Earth Hour is only the beginning!
0 Comments Published by CBEMN on Friday, March 28, 2008 at 10:15 AM.
Take a look at how Canadians are being challenged to live "The Good Life"!
Huge iceberg collapse threatens Antarctic shelf
0 Comments Published by CBEMN on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 7:12 PM.
Climate Change and the World's Species
0 Comments Published by CBEMN on Monday, March 24, 2008 at 8:14 PM.
“What is happening to all of the species in the world [as a consequence of climate change]?
-by Sarah Manning
The environment, in number of ways, influences the world’s species. The world’s species depend on the environment for food, water and shelter; if changes occur to the environment the species must adapt. When species are unable to adapt problems occur and the species begins to suffer. The species may eventually become endangered, which can ultimately lead to extinction. There are approximately 1.7 million known species of organisms in the world. Although, this number can be miss leading because it only includes the named species and many people believe there are far more species that have yet to be identified. It has been estimated that the total number of species is between 4 to over 20 million (MacDonald, 2003).
For the purpose of answering this question, climate change should be understood as “any long-term significant change in the weather patterns of an area. Climate change can be natural or caused by changes people have made to the land or atmosphere” (dictionary.com).
There have been many studies carried out that attempt to predict the possible outcomes of changes to the environment and how the world’s species will cope. One study suggests, "the midrange estimate is that 24 percent of plants and animals will be committed to extinction by 2050" (Warming to Extinction). The same study also found that, “15-37 percent of species sampled in the regions could be driven extinct as a result of their inability to adapt to the climate change that is likely to occur between now and 2050” (Warming to Extinction). If these predictions come true we would lose more than a quarter of the world’s species, which would consequently be many thousands of species.
Habitat loss seems to be the area of most concern when discussing the influences of climate change and its affects on the world’s species. “It is believed that at present, habitat loss is the single most important threat to a majority of imperiled or endangered species, Habitat loss combined with the effects of climate change could therefore be devastating”, according to the authors of another study (Warming to Extinction). If habitat is lost species must relocate or alter their lifestyle in order to survive. It takes time for a species to relocate and evolve, so the rate at which climate change is occurring is important to keep in mind. The faster the rate of change, the more species will be lost.
There are many countries attempting to battle the loss of indigenous species and Canada can be included in this category. “To date, 345 species including plants, molluscs, arthropods, birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals are protected under SARA [Species at Risk Act]. The purposes of the Act are to prevent Canadian indigenous species, subspecies, and distinct populations from becoming extirpated or extinct, to provide for the recovery of endangered or threatened species and encourage the management of other species to prevent them from becoming at risk” (Environment Canada). Climate change is not the only factor causing problems for Canadian species but it is included on the list of possible causes. Climate change can result in habitat loss and changes in natural events, so it is necessary to track. It is important for governments to protect the species that are under threat in their country so the species has a better chance of survival. Protection from human activity, such as habitat destruction and hunting, can help stabilize a population that is being altered by climate change.
This is only the beginning of this immense subject and there is a lot of information pertaining to this topic. It is important to look at both sides of the story when researching a topic like the question presented above. There are a variety of opinions and ideas about what will happen if climate change keeps occurring at its current rate. It is almost certain that climate change will have some affect on the world’s species; it is just not certain to what degree the damage will be.
References:
- Warming to Extinction. Environment, 00139157, Mar2004, Vol. 46, Issue 2 Heldref Publications (IUCN-The World Conservation Union press release 8 January; BBC News reports, 4 December 2003 and 7 January; and The Washington Post, 8 January. (D.H.))
- Environment Canada (2005, August 11). Envirozine, Issue 56. Retrieved March 8, 2008, from
http://www.ec.gc.ca/EnviroZine/english/issues/56/feature2_e.cfm
- MacDonald, Glen M. (2003). Biogeography Space, Time, and Life. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
- www.dictionary.com
-by Sarah Manning
The environment, in number of ways, influences the world’s species. The world’s species depend on the environment for food, water and shelter; if changes occur to the environment the species must adapt. When species are unable to adapt problems occur and the species begins to suffer. The species may eventually become endangered, which can ultimately lead to extinction. There are approximately 1.7 million known species of organisms in the world. Although, this number can be miss leading because it only includes the named species and many people believe there are far more species that have yet to be identified. It has been estimated that the total number of species is between 4 to over 20 million (MacDonald, 2003).
