Category Archives: Global Climate Disruption and Impacts

Commander of U.S. Forces Pacific: Climate change is top threat

According to Navy Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III, the Commander of U.S. Forces Pacific:  Significant upheaval related to the warming planet "is probably the most likely thing that is going to happen . . . that will cripple the security environment, probably more … Continue reading

Posted in Global Climate Disruption and Impacts, National Security | 6 Comments

2012 the warmest and second most extreme year on record for the U.S.

The U.S. government reported the average U.S. temperature in 2012 was 3.2 degrees higher than the 20th-century average, and 2012 was the second worst on the Climate Extremes Index. Scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the data … Continue reading

Posted in Climate Science Watch, Global Climate Disruption and Impacts | 1 Comment

Has climate change created a monster?

To adapt a famous quote on another subject:  you may not be interested in climate change, but climate change is interested in you.  While both presidential candidates and moderators of the debates have taken criticism for avoiding the subject of … Continue reading

Posted in Global Climate Disruption and Impacts | 7 Comments

NOAA-led study: 'Arctic amplification' could add to U.S. and European weather extremes

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported on October 10:  “Changes in summer Arctic wind patterns contribute not only to an unprecedented loss of Arctic sea ice, but could also bring about shifts in North American and European weather, … Continue reading

Posted in Global Climate Disruption and Impacts | 1 Comment

Chasing Ice

The ice melt off the world's glaciers is a warning sign that climate change is impacting the entire planet.  In the new film Chasing Ice, images document months of changes in moments, offering a rare glimpse of the dramatic changes … Continue reading

Posted in Global Climate Disruption and Impacts | 2 Comments

The collision between power production and the impacts of climatic disruption on water supply

"Hydropower is not the only part of the nation’s energy system that appears increasingly vulnerable to the impact of climate change, as low water levels affect coal-fired and nuclear power plants' operations  and impede the passage of coal barges along … Continue reading

Posted in Climate Change Preparedness, Global Climate Disruption and Impacts | Leave a comment

A Tale of Two Droughts

Those who think we are powerless to do anything about the 'greenhouse effect' are forgetting about the 'White House effect.''' Was that Barack Obama in 2008? Nope. Republican presidential candidate George H.W. Bush spoke those words 24 years ago this month, as he headed to victory that November.

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Posted in Climate Change Mitigation, Global Climate Disruption and Impacts, Obama Administration | 1 Comment

Policymaker evasiveness on climate change and drought, cont'd

Climate scientists are always called upon to communicate in a way that makes them more ‘relevant’ to policymakers and the public.  But a much greater problem is holding government officials accountable for how they use and communicate about the science.  … Continue reading

Posted in Climate Change Education and Communication, Global Climate Disruption and Impacts, Obama Administration | 1 Comment

US drought planning: Congress reviews the National Integrated Drought Information System

As the US Drought Monitor recorded more than 70% of the country as Abnormally Dry or, worse, under Moderate, Severe, Extreme, or Exceptional Drought conditions this month, the House Science Committee held a hearing to examine the role of the … Continue reading

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

US Agriculture Secretary Vilsack’s evasiveness on climate change and drought

“I’m not a scientist so I’m not going to opine as to the cause of this,” Tom Vilsack said at a White House press briefing when asked about the connection between climate change and the disastrous drought now plaguing much … Continue reading

Posted in Climate Change Education and Communication, Climate Science Watch, Global Climate Disruption and Impacts, Obama Administration | 4 Comments