Friday, 15 Dec 2006

Unusual Weather We're Having, Ain't It?

Number-crunchers say 2006 on track to be the sixth-hottest on record

As 2006 limps to a close, it's measuring in as the world's sixth-hottest year on record. It's the warmest Britain has seen since wenches were hoisting tankards of grog (er, since records began in 1659), and the third-warmest in the U.S.'s Lower 48 since 1880. Weird weather has gripped the globe this year, from rainy Africa to droughty Australia and China. According to the U.K. Meteorological Office, the 10 hottest years on record have been in the last 12 years, and scientists say it ain't no coincidence. Yes, the globe has warmed and cooled over time, but the last 50 years don't fit natural patterns, and most say human behavior is to blame. "I cannot see how else this can be explained," said U.K. climate researcher Phil Jones, who noted that changing weather patterns fit climate-model forecasts. Adding to the grim vibe, a study published in Science says sea level rise due to global warming could be 59 percent higher than previously thought. Oh, waiter! Another pint of grog, please.


We've been immersed in biofuels for the last two weeks, so it's time for us to hit the showers. Before we go, though, a few last tidbits for you. Yolanda Crous interviews GM energy director Mary Beth Stanek to get a Big-Three take on what's coming down the pike. Erik Hoffner explores why grassroots efforts are a vital part of the picture. Sarah Kraybill Burkhalter offers Grist's Top 10 Reasons to Give a Hoot About Biofuels. And series editor Tom Philpott wraps up the whole shebang by laying out the lessons we can take from it. Many, many tanks to those of you who have taken the time to write in and spout off about the series -- keep those letters coming, cuz the issues aren't going away.

What?! I've Always Been a Fan of Wilderness!

Bush protects wildlands in New Mexico, New England

Back in 2004, the Bush administration tried to clear the way for energy drilling next to the nation's largest Boy Scout camp in Valle Vidal, N.M. The drilling never commenced, in large part thanks to resistance from ranchers, hunters, environmentalists, 17 local governments, three chambers of commerce, all of the state's congressfolk, and, yes, Boy Scouts. (Presumably, resident elk and other wildlife would have objected too, given a voice.) Caving to the pressure, the president has -- how shall we say? -- flip-flopped on the issue. This week, Bush signed a measure to protect the 101,794-acre Valle Vidal from energy and mineral development, apparently agreeing with conservationist Terry Riley that some places "are just too important for fish and wildlife resources to drill for oil and gas." Earlier this month, Bush also signed a bill designating as wilderness 76,500 acres of national forest in New Hampshire and Vermont. If this is what bipartisan cooperation looks like, we'll take it.


The key to keeping oil pipelines out of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge? Education, education, education, says Gwich'in activist Sarah James -- which is why she tirelessly speaks out against drilling. As InterActivist this week, James responds to readers about focusing on the long term, the difficulty of honoring tradition while living in the modern world, and why even wilderness designation for the refuge would not mean the end of the fight.

I Am Livid, Hear Me Roar

Tired of incessant political intimidation, U.S. scientists speak out

Just our luck: the one time we went to the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union, the most exciting thing that happened was that geologist photocopying his rocks. But this year, headlines abound. Earlier this week at the event, the Union of Concerned Scientists issued a statement signed by more than 10,000 U.S. researchers protesting political interference in science. And yesterday, Al Gore materialized to urge scientists to address climate change and fend off political pressure. (Seriously, when does that guy sleep?) "Get involved, because so much is at stake," he thundered, and was met with hoots and hollers. Also this week, U.S. Geological Survey scientists made noise about federal rules that require them to run reports and speeches past supervisors to make sure they meet (cue eerie music) agency standards. "I feel as though we've got someone looking over our shoulder at every damn thing we do," said USGS marine biologist James Estes. "And to me that's a very scary thing."