Current Events

  • Irish Chronicles Document Links Between Volcanoes and Weather
    A study of over 40,000 written entries in Irish Annals and ice core measurements shows a strong corr...Read more

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    Irish Chronicles Document Links Between Volcanoes and Weather

    A study of over 40,000 written entries in Irish Annals and ice core measurements shows a strong correlation between the occurrence of volcanic eruptions and extreme cold weather in Ireland over a 1200 year period. Data analyzed in this study cover the period from 431 to 1649, during which time up to 48 volcanic eruptions are identified in Greenland ice core records through deposition of volcanic sulfate in annual layers of ice. You can find the study (open access), published on 6 June 2013 in IOP Publishing's journal Environmental Research Letters, at http://iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/8/2/024035/article. Find out more about how volcanoes can influence climate.
  • EF-5 Tornado in El Reno, Oklahoma Widest Ever Recorded in US
    The EF-5 tornado that hit El Reno, Oklahoma on May 31st was the widest ever recorded in the US, acco...Read more

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    EF-5 Tornado in El Reno, Oklahoma Widest Ever Recorded in US

    The EF-5 tornado that hit El Reno, Oklahoma on May 31st was the widest ever recorded in the US, according to the National Weather Service in Norman Oklahoma. The tornado, which remained on the ground for 40 minutes and reached 2.6 miles across (4.2 km), took the lives of 18 people including storm chasers Tim Samaras, Paul Samaras and Carl Young. For more information on the tornado, visit http://ow.ly/i/2hfDG.
  • Atmospheric CO2 Level Tops 400 ppm
    During the week of May 13th, the CO2 level at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii topped 400 ppm rep...Read more

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    Atmospheric CO2 Level Tops 400 ppm

    During the week of May 13th, the CO2 level at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii topped 400 ppm repeatedly. Daily levels of CO2 can vary due to weather, and there are seasonal trends as well. The level of atmospheric greenhouse gases continues to increase, now over 120 ppm since the Industrial Revolution began. For more on the Keeling Curve, see http://keelingcurve.ucsd.edu/. Find out more about greenhouse gases and warming.
This offshore wind farm in Denmark includes 72 turbines and generates enough clean energy to power 110,000 homes.
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Related links:

Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability - Present and Future

Global Warming: Scientists Say Earth Is Heating Up

Climate and Global Change

Read the IPCC Mitigation of Climate Change Report

IPCC Frequently Asked Questions about Climate Change

Climate Change 2007: Mitigation of Climate Change

The planet is warming quickly as more greenhouse gases are added to the Earth’s atmosphere. The amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere increased 70% between 1970 and 2004. The warming caused by the extra greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has large impacts on people, animals, and ecosystems.

How can we slow global warming?

A new report, released 4 May 2007, highlights options for decreasing the amount of global warming. The report was developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, experts from about 150 countries brought together by the United Nations. Their job is to compile and share what we know about climate and global warming based on thousands of studies done in recent years.

According to this new report, Mitigation of Climate Change, if we continue to live as we have, the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will continue to rise. The report highlights technologies that are currently available which can help, such as switching energy sources from coal to cleaner gas, nuclear power, or renewable energy. Driving only fuel-efficient vehicles and using public transportation limit the amount of greenhouse gases emitted too. And bicycling and walking are always good options. In buildings, having thick insulation and efficient appliances are good ideas. The report also suggests technologies for agriculture, industry and forestry that lessen the amount of greenhouse gases put into the atmosphere.

Technologies that will be coming soon, within the next 10 to 20 years, are also highlighted in the report including Carbon Storage and Capture technologies for energy supplies, advanced nuclear and renewable energy, new hybrid and electric vehicles, and higher efficiency airplanes. The report also takes a look 20 to more than 50 years into the future at how and when we will eventually be able to stabilize the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and the rate of global warming.

Learn more! Read the full report: Mitigation of Climate Change

Last modified October 28, 2009 by Lisa Gardiner.

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The Winter 2009 issue of The Earth Scientist, focuses on Earth System science, including articles on student inquiry, differentiated instruction, geomorphic concepts, the rock cycle, and much more!

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