December 2014 Global Warming Headlines
December 30 - Pacific Temperature Shift Could Be Bad News
A measure of surface temperature differences in the Pacific Ocean in the five months to November is hinting to the possibility of an El Nino type weather pattern called Pacific Decadal Oscillation that could last up to 3 decades.
December 29 - Rising Seas Forcing Bangladeshi Farmers Inland
The effects of climate change are being felt in Bangladesh in a variety of ways. One of the major issues is salt water contamination of agricultural land due to rising seas.
December 28 - Pope Francis To Crank Up Climate Change Action
In 2015, Pope Francis will deliver an edict on the topic of climate change to the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics, give an address to the UN general assembly and convene a summit of the world’s main religions; all in an effort to trigger real action on reining in carbon emissions and addressing the effects of climate change on the world's poor.
December 27 - USA's Flooded Future
A recent report from the USA's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that a majority of U.S. coastal areas are likely to be threatened by 30 or more days of flooding annually by 2050 due to impacts from sea level rise.
December 26 - Carbon Tax Cut Australia's Emissions
A new report shows the second year of operation of Australia's carbon tax was more successful at reducing emissions than the first; with emissions declining across Australia by 1.4 per cent over the 12 months to June 2014. The carbon tax was abolished on July 1 this year by the Abbott Government; and since then, emissions have risen
December 25 - Top Companies' Emissions Increasing
Greenhouse gas emissions generated the world’s top 500 companies, which accounted for 13.8% of world greenhouse gas emissions in 2013, rose 3.1% from 2010 to 2013.
December 24 - Warming To Reduce Wheat Yields
Wheat yields will fall by 6% for every 1 degree Celsius rise in temperature, say scientists from various universities in a recently released report. Any boost from increased carbon dioxide levels will be outweighed by other effects.
December 23 - Finland's Rapid Warming
Since 1847 "the average temperature in Finland has risen by more than two degrees," almost twice as fast as in the rest of the world over the past 166 years
December 22 - Climate Change Reshaping Mount Rainier
Climate change is melting Washington's Mount Rainier’s glaciers at six times the historic rate. This summer Mount Rainier's Nisqually Glacier receded by more than 3 feet every 10 days.
December 21 - Talking Time Is Over
After 21 annual U.N. conferences dedicated to climate change, views on progress are sharply divided between the glass half full and glass half empty corners.
December 20 - Geoengineering With Ships
By making the bubbles in the wake of ships smaller, it could make the wake brighter, causing more sunlight to be reflected; keeping the "bubbled" area cooler. The technology to do this could also make ships hulls more streamlined and fuel-efficient.
December 19 - Australian Native Fish Threatened By Climate Change
A new documentary aim to raise awareness concerning threats to the future survival of native fish in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. In Australia's top 12 rivers likely to lose fish due to the effects of climate change, rivers of the Pilbara feature frequently.
December 18 - Carbon Emissions Continue Rising
In 2013, global carbon emissions grew to a new record of 35.3 billion tonnes; with sharp rises coming from countries including Brazil, India, China and Indonesia.
December 17 - 2014 May Be (Another) Temperature Record Breaker
There's a good chance 2014 will be the warmest year on Earth since instrument records began, and probably also for at least 4,000 years before that. For those aged 14, they've never lived in a non-record year; globally speaking.
December 16 - CO2 Not Boosting Tree Growth?
A new study has concluded that while there has been a 40 percent increase in atmospheric CO2 levels since 1850, the growth rate of tropical trees has not increased accelerated.
December 15 - Lima Climate Talks Wind Up
A summary of the outcomes of climate talks in Lima, which will serve as the basis for a deal due to be struck in Paris next year.
December 14 - Lima Climate Talks On Brink Of Collapse
China has locked horns with the USA and led emerging nations to reject a compromise outline of an agreement that it says will put to much burden on developing nations to limit greenhouse-gas emissions.
December 14 - Climate Change As A Human Rights Issue
The International Bar Association believes climate change should become a human rights issue challengeable in a court of law and is currently drafting a new model statute for people suffering from the impacts of climate change.
December 13 - California Drought Worst In 1,200 Years.
Researchers from the University of Minnesota and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution believe California's current drought has been the worst in 1,200 years
December 11 - Singapore Slashes Carbon Intensity
Between 2000 and 2010, Singapore's carbon intensity dropped by 30 percent; mainly due to a switch from fuel oil to natural gas. Gas fired power generation increased from 26 per cent in 2001 to 84 per cent in 2012. Singapore has policies and measures in place that will slash its emissions by 7 to 11 per cent below 2020 business-as-usual level.
December 10 - European Heatwaves 10X More Likely
Researchers from the UK's Met Office have found that summers with temperatures 1.6 degrees Celsius greater than the historical average now happen every five years, rather than every 52 years previously. The authors of a related report state the perception of extremely hot summers in Europe is "set to change markedly over the next few decades"
December 9 - Australia & Saudi Arabia Worst On Climate Reform
A report has found Australia ranks 57 out of 58 nations surveyed on climate change action, ahead of only Saudi Arabia. Australia now takes Canada's spot as the worst performing developed nation
December 9 - Australian Government Accused Of Undermining Climate Talks
Australia is not creating a good impression at climate talks in Lima. The Abbott government has been accused of setting impossible requirements for Australia’s participation in any global climate change agreement and setting the talks up for failure.
December 8 - Climate Conference Delegates Sweating It Out
It seems attendees at the climate talks in Lima, Peru have been quite literally sweating it out during the conference. The heat and humidity is such that it's apparently affecting proceedings.
December 6 - Maldives Capital Out Of Drinking Water
The capital of the Maldives, Male, is under a state of emergency after a crucial desalination plant failed. While the Maldives has an efficient rainwater harvesting program, groundwater cannot be used for drinking as it is contaminated by saltwater intrusion and other pollutants. The Maldives is one of the nations most susceptible to to rising seas caused by global warming.
December 4 - West Antarctic Glacier Melt Accelerates
A 21-year analysis of West Antarctica has determined the melt rate of glaciers there has tripled during the last ten years. The rate of loss has accelerated an average of 6.1 gigatons annually since 1992.
December 3 - Curb Climate Change By Eating Less Meat
Reining in meat consumption is essential to avoid devastating climate change, according to a new report from thinktank Chatham House. It's a course of action that many would find, well, unpalatable.
December 2 - Climate Change: Costa Ricans Get It.
Nearly all Costa Ricans recently surveyed by the United Nations Development Program stated they agreed the climate is changing, and more than 90 percent believe human activity is at least partially responsible.
December 2 - UN: Fossil Fuels High Risk Investments
In her opening remarks at the Lima climate conference, the UN's Christiana Figueres has said volatile oil prices show the "high risk" of fossil fuel investments compared with renewable energy technologies.
December 1 - Coastal South Australia Grapples With Rising Ocean Threat
A new report on sea levels and climate change will assist local government agencies in South Australia in preparing for associated threats. Coastal sea walls and barriers protect many South Australians.
December 1 - Aussie Footballer Arrested Over Coal Protest.
Australian footballers aren't really known for their environmental efforts, but former Wallabies captain David Pocock has been arrested and charged in connection with chaining himself to machinery in protest at a new Australian coal mine.
December 1 - Climate Change To Kill 250K A Year
The World Health Organization has warned climate change will be a contributing factor for many as 250,000 additional deaths every year by 2030.
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