Tag Archive for: Global Warming

Climate Crisis: Record Ocean Heat in 2020 Supercharged Extreme Weather

/in , , /by /The Guardianby Damian Carrington

The world’s oceans reached their hottest level in recorded history in 2020, supercharging the extreme weather impacts of the climate emergency, scientists have reported.

More than 90% of the heat trapped by carbon emissions is absorbed by the oceans, making their warmth an undeniable signal of the accelerating crisis. The researchers found the five hottest years in the oceans had occurred since 2015, and that the rate of heating since 1986 was eight times higher than that from 1960-85.

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California’s ‘New Climate’

/in , /by /San Francisco Chronicleby Mallory Moench

In 2020, Californians endured the hottest August, September and October since 1895. Climate scientists warn the trends are evidence of a warming planet. Rising temperatures combined with less rain and high winds have worsened the chance of extreme fire weather.

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San Diego’s Climate Challenges Will Still Be Here in 2021 – and Beyond

/in , /by /Voice of San Diegoby Mackenzie Elmer

Climate concerns took a bit of a backseat in 2020. These are the local plans and problems that policymakers might turn their attention to in 2021.

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Many Scientists Now Say Global Warming Could Stop Relatively Quickly After Emissions Go to Zero

/in , /by /Inside Climate Newsby Bob Berwyn

Parts of the world economy may have been on pause during 2020, dampening greenhouse gas emissions for a while. But that didn’t slow the overall buildup of atmospheric carbon dioxide, which reached its highest level in millions of years.

If anything, research during the year showed global warming is accelerating. Symptoms of the fever include off-the-charts heat waves on land and in the oceans, and a hyperactive and destructive Atlantic hurricane season.

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It’s Close but 2020 Likely to End Up Hottest Year On Record

/in , /by /AP Newsby Seth Borenstein

Just how warm Earth stays this December will determine if 2020 goes down as the hottest year on record. And it’s looking a lot like it will.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration calculated Monday that last month globally was the second hottest November on record, behind only 2015. Yet NASA and a European climate monitoring group said it was the hottest November on record. NASA has coverage over the poles that NOAA does not — and both the Arctic and Antarctic were very warm in November, NOAA climate scientist Ahira Sanchez-Lugo said to explain the difference.

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Opinion: Steps to Cool the Climate Will Improve Water Quality, Too

/in , /by /The Hillby Jeff Peterson

While much of Washington remains mired in partisan gridlock, there is new cooperation in two areas critical to managing climate change: reducing carbon emissions from agriculture and shifting to electric vehicles.

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Newsom Taps New Head of Powerful California Air Board

/in , /by /AP Newsby Kathleen Ronayne

California Gov. Gavin Newsom tapped a veteran regulator Wednesday as the next chair of the powerful Air Resources Board, which implements the state’s ambitious climate change goals.

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Why Winter Wildfires May Get Worse

/in , /by /Scientific Americanby Chelsea Harvey

A late-season flurry of flames is sweeping Southern California, driven by high-speed winds surging down the mountains toward the coast. The Bond Fire, which ignited Thursday, has burned more than 7,000 acres and was 50% contained as of last night. Authorities warn that a combination of strong winds and warm, dry weather could increase the risk of more blazes this week.

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California’s Ancient Redwoods Face New Challenge from Wildfires and Warming Climate

/in , /by /NPRby Eric Westervelt

After this year’s historic wildfires, California’s oldest state park — Big Basin Redwoods — looks more like a logging village than an iconic hiking and camping mecca.

There’s a near constant buzz of chainsaws. Rumblings from trucks and logging skidders fill the air as crews busily cut charred, fallen trees and chop down “hazard trees” rangers worry will topple on to the park’s roadways.

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San Diego Coastal Marshes May Become Important Tools to Battle Climate Change

/in , /by /KPBS San Diegoby Erik Anderson

Matthew Costa stepped gingerly into a little pocket wetland near the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The squishy salt marsh is more than just a patch of habitat in the intertidal zone. “Just watch out,” said Costa, a postdoctoral researcher at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, as he warned a helper. “Watch out for birds.” Endangered ridgeway rails like hiding in the pickleweed that covers the soft, moist ground nestled between train tracks and a busy Del Mar street.

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