For the purpose of answering this question, climate change should be understood as “any long-term significant change in the weather patterns of an area. Climate change can be natural or caused by changes people have made to the land or atmosphere” (dictionary.com).
There have been many studies carried out that attempt to predict the possible outcomes of changes to the environment and how the world’s species will cope. One study suggests, "the midrange estimate is that 24 percent of plants and animals will be committed to extinction by 2050" (Warming to Extinction). The same study also found that, “15-37 percent of species sampled in the regions could be driven extinct as a result of their inability to adapt to the climate change that is likely to occur between now and 2050” (Warming to Extinction). If these predictions come true we would lose more than a quarter of the world’s species, which would consequently be many thousands of species.
Habitat loss seems to be the area of most concern when discussing the influences of climate change and its affects on the world’s species. “It is believed that at present, habitat loss is the single most important threat to a majority of imperiled or endangered species, Habitat loss combined with the effects of climate change could therefore be devastating”, according to the authors of another study (Warming to Extinction). If habitat is lost species must relocate or alter their lifestyle in order to survive. It takes time for a species to relocate and evolve, so the rate at which climate change is occurring is important to keep in mind. The faster the rate of change, the more species will be lost.
There are many countries attempting to battle the loss of indigenous species and Canada can be included in this category. “To date, 345 species including plants, molluscs, arthropods, birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals are protected under SARA [Species at Risk Act]. The purposes of the Act are to prevent Canadian indigenous species, subspecies, and distinct populations from becoming extirpated or extinct, to provide for the recovery of endangered or threatened species and encourage the management of other species to prevent them from becoming at risk” (Environment Canada). Climate change is not the only factor causing problems for Canadian species but it is included on the list of possible causes. Climate change can result in habitat loss and changes in natural events, so it is necessary to track. It is important for governments to protect the species that are under threat in their country so the species has a better chance of survival. Protection from human activity, such as habitat destruction and hunting, can help stabilize a population that is being altered by climate change.
This is only the beginning of this immense subject and there is a lot of information pertaining to this topic. It is important to look at both sides of the story when researching a topic like the question presented above. There are a variety of opinions and ideas about what will happen if climate change keeps occurring at its current rate. It is almost certain that climate change will have some affect on the world’s species; it is just not certain to what degree the damage will be.
References:
- Warming to Extinction. Environment, 00139157, Mar2004, Vol. 46, Issue 2 Heldref Publications (IUCN-The World Conservation Union press release 8 January; BBC News reports, 4 December 2003 and 7 January; and The Washington Post, 8 January. (D.H.))
- Environment Canada (2005, August 11). Envirozine, Issue 56. Retrieved March 8, 2008, from
http://www.ec.gc.ca/EnviroZine/english/issues/56/feature2_e.cfm
- MacDonald, Glen M. (2003). Biogeography Space, Time, and Life. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
- www.dictionary.com
Earth Hour – This March 29th at 8:00 PM people all over the world will turn off their lights for one hour in solidarity for urgent global action. Read more at http://www.earthhour.org/ and don’t forget to switch off on the 29th!
Question: Is Italy sinking as a result of sea level rise?
0 Comments Published by CBEMN on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 8:40 PM.
By Jessica Burgoyne
Italy is a very low-lying area, threatened by rising sea levels throughout the Venetian Lagoon. In the past, methods of dealing with flood waters included the demolition of buildings that were becoming engulfed by sea water and rebuilding on taller, stone foundations on higher ground. However, with sea levels rising at an accelerated pace, this is not an applicable or effective method of coping with the problem. Destroying the historical infrastructure of the city also makes this an outdated technique. Venice is experiencing more frequent instances of aqua alta (high water), a problem which many scientists believe is being enhanced by the ongoing burning of fossil fuels and the consequential rise of the sea. The following link will provide a virtual example of just how threatened Italy (Venice in particular) is by various increases in sea level rise. http://geology.com/sea-level-rise/venice.shtml. In addition to SLR, the sediments underlying the city (which is essentially built a top a lagoon), are continuing to settle while, fresh water is being extracted on a regular basis from a large aquifer which also underlies the city. The settling of sediment and the removal of water from the underlying aquifer are two major factors that promote rapid subsidence of the historical city.
Some Facts
Up until 1900, extreme high tides flooded St. Mark’s Square about 7 times a year
Since 1989, these tides occurred no less than 40 times a year
Tides get so high that boats cannot navigate through the canals because they can not pass under bridges.
