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Semiletov tells AGU that, if released, 1 percent of ESAS methane could cause runaway warming

At a press conference Tuesday at the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco, a Russian scientist who has spent the last 15 years tracking the release of methane from Siberia was asked if a huge surge he and his team detected this summer constituted “a global emergency.” Igor Semiletov did not say no, and did […]

The incoming energy secretary sees corn as a ‘transitional’ fuel crop

In his interview yesterday morning on NPR on prospective USDA chief Tom Vilsack, Michael Pollan touches on the former Iowa governor’s virulent support for ethanol (which fits well with the etha-mania of the former Illinois senator who nominated him). Pollan expresses hope that that Vilsack will steer U.S. policy away from corn-based ethanol, which most […]

Rule change would allow more mountain biking in national parks

A proposed rule change at the U.S. Interior Department would make it easier for individual national parks to open existing trails to mountain biking, a move opposed by some conservationists and hikers who argue mountain biking can speed erosion and disturb the national-park experience for other visitors. For their part, mountain-biking advocates say that greater […]

Power from stationary bikes to light up Times Square New Year’s sign

As part of the effort to green New Year’s festivities in Times Square, battery maker Duracell has set up a “power lodge” nearby where volunteers can take a turn on stationary bikes that will power the “2009” sign marking arrival of the new year after the infamous illuminated ball drops. So far, only about 95 […]

Climate uncertainty is a reason to take action and Fred Singer makes big bucks

Links: DotEarth links to an interview with economist Gary Yohe about, among other things, uncertainty. Here’s the money quote: e360: You’ve written recently about uncertainty over the future impacts of climate change and how that plays a role in discouraging action in reducing greenhouse gases. How do you spur world action on this issue when […]

It’s important that we preserve winter

Otherwise where would puppies find snow to romp in?

WMO: ‘Overall [Arctic] ice volume was less than that in any other year’

“Arctic Ice Volume Lowest Ever as Globe Warms: UN,” is how Reuters reported it today. Sorry I missed that in my earlier post on the 2008 report from the World Meteorological Organization, but it was buried deep in the press release (see below). Note that the WMO is making a stronger statement than the National […]

Report from AGU meeting: One meter sea-level rise by 2100 ‘very likely’

Why so many geophysics-related posts this week? First, all of the major groups that track temperature and climate put out their news-making annual reports this week — and I don’t think the media is doing a terribly good job of focusing on the important issues. Second, this week, the American Geophysical Union has its big […]

An elasticity literature review

I’ve done a lot of useful work on elasticity over the years. The following word file [doc] gathers the literature reviews I’ve put together, for your convenience.

Of ice and biomass

As one of thousands still without power after the Northeast’s ice storm last Thursday, I’m feeling more thankful than usual for my woodstove (it’s also great that my place of employment dodged the storm, so I can at least escape the darkness at the Orion office). I’ve got three cords of wood stacked up to […]