Ocean News

Discussion in 'All Things Boats & Boating' started by ImaginaryNumber, Oct 8, 2015.

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  1. ImaginaryNumber
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    ImaginaryNumber Imaginary Member

    Sea levels to rise 1.3m unless coal power ends by 2050, report says | The Guardian

    Australian scientists, writing in Environmental Research Letters, conclude that it is necessary to reduce the contribution of coal power to less than 5% of total energy production by 2050 to limit the rise in temperatures to 2°C. Failure to do so will result in an increase in sea levels by 1.3 meters by the end of the century. That is 50% more than was previously thought, with the IPCC’s AR5 report suggesting 85cm was possible by the end of the century.

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  2. SamSam
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    SamSam Senior Member

  3. ImaginaryNumber
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    ImaginaryNumber Imaginary Member

    US Government Accountability Office argues for acting on climate change | ARS Technica

    A GAO report says that the US is already spending money to respond to climate change, and it will likely spend more as the Earth continues to warm. But it suggests that the US has no plans for figuring out how best to minimize these costs. It concludes that the feds faced a bill of $350 billion due to extreme weather and fires, including more than $200 billion for aid and recovery, $90 billion for payouts on crop and flood insurance, and nearly $30 billion for repair to federal facilities. US government scientists expect that extreme events are likely to increase in a warming climate.

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  4. SamSam
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    SamSam Senior Member

    I'm pretty sure the solution to that problem will be to defund or eliminate the GAO.
     
  5. ImaginaryNumber
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    ImaginaryNumber Imaginary Member

    Record surge in atmospheric CO2 seen in 2016 | BBC

    The World Meteorological Organization is reporting that last year's CO2 increase was 50% higher than the average of the past 10 years, now at 403.3 parts per million, up from 400 parts per million a year earlier. The last time CO2 levels were this high -- some 800,000 years ago -- the temperature of the planet was 2 degrees to 3 degrees Celsius warmer and sea levels were 30 feet to 60 feet higher than now. The WMO's statement warned of “severe ecological and economic disruptions.”

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  6. ImaginaryNumber
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    ImaginaryNumber Imaginary Member

    Ocean acidification research makes a strong case for limiting climate change | PHYS.org

    250 scientists from 20 German institutions have collaborated together in a project called Biological Impacts of Ocean Acidification (BIOACID). Their purpose was to study ocean acidification and warming, along with other environmental stressors that impair life in the ocean. A brochure summarises major outcomes of the project for policymakers and the public.

    Important BIOACID results:
    • Changes in the ocean carbonate system impact the acid-base balance in marine organisms. This can negatively affect key processes such as calcification.
    • Many organisms are able to withstand ocean acidification, but may lose this ability if also exposed to other stressors such as warming, excess nutrients, loss of oxygen, reduced salinity or pollution.
    • A reduction of regional stress such as nutrient runoff or the loss of oxygen can mitigate the impact of global stressors like ocean acidification and warming.
    • In a natural community, the impact of stressors on a species can be amplified or diminished by associated shifts in biotic interactions such as competition, predation or parasitism.
    • Even small alterations at the base of the food web can have knock-on effects for higher trophic levels.
    • Marine life is able to adapt to ocean change through evolution and can partly compensate for negative effects. However, since ocean acidification happens extremely fast compared to natural processes, only organisms with short generation times, such as microorganisms, are able to keep up.
    • About half the tropical coral reefs can be preserved if carbon dioxide emissions are limited to concentrations that keep global warming below 1.2 degrees Celsius. However, additional risks posed by ocean acidification are not included in this forecast.
    • Ocean acidification reduces the ocean's ability to store carbon.
    • Climate change alters the availability of prey for fish and as a consequence may affect their growth and reproduction.
    • Ocean acidification and warming reduce the survival rates of early life stages of some fish species. This will likely reduce recruitment of fish stocks and ultimately fisheries yields.
    • The distribution and abundance of fish species will change. This will have a significant impact on economic activities such as small-scale coastal fisheries and tourism.
    • It is crucial to consider ocean acidification and warming in the management of fish stocks and marine areas.
    • Following the precautionary principle is the best way to act when considering potential risks to the environment and humankind, including future generations. Even if the extent of possible risks is not fully understood, precautionary measures need to be taken in order to avoid or reduce the harm.
    • A more sustainable lifestyle and economy require an interaction between society, businesses and politics. Political frameworks should regulate the phase-out of fossil fuels. It is crucial for every one of us to reconsider concepts of normality and adjust behaviour in everyday life.
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    Last edited: Nov 3, 2017
  7. SamSam
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    SamSam Senior Member

  8. ImaginaryNumber
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    ImaginaryNumber Imaginary Member

    Trump administration releases report finding ‘no convincing alternative explanation’ for climate change | Washington Post

