A new report published in the journal Global Change Biology shows that 45 species of the Galapagos Islands have become extinct or are facing extinction largely due to human activities. The main causes are the 1982 El Nino and overfishing.…
Atlantic Ocean is Rising Faster than Previous 4,000 Years
An international team of scientists has determined that the Atlantic Ocean rose faster in the 20th century than at any time in the last 4,000 years, but not uniformly along the coast. One of the researchers, assistant professor Benjamin Horton…
Sea Level Rise of Up to 1.9 Meters (6’3″) This Century?
Sea level may actually rise much faster than previously expected, a new scientific study shows. [social_buttons] The study shows that by 2100, sea level could rise between 75 and 190 centimeters (about 2’6″ to 6’3″). The study uses very up-to-date…
4 Childhood Lessons & Climate Change
There is so much complexity in the politics of climate change right now, but as the Copenhagen climate negotiations heat up, I think there are a few simple childhood lessons to review or keep in mind. [social_buttons] Of course, action…
Ancestors of Mammals May Have Survived Largest Mass-Extinction in History in Antarctica
The largest mass-extinction in the world is considered to have happened about 252 million years ago due to quick global warming or climate change. A new study shows how some ancestors of mammals are believed to have survived this mass-extinction.…
Fear’s Role in Climate Change Issues
Fear. It is a simple emotion. It is a feeling. But it can also create something complicated — in what it makes us think and do. Fear drives many decisions in the world, and may often cause us to make…
Oceans Absorbing CO2, Preventing Climate Change — Good, Right? No
As scientists continue to show, the oceans absorb CO2 and keep it from going into the atmosphere. Thus, they help to protect against global climate change. However, this is looking to be perhaps an even bigger problem than climate change!…
Environmental Plastic Discovery
News from South Korea is that scientists have succeeded in creating plastic without the use of fossil fuels. [social_buttons] The scientists created sustainable polymers used in common plastics that could replace traditional polymers that use chemicals from fossil fuels. The…
1st High Seas Marine Protected Area in Southern Ocean — More Diverse than Galapagos Islands
Fishing and refuse disposal are to be banned in the 1st high seas Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Southern Ocean, an area of the ocean that contains more species than the Galapagos Islands. This will allow scientists to monitor…
Fossil Fuel CO2 Emissions Trends — 1990, 2000, 2008
Overall, global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels increased 29% between 2000 and 2008 and 41% from 1990-2008, and the current concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is now at its highest in at least 2 million years, according to a…