Report: Global Warming Has Hastened Glacial Melt

A startling new look at the state of the United States's glaciers reveals little to be excited about. This new report confirmed what scientists have been telling us for a while now: that global warming is hastening the melting of the nation's glaciers. Not only does this glacial melt contribute to rising sea levels, but it also means an unstable water supply in places such as Washington that rely on the glaciers for water.

One glacier in Washington's Cascades lost a quarter of its mass in the last 50 years. The glacier data also revealed that the melting has accelerated over the last 20 years. In addition to dwindling supplies for irrigation and drinking water, a decrease in glacial runoff could mean trouble for the hydroelectric plants so prevalent in the Pacific Northwest.

Seattle: Green in More Than One Way

One of the great things about living in Seattle has been the city's activism related to climate change. Not only is there an emphasis on sustainable development and increasing density within the city limits, but also a city-sponsored Environmental Action Agenda to reduce the city's GHG emissions.

Part of the agenda is the Climate Action Plan. According to the website,

"The City will reduce its climate pollution through broad-ranging strategies including investing in transportation choices, encouraging compact communities, promoting clean energy and conservation, leading by example, and inspiring others to take action."

It's definitely exciting to see large cities with significant carbon footprints, like Los Angeles and Seattle, taking the necessary steps to help fight climate change.

Radical Ideas to Combat Climate Change

Artificial clouds to reflect away sunlight, creating colossal blooms of oceanic algae and the global use of synthetic carbon-neutral transport fuels are just three of the climate transforming technologies in need of urgent investigation, according to leading scientists. These scientist argue that with governments failing to grasp the need for new methods to combat climate change, radical – and possibly dangerous – solutions must now be seriously considered.

This is some chilling news, especially considering how little is currently being done. It's hard to imagine that, rather than adopt smart policies like a cap-and-trade program for carbon, we might have to institute more drastic programs.

2008 Expected to Be Among Top 10 Warmest Years on Record

Well, we're only a few months into 2008 and already scientists are saying that this year could end up among the top 10 warmest years on record. This doesn't really come as a surprise when you consider the rise in global temperatures over the last half century. Barring any statistical anomaly, why should 2008 be any different?

Read more here

Carbon Footprint Calculator!

OK, so this is pretty exciting. In my Atmospheric Modeling class, our professor required us to calculate our carbon footprint using this cool, free online calculator. The website also has an advice page for how you can reduce your CO2 output.

I think that ALL college students, not just those in Atmospheric Sciences electives, should be required to calculate their carbon footprints. It's really amazing how much just a few flights can add up.