Rising tides are damaging to the buildings of the city. The tall foundations are built from very resistant marble but above the foundation, brick is used. In the past, sea levels never rose above the marble but now it is occurring on a regular basis. The salty water from the Adriatic Sea soaks into the more porous brick and leeches into the interior of the ancient buildings destroying historical structures bit by bit. The result of the intrusive salt waters is the inevitable crumbling of the building. Replacing the old disintegrating bricks with newer waterproof bricks is and option however these renovations would take away the great historical value of the buildings and the city and therefore is an unlikely solution to the problem. Many raised wooden foot bridges have been built and put in place when the tides are come up too high to walk through. This has been done for sometime, but another more effective solution must be explored.
There have been many proposed solutions, two of which I wish to discuss.
In Rome a group of engineers have suggested that the inevitable situation of Italy sinking could possibly be solved by pumping seawater beneath the city. Twelve holes, being one meter in diameter would be drilled 700m deep within a six mile area surrounding the city. Sea water would then be pumped into these holes. Ideally, the seawater would expand the settling soils and in combination with the clays, should push up the soil. This process would hopefully raise the entire city by one foot rescuing it from the tides.
At this time, Venice is supported by millions of wooden piles which are driven into the soggy ground. Despite this support, Venice has continued to sink. As a result, another project has been developed to try to combat the constant subsidence of the city. The projects name is Moses and it involves a series of moveable dams. 79 individual dams, with 300 ton flaps will be constructed and hinged to the seabed. They will rise up and block incoming water from entering the lagoon, in times of aqua alta. Although Moses is complete, after 10 years of construction, it is currently parked by the city’s arsenal. Project implementation has been delayed for a year by the minister of environment. One representative wants to halt the project as he believes its implementation will cause more damage to the lagoon than it will resolve.
Some Facts
· Venice has sunk approximately 7cm a century for the past 1000 years.
· In the past 100 years it has subsided 24cm.
· The new project, Moses, will near $4 billion
To conclude, we can say that increases in pollution emitted by the combustion of fossil fuels, is a main factor in the growing issue of climate change. Climate change is causing some areas of the world to warm, resulting in global sea level rise due to the melt of marine glaciers and ice caps. Low lying areas are particularly vulnerable to flooding as temperatures continue to rise, ice caps continue to melt and sea level continues to rise. To address the exact question asked, “Is Italy sinking because of climate change?” we can say that yes Italy is sinking but not solely as a result of climate change. As you read previously, Italy has been subsiding for various reasons over the past 1000 years or more. Because of increased levels of anthropogenic pollution and emissions, the process of climate change is being amplified. Emission of carbon dioxide is the main contributing factor to rising temperatures and the consequential melting of polar ice caps. As a result, already low lying areas are prone to flooding as tides become more drastic with SLR. Therefore, the combination of Italy being constructed a top a lagoon and its vulnerability to frequent aqua alta causes it to be a place which is very susceptible to extreme flooding.
References
http://geology.com/sea-level-rise/venice.shtml
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10143146/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/venice/solutions.html
http://www.spiked-online.com/Articles/00000000543C.htm
Italy is a very low-lying area, threatened by rising sea levels throughout the Venetian Lagoon. In the past, methods of dealing with flood waters included the demolition of buildings that were becoming engulfed by sea water and rebuilding on taller, stone foundations on higher ground. However, with sea levels rising at an accelerated pace, this is not an applicable or effective method of coping with the problem. Destroying the historical infrastructure of the city also makes this an outdated technique. Venice is experiencing more frequent instances of aqua alta (high water), a problem which many scientists believe is being enhanced by the ongoing burning of fossil fuels and the consequential rise of the sea. The following link will provide a virtual example of just how threatened Italy (Venice in particular) is by various increases in sea level rise. http://geology.com/sea-level-rise/venice.shtml. In addition to SLR, the sediments underlying the city (which is essentially built a top a lagoon), are continuing to settle while, fresh water is being extracted on a regular basis from a large aquifer which also underlies the city. The settling of sediment and the removal of water from the underlying aquifer are two major factors that promote rapid subsidence of the historical city.
Some Facts
Up until 1900, extreme high tides flooded St. Mark’s Square about 7 times a year
Since 1989, these tides occurred no less than 40 times a year
Tides get so high that boats cannot navigate through the canals because they can not pass under bridges.
