Barry Heimlich's Global Warming Blog

FAU Study re Effects of Sea Level Rise on SE Florida Water System Receives Media Coverage

2011-10-29T12:11:00.003-04:00

Fred Grimm’s columns appeared on October 22nd and 26th on the Miami Herald website and in the print edition the following days in response to the October 19th release by FAU if a Summary Report on its study on SE Florida’s Resilient Water Resources (link: http://www.ces.fau.edu/files/projects/climate_change/SE_Florida_Resilient_Water_FAU2011.pdf) The release of this report coincided with with the 21st Annual Conference of the Society of Environmental Journalists held this week Miami’s Intercontinental Hotel. I was also a guest speaker at the SEJ Conference’s seminar and tour on Sea Level Rise on October 20th. The press release and conference presentation resulted in extensive media coverage in Southeast Florida’s newspapers and a TV newscast on WPTV-5 in West Palm Beach.

Grimm’s column is copied below and the links to these articles are listed as follows:
1. Miami Herald, Fred Grimm’s column, October 22, 2011 entitled Sea levels will rise, washing away climate deniers,
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/10/22/v-print/2467017/sea-levels-will-rise-washing-away.html

2. Miami Herald, Fred Grimm’s column, October 26, 2011 entitled For some South Florida cities, rising seas will mean rising sewage,
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/10/26/2473416/for-some-south-florida-cities.html#ixzz1cBU0iLqT

3. Sun-Sentinel, David Fleshler article, October 20, 2011, entitled Study: Rising sea levels will hit hard in South Florida
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2011-10-20/news/fl-water-climate-20111020_1_sea-level-rise-sea-levels-global-warming

4. South Florida Business Journal, Paul Brinkmann article, October 19, 2011, Study: Rising seas will hit S. Florida water bills
http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2011/10/19/FAU-climate-change-Florida-sea-level.html

5. WPTV-5 West Palm Beach, Evan Axelbank news story, Study: Climate change threat grows in South Florida [VIDEO]

http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_s_palm_beach_county/boca_raton/fau-study-says-the-rising-sea-levels-threaten-south-florida

Sea Level Rise will have Significant Effects on South Florida's Water Systems

2011-10-20T00:51:00.004-04:00

Posted: 10/19/2011

Last Updated: 18 hours and 35 minutes ago
By: Evan Axelbank

BOCA RATON, Fla. - The system is simple: stormwater is collected in Palm Beach County's 1,600 miles of canal.

[The following contains excerpts from the news broadcast]

The drainage keeps neighborhoods dry as the water flows through floodgates and into the Atlantic. "This system has been very effective," said Barry Heimlich, a researcher at Florida Atlantic University. But scientists at FAU say the system is on its last legs. A report released Wednesday says global warming will cause sea levels in South Florida to rise up to seven inches in 20 years. "Serious flooding during heavy rain events like the kind of rainfall we've been having," said Heimlich. And even worse, Heimlich said fixing the problem won't be free. Scientists expect that the gates will have to be replaced with bigger ones that have pumps, a huge undertaking when you consider that there are dozens in South Florida. "A big challenge is where is this money going to come from? For just the drainage system, we are going to need a billion and a quarter dollars over the next 40 years," said Heimlich. South Florida - in just 20 years - could be underwater every time it rains, if the reengineering doesn't start soon. "We can all be ostriches and keep our head in the sand and not see what's coming. But here in South Florida, if we do that, our heads are going to get wet," said Heimlich. Scientists at FAU started this study in 2009 at the request of a group in Washington, The Bipartisan Policy Center.

Read more: http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_s_palm_beach_county/boca_raton/fau-study-says-the-rising-sea-levels-threaten-south-florida#ixzz1bPiarYQ3

Sea level rise threatens SE Florida water resources

2011-10-16T18:36:00.006-04:00

A research study I led at Florida Atlantic University presents the effects of sea level rise and changes in weather patterns on Southeast Florida’s water supply and stormwater drainage systems. It concludes that as little as 3” to 9” of sea level rise will increase saltwater contamination of our drinking water, and it will reduce the capacity of our stormwater drainage systems by 30% to 70%. And, there is a 95% probability that sea level rise will exceed 3” within the next 20 to 30 years, and by more than 9” within the next 50-60 years. The new Summary Report can be downloaded at:
http://www.ces.fau.edu/files/projects/climate_change/SE_Florida_Resilient_Water_FAU2011.pdf
The detailed reports can be downloaded at:
http://www.ces.fau.edu/files/projects/climate_change/SE_Florida_Resilient_Water_Resources.pdf
and
http://www.ces.fau.edu/files/projects/climate_change/PompanoBeachWater_CaseStudy.pdf

FAU posts new report on the effect of climate change on Southeast Florida's water resources.

2010-01-09T15:58:00.010-05:00

Florida Atlantic University's Center for Environmental Studies posted a report entitled: Southeast Florida's Resilient Water Resources: Adaptation to the Effects of Sea Level Rise and other Climate Change Impacts, which I co-authored with Fred Bloetscher, Dan Meeroff, and Jim Murley. The report concludes that sea level rise of as little as 3 to 9 inches within the next 10 to 30 years in Southeast Florida could contribute to significant saltwater intrusion, reduced availability of fresh water supplies and increased risk of flooding during heavy rainstorms. It presents an planning framework for improving the resilience of Southeast Florida's water supply infrastructure and flood control systems.

The report is posted at: http://www.ces.fau.edu/files/projects/climate_change/SE_Florida_Resilient_Water_Resources.pdf

Heimlich kicks off 350.org rally in Fort Lauderdale against climate change

2009-11-03T16:54:00.013-05:00

Sun-Sentinel, Oct. 24, 2009

Nearly 200 rally in Fort Lauderdale against climate change

FORT LAUDERDALE - Nearly 200 people rallied in downtown Fort Lauderdale this morning as part of a global campaign to demand action against climate change."Come on everybody, we can stop global warming," yelled Barry Heimlich, a volunteer with 350.org, which organized the demonstration outside the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science. For more on the event, click here.

At the event, we called out to President Obama and the leaders of the world to do what's necessary to protect our grandchildren's future by agreeing to an agressive program at the climate meeting in Copenhagen in December.

The photo at the right shows my grandchildren Matthew and Mia who stood by my side during the speech. It's for them, my other 6 grandchildren, and grandchildren everywhere that we all have to do everything we can to help stop global warming.

A Must Read: "Hot, Flat, and Crowded" by Tom Friedman

2008-09-17T23:32:00.004-04:00

This book, by Pulitzer Prize winning author and NY Times columnist, Tom Friedman, is a must read for anyone interested in global warming and climate change. This book will give Friedman his 4th Pulitzer -- the last one was "The World is Flat." In his new book, he compellingly explains the nexus between global warming, globalization, and the population explosion, and he makes a compelling case for why the new "Energy-Climate Era" offers a great opportunity for America to reassert leadership in the world and economic prosperity. The book is available at Amazon.com and other book stores.

