Climate science
UN scientists 95% certain on causes of climate change
Draft of IPCC AR5 report seen by Reuters says experts are sure of global warming causes
Methane leakage from Utah gas rigs higher than EPA estimates
The 6-10% leakage rate of methane at a US gas field means that burning natural gas could warm the planet more than coal
Giant polar bear heads to London for Arctic parade
Greenpeace’s latest Arctic campaign is a double decker sized polar bear marched through London by 15 puppeteers
Will climate change hit maize and wheat production?
Different models offer conflicting predictions on future crop yields, confusing scientists and the public alike
Heat waves to quadruple by 2040, regardless of emissions cuts
Existing climate change means extreme heat waves will rise by four times by 2040, whether or not emissions are cut
Greenland melt linked to warmth from earth’s core
Greenland’s icesheet is melting, at the surface and at its base, but this may be the normal warmth of an active rocky planet
Rainforest picnic: how to stop eating the Amazon this summer
Andrew Mitchell from the Global Canopy Programme explains how everything we eat and wear is linked to the world’s great rainforests
Soot and methane cuts will not control climate change – report
New research suggests soot and methane have less of an impact on global temperatures than previously thought
Himalaya glacial melt set to peak by 2070
Water levels in Ganges and Indus rivers unlikely to drop over next 100 years says new study of Himalayan and the Tibetan plateau glaciers
Geoengineering ‘parasols’ could protect world’s coral reefs
The world’s coral reefs are under threat. Some scientists say doses of cloud brightening could provide a solution to the problem.
Loss of algae and plankton threatens Arctic food chain
Rapid thawing of Arctic sea ice is affecting virtually every species of Arctic wildlife, a new study reveals
Pakistan monsoon crisis exacerbated by flood plains violations
Construction of housing, agriculture and mega dams have reduced the country’s ability to cope with intense monsoonal rains
Congo’s rainforests and mountain gorillas face oil exploration threat
Virunga National Park, a UNESCO site that is home to critically endangered mountain gorillas faces exploitation by British oil company Soco International
‘Artificial photosynthesis’ can create hydrogen from solar energy
Scientists have developed a simple system which allows solar energy to be stored in the form of hydrogen
Warming oceans drive marine life towards poles
Marine species are advancing towards the poles at an alarming rate, according to a report which will form a part of the next IPCC Assessment
Finland scientists turn dead wood into cheap biofuels
Researchers say they have found how to produce biofuel cheaply using pressurised fluidised bed gasification technology
Rate of climate change ‘fastest in 55 million years’
Scientists from Stanford University believe annual temperatures over North America, Europe and East Asia could rise 2-4 degrees C by 2065
New map charts spread of Indonesia’s forest fires
A new mapping resource from CIFOR shows the source of forest fires in Indonesia – and reveals the largest companies aren’t (wholly) to blame
Poisonous trees planted in desert could mitigate climate change
Scientists say the carbon farming of trees in dry parts of the world could soak up vast quantities of greenhouse gases linked to global warming
Graphene breakthrough could unlock renewable energy’s potential
Graphene-based energy storage device which lasts as long as a conventional battery developed by researchers in Australia