Rising tides are damaging to the buildings of the city. The tall foundations are built from very resistant marble but above the foundation, brick is used. In the past, sea levels never rose above the marble but now it is occurring on a regular basis. The salty water from the Adriatic Sea soaks into the more porous brick and leeches into the interior of the ancient buildings destroying historical structures bit by bit. The result of the intrusive salt waters is the inevitable crumbling of the building. Replacing the old disintegrating bricks with newer waterproof bricks is and option however these renovations would take away the great historical value of the buildings and the city and therefore is an unlikely solution to the problem. Many raised wooden foot bridges have been built and put in place when the tides are come up too high to walk through. This has been done for sometime, but another more effective solution must be explored.
There have been many proposed solutions, two of which I wish to discuss.
In Rome a group of engineers have suggested that the inevitable situation of Italy sinking could possibly be solved by pumping seawater beneath the city. Twelve holes, being one meter in diameter would be drilled 700m deep within a six mile area surrounding the city. Sea water would then be pumped into these holes. Ideally, the seawater would expand the settling soils and in combination with the clays, should push up the soil. This process would hopefully raise the entire city by one foot rescuing it from the tides.
At this time, Venice is supported by millions of wooden piles which are driven into the soggy ground. Despite this support, Venice has continued to sink. As a result, another project has been developed to try to combat the constant subsidence of the city. The projects name is Moses and it involves a series of moveable dams. 79 individual dams, with 300 ton flaps will be constructed and hinged to the seabed. They will rise up and block incoming water from entering the lagoon, in times of aqua alta. Although Moses is complete, after 10 years of construction, it is currently parked by the city’s arsenal. Project implementation has been delayed for a year by the minister of environment. One representative wants to halt the project as he believes its implementation will cause more damage to the lagoon than it will resolve.
Some Facts
· Venice has sunk approximately 7cm a century for the past 1000 years.
· In the past 100 years it has subsided 24cm.
· The new project, Moses, will near $4 billion
To conclude, we can say that increases in pollution emitted by the combustion of fossil fuels, is a main factor in the growing issue of climate change. Climate change is causing some areas of the world to warm, resulting in global sea level rise due to the melt of marine glaciers and ice caps. Low lying areas are particularly vulnerable to flooding as temperatures continue to rise, ice caps continue to melt and sea level continues to rise. To address the exact question asked, “Is Italy sinking because of climate change?” we can say that yes Italy is sinking but not solely as a result of climate change. As you read previously, Italy has been subsiding for various reasons over the past 1000 years or more. Because of increased levels of anthropogenic pollution and emissions, the process of climate change is being amplified. Emission of carbon dioxide is the main contributing factor to rising temperatures and the consequential melting of polar ice caps. As a result, already low lying areas are prone to flooding as tides become more drastic with SLR. Therefore, the combination of Italy being constructed a top a lagoon and its vulnerability to frequent aqua alta causes it to be a place which is very susceptible to extreme flooding.
References
http://geology.com/sea-level-rise/venice.shtml
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10143146/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/venice/solutions.html
http://www.spiked-online.com/Articles/00000000543C.htm
From Avaaz.org:
EU and US demand for biofuels is pushing up world food prices and increasing climate emissions. We should feed people, not cars--so join the call for global standards to clean up the biofuels industry:
Click here nowEach day, 820 million people in the developing world do not have enough food to eat1. Food prices around the world are shooting up, sparking food riots from Mexico2 to Morocco3. And the World Food Program warned last week that rapidly rising costs are endangering emergency food supplies for the world's worst-off4.How are the wealthiest countries responding? They're burning food.Specifically, they're using more and more biofuels--alcohol made from plant products, used in place of petrol to fuel cars. Biofuels are billed as a way to slow down climate change. But in reality, because so much land is being cleared to grow them, most biofuels today are causing more global warming emissions than they prevent5, even as they push the price of corn, wheat, and other foods out of reach for millions of people6.Not all biofuels are bad--but without tough global standards, the biofuels boom will further undermine food security and worsen global warming. Click here to use our simple tool to send a message to your head of state before this weekend's global summit on climate change in Chiba, Japan, and help build a global call for biofuels regulation:http://www.avaaz.org/en/biofuel_standards_now/9.php?cl=60571227Sometimes