Climatologists Forecast Completely New Climates

2008-09-16T23:00:00.004-04:00

ScienceDAILY - September 1, 2007 — Geographers have projected temperature increases due to greenhouse gas emissions to reach a not-so-chilling conclusion: climate zones will shift and some climates will disappear completely by 2100. Tropical highlands and polar regions may be the first to disappear, and large swaths of the tropics and subtropics will reach even hotter temperatures. The study anticipates large climate changes worldwide. More

2008-09-16T12:46:00.000-04:00

Researchers Generate Hydrogen Without The Carbon Footprint
ScienceDaily (2008-07-18) -- A greener, less expensive method to produce hydrogen for fuel may eventually be possible with the help of water, solar energy and nanotube diodes that use the entire spectrum of the sun's energy. ... > read full article

Bush Administration finally releases climate report

2008-05-29T20:43:00.018-04:00

Today, the Bush administration's Office of Science and Technology Policy finally released a comprehensive report on climate change (see MSNBC article) which concurs with the findings of the IPCC and the vast majority of the scientific community. You can download OSTP's fact sheet, the full report, or the exec summary at OSTP's website. I wonder what the naysayers have to say about this new report from OSTP. Now even the Bush administration has to admit that global warming is real, I wish it wasn't so -- I won't get any pleasure from being right about this. The sad fact is that our President held this report up for 4 years. Not only that, he could have joined the Kyoto Agreement in 2001 and enabled our country to play a global leadership role in doing what is needed to minimize this serious problem. Instead, the world has lost 8 critical years. More damage has been done, it will be more costly and difficult to make the changes needed, and the consequences will be worse and more costly to deal with. On Tuesday May 27, 2008, I was interviewed live on a conservative radio talk show whose host declared that he doesn't believe in global warming. He cited the work of OISM, an obscure medical research lab in Oregon that has been bashing climate change in a program financed by ExxonMobil, the American Petroleum Institute, and the George C. Marshall Institute, a conservative think tank in Washington whose CEO is a former ExxonMobil executive. OISM spearheads the "Global Warming Petition Project" that has signed up 31000 "scientists" who are climate change naysayers. OISM's director Arthur Robinson along with his son Noah and Willie Soon published an article in the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons entitled "Environmental Effects of Increased Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide" This journal is published by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, an ultra-conservative political-economic group of medical doctors. You can find out who AAPS and OISM are at Google.com. I stood my ground in the discussion asserting that global warming is caused primarily by human activity and a serious threat to the global environment. The naysayers are so fast to criticize Al Gore, but I think the world would be in a much better place if he became president in 2001. Besides doing a lot more to avert climate change, we wouldn't be in Iraq. I've included pictures of my 8 grandchildren, aged 10 months to 10 years, in this post. I worry about what the world will be like for them in 40, 50, 60 years. I want to ask the naysayers if they have kids, or grandkids. Are they so sure that global warming is a hoax and that all is going to be ok regardless of what we do about energy that they'd put their kids' and grandkids' futures at risk? Do they put that much faith that Dr. Robinson, the OISM, and the 31000 petitioners know better than the OSTP, NAS, and IPCC? They ought to give it some serious thought.

Misleading article on global warming

2008-05-19T15:37:00.005-04:00

The May 19, 2008 Sun-Sentinel article entitled "Study blasts global warming fears" on hurricanes and global warming is biased and misleading, and it encourages complacency when urgent action is needed. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/weather/hurricane/sfl-flbstudy0519sbmay19,0,5299587.story

Hopefully the number of Atlantic hurricanes will decrease as reported in a new study by NOAA's Knutson, although the study also predicts the possibility that storms will carry stronger winds and much heavier rains. AP reports, "Knutson acknowledges weaknesses in his computer model" and that it "significantly underestimates the increase in wind strength.. Some other scientists criticized his computer model." http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j9YzbkbPjYwP_3-9wZhTNbMcZSAQD90OGDV80 There is still considerable disagreement among leading climate scientists about what the future may actually hold with regard to hurricanes.

What the article also fails to report is that hurricanes are not all there is to fear about global warming. There is no doubt that sea level rise threatens coastal areas worldwide and is being caused by thermal expansion of the oceans and melting glaciers. Vulnerable South Florida will have to adapt to eroded beaches, flooded waterfront and low-lying property, seawater invasion of coastal wetlands including the Everglades, greater impacts from hurricane-induced storm surges, and, most importantly, saltwater intrusion of the Biscayne Aquifer that supplies most of our fresh water. Should we ignore predicted global increases in droughts, wildfires, heat waves, floods, violent weather, extinctions of many animal, plant and marine species, tropical diseases, and the disappearance of mountain ice sheets and glaciers that feed the world's rivers and provide water needed by billions of people and agriculture? We need to understand that global warming is real and it threatens to change life on Earth in fearful ways. Unless everyone everywhere changes the way energy is produced and used, and does it fast, this will be a far less hospitable world for our children and grandchildren. The media has a responsibility to tell the whole story. Barry N Heimlich, President, Florida Energy Imperative, 3650 North 36th Avenue, #55, Hollywood, FL 33021, 954-963-2428, mailto:FLenergy@bellsouth.net

How much evidence do you need to understand that global warming is real?

2008-03-14T00:41:00.005-04:00

Do we have to know "beyond a doubt" that our houses are burning down before we try to buy homeowners insurance? By that time, even Citizens won't write it. Here are the facts: the evidence for global warming is compelling. NASA measurements show that 8 of highest global average temperatures have occured in the last 10 years and the trend is accelerating. Satellite measurements of solar irradiance prove that solar activity is not the cause. Concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are at the highest levels in more than 400,000 years and are headed straight up. The primary cause is human activities such as burning fossil fuels. Greenhouse gases absorption of infrared radiation (i.e. heat) that causes the atmosphere to warm is a proven scientific fact. Glaciers and ice caps are melting globally at unprecedented rates. Sea surface temperatures are rising globally. Ocean levels are rising at an increasing rate due to thermal expansion and glacial melt. The number of Cat 4 and 5 hurricanes globally are at new highs. Plants and animals are migrating toward the poles and up mountain tops. Drought, wildfires, heat waves, and torrential flooding are getting worse. Arctic permafrost is softening. The acidity of the oceans is increasing due to increased dissolved carbon dioxide and is threatening marine life. South Florida including Broward County is among the most vulnerable places in world due to its low elevations, rising seas and more intense hurricanes. What accounts for all of this? Before we take action, should we all just go about our business as usual, watch the seas engulf us, and suffer the destruction of one Cat 4 or 5 hurricane after another? Then we will surely know that global warming is real. On the other hand, credit goes to 23 Broward city mayorsand the County Commission for making the commitment to fight global warming in their municipalities by signing the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and take steps to conserve energy and reduce emissions, as have over 800 mayors nationwide. The Broward Charter Review Commission should show that it too takes this threat seriously and makes climate protection a priority for Broward County. One more thought, one of the best things that can be done to reduce energy usage and emissions is mass transit

National Geographic video of calving glacier

2008-03-08T16:45:00.002-05:00

National Geographic's website has a remarkable image sequence captures a series of massive calving events at Columbia Glacier near Valdez, Alaska. Composed of 436 frames taken between May and September of 2007, it shows the glacier rapidly retreating by about half a mile (1.6 kilometers), a volume loss of some 0.4 cubic miles (1.67 cubic kilometers) of ice or 400 billion gallons (1.5 trillion liters) of water.

