June 2015 Global Warming Headlines
Demonstrators Support Pope On Climate Change
Thousands of demonstrators have marched through Rome to the Vatican in support of Pope Francis' recent encyclical that demanded action on the threat of climate change. The multifaith group was addressed by the Pope.
Glacial Quake Incidents Increasing
Glacial quakes have increased seven-fold in Greenland in the past twenty years, and as the climate warms, these quakes will continue to increase in frequency
Pakistan's Killer Heatwave
860 people have been confirmed to have died as a result of a brutal heatwave in Pakistan. Temperatures have reached as high as 45° Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in Karachi; a city of 20 million
Rising Seas Could Cost North Carolina Dearly
North Carolina’s Outer Banks risk losing buildings and other National Park Service assets worth more than $2 billion due to rising sea levels over the next 100 - 150 years. The Outer Banks is a 200-mile long stretch of narrow barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina and a small part of Virginia
Climate Change Could Topple Governments
Countries already politically unstable could descend into chaos as a result of the pressures brought to bear by climate change - and even stable governments may be in for a bumpy ride.
Renewables Won't Stop Emissions Growth
While renewable energy will increase in leaps and bounds over the next few decades, it won't be enough to stop energy related carbon emissions from growing due to an abundance of fossil fuels and the long life of coal fired power plants.
Climate Change's 'Potentially Catastrophic' Public Health Risks
The risks to public health posed by climate change are so great that they threaten to undo the gains of the last half century according to the Lancet Commission on climate change and health.
Global Warming's Effect On Bread
High carbon dioxide may make plants such as wheat and canola grow faster and produce greater yields, but it also affects protein levels; which in turn will impact on how well bread dough rises.
The 6th Great Extinction Is Here
A new study has concluded that there is little doubt Earth is now entering the 6th Great Extinction, with the rate of extinction occurring at a pace not seen since dinosaurs died out 66 million years ago. Around 41 percent of all amphibian species and 26 percent of all mammals are now threatened by extinction.
India's Groundwater Woes To Worsen
The Indus Basin aquifer of India and Pakistan is the second most stressed groundwater resource in the world - and the problem will only become worse with climate change according to a study led by the University of California.
Alaska's Glaciers Losing 75 Gigatons Of Ice A Year
Researchers have reported the glaciers of Alaska have lost 75 billion metric tons of ice per year from 1994 to the end of 2013.
Current Climate Pledges Insufficient
According to the International Energy Agency, current pledges from governments on cutting carbon emissions are not enough and it believes emissions will not peak by 2030. The IEA says to meet target required, emissions should peak by 2020.
Pope Calls For Reduction In Carbon Emissions
A leaked copy of Pope Francis's encyclical contains an urgent call for protection of the planet and repeats the Pope's view global warming is mostly attributable to humanity. The final version of the speech will be delivered by the Pope on Thursday.
Hotter Temperatures May Decrease Birth Weight
It appears exposure to high air temperature during pregnancy increases the risk of lower birth weight and can also cause premature birth - however, temperature increases need to be quite high and weight differences measured in a study were reasonably low.
Humpback Whales Risk Exhaustion Due To Climate Change
Climate change may be depleting the Antarctic food sources humpback whales feast upon before starting their long migration, resulting in the animals becoming exhausted during their travels
Permafrost Carbon Bomb Flagged
During recent UN talks, scientists warned of an estimated 500 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide locked in permafrost that is melting as temperatures increase.
Wadden Sea Fish Populations Plummeting (PDF)
A new report finds fish populations have declined in the Netherlands' Wadden Sea since the 1980’s. Among the probable causes are increased water temperature, damage of coastal habitats and heightened predation by top predators.
Fossil Fuels To Be Phased Out This Century
G7 countries; Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom and the United States have committed to phasing out the world's use of fossil fuels by the end of the 21st century. While the pledge has been generally well received, there are some concerns that a carbon-free future will still feature nuclear energy.
China's Emissions Could Peak Earlier
A study from London School Of Economics states China’s greenhouse gas emissions could peak in 2025, five years earlier than the country's official target. Part of this is due to an drop in coal consumption, which fell in 2014 and in the first quarter of this year.
Britain's Coastline Threatened By Climate Change.
Cliff collapses, flooded beaches - a significant chunk of British coastline, more than 1,000 miles of it, is feeling the effects of erosion connected to climate change.
No Global Warming 'Hiatus'
A new study from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information says the rate of global warming during the last 15 years has been as rapid or faster than what occurred during the latter half of last century; busting the myth that global warming has stalled.
Ikea's Big Climate Spend
Ikea says it plans to spend $1.13 billion on renewable energy and financial aid to combat the impact of climate change in poor nations. Additionally, Ikea says it will plant as many trees as it chops down by 2020.
Australia A Climate Change 'Free-Rider'
Australia has "has gone from leadership to free-rider status in climate diplomacy" according to the Africa Progress Panel, headed by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. This is in part due to the nation scrapping its carbon tax, which has resulted in the resurgence of coal fired power generation.
RACP Dumping Fossil Fuel Investments
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) will divest all fossil fuel investments, around AUD $2.3 million worth, saying it will lead to reduced carbon outputs and achievement of its health objective
The Country That Will Best Cope With Climate Change Is...
..Norway, according to the ND-Gain Index created by researchers at the University of Notre Dame. Western countries generally, while being the major culprits behind climate change, are more likely to be better prepared.
Massive Marine Biodiversity Reorganization Looms
A huge reorganization of marine biodiversity will occur if global warming of more than 2°C occurs, the likes of which hasn't been experienced on our planet for 3 million years - and it it could occur quickly.
Outsourced Emissions In The Spotlight
One of the ways to reach carbon emissions targets is to simply outsource carbon pollution to elsewhere. For example, while the world has been quick to point the finger at China on its emissions - that country doing a lot of the world's manufacturing.
Australia Can Reduce Emissions By 40% by 2030
Professor Ross Garnaut says Australian can slash its carbon emissions by40% by 2030 at a modest cost to the economy and believes Australia can afford to be more ambitious than its current targets given other countries have adopted a more robust approach to climate policy.
The Impact Of Climate Change On Children
A new report by Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) indicates children and paediatric health services could be most at risk from extreme weather events and climate change. The report excessive heat with premature birth and more emergency department visits for ailments such as asthma, fever, gastroenteritis and electrolyte imbalances.
California Snowpack At Zero Percent
Last week, California's snowpack officially hit zero meaning runoff from the mountains during the summer season will for all intents and purposes be non-existent - a worst case scenario for the state.
Moose Dying By The Thousands
North American moose are dying at an alarming rate, mainly due to brain worm and winter ticks - and both issues are linked to climate change.
France: Climate Change Is A Security Threat
France's Environment Minister, Segolene Roya, says US President Barack Obama was "right" to use the national security argument in relation to climate change.
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