Category Archives: climate

Why we melodramatize the fate of polar bears: Zac Unger

Great excerpt from a book on the fate of polar bears, including a super-thoughtful discussion of why even highly reputable scientists turn to melodrama, in the under-appreciated Pacific Standard.  Called: The Fuzzy Face of Climate Change. Highly recommended.  Speaking of excerpts, here's a couple. The set-up question: Are polar bears threatened with extinction? Actual dataContinue reading “Why we melodramatize the fate of polar bears: Zac Unger”

An emerging environmental/minority climate coalition?

In the Nation, Mark Hertsgaard outlines the possibility of an emerging majority coalition composed of minority and environmental voters: "Just as Latinos overwhelmingly supported Obama over Romney, they also—along with African-Americans, Asian-Americans and youth of all races—demonstrate the highest levels of support for action against climate change and air pollution, according to extensive polling data.  InContinue reading “An emerging environmental/minority climate coalition?”

What’s a few more degrees? Ask the frogs (denier edition)

At the Los Angeles Times, cartoonist/editorialist David Horsey is alarmed about warming:  The climate cnews about 2050 is not good, even for the future of pasta. Though adaptation efforts in agriculture are underway, even in poor countries like Vietnam.  As for frogs, a story by Cheri Carlson in the Star focuses on efforts to move eggs fromContinue reading “What’s a few more degrees? Ask the frogs (denier edition)”

How to politely correct a climate denier: Justin Gillis

Justin Gillis, who has taken over the lead reporting duties on climate change from Andrew Revkin at the New York Times, might want to consider tightrope walking in his next life. Consider his exquisitely nuanced recapitulation of an on-line controversy involving a climate change denier named Alec Rawls, who dismisses the entire upcoming fifth assessmentContinue reading “How to politely correct a climate denier: Justin Gillis”

Terrifying geoengineering ideas: Ray Pierrehumbert at AGU

At his much-lauded (and deservedly so) AGU lecture on Successful Predictions (of global warming, a brief history) the delightfully witty Ray Pierrehumbert was asked about the feasibility of geo-engineering. His answer deserves quoting in full, in a text-searchable form: I see lots of [geo-engineering ideas] that are feasible, but they all terrify me. (Except for schemes forContinue reading “Terrifying geoengineering ideas: Ray Pierrehumbert at AGU”

A quick fix for global warming: Replace kerosene lamps

A new study out of UC Berkeley finds that simply replacing kerosene lamps, used by approx one billion people around the world, could substantially reduce black carbon, a tremendously effective heating agent in the atmosphere. From the press release: "7 to 9 percent of the kerosene in wick lamps — used for light in 250-300Continue reading “A quick fix for global warming: Replace kerosene lamps”

Is Earth d**med? AGU scientist Jason Box wants to know

Credit where credit is due: Brilliant story on this year's AGU by Jonathan Mingle in Slate.  Many of us have wondered at some point in almost precisely these terms: “Is Earth F**ked?” But it’s not the sort of frank query you expect an expert in geomorphology to pose to his colleagues as the title ofContinue reading “Is Earth d**med? AGU scientist Jason Box wants to know”

Arctic Sea Ice or Siberian Snow best for winter forecasts?

At the AGU went looking for leading sea ice extent researcher Jen Francis at Rutgers, who has become known for arguing that the extent of sea ice/Arctic Amplification alters the jetstream (making it "wavier") and leads to extreme weather in places like the Northeast and northern Europe.  Or, as she told the NYTimes this spring,Continue reading “Arctic Sea Ice or Siberian Snow best for winter forecasts?”

AGU 2012: The Arctic turns towards the Dark Side

At a pre-conference mixer for this year's fall meeting of the AGU, I looked out at the teeming hordes and wondered — do I know anybody here?  But then I ran into Kelly Redmond, who helps direct the Desert Research Institute, and is one of the nicest and most thoughtful climatologists I know, and unfailinglyContinue reading “AGU 2012: The Arctic turns towards the Dark Side”