North Atlantic right whales face extinction by 2040 after no new births recorded – “At the rate we are killing them off, this 100 females will be gone in 20 years”

By Joanna Walters 26 February 2018 (The Guardian) – The dwindling North Atlantic right whale population is on track to finish its breeding season without any new births, prompting experts to warn again that without human intervention, the species will face extinction.Scientists observing the whale community off the US east coast have not recorded a […]

North Pole surges above freezing in the dead of winter, stunning scientists

By Jason Samenow 26 February 2018 (The Washington Post) – The sun won’t rise at the North Pole until March 20, and it’s normally close to the coldest time of year, but an extraordinary and possibly historic thaw swelled over the tip of the planet this weekend. Analyses show that the temperature warmed to the […]

Rome blanketed by snow as Arctic storm sets European records

By Nicole Winfield 26 February 2018 ROME (Associated Press) – The Arctic storm dubbed the “Beast from the East” set record temperatures across much of Europe on Monday and brought a rare snowstorm to Rome, paralyzing the city and giving its residents an unusual chance to ski, sled, and build snowmen in its famous parks […]

Record atmospheric moisture feeds flooding in Central U.S.

By Dr. Jeff Masters 23 February 2018 (Weather Underground) – An unusually severe winter flood event is underway across the center of the U.S., from Texas to Michigan, thanks to heavy rains that fell during the week, fed by record to near-record atmospheric moisture for this time of year. The most significant flooding thus far […]

“Extreme” rainstorms becoming more common in Seattle, says city meteorologist – “Our definitions of extreme and normal have changed”

By Daniel Beekman 3 February 2018 (The Seattle Times) – Attention, Seattle residents: Have you noticed more steady, long-lasting rainstorms in a city better known for gray skies, short showers and drizzle? Turns out you’re on to something. Over the last 15 years, the city’s had more extreme rain, according to a new study by […]

Report estimates Pennsylvania oil and gas methane emissions nearly five times higher than state’s figures

15 February 2018 (EDF) – Methane emissions from Pennsylvania’s oil and gas sites may be more than five times higher than what oil and gas companies report to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), according to a new analysis from Environmental Defense Fund.Methane is both a powerful climate pollutant and the primary ingredient of […]

Summer in February: 80°F in Massachusetts, 78°F in New York City – “It is simply amazing to beat a state temperature record by some 8°F!”

Dr. Jeff Masters 22 February 2018 (Weather Underground) – Astonishing summer-like heat cooked the Eastern U.S. on Wednesday, smashing all-time records for February warmth in cities in at least ten states, from Georgia to Maine. At least 24 cities recorded their hottest February temperature on record on Wednesday, including New York City (78°), Hartford, CT […]

How human coping mechanisms for global warming are impacting endangered animals

By Jennifer Fabiano 21 February 2018 (AccuWeather) – While most are familiar with the impact of climate change and rising temperatures on animals such as polar bears, few are aware of one of the biggest threats to endangered animals: the climate change coping mechanisms initiated by humans. A serious, mostly unknown impact of climate change […]

How six Americans changed their minds about global warming – “I liken it to a religious conversion, and not just because I saw something I’d never seen before — I felt a deep sense of repentance”

By Livia Albeck-Ripka 21 February 2018 (The New York Times) – The Rev. Richard Cizik used to believe climate change was a myth. The science had to be rigged, he thought; those who believed in it were just tree-huggers. But in 2002, a friend convinced Mr. Cizik to go to a conference about climate change, […]

Europe’s cities face more extreme weather than previously thought – “This level of change could be beyond breaking point”

21 February 2018 (Newcastle University) – A landmark study shows the impact of flooding, droughts and heatwaves by 2050-2100 will exceed previous predictions. The research, by Newcastle University, UK, has for the first time analysed changes in flooding, droughts, and heatwaves for all European cities using all climate models. Published today in the academic journal […]

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