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Archive for March 17th, 2015
How the oceans have dried Texas out
Posted by National Public Radio: Philip Issa on March 17th, 2015
National Public Radio: Over the last several years, climate patterns from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans have exacerbated the historic Texas drought. A reverse in those patterns could bring Texas abundant rains over the next couple decades, according to State Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon.
But, Nielsen-Gammon says, long term trends give Texans no reason to break out the champagne. Global climate change means the next major drought could be even worse than this one.
The Texas climate is sensitive to weather cycles...
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Earth exceed four of nine limits hospitable life
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on March 17th, 2015
Independent: Humanity has raced past four of the boundaries keeping it hospitable to life, and we're inching close to the remaining five, an Earth resilience strategist has found. In a paper published in Science in January 2015, Johan Rockström argues that we've already screwed up with regards to climate change, extinction of species, addition of phosphorus and nitrogen to the world's ecosystems and deforestation. We are well within the boundaries for ocean acidification and freshwater use meanwhile, but cutting...
Start managing disaster threat or risk development gains: Experts
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on March 17th, 2015
Reuters: When Typhoon Haiyan sent storm surges and high winds across the islands of the central Philippines in November 2013, it wrecked homes, schools, hospitals and roads, as well as killing more than 6,000 people.
"The investment that was put into the community - from the point of view of the families that were affected - was all gone, and we have to rebuild again," said Dinky Soliman, Secretary of the Philippines' Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Her country has since learned the importance...
Thirty years of consecutive warmth: The heat really is on
Posted by Sydney Morning Herald: Peter Hannam on March 17th, 2015
Sydney Morning Herald: Back in February 1985, The Heat Is On by US rock legend Glenn Frey was near the top of the music charts and unwittingly becoming something of an anthem for the global climate ever since.
Last month capped 30 years in which average monthly temperatures worldwide have been warmer than the average for the 20th century. That's 360 consecutive months.
And that warming trend, which scientists say is mostly the result of a build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, remains strong - although there...
Dry Minnesota at risk of more, hotter fires this spring
Posted by Star Tribune: Josephine Marcotty on March 17th, 2015
Star Tribune: As spring follows winter in Minnesota, early fire warnings follow a year with little snow and record warmth in March.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on Monday issued an unusually early alert, saying conditions across the state are ripe for more frequent and more intense fires this spring, thanks to an abnormally dry winter and record-breaking temperatures this month.
"We are moving into a drought period,' said William Glesener, DNR fire specialist. "It's going to intensify...
Farming absorbs 22 percent of cost disasters in developing countries
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on March 17th, 2015
Guardian: Nearly a quarter of the damages caused by natural disasters in the developing world affect the agricultural sector, exacting a heavy cost on poor farmers who do not have insurance or the resources to rebuild their lives after floods, droughts or other extreme events, the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) has said. The initial findings of a new report on the impact of natural disasters on agriculture and food security were released by the FAO at the third world conference on disaster...
Cyclone Pam Slams Vanuatu, Killing 24 People
Posted by Environment News Service: None Given on March 17th, 2015
Environment News Service: At least 24 people lost their lives as Cyclone Pam blasted through the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu Friday night, UN and other aid agencies report.
Aid workers expect the death toll to rise as more information comes in from the nation`s 65 inhabited islands, where communication services are still out after the cyclone which packed wind gusts of up to 320 kilometers per hour (199 mph).
Tropical Cyclone Pam struck Vanuatu, hitting the capital of Port Vila, as an extremely destructive category...