RSS Feed
Author Archive
Report Says IPCC Needs to Address Melting Permafrost
Posted by Climate Central: Dan Yawitz on November 27th, 2012
Climate Central: The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) released a report early Tuesday morning that recommended the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) address the impact of warming permafrost and the large volume of methane and carbon dioxide that will be emitted from the ground if permafrost continues to melt. The report argues that these additional emissions should be considered in any international negotiation of emissions targets and discussion of climate change policy. The UNEP report,...
Posted in 
Winter Storms Bring A Little Relief to U.S. Drought Areas
Posted by Climate Central: Dan Yawitz on November 15th, 2012
Climate Central: Nearly 60 percent of the continental U.S. is still under drought conditions, according to the latest update from the U.S. drought monitor. While the past week brought rain to many of the afflicted regions, it may not be nearly enough to compensate for the historically low levels of rainfall seen across the country since early spring. However, the little rain that fell was enough to prevent conditions from deteriorating in most places.
The total percentage of area affected by drought dropped slightly...
Snapshot of the Drought’s Impact Across the Country
Posted by Climate Central: Dan Yawitz on July 21st, 2012
Climate Central: The record-breaking drought currently affecting a majority of the country has only gotten worse in the past week, and shows no signs of improving. More than a third of U.S. counties have been declared federal disaster areas. As the heat and dry weather have persisted, the threat to American farmers and ranchers has increased, as the drought continues to dry out already-suffering crops and pastures.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has forecasted that corn and soybean yields will drop 12 percent...