May 2016 Climate Change Headlines
Climate Change Threatens Australian Home Values
more than 2 per cent of all Australian houses are already exposed to moderate to extreme risks of flooding and this level is likely to jump as climate change impacts are increasingly felt. This doesn't just pose a headache for home owners, but financial institutions and insurers.
Australia Removed From Climate Report
A recent report from UNESCO on the threat posed by climate change to world heritage sites reportedly had references to Australia removed before publishing due to pressure from the Australian government.
The Donald - Climate Change Villain?
Donald Trump has vowed to cancel the Paris climate agreement“, end US financial support for United Nations climate change programmes and reverse power plant emission reduction regulations in the USA.
World Heritage Sites Threatened
A report from UNESCO states 31 natural and cultural world heritage sites in 29 countries have been identified as having been negatively impacted by climate change
Hundreds Of Millions Of Climate Change Migrants Possible
France’s environment minister has warned that if nothing is done to address the negative impact of climate change, there will be "hundreds of millions" of climate change migrants by the end of this century.
Antibiotics, Livestock And Global Warming
A common antibiotic fed to cattle resulted in their manure producing more methane than normal according to a new study. This is apparently a result of the antibiotics killing bacteria that compete with methane-producing organisms
Climate Change And Toxic Crops
A United Nations report says toxic crops are a growing threat, with increasing instances of mycotoxin contamination driven by climate change.
Voters Find Australian PM's Climate Change Efforts Lacking
Two-thirds of Australian voters believe the Turnbull government is doing "not very much" or "nothing at all" to combat climate change - which should be troubling the PM considering he is in the midst of an election campaign.
An Early Arctic Spring
Barrow Observatory, traditionally one of the last places in the USA where snow starts to fade away, has reported the earliest snowmelt in 78 years of recorded history - days earlier than the previous record set in 2002
Climate Change Responsible For Grolar Bears?
Rare grizzly-polar bear hybrids may become more common, with the two bear species perhaps breeding more frequently due to the effects of climate change; which is causing them to cross paths.
The Relentless Rise Of Carbon Dioxide And Methane
The European Space Agency (ESA) states levels of carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere have continued to rise at a steady pace since 2007. Methane has been rising by 0.3 percent per year and carbon dioxide has increased at a rate of 0.5 percent annually.
1.3 Billion People And $158 Trillion At Risk
The World Bank says increases in climate change-related natural disasters by 2050 will put 1.3 billion people at risk and that assets double the total annual output of the global economy would also be in jeopardy.
Climate Change And The Demise Of Neanderthals
A researcher from the University of Colorado Denver suggests climate change contributed to the demise of Neanderthals due to nutritional stress during periods of extreme cold.
More Volcanic And Earthquake Activity?
Masses of melting ice could cause a "bounce back" in the Earth's crust, resulting in increased earthquake and volcanic activity according to the author of "Waking the Giant: How a changing climate triggers earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes"
Climate Change Shrinking Birds
A species of migratory birds is becoming smaller due to the impacts of climate change. A study has found warmer temperatures are contributing to malnutrition in red knot shorebirds, increasing the risk of extinction.
Climate Change Boosts Kidney Disease Risk
More frequent heat waves globally associated with climate change may be responsible for an increase in kidney disease that has been detected among workers increasingly exposed to heat and dehydration according to a study from the University of Colorado, Denver.
A Grim Carbon Dioxide Milestone
Since the Cape Grim monitoring site in north-western Tasmania was set up in 1976, carbon dioxide readings have increased from 330 ppm to the threshold of 400 ppm - and it could hit the latter within the next 10 days. The Cape Grim station measures pollution levels in some of the cleanest air in the world.
Ban Ki-moon Urges Increased Climate Change Efforts
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says governments need to accelerate the speed, scope and scale of a response to climate change, locally and globally.
Great Barrier Reef's Days Are Numbered
The level of extreme coral bleaching seen on Australia's Great Barrier Reef could occur every two years by the mid-2030's; likely spelling the end of this natural wonder
Rising Seas Claim 5 Islands
At least five reef islands have disappeared in the Solomon Islands as a result of sea level rise erosion. Another six may suffer the same fate.
The Right Way To Discuss Climate Change
Framing the issue of addressing climate change as a collective effort rather than an individual's responsibility is a more effective way to engage people says a paper from UC San Diego.
High and Dry: Climate Change, Water and the Economy
The World Bank says the effect of climate change on water supplies could reduce economic growth in some parts of the world by as much as 6 percent of Gross Domestic Product by 2050 and 1.6 billion people already live in conditions of water scarcity.
South Florida Reefs Shrinking
New University of Miami says ocean acidification is already shrinking some reefs in South Florida; decades before it was expected to happen.
Zimbabwe Farmers Face Disaster
Incomes for Zimbabwe's farmers could be slashed by as much as 38% by 2050 due to the effects of climate change. The country is already reeling from an El Nino related drought; with millions facing food shortages.
Climate Change To Impact Grass Species Choice
The effects of climate change on Britain's weather patterns will force farmers to choose species of grass different to what they have traditionally grown.
Top Investors Ignoring Climate Change
Nearly half of the world's top 500 investors are ignoring climate change issues when it comes to their investments according to a report from the Asset Owners Disclosure Project.
Seaweed Farmers In Hot Water
Seaweed is one of Zanzibar's crucial exports, but yields are dwindling due to increasing water temperatures. This is threatening the livelihoods of 23,000 farmers who grow and harvest the seaweed.
Buffett Bearish On Climate Change
Billionaire Warren Buffett CEO believes dealing with climate change is important, but doesn't think it poses serious risks for Berkshire Hathaway's insurance businesses. Apparently, shareholders feel the same way too.
Ocean Oxygen Levels Dropping
Oxygen levels in some oceans are beginning to fall; an effect of warming seas. This will compound the other negative effects of global warming on aquatic life; such as increasing acidity.
Climate Change Awareness Increasing
An increasing number of registered voters in the USA believe global warming is happening according to Yale's Politics and Global Warming, Spring 2016.
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