January 2013 climate change news

January 30 - Lights out for France
New laws in France will mean lights in shop window displays will have to be turned off at 1am and interior lights in offices and other non-residential buildings will also need to be turned off an hour after the last employee leaves. It's thought the initiative will not only battle light pollution, but also avoid 250,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. Read more.
 
January 28 - Warming planet threatens turtles
As the world warms, turtle nesting beaches could become too warm for successful egg incubation, but other beaches may warm enough to produce baby turtles - however, whether turtles can keep up with the changes remains to be seen. Read more. Read more.

January 25 - Billionaires behind attacks on climate science.
A group is reportedly funnelling millions of dollars into attacking climate science and its backers include billionaires with links to the fossil fuel industry. Read more.

January 24 - Australia the Typhoid Mary of coal
A new report from Greenpeace shows Australia will have a massive impact in the future on increasing greenhouse gas emissions - through its increased exports of coal. Read more.

January 22 - Obama warms to climate change
After appearing to do all he could to avoid discussing the issue during the Presidential campaign, Barack Obama dedicated a significant portion of his recent inauguration speech to the topic of climate change. Read more.

January 21 - Soil micro-organisms and temperature
Warmer temperatures spurred by climate change could see soils to release more carbon into the atmosphere, but past a point, the effect warming has diminishes say researchers. Read more.

January 17 - Black carbon a significant factor in climate change
A new study finds black carbon (soot) has a direct influence on atmospheric warming that is almost double the estimates of previous research. It also confirms that significantly increased warming over the Arctic is a result of a combination of the warming effect on the atmosphere and the additional effect of black carbon darkening snow; accelerating melt. Read more.

January 14 - US National Climate Assessment grim
A draft of the US National Climate reportedly clearly states global warming is due primarily to human activities, predominantly the burning of fossil fuels. Read more.

January 12 - Climate change hitting property values
The future effects of climate change, specifically rising sea levels, is already having an impact on property values in Byron Bay, Australia; which have hit a 10 year low. Read more.

January 10 - Mississippi shipping under threat
Water levels in the Mississippi River are so low the river may have to be shut down to shipping traffic. The river plays a crucial role in moving grain and many other goods. Such an event, even brief, would translate to billions of dollars in losses. Read more.

January 9 - Confirmation 2012 warmest year for the USA
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has stated 2012 was the warmest and second most extreme year on record for the contiguous U.S; 3.2°F above the 20th century average, and 1.0°F higher than 1998; which was the nation's previous warmest year. Read more.

January 8 - Parts of Australia facing 50C temperatures.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has needed to add new colour classifications to some of its charts to deal with noting temperatures exceeding 50C. The announcement comes as areas of the nation face catastrophic fire danger conditions and much of the country sizzles. Forecasts for Sunday and Monday show regions likely to hit 50 degrees or more. Read more.

January 7 - Australia ablaze - PM mentions climate change
Australia is currently enduring a far ranging heatwave and with it, an increase in wildfires. Australia's Prime Minister says while no single event can be put down to climate change, she said "we do know that over time as a result of climate change we are going to see more extreme weather events". Read more.

January 5 - Climate change deniers have little scientific support
Those attempting to discredit the concept of humanity's role in climate change may attempt to use science to support their arguments, but it seems the science doesn't actually support them. Read more.

January 4 - Major heatwave hits Australia
A large part of the Australian continent is experiencing a significant heatwave, with Hobart experiencing its hottest day on record and South Australia's capital, Adelaide, sweltering in 45C (113F) heat. Some parts of the country won't see daytime maximum temperatures drop below 40C for at least 7 days. With the heat comes a massive risk of wildfires. Read more.

January 4 - 2012 - the $160 billion year
Last year, natural disasters directly caused $US160 billion worth of damage and 9,500 people were killed according to reinsurer, Munich Re. Hurricane Sandy was the biggest single contributor, wreaking US$25 billion worth of damage. Read more.

January 3 - Internet/IT a major greenhouse gas contributor
All the electronics and electrical equipment required to run the Internet is having a significant carbon impact.  Researchers estimate the industry behind the Internet and ICT generates more than 830 million tons of carbon dioxide each year; equivalent to the emissions created by the aviation industry. Read more.

January 3 - Extreme rain events increasing in the UK
Where once heavy rainfall in the UK would occur every 100 days, the time span has reduced - last year major rain events occurred once every 70 days. This may be partly due to warmer air being able to hold more moisture. Read more.

January 1 - Maryland tightens building laws
Maryland's Gov. Martin O'Malley recently signed an executive order directing that all new and reconstructed state structures to be elevated two or more feet above the 100-year base flood level. Read more.