CRS Report – U.S. Forest Carbon Data: In Brief Updated July 26, 2022: “Introduction: The flux—or flow—of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere is the dominant contributor to the observed warming trend in global temperatures. Trees, however, store (sequester) CO2 from the atmosphere, accruing significant stores of carbon over time. Trees… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Climate Change
The scope and extent of literature that maps threats to species globally: a systematic map
Ridley, F.A., Hickinbotham, E.J., Suggitt, A.J. et al. The scope and extent of literature that maps threats to species globally: a systematic map. Environ Evid 11, 26 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13750-022-00279-7: “Human activities are driving accelerating rates of species extinctions that continue to threaten nature’s contribution to people. Yet, the full scope of where and how human… Continue Reading
Beloved monarch butterflies now listed as endangered
AP: “The monarch butterfly fluttered a step closer to extinction Thursday [July 21, 2022], as scientists put the iconic orange-and-black insect on the endangered list because of its fast dwindling numbers. “It’s just a devastating decline,” said Stuart Pimm, an ecologist at Duke University who was not involved in the new listing. “This is one… Continue Reading
Corporate greenwashing is getting harder to spot—here’s how to do it
Quartz: “We looked at different ways in which businesses are using greenwashing, from fairly simple imaging tactics that have been around for years, to more novel and sophisticated manipulation of investment products and corporate data. The following is a taxonomy of greenwashing, with tips on how to spot it—and how, with a little bit of… Continue Reading
The World Is Burning Once Again
The Atlantic – Climate change predictions for 2050 arrived way earlier – in 2022: “In September 2020, the United Kingdom’s Meteorological Office published a hypothetical weather forecast for a mid-July day in the year 2050. Forty degrees Celsius in London. (That’s 104 degrees Fahrenheit.) Thirty-eight in Hull (100 degrees F). Thirty-nine in Birmingham (102 degrees… Continue Reading
Light pollution is disrupting the seasonal rhythms of plants and trees, lengthening pollen season in US cities
Via LLRX – Light pollution is disrupting the seasonal rhythms of plants and trees, lengthening pollen season in US cities – City lights that blaze all night are profoundly disrupting urban plants’ phenology – shifting when their buds open in the spring and when their leaves change colors and drop in the fall. New research Yuyu… Continue Reading
How hot is too hot for the human body?
The Conversation – Our lab found heat + humidity gets dangerous faster than many people realize: “Heat waves are becoming supercharged as the climate changes – lasting longer, becoming more frequent and getting just plain hotter. One question a lot of people are asking is: “When will it get too hot for normal daily activity… Continue Reading
Market-Based Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Legislation: 108th Through 117th Congresses
CRS Report – Market-Based Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Legislation: 108th Through 117th Congresses, Updated July 18, 2022: “Congressional interest in market-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emission control legislation has fluctuated over the past 20years. Market-based approaches that would address GHG emissions typically involve either a cap-and-trade system or a carbon tax or emissions fee program. Both approaches… Continue Reading
The Western Drought Is Getting Weird Share
Gizmodo: “The western and southwestern U.S. is wilting under the biggest drought in 1,200 years — a megadrought. As of writing this, most of the country is experiencing drier-than-normal conditions, but things remain particularly severe from Texas to Washington state. Scientists have identified climate change as a significant contributing factor to the extent and severity… Continue Reading
Light pollution is disrupting the seasonal rhythms of plants and trees, lengthening pollen season in US cities
Via LLRX – Light pollution is disrupting the seasonal rhythms of plants and trees, lengthening pollen season in US cities – City lights that blaze all night are profoundly disrupting urban plants’ phenology – shifting when their buds open in the spring and when their leaves change colors and drop in the fall. New research… Continue Reading
Cryptomining Capacity in U.S. Rivals Energy Use of Houston, Findings Show
The New York Times: “…Earlier this year, a group of congressional Democrats launched an investigation into energy use at the country’s largest cryptomining companies. They asked seven cryptomining companies for data on their operations, and the group’s findings, issued Friday, are based on the companies’ responses. That data showed that the seven companies alone had… Continue Reading
Edelman Trust Barometer – The Power of Gen Z
“This isn’t the influencer generation. This isn’t the cancel generation. This isn’t even the TikTok generation. This is the generation of sensibility. Preceding generations have idolized the unrealistic, prioritizing aspirational objectives, and often overlooking basic elements like humanity, our planet, and at times the truth for the sake of self, innovation, wealth, and immediacy. In… Continue Reading