Go to: http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/environment/global-warming/extreme-ice-survey-article.html

Imagine My Surprise and Delight

2008-02-16T12:26:00.002-05:00

I was delighted to see that Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle added his name to the list of Broward County mayors who have joined the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. That brings the number of Broward mayors to 23, the largest number of mayors from any one county in the United States. Last year, Mayor Naugle was a vocal holdout and said in the Sun-Sentinel last year that: "I think the planet heats up and it cools down. Human beings have very little influence on that." I guess the mounting evidence finally persuaded him and he has now made a commitment to do what he can to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in his city. I wish it wasn't so, but the evidence continues to mount that global warming is caused by human generated emissions of greenhouse gases. Also, South Florida is considered one of the most vulnerable locations in the nation and the world to the consequences of global warming, especially sea level rise and more intense hurricanes. Recent scientific reports indicate that Greenland and Antarctica glaciers are melting and breaking up at much higher rates than previously thought. If this trend continues, much of South Florida will be inundated by rising seas. That is why South Floridians especially must do all they can to set an example to the world.

Barry Joins Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions at FAU

2007-11-01T16:56:00.000-04:00

Dear Friends and Associates: I am pleased to tell you that I recently joined the Center for Urban and Environmental Studies (CUES) at Florida Atlantic University in downtown Fort Lauderdale as a Research Fellow. At CUES, I will be continuing my work on global warming and climate change, primarily engaged in assisting local governments, organizations and businesses as they plan and execute energy and water conservation, greenhouse gas emission reduction, and climate change adaptation programs. CUES' mission is to work with policy makers and the public in their pursuit of options for managing growth while preserving natural systems, promoting a strong economy, and planning livable communities. Information about CUES and its climate change program can be found on the following websites: http://www.cuesfau.org/

http://www.sfclimatechange.com/ Barry N Heimlich, Research Fellow Center for Urban and Environmental Solutionsat Florida Atlantic University 954-963-3564 954-963-2428 fax BarryCUES@bellsouth.net

Out with the old -- In with the new

2007-06-08T15:59:00.000-04:00

I took this photo from a river boat on the Danube River in Austria as we approached Vienna. There were wind turbines all along the river in Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany. Also there were residences with photovoltaic solar panels in many places. The Europeans are setting the pace on adoption of renewable energy, that's for sure. It's about time the USA got its act together and took the lead. I am grateful for Mr. Bush's long overdue recognition that global warming is a real and serious danger. Maybe things will begin to happen.

A Major Victory for Planet Earth

2007-06-08T15:45:00.000-04:00

State blocks coal-fired FPL plant on edge of Lake Okeechobee By Ian Katz South Florida Sun-Sentinel June 6, 2007 ----------- The state Public Service Commission on Tuesday unanimously rejected Florida Power & Light Co.'s request to build a $5.7 billion coal-fired power plant on the western edge of Lake Okeechobee that opponents said would emit toxic mercury and harm the Everglades.By voting 4-0 against the Glades County plant, the commission "made the right decision for the environment, the right decision for the Everglades and the right decision for Florida," Gov. Charlie Crist said in a statement.But FPL President Armando Olivera said the decision could result in higher electricity rates for customers."It also increases the likelihood of electricity disruptions in the event that hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico disrupt the natural gas supply to Florida, as was the case with Katrina and Wilma in 2005," he said in a statement.FPL, the state's largest utility, said the plant would help meet future electricity demands and allow FPL to diversify its fuel sources. It said about half its fuel comes from natural gas, which is becoming more expensive.FPL can ask the PSC to reconsider its ruling or appeal to the state Supreme Court, but said it had not decided whether it would do either.The commission "ruled that FPL's proposal is not the most cost-effective alternative," PSC Chairwoman Lisa Polak Edgar said in a statement. The commission recognizes the need for greater fuel diversity and more power generation, she said, but determined that the "potential benefits did not mitigate the additional costs and risks of the project." On May 25, the commission staff issued a primary recommendation agreeing with the need for the plant.The plant had been expected to create about 1,600 construction jobs a year for nearly five years, then 180 full-time jobs after it began to operate.Environmentalists warned that the plant, which was to consist of two 980-megawatt generating units on nearly 5,000 acres near Moore Haven, would have contributed to global warming and posed a danger to the Everglades. They said it would have dumped into the South Florida environment carbon dioxide and mercury, a contributor to birth defects and neurological disorders. FPL countered that the amount of mercury would have been negligible.On Tuesday, environmentalists applauded the commission's ruling."This decision will reassure taxpayers that the billions we are spending to restore the Everglades will not be undermined by allowing a huge new source of pollution in this treasured wilderness," said Holly Binns, field director for Environment Florida. Stephen Smith, executive director for Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, said the group hopes that "FPL will finally get the message that Floridians don't want any new coal-fired power plants in their state. It is time that FPL get serious about investing in energy efficiency and clean energy which will not threaten the future health and safety of their customers."Some environmental groups also are protesting a proposed natural gas plant set to open in western Palm Beach County in 2009.FPL said the Glades plant would incorporate pollution control equipment and would have been "one of the cleanest coal plants in the nation."The company also said that if it has to build natural gas-fired plants instead of the Glades plant, it would be 70 percent dependent on natural gas by 2016, "exposing customers to risks in reliability, and ultimately higher prices."In his statement, Olivera asked the PSC for guidance."We obviously misread the commission's intention for fuel diversity and are hopeful that going forward they will provide us with clear and unwavering direction as to what they want us to do," he said.Ian Katz can be reached at ikatz@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4664. Copyright © 2007, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Stmt to White House Listening Session

