To say that ‘Moscow is experiencing forest fires’ doesn’t really capture the maginitude of the impact. NASA has released an infrared video taken with an instrument on its Echo satellite that shows the amount of carbon monoxide at 18,000 feet. The cloud blankets a wide portion of western Russia.
Archive for the ‘Regional’ Category
NASA tracks pollution flow from Russian fires
Friday, August 13th, 2010Drought strains Russian wheat supplies
Monday, August 9th, 2010Expect to pay more for a loaf of bread this Fall. Severe weather has reduced wheat crops worldwide, driving up prices. In Russia, drought has cut the winter crop by 20%, and sparked wildfires. In Ukraine, officials have imposed a wheat export ban. Europe is too hot and dry, Canada too wet.
Millions face starvation as Niger prays in vain for rain
Tuesday, July 13th, 2010Is this a manifestation of global warming or just a “normal” drought? Does it matter? Either way it’s a human disaster.
Indonesia agrees to curb commercial deforestation
Friday, June 4th, 2010Indonesia will not clear natural forests for two years under the U.N.-backed effort “Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation.” or REDD, in which rich countries pay to preserve forests in developing ones. Skepticism abounds that Indonesia will meet its goals, but it says it will.
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Study says U.S. waterways are warming
Tuesday, April 13th, 2010The first major analysis of streams and rivers in the U.S., has found that 20 major rivers are warming at 0.02-0.14 degrees per year. Urban areas in general and the Delaware River in particular are warming fastest. Mitigation and adaption strategies are needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Countries blame China, not nature, for water shortage
Monday, April 5th, 2010The worst drought in 50 years is ravaging much of Asia. China, which has built four dams along the Mekong River, faces ire from neighbors for causing the drought. Yet scientific evidence suggests low rainfall is the culprit. China is trying to counter the perception that the dams are to blame.
As Florida Keys residents confront rising sea levels, what lessons?
Friday, March 5th, 2010The Florida Keys are the “canary in the coal mine” when it comes to rising sea levels, which are 9″ higher than they were a century ago, and could rise 7-55″ more by 2100, hurting property values by $11-35 billion. Local officials want to act now.
Around the redwoods, the fog Is dissipating
Thursday, February 18th, 2010Researchers have found that coastal summer fogs in central California have decreased by about a third since the early 20th century. They don’t attribute the decline directly to climate change, but do suggest that the state’s redwoods, which transpire a lot, may be stressed by lower summer humidity.
Fjords contribute to melting of glaciers
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010Greenland’s glaciers are melting, contributing to a rise in sea levels. What’s more, they are melting faster than before, according to two studies just published. The increase is due to both a warmer atmosphere and a warmer ocean, which melts the glaciers from below. Fjords apur rising sea-levels.
Report warns against Coral Triangle collapse
Monday, May 18th, 2009Rising seas and warmer, more acidic oceans threaten the Coral Triangle surrounding southeast Asia. If the coral around Indonesia, the Phiippines, and Malaysia is detroyed, coastal economies supporting 100 million people would also collapse, pressuring the cities of Australia and New Zealand. Effective global action on climate change and better management of coastal resources can mitigate the consequences of coral collapse. The WWF-commissioned study was given at the World Ocean Conference