Climate is truly Chaotic: systems within systems, at scales from the local to the global and always overlapping in both cause and effect. Climate Change is a complex subject, where even our broader understanding is constantly being refined and challenged, and detail mechanisms and consequences are being discovered all the time.This area is where we gather news of the advances and refinements and challenges to our knowledge and understanding of Climate Change and its effects. Copyright 2008 Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.2 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss It may be counter-intuitive, but a global economic slowdown could help the United States and China work together on climate change. After years of very rapid growth, China’s energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions now look to be slowing sharply. One major factor: China’s energy efficiency and renewable energy policies—now in their third year—have begun to make a real impact at the provincial and local levels. We are already seen slowing growth in the cement industry and a decline in annual steel output. Electricity demand in October was down 4% over the same month a year ago, the first such decline in almost seven years. The global economic slowdown will accelerate these trends. For several years, the Chinese government has been sponsoring a shift from energy-intensive to knowledge-intensive jobs and economic activity. China’s recently-announced $586 billion stimulus package (Rmb4,000 billion) will transform its economy even faster, by promoting economic restructuring and essential green infrastructure. The slowdown makes this transition all the more urgent, because GDP growth in China’s service sector produces more jobs than does the industrial sector. With recent GDP growth rates above 10 percent, China’s heavy industry generated enough new jobs. But with slower growth forecasts, continuing large cohorts of high school and college graduates, and its rural population moving to non-agricultural employment, China needs to generate even more jobs from its economic investments. Many details on China’s stimulus package have yet to be released, but what we know so far is promising. (Note: the Chinese central government has released new details since this article was first posted.) It includes 12 percent $50 billion for direct energy efficiency and environmental improvements. In addition, the programs doubles—to $85 billion—investment in rail transport (a lower-carbon alternative to road and air transport), and adds $70 billion for new electricity grid infrastructure. New, more flexible and sophisticated grid infrastructure is vital to increasing the efficient use of both traditional fuels and renewable energy sources. Furthermore, the stimulus package promises considerable investment in health, education and rural services. These sectors are both less energy intensive and strong on promoting jobs and welfare. It is still very unclear how large the stimulus package will actually be, or how much will be financed by the Central government versus provincial and local governments. Central and provincial officials are still negotiating actual spending plans. The provinces have already proposed $1.4 trillion in new projects, but funding from the Central government may reportedly be only one quarter of the initial announcement. Still, even a more modest stimulus package would represent a hefty portion of China’s $3.2 trillion annual GDP. From the perspective of climate change and other environmental issues, it is encouraging to see that a cleaner, more efficient development approach continues to be a priority within China’s overall industrial and employment goals—even in the face of an economic slowdown. China’s resolute commitment to its energy and pollution abatement goals should be reassuring to the international community, especially to negotiators at December’s COP-14 conference in Poland. With both the U.S. and China looking to use clean energy investments to reinvigorate their economies—and with China’s slower emissions growth—we have a unique opportunity to make progress on our shared interests in resolving climate change and creating healthier, more sustainable economies. http://www.blueglo.be/2008/12/a_green_lining_in_chinas_econo.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/12/a_green_lining_in_chinas_econo.html Understanding Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0100 More than two thousand satellites are currently in orbit. They measure the earth's surface characteristics, ocean currents, clouds and the gaseous content of the atmosphere. One of the oldest programs is Landsat. Run by both the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Landsat is still widely used today because it provides its data to researchers free of charge.read more http://www.blueglo.be/2008/12/observing_earth_from_space_lan.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/12/observing_earth_from_space_lan.html Understanding Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Two leading federal climate science agencies released temperature data, which indicate that 2008 is on track to be one of the 10 warmest years on record globally. http://www.blueglo.be/2008/12/federal_science_agencies_relea.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/12/federal_science_agencies_relea.html Understanding Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Plants and soils act like sponges for atmospheric carbon dioxide, but new research on the cover of this week's Nature finds that one abnormally warm year can suppress the amount of carbon dioxide taken up by some grassland ecosystems for up to two years. The findings followed a four-year study of 12-ton containerized grassland plots at Nevada's Desert Research Institute. Plots were extracted intact from the Oklahoma prairie and sealed inside four, living-room-sized environment chambers. http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/global_warmings_ecosystem_doub.