Climate Letter #1502

Strong new evidence of the extent of sea-level rise in the late Pliocene era (University of New Mexico).  The evidence comes from “very robust measurements” taken from formations found in a coastal cave in Majorca.  “…more than three million years ago – a time in which the Earth was two to three degrees Celsius warmer than the pre-industrial era – sea level was as much as 16 meters higher than the present day…..The interval also marks the last time the Earth’s atmospheric CO2 was as high as today, providing important clues about what the future holds in the face of current anthropogenic warming,”   Other measurements representing the mid-Pliocene warm period 4 million years ago, when temperatures were 4C above pre-industrial, show a rise of 23.5 meters.  According to one author, “This is a possible scenario, if active and aggressive reduction in green house gases into the atmosphere is not undertaken.”  The position of this particular site of measurement leaves little uncertainty about its relationship to the current ocean water level, or to the age of the formation samples.

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–Note:  This research group made no attempt to independently verify estimates of CO2 level or air temperature during this time period, which have been well-covered elsewhere, but sought only to improve earlier estimates for sea level.  Reactions from other scientists can soon be expected, considering the sensational nature of the report.
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A new study has found new reasons for expecting more frequent and extreme droughts in the future (Phys.org).  The researchers followed an unusual approach, connecting soil moisture to atmospheric aridity, or potential for precipitation, rather than to heatwaves.  They discovered strong feedback loops that caused dry soils to become even drier.  “The CMIP5 simulations suggest that land-atmosphere feedbacks will further increase the frequency and intensity of concurrent drought and aridity in the 21st century, with potentially large human and ecological impacts.”  (I can recall hearing that many farmers believed this was the case from their own experience during the Dust Bowl times.)
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Efforts to remove CO2 from the air by direct capture continue (CBC).  Here is an update on how the situation now stands.  Costs for the most advanced technology are estimated at $100 to $150 per tonne of CO2 captured, which puts it in need of heavy government subsidies or perhaps creation of a strong new market for the gas itself as opposed to finding secure places of storage.  The economics of capture needs to somehow become favorable in the same way that renewable energy has accomplished starting about eight years ago—which has been truly amazing.
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Many reasons are given for reducing the consumption of natural resources (The Conversation).  This was written by the former chief scientific advisor to the UK’s environmental ministry.  You will not see a better explanation of the full nature of today’s problem of extraordinary human consumption, which is simply not sustainable by any means.  Climate change is described as only one facet of all that is going wrong with the environment.  Technology cannot come to the rescue when the primary need is for vastly reduced demand and a completely different vision of social objectives.
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The Australian Medical Association is now calling climate change a health emergency (The Guardian).  The reasons are spelled out here for publication in a statement from its president.
Carl

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