Global Temperatures Hit New April High

Submitted by ecofactory on Wed, 2010-05-19 11:52
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Global Temperatures Hit New April High

ASHEVILLE, North Carolina, May 19, 2010 (ENS) - The combined global land and ocean surface temperature was the warmest on record for April and also for the four-month period from January-April based on data going back to 1880 when recordkeeping began, the National Oceanic and atmospheric Administration, NOAA, said Monday.

Last month's average ocean surface temperature was the warmest on record for any April, and the global land surface temperature was the third warmest on record, the agency said in a statement.

In Wake of BP Spill, Democrats to Re-Introduce Climate Bill

Submitted by Nate Kharrl on Tue, 2010-05-11 20:40
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In Wake of BP Spill, Democrats to Re-Introduce Climate Bill

The Senate is set to re-introduce a revamped climate bill tomorrow, now without a Republican backer. After a horrendous oil spill, a failed COP15 summit, and a packed election year, how will the bill fare?
Capitol Hill, where the future of the US Climate Bill will be decided

Senate Democrats are scheduled to reintroduce the climate bill tomorrow in the wake of the BP oil spill. The new bill, created by Senator John Kerry, Joe Lieberman, and Lindsey Graham, is expected to come before a vote prior to mid-term elections, where Democrats are expected to take heavy losses. Senator Graham withdrew his support for the bill, citing politically-driven lawmaking surrounding immigration reform. Graham now says that the oil spill has sunk the climate bill for good.

EPA: U.S. Climate Is Warming, Seas Rising, Glaciers Melting

Submitted by ecofactory on Thu, 2010-04-29 12:42
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EPA: U.S. Climate Is Warming, Seas Rising, Glaciers Melting

WASHINGTON, DC, April 29, 2010 (ENS) - Heat waves, storms, sea levels, glaciers, and wildlife migrations are just a few of the environmental indicators that show measurable signs of climate change, finds a new report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The report, "Climate Change Indicators in the United States," looks at 24 key indicators that show how climate change impacts the health and environment of the nation's citizens.

Environmentalists Say Global Warming May Increase Volcanic Activity

Submitted by Nate Kharrl on Mon, 2010-04-19 21:05
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Environmentalists Say Global Warming May Increase Volcanic Activity

Environmentalists and some vulcanologists say that global warming is thinning glaciers that keep volcanic activity in check.
Eyjafjallajokull before eruption.

The news of how Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano has brought Europe's travel industry to a standstill have reached across the globe. The volcanic eruption, though small, has generated an ash cloud that has closed airports across Europe. Environmentalists say that melting glaciers in polar regions will reduce the pressure exerted on underground magma pockets and lead to an increase in volcanic eruption magnitude and frequency.

Global Temperatures Last Month Broke Heat Records for March

Submitted by ecofactory on Fri, 2010-04-16 08:25
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Global Temperatures Last Month Broke Heat Records for March

WASHINGTON, DC, April 16, 2010 (ENS) - The world's combined global land and ocean surface temperature made last month the warmest March on record, according to federal government scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA.

Taken separately, average ocean temperatures were the warmest for any March and the global land surface was the fourth warmest for any March on record.

Additionally, the planet has seen the fourth warmest January through March period on record, NOAA analysts conclude.

Climate Talks Grind to a Halt in Bonn

Submitted by Nate Kharrl on Mon, 2010-04-12 17:17
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Climate Talks Grind to a Halt in Bonn

The most recent climate talks in Bonn, Germany fell apart as warring negotiators failed to agree on even procedural decisions.
US Climate Negotiator Todd Stern

Rifts from the Copenhagen Summit reappeared in Bonn, Germany as climate talks ground to a halt last weekend. The meeting failed to move forward on even procedural issues due to continued confrontations between the United States, the European Union, and BASIC — a coalition of developing nations lead by Brazil, South Africa, India and China. While the United States is in favor of a modest and unanimous cut, the European Union wants to see more aggressive action partially due to the fact that they are already operating inside a self-imposed carbon trading scheme.

Same Old Divisions Mar Restart of Climate Negotiations

Submitted by ecofactory on Mon, 2010-04-12 14:36
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Same Old Divisions Mar Restart of Climate Negotiations

BONN, Germany, April 12, 2010 (ENS) - Government climate negotiators Sunday concluded a three-day round of official talks in Bonn, the first since the Copenhagen summit ended in December with the weak Copenhagen Accord, a political agreement. Many countries and the United Nations had aimed for a legally binding deal to limit global greenhouse gas emissions after the Kyoto Protocol expires at the end of 2012.

Poll: American Opinion Shifts Toward Energy Over Environment

Submitted by ecofactory on Wed, 2010-04-07 15:47
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Poll: American Opinion Shifts Toward Energy Over Environment

PRINCETON, New Jersey, April 7, 2010 (ENS) - For 10 years Gallup polls have been asking Americans which is a higher priority - energy development or environmental protection. In survey results released Tuesday, for the first time respondents chose the development of energy supplies over protecting the environment.

Gallup's Jeffrey Jones said the results of the March 4-7 poll of 1,014 American adults represent a continuing shift in public opinion toward energy production.

Cities Get Common Standard to Calculate Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Submitted by ecofactory on Mon, 2010-04-05 18:56
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Cities Get Common Standard to Calculate Greenhouse Gas Emissions

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, April 5, 2010 (ENS) - Rio de Janeiro and Osaka, Japan have roughly the same population - about 10.5 million people - but which city emits the most greenhouse gases? Now these cities and all metropolitan areas around the world have a common standard by which to measure their emissions.

Active 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season Likely, Gulf Coasts Vulnerable

Submitted by ecofactory on Fri, 2010-04-02 15:36
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Active 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season Likely, Gulf Coasts Vulnerable

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida, April 2, 2010 (ENS) - Impacts from a decade of extreme storms on the coastline of the northern Gulf of Mexico have left many coastal areas vulnerable to future storm events, scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey warned today.