2007-05-07T01:02:00.000-04:00

COOPERATIVE CONSERVATION LISTENING SESSION ________________________________ UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI ROSENSTIEL SCHOOL OF MARINE AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, Florida September 15, 2006 10:00 a.m. MODERATED BY: MONICA LINNENBRINK D.J. CASE & ASSOCIATES 317 E. Jefferson Blvd. Mishawaka, Indiana 46545 (574)258-0100 MR. HEIMLICH: Thank you. MS. LINNENBRINK: You're welcome. MR. HEIMLICH: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Barry Heimlich. I'm the Vice President of the Broward County Audubon Society, a volunteer organization with 1500 members. MS. LINNENBRINK: Can you spell your last name, please. MR. HEIMLICH: It's H-E-I-M-L-I-C-H. Like the Heimlich Maneuver. MS. LINNENBRINK: Thank you. MR. HEIMLICH: I'm a chemical engineer and retired executive from the pharmaceutical and petroleum industries. I'm also the Director of the Smart Growth Partnership for Southeast Florida. The dispute is over. Scientists overwhelmingly agree that the greenhouse gasses cause global warming. And recent studies indicate that global warming is the primary reason why major hurricanes have doubled since 1970. After the hurricane season of 2004 and '05, it's not surprising that South Floridians worry about a Category 3 or 4 storm. What you may not realize is how badly this fear is affecting Florida's economy today. Commercial and residential real estate sales are plummeting because skyrocketing property insurance rates. Out-of-state businesses are questioning whether or not they can rely on Florida's suppliers. People in businesses from out of state hesitate to relocate to Florida, and some homeowners are being forced to sell and move away because they can't afford insurance premiums that have doubled in the last two years. This map shows (indicating) what South Florida will -- South Florida will be swamped if sea levels rise by 3 feet by 2100 as projected; that includes all of Everglades National Park, the Florida Keys, the cities of Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Naples. 7 million people live in this area. If Greenland ice sheets slide into the sea, everything on this map will be red. Florida's in serious trouble and we need Washington's help, and nothing else that anybody's talked about here today matters if we don't deal with this problem. There is no longer time to make excuses and deny what is obvious. Global warming will never be reversed without American leadership. New policies are needed to set tough emission limits, enable trading of emissions credits, and incentivizing American industry to apply its technology and capital to developing carbon-free energy alternatives, such as the Safe Climate Act. Our government must assert leadership with the nations of the world. China and India will not do their part unless America sets the example and takes the lead. It's not too late to sign the Kyoto treaty and follow California's example. Like the industrial and information revolutions, the energy revolution will lead to new prosperity for America. "Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great," said Nelson Mandela last year. Please tell Mr. Bush that this is his opportunity to be great. Thank you.

In Big Buyout, Utility to Limit New Coal Plants - New York Times

2007-02-25T10:05:00.000-05:00

In Big Buyout, Utility to Limit New Coal Plants - New York Times Under a proposed $45 billion buyout by a team of private equity firms, the TXU Corporation, a Texas utility that has long been the bane of environmental groups, will abandon plans to build 8 of 11 coal plants and commit to a broad menu of environmental measures, according to people involved in the negotiations. Read more.

AAAS - AAAS News Release

2007-02-23T00:25:00.000-05:00

AAAS - AAAS News Release AAAS Board Releases New Statement on Climate Change The retreating Qori Kalis glacier in the Andes of Peru in 2000Photograph courtesy of Lonnie Thompson, Ohio State University The following statement on global climate change was released today during the AAAS Annual Meeting in San Francisco. The statement was approved by the board on 9 December 2006. [bold italics inserted for emphasis] The scientific evidence is clear: global climate change caused by human activities is occurring now, and it is a growing threat to society. Accumulating data from across the globe reveal a wide array of effects: rapidly melting glaciers, destabilization of major ice sheets, increases in extreme weather, rising sea level, shifts in species ranges, and more. The pace of change and the evidence of harm have increased markedly over the last five years. The time to control greenhouse gas emissions is now. The atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide, a critical greenhouse gas, is higher than it has been for at least 650,000 years. The average temperature of the Earth is heading for levels not experienced for millions of years. Scientific predictions of the impacts of increasing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases from fossil fuels and deforestation match observed changes. As expected, intensification of droughts, heat waves, floods, wildfires, and severe storms is occurring, with a mounting toll on vulnerable ecosystems and societies. These events are early warning signs of even more devastating damage to come, some of which will be irreversible. Delaying action to address climate change will increase the environmental and societal consequences as well as the costs. The longer we wait to tackle climate change, the harder and more expensive the task will be. History provides many examples of society confronting grave threats by mobilizing knowledge and promoting innovation. We need an aggressive research, development and deployment effort to transform the existing and future energy systems of the world away from technologies that emit greenhouse gases. Developing clean energy technologies will provide economic opportunities and ensure future energy supplies. In addition to rapidly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it is essential that we develop strategies to adapt to ongoing changes and make communities more resilient to future changes. The growing torrent of information presents a clear message: we are already experiencing global climate change. It is time to muster the political will for concerted action. Stronger leadership at all levels is needed. The time is now. We must rise to the challenge. We owe this to future generations. The conclusions in this statement reflect the scientific consensus represented by, for example, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and the joint National Academies' statement. For more information, see the AAAS Global Climate-Change Resources page. 18 February 2007

MiamiHerald.com | 02/02/2007 | Broward mayors sign global warming pact

2007-02-04T23:56:00.001-05:00

MiamiHerald.com 02/02/2007 Broward mayors sign global warming pact Posted on Fri, Feb. 02, 2007 ENVIRONMENTBroward mayors sign global warming pactMore than 20 South Florida cities have signed an agreement to combat global warming, but it won't reverse the sprawl.BY AMY SHERMANasherman@MiamiHerald.com Mayors in most of Broward's major cities have joined a national effort to fight global warming. ''Broward's mayors are setting a strong example for the nation by demonstrating that they are concerned about global warming,'' said Barry Heimlich, vice president of the Broward County Audubon Society. The organization is leading the effort to get local mayors to sign an agreement supporting the Kyoto treaty, an international accord which took effect in 2005 to reduce emissions. While others are embracing the effort, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle has refused to sign the agreement because he says it's ''anti-American'' and would send jobs overseas. ''Most mayors, if they really studied Kyoto and learned about it, would ask for their signatures back,'' Naugle said. ``It would call for the U.S. to meet certain pollution standards that would cost billions of dollars, but doesn't ask the same thing of China and India.'' Fort Lauderdale already has taken such environmental steps as reducing the size of city vehicles and using solar energy to run meters, he said, adding that he got the Broward League of Mayors to adopt a document covering environmental concerns -- such as conserving energy and water. Heimlich rejects Naugle's arguments and says that the U.S. must get involved to encourage other countries to do their fair share. The Kyoto agreement was adopted by more than 30 countries that agreed to cut emissions of carbon dioxide and other global warming gases to below 1990 levels by 2012. President Bush objected to Kyoto, saying it would slow the country's economic growth. A GRASSROOTS REVOLT But the mayor of Seattle sparked a grassroots movement for cities around the country to embrace its goals to save the environment. So far, more than 375 mayors nationwide -- including some 20 in South Florida -- have signed the accord, called the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Mayors in Davie, Hollywood, Miramar and Pembroke Pines in Broward and Coral Gables, Miami and Key Biscayne in Miami-Dade are included in the South Florida group. By signing the agreement, mayors have agreed to reduce pollution and lobby federal and state governments to support the agreement. Mayors say their cities can help by using energy-efficient light bulbs at city halls, buying fuel efficient cars for city fleets and writing laws encouraging developers to build ''green'' buildings. The agreement seeks to have cities reduce sprawl and promote public transportation -- two issues that will be difficult to achieve in Broward, where it is almost built out and public support for mass transit has been weak. Last November, Broward voters rejected an increase in the sales tax for public transportation projects. ''Without some sort of mass transportation system, it's going to be tough for the county to reduce its carbon footprint in any substantial way,'' said George Cavros, conservation chair of the Broward Sierra Club. Davie Mayor Tom Truex said he initially had reservations about the agreement, but finally signed it. `EVERYONE'S PROBLEM' The agreement is '' basically saying the problems we have with the environment is everyone's problem,'' Truex said. For its part, Davie is allowing higher density along the 441 corridor to encourage the use of mass transit, he said. In Coral Gables, Mayor Don Slesnick said his city's trolley system is used by 4,000 people a day and reduces the number of cars on the road. But Gables won't force developers to adopt green building standards. ''It's not our style to usually require developers,'' Slesnick said. ``It's our style to encourage developers. We would be looking for incentives to do green.'' Weston Mayor Eric Hersh will present the agreement to his City Commission on Monday. Weston could take steps toward improving the environment, but expanding bus service in his city is not realistic since gated communities don't want buses inside, he said. ''It would be a pipe dream to think we could create a public transportation system in Weston,'' Hersh said. Miami Herald reporter Matthew I. Pinzur and researchers Monika Leal and Scott Hutchinson contributed to this article. © 2007 MiamiHerald.com and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved.http://www.miami.com

