut down pollution by 41%, however there is much more work to do.
Today our world is experiencing warming in temperatures on a global scale. Polar ice caps are melting and our ecosystem are beginning to change due to the increase of temperature. Signs are pointing the increase in temperature to humans emitting large amounts of greenhouse gas. Scientists predict that the Earth could warm 2.5 degrees or as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Now our goal is to decrease the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere by 50% to 80%. The question that arises is, what can we do to make this dream a reality? First there are already companies and governments starting to invest in this situation, but everyone can help. The starting point is finding clean efficient energy such as solar, wind, and hydro power. Now not everyone can think of clean and renewable energy, but here is the part where everyone can help out. To attempt to begin cleaning the air, plants and trees can be saved and more could be planted to take in the carbon dioxide and release more oxygen. Every little amount helps when it comes to the big picture of trying to solve global warming.
I find this issue extremely important because it is not a new concept that our air is polluted and temperatures are rising. In addition every one on the planet has taken part polluting the air in some way. So, when it comes to attempting to solve the problem of global warming, we can all take part in saving and growing more trees, or even thinking of a new renewable and clean source of energy. This issue really needs to have more attention because it directly affects our ecosystems and temperatures. http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gw-solutions/ |
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May 2017
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