The amount of global greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere reached a record high in 2011, increasing at a rate of ~2.0 parts per million (ppm) per year, according to the this year’s edition of the annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin by the...
In The News
2011 Sets Record High for Atmospheric Greenhouse Gas Concentrations
November 22, 2012 |
World Meteorological Organization
October Ends U.S. Warm Streak—Except in Southwest
November 16, 2012 |
NOAA
The Southwest continued to experience above-average temperatures in October, with many cities, including Phoenix, Albuquerque and Reno, experiencing October temperatures among the top ten warmest on record, according to the latest State of the Climate report from NOAA. Temperatures across the contiguous U.S., however, were slightly...
Climate Change Increases Stress on Grazed Lands
November 16, 2012 |
Environmental Management
Western land managers should consider removing or reducing livestock on public lands, as well as native ungulates such as deer and elk, in order to make these lands less susceptible to climate change impacts, according to a new report published in the journal Environmental Management. Climate change is putting...
Decreased Snowpack Will Impact Western U.S.
November 16, 2012 |
Nature
Snow-dependent regions in the Northern Hemisphere, including the western U.S., are predicted to experience increased stress from low snow years within the next 30 years, according to a recent report in Nature. Using the newest climate model available, the authors found that over the next few...
Sante Fe Faces Profound Climate Change Impacts
November 16, 2012 |
Bureau of Reclamation/City of Sante Fe/Sante Fe County
The Sante Fe watershed will experience increased temperatures, diminished snowpack, more severe and frequent droughts, increased fire activity, and many other impacts due to climate change, according to a new draft assessment report produced by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the City of Sante Fe, and Sante Fe County. The...
Mountain Pine Beetle Epidemics Triggered by Drought
November 7, 2012 |
Ecology
Drought not only triggered mountain pine beetle attack in Colorado and southern Wyoming but also played a key role in the subsequent spread of the outbreak, according to a new study in the journal Ecology. To shed light on the potential drivers of the current outbreak in the southern Rocky Mountains, the authors...
Texas Improves Agricultural Irrigation Efficiency
November 7, 2012 |
Texas Water Resources Institute
Agricultural irrigation efficiency has risen substantially in much of Texas due to the implementation of modern center pivot sprinklers, as well as the adoption of highly efficient subsurface drip irrigation, according to a special report by the Texas Water Resources Institute. The report is based on data from multiple sources,...
Two-Degree Warming Target Unreachable
November 7, 2012 |
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Wind Turbines Affect Residents’ Health
November 7, 2012 |
Noise and Health
Industrial wind turbines are causing disturbed sleep, daytime sleepiness, and impaired mental health in nearby residents, according to a new study published in Noise and Health. The authors conducted the study by questioning people living near wind...
Food-Related Emissions Almost 29% of Global Total
October 31, 2012 |
Annual Review of Environment and Resources/CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security
A new study and companion policy brief together determine the impact of food systems on climate change, and conversely the impacts of climate change on food systems. According to the study, published in the Annual Review of Environment and Resources, greenhouse gas emissions from food systems...