28 South Florida mayors sign pact to reduce greenhouse gases, energy use

2007-02-04T23:38:00.000-05:00

28 South Florida mayors sign pact to reduce greenhouse gases, energy use By David FleshlerSouth Florida Sun-SentinelFebruary 2, 2007 As world climate experts in Paris worked on a long-awaited report on global warming, South Florida cities were joining a growing national movement to fight climate change at the local level.Twenty-eight South Florida mayors have signed an agreement to take steps to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in their cities, such as buying low-pollution vehicles and requiring new buildings to be energy efficient. Frustrated with what they regard as inaction by the Bush administration, many city officials said they will use their budgetary and lawmaking powers to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide, methane and other heat-trapping gases emitted within city limits."With thousands of cities across America, you can have an immediate impact," Hollywood Mayor Mara Giulianti said. "We are enormous businesses. We shape the building patterns in the country through our approvals and building codes."Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle, who refused to sign the agreement, said he supports many of its ideas for cutting air pollution and reducing dependence on foreign oil but doubted that human actions caused climate change."I think the planet heats up and it cools down," he said. "Human beings have very little influence on that."Nearly 400 mayors nationwide have signed, including the mayors of Miami, West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Pompano Beach and Pembroke Pines.The initiative came from Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels after President Bush refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol, which required signatories to reduce greenhouse gases about 5 percent below 1990 levels.Nickels announced that his city would meet the Kyoto limits and called on other mayors to make similar pledges. Working through the U.S. Conference of Mayors, he circulated the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, which called for reducing sprawl, promoting urban forests, encouraging environmentally friendly construction, commonly known as green building, and promoting the use of clean energy.Pembroke Pines Mayor Frank Ortis signed the agreement, and the city has begun drafting an ordinance mandating green building standards. "I have indicated urgency," Ortis said. "It's important to me for our sake and the sakes of our children and grandchildren."Hollywood has set up a Green Team of citizens and experts to recommend steps to take to fight climate change. One step is likely to be an ordinance mandating or providing incentives for green buildings."We haven't drafted anything yet, but I'm hoping we won't drag our feet," Giulianti said.Barry Heimlich, vice president of the Broward County Audubon Society, who has been active in publicizing the global warming problem, approached Broward mayors to sign the agreement. Heimlich said only Naugle refused.Naugle said he disagrees with certain aspects of the Conference of Mayors statement, which he called "hate-America stuff that the environmental wackos want in." As an example, he pointed to a statement that the United States, with less than 5 percent of the world's population, produces about 25 percent of its greenhouse gases.According to a 2006 report by the Department of Energy, the United States produced about 23 percent of the world's heat-trapping gases. Although the amount emitted was projected to rise, it was expected to shrink as a percentage of the world total because of growth in other countries.Joshua Fowler, executive vice president of the Gold Coast Builders Association, which represents southeast Florida homebuilders, said many green-building measures are quite practical, such as special locations for recyclables, energy-efficient appliances and the use of recycled water for sprinklers. But he said certain other techniques would be too expensive or could conflict with Florida's strict hurricane code. "What I'm hoping they don't do is mandate these things without getting the builders' input," he said.While local governments have no direct authority over such issues as emissions from power plants and increased auto-mileage standards, Heimlich, of Broward Audubon, said they have power to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases."I think it's more than symbolic," Heimlich said. "This is a global problem that needs a local solution everywhere."David Fleshler can be reached at dfleshler@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4535.

Twenty-Three Broward Mayors Join Fight on Global Warming

2007-02-03T12:59:00.000-05:00

Twenty-Three Broward Mayors Join Fight on Global Warming

by Barry N. Heimlich, Vice President,

Broward County Audubon Society

http://www.browardaudubon.org

February 8, 2007, Hollywood, Florida – The mayors of 23 of Broward County’s 31 municipalities have joined a nationwide initiative to fight global warming in response to Broward County Audubon Society’s Global Warming Initiative. These mayors represent 78% of the county’s 1.8 million population. To date, the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement has been signed by over 393 mayors from all 50 states representing a total population of over 56.4 million (19%). More Broward County mayors have joined this program than any other county in the United States.

Broward Audubon presented 31 South Florida mayors with its Protector of the Climate award at the opening reception of the VisionBROWARD Leadership Forum on the Environment and the Economy on February 8, 2007 at the Bonnet House in Fort Lauderdale. Mayor Manny Diaz of Miami, vice president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, was keynote speaker.

Two of the major consequences of global warming are rising sea levels and more frequent major hurricanes. These are of special concern in low-lying South Florida so it’s appropriate for South Florida to take the lead. The goal of Broward Audubon’s Climate Protection Initiative is to persuade mayors throughout Florida to undertake energy conservation and climate protection programs under the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Broward’s mayors have set a strong example for the nation by demonstrating their concern about global warming and by undertaking green initiatives in their communities. Audubon chapters across Florida and the nation are urged to reach out to the mayors of their area to do the same.

