Author Archives: Nick Sundt

IPCC says essential actions needed to reduce risks of changing climate extremes

A new assessment report by the the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on preparing for weather and climate extremes warns that a changing climate “can result in unprecedented extreme weather and climate events” and says that actions ranging “from … Continue reading

Posted in Assessments of Climate Impacts and Adaptation, Climate Change Preparedness | 1 Comment

Dangerously Unprepared: Congressional Budget Cuts are Leaving Americans Vulnerable to Climate Extremes

In 2011, the U.S. has been hammered by climate extremes, with economic damages by mid-June approaching a record $32 billion. Yet determined Congressional opponents of federal climate change efforts are doggedly impeding Federal activities to inform and engage the public … Continue reading

Posted in Climate Change Preparedness, Congress: Legislation and Oversight, Global Warming Denial Machine | Leave a comment

Extreme Texas drought and wildfires sharpen contrast between Texas Congressional delegation's climate views and conditions at home

On April 7, all but one of the U.S. House Republican members from Texas voted for H.R. 910 to prevent EPA from regulating greenhouse gases. The vote came immediately after Texas experienced its driest March on record, and as nearly 98% of … Continue reading

Posted in Congress: Legislation and Oversight, Global Climate Disruption and Impacts | 1 Comment

Budget cuts loom as the U.S. launches a National Climate Assessment

In a process that will extensively engage Americans around the country, the National Climate Assessment will produce a landmark report on the impacts of climate change on the U.S. However, from the outset, budget cuts threaten the effort. The federal advisory … Continue reading

Posted in Assessments of Climate Impacts and Adaptation, U.S. Global Change Research Program | 1 Comment

In Texas field hearing, Congressional subcommittee will attack EPA even as the state faces another year of devastating drought

A March 24 U.S. House Energy and Power Subcommittee hearing will focus on the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Air Act enforcement, including its steps to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.  The hearing will take place against a backdrop of long-term – and devastating – … Continue reading

Posted in Congress: Legislation and Oversight, Global Climate Disruption and Impacts | 1 Comment

Record participation with 5 days until Earth Hour

Just 5 days out from the global lights-out event, Earth Hour 2011 has reached record participation, with 131 countries and territories registered to take part, on all seven continents, with all G20 countries, thousands of cities, and iconic landmarks and … Continue reading

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U.S. National Research Council: Climate Change Impacts "Call for Action by U.S. Naval Leadership"

The U.S. National Research Council warned in a new report released March 10, National Security Implications of Climate Change for U.S. Naval Forces, that “even the most moderate predicted trends in climate change will present new national security challenges for … Continue reading

Posted in Climate Change Preparedness, National Security, Science-Policy Interaction | 2 Comments

Amendments to kill U.S. funding for IPCC proposed for House 2011 appropriations bill

Proposed amendments that would eliminate U.S. funding for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change are among hundreds of amendments that would modify legislation (H.R. 1), currently being debated on the House floor, to fund the U.S. government through September 30.

Posted in Congress: Legislation and Oversight | Leave a comment

"Warm Arctic - Cold Continents"

Arctic sees second lowest November sea ice extent on record, favoring another cold season of extremes in mid-latitudes.  The impacts of climate change in the Arctic now appear to be spilling well beyond the region to affect the lives of hundreds … Continue reading

Posted in Global Climate Disruption and Impacts | 1 Comment