Skeptics

Professor Fred Singer, distinguished research professor of environmental science at the University of Virginia, pointed out in his book, "Unstoppable Global Warming," that the warming we now seem to be experiencing is certainly not unique in recent climate history; even NASA acknowledged it had accidently inflated its official record of surface temperatures in the US beginning with the year 2000. Revised data show 1934 as the warmest year, followed by 1998, 1921, 2006, 1931, 1999, and 1953. New data are emerging that raises substantial doubt about the veracity of the surface temperature data in the US, as well as globally; warming from surrounding manmade structures are apparently the cause for the rising temperature trend being recorded.

NASA Eyes on the Earth 3D

This is the link which Gordon mentioned today. It provides an animation and explanation of all NASA  climate/science related satellites, which includes the sea level sensing satellite, Jason1, I referred to last week. (You may need to download the latest version of the player they use to see the animation.) Amazing technology!

EO quantification of rain amounts in Philippines

I am sure you all have read about the disastrous rains in the Philippines, but I thought you might also like to see the Earth Observatory plot of estimated amounts......over 1/2 meter in some areas.

"The flooding that struck the region in late September 2009 was the worst in more than 40 years. Officials declared a “state of calamity” in Manila and 25 provinces affected by the storm."

I am sure we all have the same question, and no one has the answer.........yet!

China planting trees and more

China has been criticized in regard to global warming activities, but this article certainly points to some very positive action. From Xinhua " The Chinese government has planted 2.6 billion trees, bringing the total on the planet to 7.3 billion trees planted in 167 countries worldwide, according to a report by United Nations (UN) Environment Program, which was released on Sept. 21."

Since we are on the topic of China, I have also added this link to the speech by Chinese President Hu Jintao to the UN General Assembly on Sept. 22, 2009. What China will do in specifics, remains to be seen, but this speech certainly presents meaningful objectives to control adverse climate change.

"Climate Change and Our Coast"

This is the topic for Coast Day 2009 to be held on October 4, from 11 am to 5 pm at the University of Delaware's Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes.
Lectures include:
"Harnessing Wind Energy at the University of Delaware" - Dr. Jeremy Firestone
"Top 10 Challenges for Coastal Communities in the 21st Century" - Dr. Nancy Targett
"Oceans in Global Climate Negotiations" - Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain
To access the complete schedule, download the pdf from the above referenced web site for UD College of Earth, Ocean and the Environment.

9/23 Dust Storm in Australia

The linked image from NASA Earth Observatory graphically shows the magnitude of this storm. The accompanying article attributes the dust to several consecutive years of drought, and agricultural fields not being planted because of the drought. Is the drought due to global warming?

All I can say is that we were just in Queensland, and many of the reservoirs there which had been completely dry for several years, now had water due to heavy rains earlier this year. Whether rainfall overall is decreasing in Australia due to global warming is probably too early to tell, because "Drought is also part and parcel of life in Australia, particularly in the marginal areas away from the better-watered coasts and ranges."

El Nino and Global Warming

Ben Kirtman of the U of Miami discusses two flavors of El Nino, an eastern Pacific one, and a central Pacific one. His prediction is that global warming will increase the incidence of the less desirable central Pacific El Nino. He further discusses what impacts he expects this will have on Australia and the US, including US landfall of Atlantic hurricanes. The original article was published in the September 24 issue of the journal Nature.

Obama UN Speech on Global Warming

Sept. 22 2009, USA Today: "There should be no illusions that the hardest part of our journey is in front of us," Obama told the U.N. Climate Change Summit, a warm-up for a 190-nation conference to be held in Copenhagen in December.

A quote I found even more telling is also in this article:
Jose Barroso, president of the European Commission, put it succinctly: "Negotiations are dangerously close to deadlock at the moment."

Sinking River Deltas

This linked article from NASA Earth Observatory provides some excellent insight into why river deltas across the globe are sinking, and how this affects about 1/2 billion people. (Be sure to read the last paragraph).

Pacific Gas and Electric Quits US Chamber of Commerce

The linked article in the NY Times highlights the fundamental conflicts between big business and climate policy. The link in the article to the PG&E's environmental Blog also provides some interesting insight. California leads the way.......again?

New York City Prepares for High Seas

The above link is to an article in the Wall Street Journal brought to class last week by Keith Kierman. It covers both what NYC can expect, and what engineering measures are being considered to prevent a catastrophe.

2009 Arctic Sea Ice Extent

Arctic sea ice extent has reached its minimum for 2009 based on satellite measurements. 2009 was the third smallest sea ice extent since satellite measurements began in 1979. Details in above link.

Global Health Catastrophe

In the above link, the British Medical Journal and the Lancet warn of the the effects of global warming. In this editorial, they not only include strong recommendations for a carbon-free society, but also for population stabilization, an approach which we believe is essential, but often ignored.