U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement Under the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, a program of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, participating mayors strive to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol targets in their own communities through such actions as energy conservation programs, green building ordinances, antisprawl land-use policies, urban forest restoration projects, public information campaigns, etc.; urge state and federal governments to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the greenhouse gas emission reduction target suggested for the United States in the Kyoto Protocol, i.e. 7% reduction from 1990 levels by 2012; and urge the U.S. Congress to pass bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation, setting emission reduction goals and establishing a national emission trading system. Broward County Audubon Society’s Global Warming Initiative Since October 2005, Broward County Audubon Society under the leadership of its vice president Barry Heimlich has undertaken a global warming initiative comprised of educating residents, businesses and government officials through newsletter articles, a global warming website, expert speakers at its meetings, speaking to civic organizations, and organizing special events. The primary thrust of Broward Audubon’s global warming initiative for 2006-2007 has been to persuade a majority of Broward County’s 31 mayors to sign onto the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. It is also helping the county and municipal governments set up Green Team programs to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Its program was recognized by Audubon of Florida as a model to be followed by other Audubon chapters throughout Florida and the nation. http://www.audubonofflorida.org/PDFs/Naturalist_Summer2006.pdf

IPCC Policymaker Summary - Click here to download

2007-02-03T12:54:00.000-05:00

INTRODUCTION The Working Group I contribution to the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report describes progress in understanding of the human and natural drivers of climate change1, observed climate change, climate processes and attribution, and estimates of projected future climate change. It builds upon past IPCC assessments and incorporates new findings from the past six years of research. Scientific progress since the TAR is based upon large amounts of new and more comprehensive data, more sophisticated analyses of data, improvements in understanding of processes and their simulation in models, and more extensive exploration of uncertainty ranges.

Coal Burning Power Plant in the Heart of the Everglades Restoration Effort! | ItsYourTimes.com

2007-01-18T19:55:00.000-05:00

Coal Burning Power Plant in the Heart of the Everglades Restoration Effort! ItsYourTimes.com This blog has some outstanding insights into the potential adverse effects of the proposed FPL coal-fired power plant in Glades County, Florida.

Scientists Praise Bill that Would Significantly Reduce Global Warming Emissions

2007-01-17T10:41:00.000-05:00

January 16, 2007 Science-based Bill Sets Benchmark for Deep Reductions Needed to Avert Worst Global Warming Consequences WASHINGTON – Eleven senators, including Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chair Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), today introduced a bill setting firm emissions reduction targets needed to avoid the worst effects of global warming. The Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act calls for reductions in carbon dioxide (CO2) and other heat-trapping emissions to 80 percent below their 1990 levels by 2050. "We applaud the 11 senators who introduced a bill that acknowledges the magnitude and urgency of climate change," said Dr. Peter Frumhoff, Director of Science and Policy and Chief Scientist of the Climate Campaign at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). "The science is clear and action is needed now. This bill lays out a positive vision for the deep reductions needed to leave our children and grandchildren a safe climate."Human activity—burning fossil fuels and cutting down forests—releases CO2 that blankets the earth and traps heat. The amount of CO2 in the atmosphere has increased greatly over the last century and global temperatures are rising as a result. Scientific evidence suggests if atmospheric concentrations of heat-trapping gases stabilize at or below 450 parts per million (ppm CO2 equivalent), we have a good chance of holding global average temperature increases below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) and averting the most severe impacts of global warming.Staying under the 450 ppm threshold requires cutting global emissions roughly in half from today's levels by mid-century. Given that the United States leads the world in both absolute and per capita emissions, we must achieve even deeper reductions here at home. The Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act takes an incremental approach to reaching this goal: U.S. emissions would decrease approximately two percent each year from 2010-2020 to reach 1990 levels. Emissions would be cut 26 percent below 1990 levels by 2030, 53 percent below 1990 levels by 2040 and fully 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. The bill allows for acceleration of the emission reductions if necessary to stay below the 2 C target. It also includes provisions to increase our reliance on clean renewable energy sources, improve energy efficiency, test carbon capture and storage technologies, reduce heat-trapping emissions from passenger vehicles and re-engage in international negotiations on global warming."With such high stakes—more extreme heat and droughts, more intense storms, sea-level rise, increasing wildfires and risks to public health—the time for denial and delay is over," said Lexi Shultz, UCS Washington Representative for Climate Policy. "It is irresponsible to saddle future generations with this problem when we have the technology and know-how today to put us on the path to reducing heat-trapping emissions. This bill sets firm, national targets to help reach our goal."The bill's nine other sponsors are Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Jack Reed (D-RI), Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Russ Feingold (D-OR), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

The Energy Challenge - New York Times

2006-12-28T21:00:00.000-05:00

The Energy Challenge - New York Times This archive of New York Times articles gives an outstanding overview of global warming, its consequences and possible solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Govt. sees polar bears as 'threatened' - Yahoo! News

2006-12-28T18:30:00.000-05:00

Govt. sees polar bears as 'threatened' - Yahoo! News

Dire warnings from China's first climate change report - Yahoo! News

2006-12-28T18:23:00.000-05:00

Dire warnings from China's first climate change report - Yahoo! News China is coming to grips with the consequences of global warming. This is very hopeful, as is the report from the Dept of Interior that polar bears are being considered for the Threatened Species list due to global warming. Now if Bush would only have the wisdom to partner with China (and India) as well as the Kyoto partners on addressing this global threat.

The Chinese View of Global Warming, by Hedvah Shuchman, Ph.D.

2006-12-18T11:04:00.000-05:00

From October 29 to November 17 this year, I traveled in China visiting Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Suzhow, Hangzhow and other cities. Each of these cities has multi-millions of people. I interviewed a member of the Shanghai Environmental Protection Agency who spoke to me about the great efforts this city of 15-18 million people is making to control air pollution. I traveled by train from Shanghai to the city of Suzhow, which is west of Shanghai and to Hangzhow in the south. This opportunity to see the countryside and meet the people was exciting. But it also alerted me to some of the incredible problems which face Chinese air pollution engineers. For hundreds of miles I looked out at rice fields which had been harvested and in which the peasants were setting fire to the chaff to clear the land for replanting. White smoke covered the sky and filled the train to the point that it was sometimes difficult to breathe. In Beijing and Shanghai great efforts are being made to control air pollution by regulating the use of automobiles. But only 10% of Chinese own automobiles now. This number is expected to increase exponentially in the next ten years. China’s pollution problems are monumental. In order to present a birds-eye view of the issues being dealt with by a country of 1.3 billion people, I culled clippings from the National English Language Newspaper, China Daily: “Global warming will melt China’s glacier by 50% and cause the nation’s sea levels to rise by up to 15 centimeters within 40 years, according to the theories of China’s leading scientists. “A study from Shanghai Normal University initially revealed the link between climate change and the spread of the lethal H5N1 virus. The transmission of the virus is largely relying on migratory birds whose habitats can be significantly changed by climate change… “More than half of the country’s rivers are severely polluted and about a third of the territory affected by acid rain… The Chinese central government has set a target of reducing energy consumption per unit of GDP by 20% and cut major pollutants by 10% by 2010. “China is speeding up efforts to formulate regulations on the collection and disposal of electronic garbage such as TV sets, refrigerators and computers. Under the soon to be formulated regulations, manufacturers and distributors of home appliances as well as after-service providers will be obligated to reclaim waste and used products and then sell them to licensed disposal enterprises. Statistics show that China discards about 5 million TV sets, 4 million refrigerators, 6 million washing machines and 10 million mobile phones every year. “The manager of China’s largest wind farm is winding up negotiations on his first deal to sell credits for reducing emissions of carbon dioxide, which he expects to rake in up to US$500,000 a year in extra revenue in 2007. “China needs daily pollution fines, according to a study of the State Environmental Protection Agency. More than one quarter of the water in the Yangtze River is so polluted that it cannot be treated to make it drinkable. Most of the Yellow River – the cradle of Chinese civilization – is not fit for drinking or swimming.