    Today the Trump administration released the quadrennial National Climate Assessment report detailing the growing threats of climate change. The report stands in stark contrast to the administration’s efforts to downplay humans’ role in global warming. Highlights include:
    • Global annual average temperature (as calculated from instrumental records over both land and oceans) has increased by more than 1.2°F (0.65°C) for the period 1986–2016 relative to 1901–1960
    • Many lines of evidence demonstrate that it is extremely likely that human influence has been the dominant cause of the observed warming since the mid-20th century
    • The likely range of the human contribution to the global mean temperature increase over the period 1951–2010 is 1.1° to 1.4°F (0.6° to 0.8°C), and the central estimate of the observed warming of 1.2°F (0.65°C) lies within this range (high confidence). This translates to a likely human contribution of 92%–123% of the observed 1951–2010 change.
    • The global influence of natural variability, including El Niño events, is limited to a small fraction of observed climate trends over decades.
    • Without major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the increase in annual average global temperatures relative to preindustrial times could reach 9°F (5°C) or more by the end of this century.
    • If greenhouse gas concentrations were stabilized at their current level, existing concentrations would commit the world to at least an additional 1.1°F (0.6°C) of warming over this century.
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    Last edited: Nov 3, 2017
  9. ImaginaryNumber
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    ImaginaryNumber Imaginary Member

  10. SamSam
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    SamSam Senior Member

    This is a pretty good summary of climate change. There's a short paragraph with each question, a quick read.

    Short Answers to Hard Questions About Climate Change https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/11/28/science/what-is-climate-change.html

    Short Answers to Hard
    Questions About Climate Change

    By JUSTIN GILLIS UPDATED July 6, 2017

    1. How much is the planet warming up?
    2 degrees is actually a significant amount.

    2. How much trouble are we in?
    For future generations, big trouble.

    3. Is there anything I can do about climate change?
    Fly less, drive less, waste less.

    4. What’s the optimistic case?
    Several things have to break our way.

    5. Will reducing meat in my diet really help the climate?
    Yes, beef especially.

    6. What’s the worst case?
    There are many.

    7. Will a technology breakthrough help us?
    Even Bill Gates says don’t count on it, unless we commit the cash.

    8. How much will the seas rise?
    The real question is not how high, but how fast.

    9. Are the predictions reliable?
    They’re not perfect, but they’re grounded in solid science.

    10. Why do people question the science of climate change?
    Hint: ideology.

    11. Is crazy weather tied to climate change?
    In some cases, yes.

    12. Will anyone benefit from global warming?
    In certain ways, yes.

    13. Is there any reason for hope?
    If you share this with 50 friends, maybe.

    14. How does agriculture affect climate change?
    It’s a big contributor, but there are signs of progress.

    15. Will the seas rise evenly across the planet?
    Think lumpy.

    16. What are ‘carbon emissions?’
    Here’s a quick explainer.
     
  11. ImaginaryNumber
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    ImaginaryNumber Imaginary Member

    Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters | NOAA

    In 2017 (as of October 6), there have been 15 weather and climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each across the United States. These events included 1 drought event, 2 flooding events, 1 freeze event, 7 severe storm events, 3 tropical cyclone events, and 1 wildfire event. Overall, these events resulted in the deaths of 282 people and had significant economic effects on the areas impacted. The 1980–2016 annual average is 5.5 events (CPI-adjusted); the annual average for the most recent 5 years (2012–2016) is 10.6 events (CPI-adjusted).

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  12. ImaginaryNumber
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    ImaginaryNumber Imaginary Member

    2017 is set to be in top three hottest years, with record-breaking extreme weather | World Meteorological Organization

    It is very likely that 2017 will be one of the three hottest years on record, with many high-impact events including catastrophic hurricanes and floods, debilitating heatwaves and drought. Long-term indicators of climate change such as increasing carbon dioxide concentrations, sea level rise and ocean acidification continue unabated. Arctic sea ice coverage remains below average and previously stable Antarctic sea ice extent was at or near a record low...

    “The past three years have all been in the top three years in terms of temperature records. This is part of a long term warming trend,” said WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas. “We have witnessed extraordinary weather, including temperatures topping 50 degrees Celsius in Asia, record-breaking hurricanes in rapid succession in the Caribbean and Atlantic reaching as far as Ireland, devastating monsoon flooding affecting many millions of people and a relentless drought in East Africa. Many of these events – and detailed scientific studies will determine exactly how many – bear the tell-tale sign of climate change caused by increased greenhouse gas concentrations from human activities,” he said...

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  13. ImaginaryNumber
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    ImaginaryNumber Imaginary Member

    Electric cars emit 50% less greenhouse gas than diesel, study finds| The Guardian

    Researchers calculated the total lifecycle emissions of an electric car, including its manufacture, battery manufacture, and all of its energy consumption, and found they emit significantly less greenhouse gases over their lifetimes than diesel engines -- even when they are powered by the most carbon intensive energy.

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    Last edited: Nov 13, 2017
  14. SamSam
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    SamSam Senior Member


  15. rwatson
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    rwatson Senior Member

    You're right Sam. I have been watching this over the last week. He only quotes reliable and conservative sources, and he gives us ten years.
     
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