Science

Scientists are grim, economists more optimistic about climate change's effects

The New York Times (March 13, 2009) reports from Climatewire (JEAN-MARIE MACABREY reporting) the results of the special IPCC meeting in Copenhagen.

Here is an excerpt:

"Scientists are gloomy; economists are more upbeat. Such was the bottom line of an epic, three-day international congress of climate change experts that ended here yesterday.

Rising sea levels set to have major impacts around the world

Source: University of Copenhagen March 10, 2009

"Research presented today at the International Scientific Congress on Climate Change in Copenhagen shows that the upper range of sea level rise by 2100 could be in the range of about one meter, or possibly more. In the lower end of the spectrum it looks increasingly unlikely that sea level rise will be much less than 50 cm by 2100. This means that if emissions of greenhouse gases is not reduced quickly and substantially, even the best case scenario will hit low lying coastal areas housing one in ten humans on the planet hard.

Ice melting across globe at accelerating rate, NASA says

Ice melting across globe at accelerating rate, NASA says: CNN.com 12/17/2008. By Emanuella Grinberg

You can read the whole story here:
Ice melting across globe at accelerating rate, NASA says

Excerpt below:

"(CNN) -- Between 1.5 trillion and 2 trillion tons of ice in Greenland, Antarctica and Alaska have melted at an accelerating rate since 2003, according to NASA scientists, in the latest signs of what they say is global warming.

Satellite for tracking sea levels set for launch

Source: AFP: June 17, 2008
The Jason 2 satellite will keep sea-level data stream going for some years.

You can read the original article here: Satellite for tracking sea levels set for launch

Excerpt below:
"The French-US satellite Jason 2, slated for lift-off Friday from California, will provide precise monitoring of rising sea levels and currents and track the effects of climate change.

Speaking of Science: UW scientists offer sea level rise projections, investigate icy uncertainty

Source: The Daily of the University of Washington: By Brian Smoliak: May 1, 2008
Speaking of Science: UW scientists offer sea level rise projections, investigate icy uncertainty

Come the year 2100, Washington State’s coastline could be in for some noticeable changes. Coastal cities from Bellingham to Olympia are already planning for the possibility of rising waters over the next 50-100 years.

World sea levels to rise 1.5m by 2100 -scientists

Source: Reuters, April 15, 2008. By Karin Strohecker

World sea levels to rise 1.5m by 2100--scientists

As the climate models start to incorporate dynamic ice characteristics a better picture of the extent of projected sea level rise in the middle term (before 2100) is emerging. This time frame would mean that people born today will potentially live long enough to experience the impacts.

Global warming 'dips this year'

Roger Harrabin,BBC News environment analyst (April 4, 2008) reports on the effects of a major 'la nina' in the Pacific Ocean. This part of a multi-year fluctuation, and it's cooling the planet this year. These types of short-term fluctuations have been built into the climate models, which are still predicting a longer-term warming trend. Still, it's good to be cool! (Unless you live in Wisconsin, which gets enough cool every winter).

Global warming 'dips this year'

Here is an excerpt:

Scientific American:The Unquiet Ice

Scientific American (February 2008) outlines the risk that the major ice sheets (particularly the West Antarctic Ice Sheet) hold for potential rapid sea level rise. This piece is written by Robin Bell at Columbia University.

The Unquiet Ice (stub)

NOTE: the whole article requires a subscription.

Key Concepts:
The land-based ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica hold enough water to raise global sea level by more than 200 feet.

Nature Reports: Climate Change

The publishers at Nature have created a web space for climate change science.

Nature Reports: Climate Change offers "the science behind the news, and the news behind the science.

Scientist: 'Arctic is screaming'

Source: CNN December 11, 2007

Scientist: 'Arctic is screaming'

Excerpt:

"WASHINGTON (AP) -- An already relentless melting of the Arctic greatly accelerated this summer, a warning sign that some scientists worry could mean global warming has passed an ominous tipping point. One even speculated that summer sea ice would be gone in five years.

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