Say No to Coal, Say Yes to Renewable Energy

2006-12-14T18:45:00.000-05:00

FPL has announced that it intends to build one of the largest coal-fired power plants in the world in Glades County on the northwest shore of Lake Okeechobee. Their reason is to, “diversify [their] fuel supply and meet the state’s growing demand over the next 10 years.” They also cite as further justification the rising price of natural gas and disruptions in supply due to hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico. Although coal-fired power plants use the most abundant fuel and are the cheapest way to make electricity, nothing contributes more to the emission of greenhouse gases. A Dec. 12, 2006 article in the New York Times said, “The iconic culprit in global warming is the coal-fired power plant.” In the same article, James E. Rogers, chief executive of Duke Energy, a coal burning utility in the Midwest and the Southeast, was quoted, “Climate change is real, and we clearly believe we are on a route to mandatory controls on carbon dioxide,” Mr. Rogers said. “And we need to start now because the longer we wait the more difficult and expensive this is going to be.” While I believe that FPL has one of the better track records in the power industry in minimizing environmental impacts, building a huge coal plant is NOT the answer. In fact, it's the worst possible choice. The world should be dramatically reducing carbon dioxide emissions, not adding to the problem. FPL says the proposed plant will use ultra supercritical coal technology, which produces steam at very high temperatures and pressures, resulting in higher efficiency and fewer emissions. It would still generate about twice the tonnage of CO2 as a natural gas fired power plant per unit of electric power generated. Furthermore, coal is the dirtiest fossil fuel with respect to toxic pollutants. Even with the best pollution control processes available, FPL cannot eliminate toxic ash and emissions of toxic mercury and sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide, which contribute to acid rain and smog. According to FPL’s disclosure, for example, about 21% of the mercury will still be released to the surroundings. Do we really want this on the shores of Lake Okeechobee, the headwaters of the Everglades? I believe FPL should set an example by employing low carbon emission technologies to the fullest extent possible. Besides writing to FPL to tell them we disagree with their decision, we can send them an affirmative message that we are serious about regenerable energy from solar and wind power by signing up for FPL’s "Sunshine Energy" program. I have. By paying a modest premium of $9.75/month, FPL will purchase renewable power from other producers. According to FPL, “In just one year as a Sunshine Energy customer, you can avoid over 8,000 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions nationwide – as much as a car would produce in almost 9,000 miles of driving.” The money also helps FPL and the industry accelerate development of solar and wind technology. So far, only 24,000 customers statewide have signed on. Imagine the impact if a million households did the same. That would tell FPL loud and clear that “We want global warming reversed and we are each willing to pay a little more to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” A significant fraction of power requirements can probably be supplied by renewable energy, but FPL points out that solar and wind are dependent on weather conditions and cannot be relied on as for baseline power supply. Natural gas is preferred over coal, but in order to persuade FPL to build more natural gas fired power plants, they will need increased natural gas supplies, such as by importation of liquefied natural gas from South America and Africa that is not vulnerable to hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico. If natural gas is in short supply, they will be forced to build coal-fired plants. Consideration should also be given to nuclear power as a carbonless long range solution for baseline power demand.

Global warming said killing some species

2006-11-22T09:50:00.000-05:00

By SETH BORENSTEIN, AP Science Writer Tue Nov 21, 8:07 PM ET Animal and plant species have begun dying off or changing sooner than predicted because of global warming, a review of hundreds of research studies contends. These fast-moving adaptations come as a surprise even to biologists and ecologists because they are occurring so rapidly. At least 70 species of frogs, mostly mountain-dwellers that had nowhere to go to escape the creeping heat, have gone extinct because of climate change, the analysis says. It also reports that between 100 and 200 other cold-dependent animal species, such as penguins and polar bears are in deep trouble. "We are finally seeing species going extinct," said University of Texas biologist Camille Parmesan, author of the study. "Now we've got the evidence. It's here. It's real. This is not just biologists' intuition. It's what's happening." Her review of 866 scientific studies is summed up in the journal Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution and Systematics. Parmesan reports seeing trends of animal populations moving northward if they can, of species adapting slightly because of climate change, of plants blooming earlier, and of an increase in pests and parasites. Parmesan and others have been predicting such changes for years, but even she was surprised to find evidence that it's already happening; she figured it would be another decade away. Just five years ago biologists, though not complacent, figured the harmful biological effects of global warming were much farther down the road, said Douglas Futuyma, professor of ecology and evolution at the State University of New York in Stony Brook. "I feel as though we are staring crisis in the face," Futuyma said. "It's not just down the road somewhere. It is just hurtling toward us. Anyone who is 10 years old right now is going to be facing a very different and frightening world by the time that they are 50 or 60." While over the past several years studies have shown problems with certain species, animal populations or geographic areas, Parmesan's is the first comprehensive analysis showing the big picture of global-warming induced changes, said Chris Thomas, a professor of conservation biology at the University of York in England. While it's impossible to prove conclusively that the changes are the result of global warming, the evidence is so strong and other supportable explanations are lacking, Thomas said, so it is "statistically virtually impossible that these are just chance observations." The most noticeable changes in plants and animals have to do with earlier springs, Parmesan said. The best example can be seen in earlier cherry blossoms and grape harvests and in 65 British bird species that in general are laying their first eggs nearly nine days earlier than 35 years ago. Parmesan said she worries most about the cold-adapted species, such as emperor penguins that have dropped from 300 breeding pairs to just nine in the western Antarctic Peninsula, or polar bears, which are dropping in numbers and weight in the Arctic. The cold-dependent species on mountaintops have nowhere to go, which is why two-thirds of a certain grouping of frog species have already gone extinct, Parmesan said. Populations of animals that adapt better to warmth or can move and live farther north are adapting better than other populations in the same species, Parmesan said. "We are seeing a lot of evolution now," Parmesan said. However, no new gene mutations have shown themselves, not surprising because that could take millions of years, she said. ___ On the Net: The Parmesan study on biological changes from global warming: http://cns.utexas.edu/communications/File/AnnRev_CCimpacts2006.pdf

