Tag: global warming

A range of less than one degree Fahrenheit, or half a degree Celsius, of climate warming over the next century, could be proven crucial for Arctic as it increases the probability of future ice-free summers in the Arctic, a research by the University of Colorado shows. The research also noted that if warming stays at 1.5 degrees Celsius, the possibility of ice-free summers would drop by 70%.

The planet’s average surface temperature has increased about 2 degrees Fahrenheit, a little more than 1 degree Celsius, during the last century, mostly because of increased carbon dioxide and other human-made emissions into the atmosphere. 

A new study led by the University of Adelaide has found that levels of commercial fish stocks could be harmed as rising sea temperatures affect their source of food, demonstrating in this way how climate change can drive the collapse of marine “food webs”.

Nowadays, the shipping routes and traffic in the Arctic have been increased. This result in higher Black Carbon emissions from combustion of heavy fuel oil, which causes ice melting, health risks and shipping incidents.

In a report published by Carbon Brief, it is mentioned that countries representing around 36% of global emissions have already peaked their emissions. This fact can be an indicator that some of the worst warming scenarios can be prevented, the report says.

On the brink of COP 21, the Ocean Climate Platform disclosed the content of its advocacy in order for ocean and coastal zones related issues to be gradually taken into consideration.

FAU researchers reveal that the temperature changes millions of years ago probably happened no more slowly than they are happening today.

  A new review analyzing three decades of research on the historic effects of melting polar ice sheets found that global sea levels have risen at least six meters, or about 20 feet, above present levels on multiple occasions over the past three million years. What is most concerning, scientists say, is that amount of melting was caused by an increase of only 1-2 degrees (Celsius) in global mean temperatures. Results of the study are being published this week in the journal Science. "Studies have shown that both the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets contributed significantly to this sea level rise above modern levels," said Anders Carlson, an Oregon State University glacial geologist and paleoclimatologist, and co-author on the study. "Modern atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are today equivalent to those about three million years ago, when sea level was at least six meters higher because the ice sheets were greatly reduced. "It takes time for the warming to whittle down the ice sheets," added Carlson, who is in OSU's College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, "but it doesn't take forever. There is evidence that we are likely seeing that transformation begin to take place now." Co-author Peter Clark, an ...

  K Line has recently unveiled its vision for environmental performance up to 2050. In a recent publication, the company identifies four priority issues to achieve its goals for 2050 and addresses risk & opportunities. Priority Issues and key challenges: Marine pollution and the ecosystem – prevent marine pollution and protect the ecosystem Energy resources – diversify energy resources Global warming – suppress greenhouse gas emissions Air pollution – reduce air pollution to as close to zero as possible The following graph illustrates company’s overall evaluation of its priorities K Line sets its major four goals for 2050: Continue avoiding serious marine accidents and be the industry’s leader in protection of the ecosystem Replacing majority of energy currently consumed with new energy sources Reducing CO2 emissions by half Zero emissions K Line commits to continue voyage with a view towards these goals by setting a milestone to be reached by 2019, the year marking the 100th anniversary of its foundation. Interim milestone for 2019: Introducing LNG fueled carriers Continuing to avoid causing serious marine accidents Reducing CO2 emissions by 10% from 2011 level Building and implementing environmental flagships K Line has already taken initial steps navigating for sustainability by introducing ...

Iceland's glaciers (white) are melting faster and faster. As a result, the Icelandic crust near the glaciers is rebounding at an accelerated rate — in some cases, as much as 1.4 inches per year, a UA-led team of geoscientists found. The researchers used Iceland's geodesy network of sensitive GPS receivers (red triangles) to determine how fast the land is rising. (Image Credit: UA Department of Geosciences) The Earth's crust under Iceland is rebounding as global warming melts the island's great ice caps, a University of Arizona-led team reports in an upcoming issue of Geophysical Research Letters. The paper is the first to show the current fast uplift of the Icelandic crust is a result of accelerated melting of the island's glaciers and coincides with the onset of warming that began about 30 years ago, the scientists said. Some sites in south-central Iceland are moving upward as much as 1.4 inches (35 mm) per year - a speed that surprised the researchers. "Our research makes the connection between recent accelerated uplift and the accelerated melting of the Icelandic ice caps," said first author Kathleen Compton, a UA geosciences doctoral candidate. Geologists have long known that as glaciers melt and become lighter, ...