the trade-off is stark: filling the tank of an SUV with ethanol requires enough corn to feed a person for a year7. But not all biofuels are bad; making ethanol from Brazilian sugar cane is vastly more efficient than US-grown corn, for example, and green technology for making fuel from waste is improving rapidly.The problem is that the EU and the US have set targets for increasing the use of biofuels without sorting the good from the bad. As a result, rainforests are being cleared in Indonesia to grow palm oil for European biodiesel refineries, and global grain reserves are running dangerously low. Meanwhile, rich-country politicians can look "green" without asking their citizens to conserve energy, and agribusiness giants are cashing in. And if nothing changes, the situation will only get worse.What's needed are strong global standards that encourage better biofuels and shut down the trade in bad ones. Such standards are under development by a number of coalitions8, but they will only become mandatory if there's a big enough public outcry. It's time to move: this Friday through Saturday, the twenty countries with the biggest economies, responsible for more than 75% of the world's carbon emissions9, will meet in Chiba, Japan to begin the G8's climate change discussions. Before the summit, let's raise a global cry for change on biofuels:http://www.avaaz.org/en/biofuel_standards_now/9.php?cl=60571227A call for change before this week's summit won't end the food crisis, or stop global warming. But it's a critical first step. By confronting false solutions and demanding real ones, we can show our leaders that we want to do the right thing, not the easy thing.As Kate, an Avaaz member in Colorado, wrote about biofuels, "Turning food into oil when people are already starving? My car isn't more important than someone's hungry child."It's time to put the life of our fellow people, and our planet, above the politics and profits that too often drive international decision-making. This will be a long fight. But it's one that we join eagerly--because the stakes are too high to do anything else.With hope,Ben, Ricken, Iain, Galit, Paul, Graziela, Pascal, Esra'a, Milena -- the Avaaz.org team
SOURCES:[1] World Food Programme. "Hunger Facts." Accessed 10 March 2008. http://www.wfp.org/aboutwfp/facts/hunger_facts.asp[2] The Sunday Herald (Scotland). "2008: The year of global food crisis." 9 March 2008. http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.2104849.0.2008_the_year_of_global_food_crisis.php[3] The Australian: "Biofuels threaten 'billions of lives'" 28 February, 2008. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23336840-11949,00.html[4] AFP: "WFP chief warns EU about biofuels." 7 March 2008. http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hpCFf3spGcDQUuILK5JFV-6NL1Dg[5] New York Times: "Biofuels Deemed a Greenhouse Threat." 8 February 2008. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/08/science/earth/08wbiofuels.html[6] The Times: "Rush for biofuels threatens starvation on a global scale." 7 March 2008. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article3500954.ece ... also see BBC: "In graphics: World warned on food price spiral." 10 March 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7284196.stm[7] The Economist: "The end of cheap food." 6 December 2007. http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10252015[8] See http://www.globalbioenergy.org, http://cgse.epfl.ch/page70341.html, and http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article3489640.ece.[9] Government of Japan. "Percentage of global carbon dioxide emissions (FY 2003) contributed by G20 nations." http://www.env.go.jp/earth/g8/en/g20/index_popup.html
EU and US demand for biofuels is pushing up world food prices and increasing climate emissions. We should feed people, not cars--so join the call for global standards to clean up the biofuels industry:
Click here nowEach day, 820 million people in the developing world do not have enough food to eat1. Food prices around the world are shooting up, sparking food riots from Mexico2 to Morocco3. And the World Food Program warned last week that rapidly rising costs are endangering emergency food supplies for the world's worst-off4.How are the wealthiest countries responding? They're burning food.Specifically, they're using more and more biofuels--alcohol made from plant products, used in place of petrol to fuel cars. Biofuels are billed as a way to slow down climate change. But in reality, because so much land is being cleared to grow them, most biofuels today are causing more global warming emissions than they prevent5, even as they push the price of corn, wheat, and other foods out of reach for millions of people6.Not all biofuels are bad--but without tough global standards, the biofuels boom will further undermine food security and worsen global warming. Click here to use our simple tool to send a message to your head of state before this weekend's global summit on climate change in Chiba, Japan, and help build a global call for biofuels regulation:http://www.avaaz.org/en/biofuel_standards_now/9.php?cl=60571227Sometimes the trade-off is stark: filling the tank of an SUV with ethanol requires enough corn to feed a person for a year7. But not all biofuels are bad; making ethanol from Brazilian sugar cane is vastly more efficient than US-grown corn, for example, and green technology for making fuel from waste is improving