Tag Archives: global warming

Global warming unpredictability: two stories

Global warming is not for the simple-minded, two stories from the same day last week remind us. As the invaluable Andrew Revkin notes on Dot Earth on 6/15, this past May was the warmest on record. On the same day, from a polar science conference in Oslo, researcher James Overland of NOAA presents evidence toContinue reading “Global warming unpredictability: two stories”

Why is belief in global warming fading?

In a front-page story, The New York Times rightly features the decline in belief in global warming this spring in the UK.  The UK is one of the most secular nations on earth, and in the recent past readily accepted the existence of global warming. Just fifteen percent of the populace, according to a pollContinue reading “Why is belief in global warming fading?”

Dangerous gases, by Tom Toles

Love the mordant subhead on this one by Tom Toles, who once again insists on keeping his eye on the ball.  Well, that is, once again he insists on making us look at what we must face but would rather not, which is threat of climate change.  Is there a better advocate for confronting theContinue reading “Dangerous gases, by Tom Toles”

Antarctic ice in broad-scale retreat: USGS

According to the USGS, the Antarctic ice shelves contain about 91% of the world's frozen water. So news that they are melting across the full extent of the planet's coldest continent, and have been steadily since l949 because of global warming, is not great news, despite what deniers such as George Will call the "tantrums"Continue reading “Antarctic ice in broad-scale retreat: USGS”

Global warming: the partisan divide, according to polls

According to this graph from well-regarded public policy and polling outfit, PPIC, from a poll taken last summer, most Californians and most Americans believe that global warming has already begun: But it's different among Republicans: one-third believe global warming "will never happen."  How do you compromise those two views?

Arctic Oscillation 2010: discussion by NOAA forecaster

While working on an El Nino story to be published soon, I happen to talk Monday morning to Ed Olenic, who forecasts seasonal climate for NOAA's Climate Prediction Center. I know nothing about the Arctic Oscillation, but Mr. Olenic walked me through the basics of the  extraordinary extent of the phenomenon, which I may asContinue reading “Arctic Oscillation 2010: discussion by NOAA forecaster”