Apr 17 2009

Climate Changes

Posted by: Jonathan Marshall

Several stories on the science and politics of global warming caught our attention this week:

• Carbon dioxide may be the single biggest contributor to global warming, but scientists now believe a not-too-distant second is soot, or black carbon, released by dirty fires prevalent in the developing world. The tiny dark particles absorb solar radiation, accelerating the melting of glaciers. Soot particulates are also a major cause of premature human deaths. The good news is soot emissions can be dramatically reduced by replacing primitive stoves with more modern smokeless technology. 
• Migrating birds will have to fly farther between breeding ranges and wintering areas in Africa due to global warming, according to a team of scientists at Durham University. Small birds like the garden warbler, who already fly thousands of miles on these annual journeys, will be pushed to their limit to extend their journeys, the scientists predict.
• Congressional legislation to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions "is absolutely essential" to the Obama administration's hopes of spurring global action on climate change this December in Copenhagen, according to Carol Browner, the White House adviser on energy and climate change issues.

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