rapidly.The problem is that the EU and the US have set targets for increasing the use of biofuels without sorting the good from the bad. As a result, rainforests are being cleared in Indonesia to grow palm oil for European biodiesel refineries, and global grain reserves are running dangerously low. Meanwhile, rich-country politicians can look "green" without asking their citizens to conserve energy, and agribusiness giants are cashing in. And if nothing changes, the situation will only get worse.What's needed are strong global standards that encourage better biofuels and shut down the trade in bad ones. Such standards are under development by a number of coalitions8, but they will only become mandatory if there's a big enough public outcry. It's time to move: this Friday through Saturday, the twenty countries with the biggest economies, responsible for more than 75% of the world's carbon emissions9, will meet in Chiba, Japan to begin the G8's climate change discussions. Before the summit, let's raise a global cry for change on biofuels:http://www.avaaz.org/en/biofuel_standards_now/9.php?cl=60571227A call for change before this week's summit won't end the food crisis, or stop global warming. But it's a critical first step. By confronting false solutions and demanding real ones, we can show our leaders that we want to do the right thing, not the easy thing.As Kate, an Avaaz member in Colorado, wrote about biofuels, "Turning food into oil when people are already starving? My car isn't more important than someone's hungry child."It's time to put the life of our fellow people, and our planet, above the politics and profits that too often drive international decision-making. This will be a long fight. But it's one that we join eagerly--because the stakes are too high to do anything else.With hope,Ben, Ricken, Iain, Galit, Paul, Graziela, Pascal, Esra'a, Milena -- the Avaaz.org team
SOURCES:[1] World Food Programme. "Hunger Facts." Accessed 10 March 2008. http://www.wfp.org/aboutwfp/facts/hunger_facts.asp[2] The Sunday Herald (Scotland). "2008: The year of global food crisis." 9 March 2008. http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.2104849.0.2008_the_year_of_global_food_crisis.php[3] The Australian: "Biofuels threaten 'billions of lives'" 28 February, 2008. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23336840-11949,00.html[4] AFP: "WFP chief warns EU about biofuels." 7 March 2008. http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hpCFf3spGcDQUuILK5JFV-6NL1Dg[5] New York Times: "Biofuels Deemed a Greenhouse Threat." 8 February 2008. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/08/science/earth/08wbiofuels.html[6] The Times: "Rush for biofuels threatens starvation on a global scale." 7 March 2008. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article3500954.ece ... also see BBC: "In graphics: World warned on food price spiral." 10 March 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7284196.stm[7] The Economist: "The end of cheap food." 6 December 2007. http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10252015[8] See http://www.globalbioenergy.org, http://cgse.epfl.ch/page70341.html, and http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article3489640.ece.[9] Government of Japan. "Percentage of global carbon dioxide emissions (FY 2003) contributed by G20 nations." http://www.env.go.jp/earth/g8/en/g20/index_popup.html
How about an online newspaper dedicated to news about the Earth! It exists and is called Terra Daily. Why don't you bookmark it and continue to read about the planet you live on well after the course is over!
Red = high riskOrange = moderate risk
Green = low risk
The purple dashed lines = areas that are presently submerging
Source: Atlas of Canada (You can view the entire map of Canada here).
There is a new report just out from Natural Resources Canada entitled "From Impacts to Adaptation:Canada in a Changing Climate 2007". It is really worth a look....
Climate Change - The Physical Science Basis
From: sustenergy, 5 months ago
"Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis", assesses the current
scientific knowledge of the natural and human drivers of climate change,
observed changes in climate, the ability of science to attribute changes
to different causes, and projections for future climate change.
The report was produced by some 600 authors from 40 countries. Over 620
expert reviewers and a large number of government reviewers also
participated. Representatives from 113 governments reviewed and revised
the Summary line-by-line during the course of this week before adopting
it and accepting the underlying report.
“Climate Change
2007: The Physical Science Basis”, assesses the current scientific knowledge of
the natural and human drivers of climate change, observed changes in climate,
the ability of science to attribute changes to different causes, and projections
for future climate change.
The report was
produced by some 600 authors from 40 countries. Over 620 expert reviewers and a
large number of government reviewers also participated. Representatives from 113
governments reviewed and revised the Summary line-by-line during the course of
this week before adopting it and accepting the underlying
report.
SlideShare Link
If you ever have a quesiton about pretty much anything related to climate change, you can find it at the enormously impressive "Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change" web site.
