Monthly Archives: May 2019

Current developments with respect to deforestation of the Brazilian rainforest (Bloomberg).  Due to persistent heavy rainfall the rate has actually declined in the few months since Bolsonaro’s election, but the full story, as revealed in some detail in this report, … Continue reading →

Fred Pearce discusses the role of geoengineering as a solution to climate change (Yale e360).  No one can do this better than Fred, who covers all of the bases with up-to-date information.  He even covers the one kind of thing … Continue reading →

A new study considers the domino effect on certain species caused by the extinctions of other species, those that are primarily the result of climate change (Futurity).  The authors made observations showing that “Some species with a very low likelihood … Continue reading →

Phasing out nuclear power plants is causing difficulties for equally clean replacement (Axios).  The plants are producing much of the world’s power but have a strictly limited lifetime, which cannot always be extended and only at a high cost.  Wind … Continue reading →

Why the US East Coast should expect hurricanes of rising intensity (Phys.org).  New research has taken a close look at the way atmospheric wind shear is changing as a result of the temperature increases due to greenhouse gas.  The changes … Continue reading →

New information about the vulnerability of permafrost to higher temperatures (Phys.org).  Research in the very high Arctic has shown that even a small amount of extra warming in a brief summer season leads to major changes in unvegetated landforms, a … Continue reading →

A good look at all of the ecosystem services provided by healthy soil, including the storage of carbon (The Conversation).  The author is a professor who grew up in Ireland.  Soil has a key role in enabling the sustainability of … Continue reading →

A new approach to estimating sea level rise is getting much attention (BBC News).  The results of a new study of an essentially conservative type has excited interest because it makes a convincing case that IPCC estimates have been much … Continue reading →

A unique observation related to the global circulation of ocean water (Phys.org).  Massive amounts of warm Pacific Ocean water regularly pass through narrow straits into the Indian Ocean and thence to the Atlantic, but not always.  New findings show how … Continue reading →

Fifth consecutive day of CO2 readings well above 415 ppm.  https://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/trends/monthly.html  What this means is that the peak in the annual seasonal curve, now about one week away, is unlikely to be less than 415, placing it more than three … Continue reading →