Is it getting hot in here, or is it just me?

Read the article here (CNet News.com).

I didn’t realise until very recently, despite the lack of new posts on my part, that I had through disabled comments through my tinkering with the site. Sorry about this! Everyone should be free to comment how they wish (allbeit hopefully constructive!) – and now you can again. Of course please DO NOT post SPAM as it will be deleted.

More interesting posts and articles to come!

I came across a site that clearly illustrates possible (though not definite) signs of global warming. In all the main continents the “FINGERPRINTS: Direct manifestations of a widespread and long-term trend toward warmer global temperatures” and the “HARBINGERS: Events that foreshadow the types of impacts likely to become more frequent and widespread with continued warming” are pointed out from the recent history of the phenomenon.

Check it out, its scary stuff.

Visit the site: ClimateHotMap.org

Look at events in the area near you as there will be definitely some trend or event. Even in New Zealand (where I live), there were major trends in the warming of the surrounding seas as well as much hotter days.

While the ice cover always varies, the amount of Arctic sea ice cover is at a record low and scientists think that global warming is at least partially to blame. The consequence is that scientists also think that a ‘tipping point’ will be reached where there will be a sudden increased warming of the planet due to parts of the planet able to absorb more of the suns energy more easily.

The area covered by sea ice in the Arctic has shrunk for a fourth consecutive year, according to new data released by US scientists.

Read the article here (BBC News)

It doesn’t look like the spate of hurricanes will abate this year, however the source of the this article does not attribute the hurricane activity to global warming saying the cause was “long-period natural climate alterations” and that activity would be seen in other storm basins such as the West Pacific, East Pacific and Indian Ocean.

MIAMI (Reuters) – The Atlantic hurricane season may produce two more hurricanes in October, adding to what is already one of the busiest and most destructive seasons on record, a noted forecaster predicted on Monday.

Read the article here (Reuters).

Similar to the last article, this article links global warming (i.e. the rise in temperatures Alantic Ocean) to increased Hurricane strength in that region. They also noted that the results of their study was global and not specific to that region.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The number of strong hurricanes—like the devastating Katrina—significantly increased in the last 35 years, fueled by hotter seas that have been linked to global warming, researchers reported on Thursday.

Read the article here (Reuters).

This is a number of days old now, but its still important reading if you haven’t already seen this article:

LONDON, England (Reuters)—A leading British scientist said on Friday the growing ferocity of hurricanes hitting the United States was very probably caused by global warming and criticized what he termed U.S. “climate loonies” over the issue.

Read the article here (CNN)

When a leader and his administration leads the free world, he is said to have a responsibilty to his country and the wider world. It has been said that George W Bush has not exactly done the environment any favours. Someone has to keep on eye on whats happening, and while not specifically target global warming, Bush Green Watch foes a great job:

www.bushgreenwatch.org

A Note: Bush Green Watch is very objective and scientific – take it seriously.

I think once the reign of the this administration is over, it will be interesting to see what the counts are of enviromental problems unleashed, controls bypassed etc.

While your there… – a definite global warming article:

Check out this article: Global Warming Said to Increase Hurricane Intensity

i.e. why are these hurricanes becoming so destructive?

This is the first post ever!

Check out the following cartoon. Considering recent events in the southern United States, the focus of world leaders may shift yet!

Drawn by Tom Scott, Dominion Post