other ghg on the rise, more deadly

Carbon dioxide may be the least of our worries when it comes to greenhouse gases.  While it makes up over 70% of the GHG’s, it is the least harmful offender. Many studies are showing that more harmful gases are on the rise in the atmosphere, according to a report from Discover Magazine.

One such gas is Nitrogen Triflouride (NF3).  This is released in the production of microchips and flat screen televisions.  While it makes up a small percentage, by comparison, it is much more dangerous.  

This particular gas is increasingly being released by 11% each year.  It is 17,000 more times effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere and remains for 550 years.  In contrast, carbon dioxide has a half life of 20 years.

The other gas that is on the rise is methane.  This gas is released from landfills, melting glaciers and permafrost, and livestock flatulence.  More can be found about that by going to this article.

The point to reporting this is to understand and inform the public of new developments in climate science.

forests are dying

 

The death rate of the most stable and resilient forests in western North America has doubled during the past few decades as the climate has warmed, according to The Daily Climate.

The study focused its research on Western states and was comprised of data from 11 scientists.  The conclusion: Western forests are becoming more susceptible to wildfire, disease and invaders such as bark beetles. Average tree size is shrinking; creatures dependent on large, old-growth trees will increasingly find themselves out of a home. 

And as conditions get worse, the trees ability to trap CO2 will get less and less, making them carbon sources instead of carbon sinks.

The study started in 1955 and track growth rates and mortality until the present.  The data showed that while death rates are increasing, birth rates are decreasing.  It also concluded that rising temperatures are the sole cause.

Unfortunately, this becomes a double edged sword: as more CO2 (and other greenhouse gases) are put into the air, the temperatures rise.  As the temperature rises, more trees are susceptible to death making them unlikely to absorb more CO2.  As they stop absorbing CO2, more is released into the air and the cycle starts all over again.

nitrogen: friend or foe

It’s kind of a good news, bad news situation.

The National Science Foundation recently released data from its longest running study showing that by releasing one pollutant into the environment it may help in combating another pollutant in the environment.

The research indicates that by adding nitrogen into the soil, prompts northern hardwood forests to absorb more carbon dioxide. The conclusion being that if we dump nitrogen into the atmosphere, we could create huge carbon sinks and help mitigate climate change. However, many experts are also saying that it is a dangerous experiment that could have dangerous consequences.

In the experiment larger than normal levels of nitrogen were added to the soil. As expected, the trees grew more, which is beneficial because it means they can absorb more carbon dioxide. But there was an unexpected observation in the forest floor. The decomposition of tree litter (twigs, leaves, bark) slowed. Tree litter has a high concentration of lignan which is very good at trapping carbon. The longer the lignan stays around due to a decrease in erosion, the longer the carbon is trapped.

However there are downsides to pumping nitrogen into the atmosphere, “including biodiversity loss, smog formation, and acidification of forests, streams and lakes.” Also, the forests that were experimented on have reached nitrogen saturation, meaning they cannot take up anymore nitrogen into their system. This means what is left in the ground could make it into our water system. When humans are exposed to too much nitrogen there are health risks, most seriously “blue baby syndrome” which is a fatal blood disease in infants. And, if the nitrogen makes it all the way to the seas and oceans, there is high potential for dead zones. And, finally, there is the potential of the saturated trees to start releasing the nitrogen as nitrous oxide which is a harmful greenhouse gas.

There is much more work to be done to see if nitrogen will be a blessing or a curse. On a daily basis, as we increase our industries, we increase the levels of this gas. So, eventually, we will know the answer.

The article can be found via The Daily Climate

domo arigato kyoto

According to reports released yesterday, the world, with no help from the United States, is on track to meet targets set by the Kyoto Protocol.

Interestingly, though, it is not because countries have made an effort in reducing their emissions, but as a result of the economic downturn. The data also shows that countries that have had an economic benefit due to industrialization have increased their emissions. All in all, it has been a net positive for the world, but each country still needs to make the effort to follow what has been outlined in the protocol.

The US is the only developed nation that has not ratified the Kyoto protocol. Its emissions rose by 14% between 1990 and 2006. Japan’s emissions, meanwhile, rose to a record high in the year to March. The world’s fifth-largest carbon dioxide producer now faces the embarrassing prospect of missing its Kyoto target over the next four years.

In the upcoming summit meeting in Poland, representatives from each country are expected to renegotiate terms to the Kyoto protocol and ratify it in early 2009. We shall see what happens.

new news on China

Check out the latest information on China and it’s emissions by going HERE.

China’s greenhouse gas pollution could double or more in two decades says a new Chinese state think-tank study that casts stark light on the industrial giant’s role in stoking global warming.

Beijing has not released recent official data on greenhouse gas from the nation’s fast-growing use of coal, oil and gas. Researchers abroad estimate that China’s carbon dioxide emissions
now easily outstrip that of the United States, long the biggest emitter.

whoever smelt it…

Uh-ohhhhhh. This smells bad….

A new report, exclusive the The Independent, shows an increase of methane due to the lack of polar ice caps. Read the article HERE.

I’m melting…

When he lectures about global warming these days, Schneider often asks listeners about a more familiar risk. “How many of you have had a serious fire in your home?” he begins. In a crowd of 300 or so, usually three or four hands rise.

His next question: “How many of you buy fire insurance?”

Hundreds of hands go up.

To read more go here

I’m melting…

When he lectures about global warming these days, Schneider often asks listeners about a more familiar risk. “How many of you have had a serious fire in your home?” he begins. In a crowd of 300 or so, usually three or four hands rise.

His next question: “How many of you buy fire insurance?”

Hundreds of hands go up.

To read more go here