Climate 411

The Global Warming in the Pipeline

By Lisa Moore / Published: November 20, 2007

This post is by Lisa Moore, Ph.D., a scientist in the Climate and Air program at Environmental Defense.

A common refrain here on Climate411 is that we need to cut greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible. One of the reasons we’ve cited numerous times is that, even if we could stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations at today’s levels, some global temperature increase is already locked into the system. This is sometimes called the “warming commitment” or the “warming in the pipeline”.

What’s behind this phenomenon? The short answer is: water, water everywhere.

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Also posted in Basic Science of Global Warming / Read 10 Responses

Extinctions Increase with Global Warming

By Lisa Moore / Published: November 12, 2007

This post is by Lisa Moore, Ph.D., a scientist in the Climate and Air program at Environmental Defense.

Earth is home to millions of species. This rich biodiversity isn’t just beautiful, it’s also tremendously valuable. As just one example, consider coral reefs. They support fisheries that are the main source of protein for a billion people, and bring billions of tourist dollars into local economies.

Scientists have warned that climate change puts a large fraction of Earth’s species at risk for extinction. Most of these predictions are based on comparisons between species’ apparent climate requirements to projections of future conditions. A new study [PDF] in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B looks at the relationship between climate and biodiversity from a different perspective: the Earth’s deep past. The study found a long-term correlation between global temperature and extinction.

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Also posted in Plants & Animals / Read 1 Response

How Global Warming Stokes Wildfires

By James Wang / Published: October 31, 2007

This post is by James Wang, Ph.D., a climate scientist at Environmental Defense.

The wildfires in California prompted the largest mass evacuation in California history, destroying half a million acres and over 1500 homes. People are saying that global warming may have played a part in the severity of the blazes. But where is the connection? And how can global warming cause both floods and droughts?

Satellite view of California wildfires.
Satellite photo of California wildfires. Source: NASA.

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Also posted in Basic Science of Global Warming / Read 3 Responses

Floods Devastate Asia and Africa

By Sheryl Canter / Published: October 16, 2007

The author of today’s post is Sheryl Canter, an Online Writer and Editorial Manager at Environmental Defense.

It’s been raining a lot in some parts of the world. In Northern India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, the worst rains in decades have devastated tea and rice crops, killed at least 3000 to 4000 people, and affected tens of millions of people since June. Great tracts of land are under water. Crop land has been destroyed; people are hungry. And the weather forecast says rain.

Extreme Climate Events, 2007
Click image to view original page.

Torrential rains also have caused severe flooding in Korea, Uganda, and Sudan. In North Korea, over 600 people are dead or missing, 170,000 people displaced, and almost 1 million people affected. In Sudan, 200,000 are homeless from floods. India, itself reeling, sent $250,000 in aid to flood-ravaged Uganda.

Is this all from global warming?

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Also posted in Extreme Weather / Comments are closed

Arctic Ice Shrinking Unexpectedly Fast

By Sheryl Canter / Published: October 4, 2007

The author of today’s post, Sheryl Canter, is an Online Writer and Editorial Manager at Environmental Defense.

Researchers have been expecting Arctic ice to melt and shrink, but not this fast! The National Snow and Ice Data Center, part of the University of Colorado at Boulder, reports that Arctic sea ice has shrunk to a 29-year low, significantly below the previous record low set in 2005.

August Ice Extent

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Also posted in Arctic & Antarctic / Read 3 Responses

Grim Outlook for Polar Bears

By Lisa Moore / Published: September 14, 2007

The author of today’s post, Lisa Moore, Ph.D., is a scientist in the Climate and Air program.

What's a polar bear, Mommy?A frame from an Environmental Defense ad campaign about the danger of unchecked global warming.

“Most Polar Bears Gone by 2050“. You may have seen that headline in the news this week. The study behind this depressing conclusion could land polar bears on the list of threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

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Also posted in Arctic & Antarctic / Read 7 Responses