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Parts of United States are heating faster than globe as a whole | John Abraham
A new study shows the Northeast USA will reach the dangerous 2°C warming threshold faster than most of the rest of the planet
Global warming obviously refers to temperature increases across the entire globe. We know the Earth is warming, we know it is human-caused, we have a pretty good idea about how much the warming will be in the future and what some of the consequences are. In fact, when it comes to the Earth’s average climate, scientists have a pretty good understanding.
On the other hand, no one lives in the average climate. We live spread out north, west, east, and south. On islands, large continents, inland or in coastal regions. Many of us want to know what’s going to happen to the climate where we live. How will my life be affected in the future?
Last man to walk on the Moon, Gene Cernan, has died
An object lesson in thrush hunger
Rockland, Norfolk It’s not uncommon to see two fight over fruit for minutes on end, each lunging alternately at the other
Our neighbours grow apples commercially and their five acres supply both the community in autumn and the thrushes during winter. Recently I fulfilled a long-held promise to erect a hide and watch the birds among the windfalls there. First I had to gather several barrowfuls of my own, which was itself a memorable exercise. While I raked the wasp-mined Bramleys my boots mulched down the flesh, sending up a sweet foetor and leaving geometrically patterned cakes of apple mud underfoot.
Once I’d tipped 100lb of fruit in a sunlit heap by the hide, I retired to steep the whole scene in silence, before returning next day.
Continue reading...Australia should invest in coal power to reduce emissions, minister says
Economists and energy analysts question environmental and economic case for Matt Canavan’s coal push
Research touted by the resources minister that reportedly suggests Australia can rely on coal to meet emissions reduction has been attacked by experts and appears to have been misreported.
The Australian reported on Tuesday that research conducted by the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science – and commissioned by Matt Canavan, the federal minister for resources – showed Australia could cut its emissions by 27% if it replaced its existing coal power stations with the more efficient “ultra-supercritical” technology.
Continue reading...NSW government to assist companies aiming to go 100% renewable
Australian renewables investment bucks global trend to grow 49% in 2016
Trump warming to reality of climate change, says senior Chinese official
Beijing’s chief climate negotiator, Xie Zhenhua, talks down fears that joint leadership shown by China and the US will be reversed under new president
China’s chief climate negotiator has attempted to calm fears that Donald Trump’s arrival in the White House will spell disaster for the fight against climate change.
Trump, who has dismissed climate change as “bullshit” and a Chinese hoax, will become the first climate sceptic to occupy the highest office in the US when he is sworn in on Friday.
Continue reading...Australia rooftop solar market recovers late in 2016, but falls short of target
Leopard shark makes world-first switch from sexual to asexual reproduction
Leonie the shark astounds researchers by producing live hatchlings after being separated from her mate in 2012
A leopard shark in an Australian aquarium has reproduced asexually after being separated from her mate.
It is the first reported case of a shark switching from sexual to asexual or parthenogenetic reproduction and only the third reported case among all vertebrate species.
Continue reading...No Minister, Australia doesn’t need last century’s expensive, outdated energy
Renewable energy production stagnates in Germany in 2016
Concerns over first snow and common leopards found in same area
Giant alligator strolls past tourists in Florida – video
A video posted by Kim Joiner to Facebook shows an enormous alligator crossing in front of a group of tourists waiting with their smartphones ready
Continue reading...Australia's bees and wasps revealed to be as dangerous as its snakes
More than half of deaths from bites and stings between 2000 and 2013 the result of anaphylactic shock, analysis shows
Of all Australia’s venomous animals, bees and wasps pose the biggest threat to public health, causing more than twice the number of admissions to hospital as snake bites and the same number of deaths.
The first national analysis of 13 years’ data on bites and stings from venomous creatures has found that just over one-third (33%) of almost 42,000 admissions were caused by bees and wasps, compared with 30% by spiders and 15% by snakes.
Continue reading...Broken Hill solar plant viewing platform poses a $10,000 challenge
Energy innovators invited to join world first accelerator program
Households cash in on solar during heatwave
Sonnen wins US$1.5 million Zayed future energy prize
Gene Cernan, last man to walk on Moon, dies aged 82
How airlines can fly around new carbon rules
Aircraft are gradually becoming more fuel efficient, but that’s not happening fast enough to keep up with the boom in flying
The world’s airline industry adds to climate change. It burns the equivalent of more than 5m barrels of oil a day, adding up to around 2.5% of all carbon dioxide pollution, in addition to nitrogen oxides, soot and water vapour, which place an even bigger burden on the world’s climate.
Aircraft are gradually becoming more fuel efficient, but that’s not happening fast enough to keep up with the huge boom in flying – since the 1970s, global air traffic has doubled in size roughly every 15 years. Flying is still cheap and budget airlines make it even more attractive, partly thanks to an international agreement reached in 1944 that prohibits tax on aviation fuel for international flights.
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