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/global_warmings_ecosystem_doub.html Understanding Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100 An analysis has been completed of the global carbon cycle and climate for a 70,000 year period in the most recent Ice Age, showing a remarkable correlation between carbon dioxide levels and surprisingly abrupt changes in climate. http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/ice_core_studies_confirm_accur.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/ice_core_studies_confirm_accur.html Understanding Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Scientists who have determined how much carbon is stored annually in upper Midwest forests hope their findings will be used to accelerate global discussion about the strategy of managing forests to offset greenhouse gas emissions. In an era of competing land use demands, the researchers argue that forests help stabilize the climate and are abundant sources of other ecological goods and services -- such as cleansed air, fertile soil and filtered water. http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/scientists_point_to_forests_fo.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/scientists_point_to_forests_fo.html Understanding Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Contrary to 40 years of conventional wisdom, a new analysis suggests that old growth forests are usually "carbon sinks" -- they continue to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and mitigate climate change for centuries. http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/old_growth_forests_are_valuabl.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/old_growth_forests_are_valuabl.html Understanding Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Plant and soil can take up to two years to recover from an exceptionally hot year, according to studies. http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/plants_carbon_uptake_damaged_i.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/plants_carbon_uptake_damaged_i.html Understanding Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Producing the world's beef and pork intake creates more greenhouse gases than all of the planet's cars, planes and boats combined http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/meat_making_global_warming_wor.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/meat_making_global_warming_wor.html Understanding Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100 First authorThe ocean will no doubt have an important role in global warming. Yet predicting its role remains a challenge without a better understanding of how marine microorganisms interact to drive carbon and nutrient cycles. On page 387, Frede Thingstad, a marine microbiologist http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/abstractions_9.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/abstractions_9.html Understanding Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Terrestrial ecosystems control carbon dioxide fluxes to and from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and respiration, a balance between net primary productivity and heterotrophic respiration, that determines whether an ecosystem is sequestering carbon or releasing it to the atmosphere. Global and site-specific data sets have demonstrated that climate and climate variability influence biogeochemical processes that determine net ecosystem carbon dioxide exchange (NEE) at multiple timescales. Experimental data necessary to quantify impacts of a single climate variable, such as temperature anomalies, on NEE and carbon sequestration of ecosystems at interannual timescales have been lacking. This derives from an inability of field studies to avoid the confounding effects of natural intra-annual and interannual variability in temperature and precipitation. Here we present results from a four-year study using replicate 12,000-kg intact tallgrass prairie monoliths located in four 184-m3 enclosed lysimeters. We exposed 6 of 12 monoliths to an anomalously warm year in the second year of the study and continuously quantified rates of ecosystem processes, including NEE. We find that warming decreases NEE in both the extreme year and the following year by inducing drought that suppresses net primary productivity in the extreme year and by stimulating heterotrophic respiration of soil biota in the subsequent year. Our data indicate that two years are required for NEE in the previously warmed experimental ecosystems to recover to levels measured in the control ecosystems. This time lag caused net ecosystem carbon sequestration in previously warmed ecosystems to be decreased threefold over the study period, compared with control ecosystems. Our findings suggest that more frequent anomalously warm years, a possible consequence of increasing anthropogenic carbon dioxide levels, may lead to a sustained decrease in carbon dioxide uptake by terrestrial ecosystems. http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/prolonged_suppression_of_ecosy.