Stories of our changing climate and the consequences for human, animal and plant populations are becoming ever more common. It is also becoming common for any perceived change in the environment to be attributed to Global Warming, something which is not necessarily always the case: one weather event does not a climate make. However, a pattern of weather events and other changes that are sufficient to establish a trend can, and are, indicative of what is happening to our world. So here you'll find the news we've gathered of observed or anticipated changes in our climate - over time, the number of these will let us start to see patterns and trends, which we'll report on editorially. Copyright 2008 Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.2 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Sea ice in the Arctic appears to have passed its minimum extent, scientists say, without breaking last year's record. http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/no_2008_record_for_arctic_sea.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/no_2008_record_for_arctic_sea.html Change Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100 The sea ice covering the Arctic Ocean has shrunk to the second smallest area on record, despite 2008's "natural" summer conditions. The ice may disappear in the summer within a couple of decades, experts say. http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/arctic_ice_in_death_spiral_is.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/arctic_ice_in_death_spiral_is.html Change Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Arctic sea ice may well have reached its lowest volumes ever, as summer ice coverage of the Arctic Sea looks set to be close to last year's record lows, with thinner ice overall. Final figures on minimum ice coverage for 2008 are expected in a matter of days, but they are already flirting with last year's record low of 1.59 million square miles, or 4.13 million square kilometers. http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/arctic_sea_ice_at_lowest_recor.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/arctic_sea_ice_at_lowest_recor.html Change Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100 The recent dramatic melting and breakup of a few huge Greenland glaciers have fueled public concerns over the impact of global climate change, but that isn't the island's biggest problem. A new study shows that the dozens of much smaller outflow glaciers dotting Greenland's coast together account for three times more loss from the island's ice sheet than the amount coming from their huge relatives. http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/small_glaciers_not_large_accou.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/small_glaciers_not_large_accou.html Change Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100 If you think your allergies are bad now, hold on to your handkerchief. Global warming is bound to make them worse http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/allergies_getting_worse_blame.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/allergies_getting_worse_blame.html Change Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100 As climate change heats the oceans, storms will brew more intensely, a new study says -- but that doesn't mean we can't be prepared http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/is_global_warming_worsening_hu.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/is_global_warming_worsening_hu.html Change Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Mother Nature's calendar has been showing increasingly less resemblance to the seasonal patterns of the past, with tangible effects on both humans and the natural environment. Pollen-releasing grasses, shrubs and trees have started to appear earlier, expanding the hay fever season. Drought, forest fires and invasive alien species have caused serious damage to some of the world's most vulnerable ecosystems. read more http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/phenology_the_effects_of_clima.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/phenology_the_effects_of_clima.html Change Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Researchers from the University of Murcia have demonstrated the vulnerability of the Mar Menor coastal lagoon to climate change. As a result of an up to 5°C increase in water temperatures over the next few years, this pioneering study shows an increase in the regression rate of benthic primary producers, a deterioration in ecological status and the appearance of eutrophication processes in many coastal lagoons. Notable effects include the proliferation of jellyfish. http://www.blueglo.be/2008/08/ecological_status_of_spains_ma.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/08/ecological_status_of_spains_ma.html Change Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Rare southern species of birds are on the increase in the British Isles as a result of climatic change, researchers report. http://www.blueglo.be/2008/08/european_birds_flock_to_warmin.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/08/european_birds_flock_to_warmin.html Change Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0100 A new study indicates that warmer oceans can lead to a severe over-proportion of males in some species, posing a risk of extinction http://www.blueglo.be/2008/08/global_warmings_fishsex_effect.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/08/global_warmings_fishsex_effect.html Change Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0100 It is the increasingly rapid melting of the Arctic sea ice which is opening up the possibility of the once frozen wasteland providing a natural resources and minerals bonanza The future of the Arctic will be less white wilderness, more black gold, a ... http://www.blueglo.be/2008/07/riches_in_the_arctic_the_new_o.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/07/riches_in_the_arctic_the_new_o.html Change Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0100 A melting glacier in the Tian Mountains in western China is having a knock-on effect on local people http://www.blueglo.be/2008/07/gallery_life_in_the_shadow_of.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/07/gallery_life_in_the_shadow_of.html Change Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Jonathan Watts visits the Tian Mountains in western China, where the glaciers are melting because of global warming http://www.blueglo.be/2008/07/video_chinas_melting_glacier.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/07/video_chinas_melting_glacier.html Change Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Urumqi No1 Glacier has lost more than 20% of its volume since 1962 thanks to temperature increase of almost 1C http://www.blueglo.be/2008/07/china_melting_glacier_leaves_w.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/07/china_melting_glacier_leaves_w.html Change Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0100 The Arctic may get some temporary relief from global warming if the annual North American wildfire season intensifies, according to a new study. Smoke transported to the Arctic from northern forest fires may cool the surface for several weeks to months at a time, according to the most detailed analysis yet of how smoke influences the Arctic climate relative to the amount of snow and ice cover. http://www.blueglo.be/2008/07/northern_wildfire_smoke_may_ca.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/07/northern_wildfire_smoke_may_ca.html Change Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0100