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Global Warming

Greenland Melt Extent, 2005
Konrad Steffen and Russell Huff
Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES),
University of Colorado at Boulder, CO 80309-0216
Passive microwave satellite data are used to map snowmelt extent and duration on the Greenland ice sheet. The total melt extent of the ice sheet, experiencing at least 1 melt day between April 1 - September 25 shows a record extent in 2005 for the 27-year long time PM data set. The 2005 melt extent exceeds the previous record of 2002. (Steffen et al., 2004; Hanna et al., 2005)
The total melt area for the same time period in 2005 is slightly lower than 2002 (0.6%) and 1991 (1.1%) as of September 25th. However, we expect a record total melt area for 2005 given the fact that the southern and western part of Greenland are still melting in late September, whereas 2002 and 1991 experienced almost no melt in late September and during October. The melt during October 2003 was 2.3 times that of 1991 and 4.3 times that of 2002. We expect the melt of 2005 to be equal or even larger.
There was extensive melt for 7 days during 2005 that covered ALL of southern Greenland including South Dome at an elevation of 2900 m for 3 days. This event resulted in the largest melt area recorded on the ice sheet surpassing the previous record in 2002. The 3-D view of Greenland melt extent shows the total melt area for 2005 and highlights the regions that never melted in the previous 26-year long PM record.

The Race Against Global Warming was introduced as a way for people to connect more closely with what we consider to be the most important issue of our time. Lifestyle changes can be difficult to implement, and it’s not always clear that these changes are actually helping to solve the problem, we wanted to introduce a way to do more.

Dr. Dawn Richards Says Global Warming Trends Are Alarming - posted July 10, 2007 Dr. Dawn Richards spoke on global warming
A professor from Baylor School told the Kiwanis Club on Tuesday that global warming trends are alarming.
"It is kind of like we are running out of time. Action is needed soon," Dr. Dawn Richards said.
The speaker, who said she has visited Antartica and other polar regions and seen frightening levels of glacial melting, said carbon dioxide levels around the earth "are getting higher and higher."
She said scientists are almost 100 percent agreed that global warming is a real danger, though she said many articles in the popular press still cast doubt on it.

Progress on Global Warming Is Questioned
By DESMOND BUTLER, Associated Press Writer
(AP) -- European Union and U.S. leaders are hailing what they say is a a big step toward bridging their sharp differences on global warming. Academics and critics of President Bush's policies, however, question whether he really gave any ground.

Global 'Sunscreen' Has Likely Thinned, Report NASA Scientists
A new NASA study has found that an important counter-balance to the warming of our planet by greenhouse gases — sunlight blocked by dust, pollution and other aerosol particles — appears to have lost ground.
The thinning of Earth's "sunscreen" of aerosols since the early 1990s could have given an extra push to the rise in global surface temperatures. The finding, published in the March 16 issue of Science, may lead to an improved understanding of recent climate change. In a related study published last week, scientists found that the opposing forces of global warming and the cooling from aerosol-induced "global dimming" can occur at the same time.

GLOBAL WARMING CHANGES WEDDING TRENDS
Toronto, Ontario– With the temperatures and humidity rising, and many instances of unpredictable weather, brides shopping for a wedding gown this year take global warming into account. “Brides tend to purchase two gowns, made from natural fabrics, and more opt to have a destination wedding,” says industry expert and designer, Nina Duong, of Nina Duong Haute Couture.
Without a doubt, global warming is a hot topic that affects us all, even couples getting married factor global warming into their wedding planning. It’s a less talked about trend, but it’s an important one to consider when planning one of the most important day of life. “One of the most common concerns we hear from brides is that they need to plan for the hot and humid weather, and the impact it may have on their special day,” says Nina.