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/prolonged_suppression_of_ecosy.html Understanding Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Predicting the ocean’s role in the global carbon cycle requires an understanding of the stoichiometric coupling between carbon and growth-limiting elements in biogeochemical processes. A recent addition to such knowledge is that the carbon/nitrogen ratio of inorganic consumption and release of dissolved organic matter may increase in a high-CO2 world. This will, however, yield a negative feedback on atmospheric CO2 only if the extra organic material escapes mineralization within the photic zone. Here we show, in the context of an Arctic pelagic ecosystem, how the fate and effects of added degradable organic carbon depend critically on the state of the microbial food web. When bacterial growth rate was limited by mineral nutrients, extra organic carbon accumulated in the system. When bacteria were limited by organic carbon, however, addition of labile dissolved organic carbon reduced phytoplankton biomass and activity and also the rate at which total organic carbon accumulated, explained as the result of stimulated bacterial competition for mineral nutrients. This counterintuitive ‘more organic carbon gives less organic carbon’ effect was particularly pronounced in diatom-dominated systems where the carbon/mineral nutrient ratio in phytoplankton production was high. Our results highlight how descriptions of present and future states of the oceanic carbon cycle require detailed understanding of the stoichiometric coupling between carbon and growth-limiting mineral nutrients in both autotrophic and heterotrophic processes. http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/counterintuitive_carbontonutri.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/counterintuitive_carbontonutri.html Understanding Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Southeast Asia’s scientists, researchers, and political figures are emphasizing the importance of restoring mangrove forests, one of nature’s strongest defenses against natural disasters. Mangrove forests offer a vast array of ecosystem services, or benefits to people, in tropical and subtropical coastline ecosystems. The massive root systems of mangrove forests mitigate the effect of strong surge storms on low-lying coastal communities by decreasing wave and wind velocity. According to the United Nations, “mangroves can absorb 70-90% of the energy of a normal wave.” By capturing rich sediments in their roots, mangroves also attract a variety and abundance of species such as shrimp, lobster, and oysters which can be harvested, sold, and eaten by local inhabitants. These forests also store carbon dioxide and aid in erosion control. Despite all the benefits of an intact mangrove forests, parts of Southeast Asia have witnessed significant levels of deforestation. In Vietnam, the area of intact mangrove forests has decreased nearly 10,000 hectares (ha) since 1965. And the deforestation rate is on the rise. From 1965-1995, the rate was 0.2%, but from 1996 to present day, it is 13.1%. The cause of this sudden and explosive shift is due largely to land-use change, as shrimp farmers clear away forests to expand their prawn ponds. Southeast Asia has been hit recently by several devastating natural disasters, including the Asia Tsunami (over 225,000 dead in eleven countries surrounding the Indian Ocean), cyclone Nargis (over 22,000 dead in Burma), Cyclone Orissa in India (1999) and Cyclone Sidr in Bangledesh (2007). According to the World Bank, Vietnam–with its 3200km of coastline–now ranks in the top 5 for countries that will be hardest hit by climate change. It is estimated that a five meter increase in sea level would flood 16% of Vietnam and threaten 35% of its population. These recent natural disasters have made Vietnamese officials and citizens pay closer attention to mangrove maintenance. In 1994, the Vietnamese government began a cooperative project focused on planting new trees and maintaining existing mangrove forests, with the ultimate goal of protecting both the environment and the local population. The effort is proving worthwhile. A recent WWF report found that although the Vietnamese government spent $1.1 million to plant 12,000ha of trees, they saved $7.3 million/year on sea dike maintenance. Additionally, the 2000 Wukong typhoon destroyed unprotected districts, but left regions protected by mangroves unharmed. The restoration of mangrove forests has provided economic benefits for the population. One Vietnam News report revealed that intact mangrove forests created jobs for 3,210 households. Additionally, officials estimate that villages accrue a monetary benefit of US$2200-2500 per month due to forest protection and decreased maintenance on sea dikes. Although Vietnam still suffers from significant mangrove deforestation, its restoration policy is headed in the right direction. Mangrove forests do not guarantee full protection from storm surges, but they do mitigate the effects of one of the region’s biggest threats. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the government and local population to restore and maintain nature’s natural storm barricades. Emma Porteus is a WRI summer intern focused on researching and communicating messages about ecosystem services and how they relate to the public sector. http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/natural_coastline_defense_mang.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/natural_coastline_defense_mang.html Understanding Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Many vulnerable species are facing reduced numbers because the adaptations that have served them for thousands of years make them unable to survive small changes in temperature or precipitation. When faced with climate change and other threats to their habitat, some species may not be able to relocate quickly enough to save them from extinction. A new technique called assisted colonization may prove to be an innovative solution.read more http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/assisted_colonization_saving_s.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/09/assisted_colonization_saving_s.html Understanding Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100 A new report evaluates computer models of the Earth's climate and their ability to simulate current climate change. http://www.blueglo.be/2008/08/climate_change_science_program.html http://www.blueglo.be/2008/08/climate_change_science_program.html Understanding Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0100