Global warming & humans

The rise in temperatures at Earth's poles has for the first time been attributed directly to human activities, according to a study. The work, by an international team, is published in Nature Geoscience journal. In 2007, the UN's climate change body presented strong scientific evidence the rise in average global temperature is mostly due to human activities. This contradicted ideas that it was a result of natural processes such as an increase in the Sun's intensity. At the time, there was not sufficient evidence to say this for sure about the Arctic and Antarctic. Now that gap in research has been plugged, according to scientists who carried out a detailed analysis of temperature variations at both poles. Their study indicates that humans have indeed contributed to warming in both regions. Researchers expected this result for the Arctic - because of the recent sharp increase in the melting of sea ice in the summer in the region - but temperature variations in the Antarctic have until now been harder to interpret. Today's study, according to the researchers, suggests for the first time that there's a discernable human influence on both the Arctic and Antarctica. Read the full story here. Miss M.

Climate change plans

The government has committed the UK to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by the middle of this century. Climate Change and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the current 60% target would be replaced by a higher goal. He told MPs the government would not "row back" on green issues in the light of the current economic crisis. He also warned the big energy companies they face a crackdown on "unfair" pricing policies in his first statement as head of the new department. Mr Miliband told MPs the government accepted all the recommendations of the report from Lord Turner's Committee on Climate Change. The target does not include aviation or shipping emissions - but Mr Miliband said they would "play a part" in the government's overall strategy. Read full story here. Miss M.

Climate change could be good news!

Climate change could be the best thing that ever happened to the amazing array of animal and plant species that make up the Earth's biodiversity. Don't get me wrong; climate change is the most serious environmental threat we have ever encountered, and it is already taking a terrible toll on species, as well as people, all over the world.... Read the full story here...Miss M.

Artic losing ice...

The Arctic is losing its old, thick ice faster than in previous years, according to satellite data.

The loss has continued since the end of the Arctic summer, despite cold weather across the northern hemisphere.

The warm 2007 summer saw the smallest area of ice ever recorded in the region, and scientists say 2008 could follow a similar pattern.

Older floes are thicker and less saline than newly-formed ice, meaning they can survive warm spells better.

Ice more than two years old now makes up about 30% of all the ice in the Arctic, down from 60% two decades ago.

The shrinking of Arctic ice has global implications, as its white surface reflects solar energy back into space whereas the open ocean absorbs it. Read the full story here. Miss M.

Nuclear Power gets the go ahead...

Interesting story today in the news about the future of the UKs energy...Miss M.

US sets terms for climate change...

Very interesting story today - VERY relevant to Year 11s studying global warming! Miss M.

Farting Cows!

Garlic 'may cut cow flatulence'

Scientists in Wales tackling the impact flatulent cows and sheep have on global warming may have an answer - putting garlic in their food.

MOOOOSIVE thank you to Mr Jenkins for finding this Geographical gem! According to the BBC cows are responsible for 3% of Britain's greenhouse gas emissions. A study has found that feeding them garlic may reduce those emissions by up to 50%! And according to an amusing article in the Telegraph if you compared the methane given off by cows and the greenhouse gases big cars give out - in terms of tax we should be taxing cows £1000 a year each for their contributions to global warming!! Mooooo!

Turn to 30!

Turn to 30*...this advertisement is on the TV a lot a the moment - companies are now using the idea of climate change to promote their products. Can you work out which company this picture belongs to? Click on the link to have a look at the website and the ideas behind the campaign. The introduction gives a really interesting insight into the plight of kilimanjaro.

http://www.doagoodturn.co.uk/

Wet Wet Wet

Why has there been so much rain?? The summer term has been rather damp so far, are we ever going to see sunshine again?!...have a look at the BBC website which has a really good question and answer session about the June Floods to find out!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6245752.stm