2006-10-16T21:55:00.000-04:00

Recent Books on The Threat to the Planet • Field Notes From a Catastrophe:Man ,Nature and Climate Change. Elizabeth Kolbert, Boomsbury 2006 Meet some of the world’s leading climate researchers who explain the dangers in non- technical language without sacrificing scientific accuracy. • , Thin Ice Mark Bowen,Henry Holt. The story of the heroic work of Lonnie Thompson in extracting information on climate change from some of the most forbidding and spectacular places on the planet. • The Weather Makers: How Man is Changing the Climate and What It Means for Life on Earth, by Tim Flannery, Atlantic Monthly Press. Emphasizes the effect of man- made climate change on other life on the planet. Continuing with business-as-usual could l cause 60% of today’s species to become extinct. • An Inconvenient Truth, The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What we Can Do About It. Al Gore A beautifully illustrated and extremely exciting discussion of the critical issues in global warming and a program of action for citizens concerned with reducing the impacts of the human contribution to the crisis. New Childrens Book on Global Warming: • The North Pole Was Here:Puzzles and Perils at the Top of the World Andrew Revkin, NY Times eco-journalist, (Kingfisher Books,2006) Many full color photographs, archival reproductions and photos of previous excursions make for a dynamic layout. Recommended for grades 6-9.

2006-10-16T21:50:00.000-04:00

Global Warming in the News Compiled by Hedvah Shuchman, BCAS U.S. Supreme Court Gets Arguments for EPA to Regulate CO2. Science, September 8,2006 The Supreme Court will consider the question this term whether greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide should be regulated as pollutants. EPA has used the Clean Air act of 1970 to regulate smog and other pollution from cars ---not greenhouse gasses. In 1999 a nonprofit organization petitioned EPA to change its mind. EPA declined and in 2003 a number of states and nonprofit groups sued. That case, Massachusetts v.EPA, is now before the Supreme Court and last month 12 states and a number of cities and nonprofit groups filed Arctic Research Hints at Future Warming by Patrick Tucker, The Futurist, Sept-Oct 2006 p 8 The Integrated Ocean Drilling Program has succeeded in taking core samples from the floor of the Arctic Ocean, a first for science. The samples contain the remains of animal and plant life several million years old. By analyzing the fatty substances in the cells’ membranes, researchers can determine the average temperature that prevailed during the organisms’ life. At some time during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum period (PETM) the earth released a great abundance of greenhouse gas (possibly methane or carbon dioxide.) into the atmosphere, resulting in a greenhouse effect and accompanying global temperature rise of 5 degrees C. This shows that if you pump a bunch of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere, the planet warms. This is a good analog for today’s greenhouse gas emissions. Climate Change May Destroy Coast Fishing National Wildlife Federation Fishing as we know it could disappear in a few decades. Flooding of bays and estuaries on Florida coasts as a result of global warming. Predicted fallout of global warming will be increased disease among marine life, more outbreaks of harmful algal blooms, fiercer hurricanes and more extreme rainfall patterns. In addition to the effect on commercial fisheries, sport fishing will be affected and that could mean a big dent on the state’s economy. In 2005 recreational fishers spent $3.3 million and supported nearly 60,000 job. Among the game fish species most likely to be affected are flounder, gray snapper, tarpon, bonefish , redfish and snook. Feds Say Yes to Bio-based Products by Kimberly Palmer, Plenty August/September 2006 In April 2006, Congress requested the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to start a program requiring federal agencies to buy bio-based products, which are made from renewal sources such as soybean oil instead of petroleum. The department says the program will help boost the industry and encourage the creation of more bio-based products. The USDA has a compiled a list of petroleum-based products that should be replaced with bio-based counterparts, including hydraulic fluids, roog and water tank coatings, diesel fuel additives, lubricants and linens. Hand-cleaners, sanitizers and germ-killers will probably be phased in. The USDA’s Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Maryland, one of the first places to embrace bio-based products, already uses bio diesel fuel in its tractors, soybean oil as a lubricant for machinery and bio-based soap in its bathrooms.

Global Warming No Longer in Dispute

2006-09-25T17:06:00.000-04:00

When reporters present both sides of the debate about global warming with equal weight, not only is the truth distorted, a tremendous disservice to the public is done. In June, after extensive review at the request of Congress, the National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council, an independent institute of America’s most respected scientists, concluded "with a high level of confidence" that Earth is experiencing the highest temperatures in more than 400 years, that "available proxy evidence does indicate that many locations were warmer during the past 25 years than during any other 25-year period since 900," and that "current warming is occurring in response to human activities." Only a handful of scientists affiliated with the oil industry and other special interests express unsubstantiated opinions to the contrary. Global warming is probably the biggest single threat civilization has ever faced. The public and leaders in business and government must understand what is happening, why it is happening, and its potentially catastrophic consequences. Global warming will never be reversed without American leadership at home and with the other nations of the world. New policies must be established that set tough emission limits, enable trading of emissions credits, and incentivize American industry to apply its technology and capital to developing carbon-free energy alternatives. It is time to stop making excuses and denying what is obvious. I hope that my grandchildren's generation will not look back on us and say “They saw it, they knew what to do, but they didn’t do it.” If that happens, shame on us. The press has a responsibility not to mislead the public into the false belief that all is well with the world’s climate when the preponderance of scientific evidence says otherwise.

NASA's Goals Delete Mention of Home Planet - New York Times

2006-08-12T14:02:00.000-04:00

From the New York Times: NASA's Goals Delete Mention of Home Planet - New York Times By ANDREW C. REVKINPublished: July 22, 2006 From 2002 until this year, NASA’s mission statement, prominently featured in its budget and planning documents, read: “To understand and protect our home planet; to explore the universe and search for life; to inspire the next generation of explorers ... as only NASA can.” In early February, the statement was quietly altered, with the phrase “to understand and protect our home planet” deleted. In this year’s budget and planning documents, the agency’s mission is “to pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery and aeronautics research.” *** That the Administration would remove understanding and protecting our home planet from NASA's mission statement, especially at this time is mind boggling. NASA has been playing an important role in developing our understanding of global warming and climate change. How can we continue to research what may well be the biggest global threat humanity has ever faced without the dedicated efforts of the world's premiere space agency that provides so much information through satellite observations of the entire globe and the atmosphere. And besides, Dr. James E. Hansen, a climate scientist at NASA, has been one of the leading voices who recognizes and understands this issue. If the United States would apply the resources and skills of NASA and its network of high technology contractors to the development of technologies for energy conservation and regenerable alternative energy resources, we might not only save the world from the consequences of global warming but open the door to economic opportunities to rival or exceed the Industrial and Information Revolutions. The 21st Century can and must be the century of the Energy Revolution if we are to preserve a livable world for generations to come.

2006-07-18T14:50:00.001-04:00

What is planned for this website is an anthology of information about Global Warming and
the initiative being taken by the Florida Climate Protection Initiative and Broward County Audubon Society to encourage local leaders to endorse and join the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement started in Seattle, WA by Mayor Greg Nichols.
See PowerPoint presentation on Global Warming. Click here.