Field
Reports

News Roundup

Algae blooms intensified by human activity, possibly climate change | The Columbus Dispatch

July 24th, 2016

‘…The mess in Florida is only the latest in a string of algae blooms that some experts think are increasing in frequency and in severity. An immense plume of blue-green algae covered a 636-mile stretch of the Ohio River in September.’

Source: Algae blooms intensified by human activity, possibly climate change | The Columbus Dispatch

Climate change: Greenland loses a trillion tonnes of ice in four years as melting rate triples | Environment | The Independent

July 21st, 2016

‘It’s no news that Greenland is in serious trouble — but now, new research has helped quantify just how bad its problems are. A satellite study, published last week in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, suggests that the Greenland ice sheet lost a whopping 1 trillion tonnes of ice between the years 2011 and 2014 alone.’

Source: Climate change: Greenland loses a trillion tonnes of ice in four years as melting rate triples | Environment | The Independent

A high-resolution record of Greenland mass balance – McMillan – 2016 – Geophysical Research Letters – Wiley Online Library

July 21st, 2016

“…Between January 2011 and December 2014 we estimate that the Greenland Ice Sheet lost an average of 269 ± 51 Gt/yr of snow and ice. The observed deficit indicates an annual contribution of 0.74 ± 0.14 mm/yr to global mean sea level, which is approximately double the 1992–2011 mean”

Source: A high-resolution record of Greenland mass balance – McMillan – 2016 – Geophysical Research Letters – Wiley Online Library

GOP Platform Committee Mocks Dems For Including Climate Change In Platform

July 18th, 2016

‘CLEVELAND — Audible groans could be heard among Republican convention delegates on the GOP platform committee when it’s chair, Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), said that Democrats were planning to include climate change in their party platform.’

Source: GOP Platform Committee Mocks Dems For Including Climate Change In Platform

Professor honored for work on climate change consensus | Harvard Gazette

July 18th, 2016

‘Harvard Professor of the History of Science Naomi Oreskes will be awarded the sixth annual Stephen H. Schneider Award for Outstanding Climate Science Communication, Climate One at the Commonwealth Club announced today.’

Source: Professor honored for work on climate change consensus | Harvard Gazette

Surviving climate change in Bangladesh – Al Jazeera English

July 10th, 2016

‘Southern Bangladesh, Bangladesh - As one of the world’s most densely populated countries, situated over the large delta where three of Asia’s biggest rivers –  the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna - meet, Bangladesh feels the effects of a changing climate intensely.’

Source: Surviving climate change in Bangladesh – Al Jazeera English

Climate Change Claims a Lake, and an Identity – The New York Times

July 10th, 2016

‘…The vanishing of Lake Poopó threatens the very identity of the Uru-Murato people, the oldest indigenous group in the area. They adapted over generations to the conquests of the Inca and the Spanish, but seem unable to adjust to the abrupt upheaval climate change has caused.’

Source: Climate Change Claims a Lake, and an Identity – The New York Times

In platform draft, Sanders wins on climate, loses on trade – CSMonitor.com

July 10th, 2016

‘ORLANDO — Bernie Sanders’ still-impassioned campaign electrified debate over a draft of the Democratic Party’s policy positions Saturday, winning concessions on climate change but failing to include opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal…’

Source: In platform draft, Sanders wins on climate, loses on trade – CSMonitor.com

US negotiator: Presidential election won’t impact climate work | TheHill

July 5th, 2016

‘Pershing, who took over as the administration’s top climate negotiator this spring, has previously said there is “some concern globally” about where the United States might take its climate work, depending on the results of November’s election. But he has sought to calm those concerns among international climate diplomats.’

Source: US negotiator: Presidential election won’t impact climate work | TheHill

Climate change: UK backs world-leading climate target – BBC News

June 30th, 2016

‘…Environmentalists and the energy industry are also relieved that the Fifth Carbon Budget will be adopted, even though they say the targets need to be more demanding to meet the ambitions of the global Paris climate change accord to hold global temperature rise as close as possible to 1.5C.’

Source: Climate change: UK backs world-leading climate target – BBC News