Are Republicans warming to climate change?

By Jenna Fugate31 May 2013 (National Journal) – Maybe a little bit, according a recent Gallup Poll showing increased concern over global warming among Republicans, many of whom have in the past considered climate change a false threat. Those looking for reasons to worry can turn to the the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Summary […]

Natural catastrophes in 2012 dominated by U.S. weather extremes

BY PETRA LÖW29 May 2013 (WorldWatch Institute) – In 2012, there were 905 natural catastrophes worldwide, 93 percent of which were weather-related disasters. In terms of overall and insured losses (US$170 billion and $70 billion, respectively), 2012 did not follow the records set in 2011 and could be defined as a moderate year on a […]

Graph of the Day: Biomass decline of tuna species, 1960s-2008

ICCAT time series of the biomass of tuna species under management of ICCAT. Line denotes establishment of ICCAT (1969). Species assessed comprise the “major tuna” that ICCAT manages. Data: a) from ICCAT (2008a), b) ICCAT (2008b), c-e) ICCAT (2008c), f) ICCAT (2008d), g-h) ICCAT (2008e). Graphic: Sarika Cullis-Suzuki High Seas, High Risk: A Global Evaluation […]

97 percent global warming consensus meets resistance from scientific denialism

By Dana Nuccitelli    28 May 2013 (The Guardian) – The Skeptical Science survey finding 97% expert consensus on human-caused global warming has drawn an incredible amount of media attention. Hundreds of media stories documented our survey and results. Lead author John Cook and I participated in a number of interviews to discuss the paper, including […]

The Arctic sea ice ‘death spiral’ – ‘The ice is dwindling away. That is a fact.’

By Phil Plait 28 May 2013 (Slate) – It’s no surprise to regular readers I am quite concerned about climate change. My concern on this issue is two-fold: one consists of the actual global consequences of the reality of global warming, and the other is the blatant manipulation of that reality by those who would […]

Geoengineering: Our last hope, or a false promise?

By CLIVE HAMILTON26 May 2013 CANBERRA, Australia (The New York Times) – The concentration of carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere recently surpassed 400 parts per million for the first time in three million years. If you are not frightened by this fact, then you are ignoring or denying science. Relentlessly rising greenhouse-gas emissions, and […]

Money spent per U.S. public school student fell in 2011 for the first time on record – ‘The wealthy districts can go to the voters. The poorer communities aren’t able to do that’

By Allison Linn26 May 2013 (TODAY) – The amount of money spent per public school student fell in 2011 for the first time since the Census Bureau began keeping records more than three decades earlier, as economic woes finally caught up with educational realities. “This is clearly the fallout from the Great Recession,” said Michael […]

Graph of the Day: Philippines internal displacement due to extreme weather events, 2009-2012

GENEVA, 13 MAY 2013 (IDMC) – In 2012, the Philippines had its highest level of disaster-induced displacement in five years. Some 3.9 million people were displaced. The Philippines is highly prone to frequent disasters and has recently had high levels of new displacement of at least one million people per annum. These high levels of […]

Record rainfall causes severe flooding in San Antonio, Texas – ‘We ask San Antonians to please stay off the roads and stay at home’

25 May 2013 (CNN) – Flooding has left one person dead and another missing in San Antonio, Texas, authorities said Saturday. The fatality occurred when a woman was swept from her vehicle, fire department spokesman Christian Bove told CNN. Her body was found along a creek, he said. Bove said the department has been involved […]

Florida manatees dying in record numbers – 11 percent of total population died in January-May 2013 period

By Jennifer Mishler23 May 2013 (Sea Shepherd Jacksonville) – Manatees are beloved here in Florida, and we saw just how much at this year’s Manatee Festival in Crystal River raising awareness about the endangered animals. Aside from their lovable nature, manatees are important to the marine ecosystem as grazers of seagrass and other vegetation. However, […]

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