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Forum:Climate news
Introduction[edit]
There has been a flurry of climate-related news these past few weeks. I thought it would be convenient to have relevant material to discuss here instead of clogging WIGO. New entries and constructive comments are welcome (especially if some entries turn out to be fake news or otherwise incorrect), but this is not the place to debate the science: there is already a nice page on climate change and other websites providing accessible analyses. Instead, this is for news (and occasionally opinions) providing insights about what is happening, how bad/good it is going to get, and what to do about it. --Cmonk (talk) 19:53, 28 March 2017 (UTC)
- Great idea! Also, let's please use this as a source dump with the goal/intention to implement some of this into our articles. Our climate change article — while neat — is in dire need of updating. Much development has occured since the Bush era. Thanks in advance. Reverend Black Percy (talk) 22:02, 28 March 2017 (UTC)
April 2017[edit]
Oil demand growth slows for second year. But the International Energy Agency predicted supply would grow in coming months, with US oil-producing firms driving the increase.
The G-7 meeting between energy officials underscored the increasingly wide gulf between the Trump administration and its allies over climate change. (Chair's Summary)
Photosynthesis grew rapidly in the 20th century, according to new research published in Nature. The research did not identify the cause of the increased photosynthesis; the leading candidates are rising atmospheric CO2 levels, a result of emissions from human activities; longer growing seasons, a result of climate change caused by CO2 emissions; and nitrogen pollution, another result of fossil fuel combustion and agriculture. However, "The increase in photosynthesis has not been large enough to compensate for the burning of fossil fuels" according to a co-author.
After 25 years of trying, why aren't we environmentally sustainable yet? The economic failures stem from the basic problem that environmentally damaging activities are financially rewarded. Political failures happen when governments can't or won't implement effective policies. Communication failures centre on poor consultation or community involvement in the policy process.
Time lapse photos shared by the Washington Post.
Scott Pruit acknowledges that humans are contributing to climate change. Also, Pruitt gets attacked by both the left and the right, including Fox News.
March 2017[edit]
Studies of two coral reefs reveal they may be damaged beyond recovery.
A new study from the University of Delaware is one of the first in the world to show that tree trunks in upland forests actually emit methane rather than store it. The authors suggest that global and ecosystem models should take into account methane produced from tree trunks as a new source of methane to the atmosphere.
As sea level rises, much of Honolulu and Waikiki vulnerable to groundwater inundation. The researchers also discovered that some active cesspools are likely currently inundated by groundwater. This presents a serious health concern that will become progressively more serious as contaminated waters begin breaching the ground surface.
Climate-friendly coal technology works but is proving difficult to scale up. Contributing to Trump's "clean coal" vision, carbon capture technology can be used to inject CO2 deep underground and make existing oil wells more productive.
Utilities say the 1978 federal Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act is upending their ability to plan, control and profit from new electricity generation being added to their territories. The law is now emerging as a boon for many solar developers in select states, but a nuisance to many power companies. (not directly climate-related, but relevant to understand transition to renewables)
Ignoring European warnings, US president Donald Trump signed an executive order putting American jobs above addressing climate change.
Illinois scientists suggest cropping strategies to help farmers mitigate risks related to the impact of climate change on planting windows.
A new study reports that deaths related to extreme heat are expected to keep rising, even if most nations can contain global warming at agreed-upon levels.
For the first time, model calculations show a plausible way that fluctuations in solar activity could have a tangible impact on the climate. Studies funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation expect human-induced global warming to tail off slightly over the next few decades.
This is back in February, but there are unusual migration patterns for some bird species due to record-breaking temperatures caused by anthropogenic global warming.
Older[edit]
How to get communities in east Africa to trust climate science.
Other[edit]
The Guardian offers an index of sources[edit]
Aptly named Climate Consensus - the 97%. Let's use these sources as well (where applicable), to keep our climate change articles up to date and our refutations fresh. Reverend Black Percy (talk) 16:52, 29 March 2017 (UTC)
Anti-Environmental Archives[edit]
Historic documents cataloging organizations and individuals who work to undermine environmental protection and conservation. Documents (not all climate-related) are about Cato Institute, Society for Objective Science, George C. Marshall Institute, Competitive Enterprise Institute (they have a typo: "Competetive"), Heartland Institute and others. --Cmonk (talk) 10:20, 6 April 2017 (UTC)
Earth visualization[edit]
A visualization of global weather conditions forecast by supercomputers updated every three hours. Not really about climate, but this interactive 3D globe gives an idea of what temperatures, winds, and ocean waves look like. (if someone can find an equivalent for climate data, please add it to this section) --Cmonk (talk) 15:41, 18 April 2017 (UTC)