Climate Change Attorney Blog

The Geological Society of America issued a revised position statement on climate change noting the need to address the significant contribution of GHGs to global warming. The statement states that its purpose is to: “(1) summarizes the strengthened basis for the conclusion that humans are a major factor responsible for recent global warming; (2) describes the large effects on humans and ecosystems if greenhouse‐gas concentrations and global climate reach projected levels; and (3) provides information for policy decisions guiding mitigation and adaptation strategies designed to address the future impacts of anthropogenic warming.”

The projections contained in the statement present a sobering picture of the future if action is not taken. “If greenhouse‐gas emissions follow the current trajectory, by 2100 atmospheric CO2 concentrations will reach two to four times pre‐industrial levels, for a total warming of less than 2 C to more than 5 C compared to 1850. This range of changes in greenhouse gas concentrations and temperature would substantially alter the functioning of the planet in many ways. The projected changes involve risk to humans and other species: (1) continued shrinking of Arctic sea ice with effects on native cultures and ice‐dependent biota; (2) less snow accumulation and earlier melt in mountains, with reductions in spring and summer runoff for agricultural and municipal water; (3) disappearance of mountain glaciers and their late summer runoff; (4) increased evaporation from farmland soils and stress on crops; (5) greater soil erosion due to increases in heavy convective summer rainfall; (6) longer fire seasons and increases in fire frequency; (7) severe insect outbreaks in vulnerable forests; (8) acidification of the global ocean; and (9) fundamental changes in the composition, functioning, and biodiversity of many terrestrial and marine ecosystems. In addition, melting of Greenland and West Antarctic ice (still highly uncertain as to amount), along with thermal expansion of seawater and melting of mountain glaciers and small ice caps, will cause substantial future sea‐level rise along densely populated coastal regions, inundating farmland and dislocating large populations.”

-Steven Silverberg

In a report released this week, it was noted that climate change is resulting in the disappearance of glaciers in Glacier National Park. Included in the information released is a profile from the U.S. Geological Survey, which concluded that 12 of the 37 named glaciers in the Park are now so small they are no longer considered glaciers.

The release concludes:

“the last decade in Glacier National Park saw exactly double the temperature increase for the planet as a whole. The effects of this warming threaten Glacier National Park’s resources, from glaciers and snow-capped mountains to wildlife and forests, as well as the Montana jobs and tourism revenue the park generates.”

The Department of Energy announced a joint program called “Decadal and Regional Climate Prediction Using Earth System Models (EaSM)” to model and make more localized predictions of climate change.

In a statement released by the DOE it was noted:

“EaSM is distinguished by its promise for generating: 1) predictions of climate change and associated impacts at more localized scales and over shorter time periods than previously possible; and 2) innovative interdisciplinary approaches to address the interdisciplinary sources and impacts of climate change. These interdisciplinary approaches will draw on biologists, chemists, computer scientists, geoscientists, materials scientists, mathematicians, physicists, computer specialists, and social scientists….

The World Wildlife Fund reported the results of a study this week which “makes specific recommendations for incorporating protected areas into overall strategies to reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses from deforestation and degradation (nicknamed REDD).” The study noted the significant CO2 storage within areas that have been protected from deforestation.

-Steven Silverberg

A study released by the Journal Science this week reports that increases in the melting of permafrost in the East Siberian Arctic Shelf have the potential to significantly increase the venting of methane into the atmosphere. A summary of the report notes the potential of the release of methane from this area to contribute to global warming.

In a report issued this month by NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, which looked at 13 economic sectors, the report concluded that motor vehicles contributed the most to atmospheric warming. In a departure from previous studies which focus on the impacts of individual chemicals, this study looked at where modifications to individual economic sectors may have the greatest impact on slowing or reducing climate change.

A press release issued by NASA notes that the study describes a complex interaction among chemical pollutants which variously have both warming and cooling effects. Thus, in addition to motor vehicles, the burning of household biofuels and raising livestock contribute the most to warming. Yet, the industrial sector releases aerosols into the atmosphere which have a cooling effect. But in discussing the impacts of motor vehicle emissions, the leader of the study Nadine Unger concludes:

“Targeting on-road transportation is a win-win-win, It’s good for the climate in the short term and long term, and it’s good for our health.”

The EPA announced $17 million in grants to study the impacts of climate change. The grants announced today cover the relationship of climate change to four specific areas: (1) allergies; (2) air quality; (3) water resources and (4) carbon sequestration.

This week the U.S. government established a new Website to address climate issues. The site called NOAA Climate Services contains substantial information on climate change, GHGs, carbon dioxxide, sea level changes and related matters.