Forever blowing bubbles…

‘Getting ships to generate smaller bubbles as they sail across the oceans could counteract the impact of climate change, a study suggests.’

via BBC News – Shrinking ship bubbles ‘could counteract climate change’.

‘As 2014 comes to a close, Europe is virtually certain to lock in its hottest year in more than 500 years, and according to research by three independent teams of climate scientists, the record can be closely attributed to climate change.’

via Europe’s Record Heat Tied Directly to Climate Change – weather.com.

‘A new study released today presents powerful evidence that clearing trees not only spews carbon into the atmosphere, but also triggers major shifts in rainfall and increased temperatures worldwide that are just as potent as those caused by current carbon pollution. Further, the study finds that future agricultural productivity across the globe is at risk from deforestation-induced warming and altered rainfall patterns.’

via Clearing rainforests distorts wind and water, packs climate wallop beyond carbon.

‘ALBANY — The Cuomo administration announced Wednesday that it would ban hydraulic fracturing in New York State, ending years of uncertainty by concluding that the controversial method of extracting gas from deep underground could contaminate the state’s air and water and pose inestimable public-health risks.’

via Cuomo to Ban Fracking in New York State, Citing Health Risks – NYTimes.com.

‘Reuters – The new Republican-controlled Senate’s first act in January will be approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, Republican leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday.’

via First job for new Republican Senate is Keystone XL: McConnell | Reuters.

‘…Negotiators have not yet settled the big question of whether the ultimate treaty will be legally binding or allow a more voluntary approach, but the latest draft seems to lean toward the latter, by asking countries to propose their own cuts in emissions.’

via World Moves One Step Closer to Climate Treaty.

‘LIMA, Peru — Shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday, after more than 36 straight hours of negotiations, top officials from nearly 200 nations agreed to the first deal committing every country in the world to reducing the fossil fuel emissions that cause global warming.’

via Deal salvaged at UN climate talks in Peru – World – The Boston Globe.

‘Negotiators have reached a watered-down deal at U.N. talks in Peru that sets the stage for a global climate pact in Paris next year. The Lima agreement was adopted hours after a previous draft was rejected by developing countries who accused rich nations of shirking their responsibilities to fight global warming and pay for its impacts.’

via Climate Agreement Reached in Peru After Marathon U.N. Session – NBC News.com.

‘…In its structure, the deal represents a breakthrough in the two-decade effort to forge a significant global pact to fight climate change. The Lima Accord, as it is known, is the first time that all nations — rich and poor — have agreed to cut back on the burning oil, gas and coal.’

via A Climate Accord Based on Global Peer Pressure – NYTimes.com.

‘…Assuming India and Pakistan each hurled at each other 50 of its smallest nuclear weapons, similar to the size used on Hiroshima, the detonations will create giant firestorms that will produce a whopping 6.5 million tonnes of smoke, “black smoke that would absorb a lot of sunlight,” Mills said.’

‘… The most tangible impact will be felt in the world’s agriculture and ecosystems. Nuclear wars could lead to global famine because the effects of the warheads into the environment and atmosphere lead to reductions in crop production.’

via Nuclear War Dangerous To Global Environment, Weather, Ecosystems – NCAR – International Business Times.