Antarctic CO2 Hit 400 PPM For First Time in 4 Million Years | Climate Central

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By Brian Kahn.–“We’re officially living in a new world.

“Carbon dioxide has been steadily rising since the start of the Industrial Revolution, setting a new high year after year. There’s a notable new entry to the record books. The last station on Earth without a 400 parts per million (ppm) reading has reached it.

“A little 400 ppm history. Three years ago, the world’s gold standard carbon dioxide observatory passed the symbolic threshold of 400 ppm. Other observing stations have steadily reached that threshold as carbon dioxide spreads across the planet’s atmosphere at various points since then. Collectively, the world passed the threshold for a month last year.

“In the remote reaches of Antarctica, the South Pole Observatory carbon dioxide observing station cleared 400 ppm on May 23, according to an announcement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Wednesday. That’s the first time it’s passed that level in 4 million years (no, that’s not a typo).  Continue reading:  Antarctic CO2 Hit 400 PPM For First Time in 4 Million Years | Climate Central

The animation showing how carbon dioxide moves around the planet is worth watching:  NASA/YouTube

 

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How much CO2 will melting permafrost release? | Summit County Citizens Voice

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Bob Berwyn.–“New study shows soil moisture is a big factor in global warming equation.

“Methane won’t be the only problem as Arctic permafrost thaws in the coming decades. A new study shows that, as frozen permafrost areas warm and dry out, they will also release more CO2. The study was led by Northern Arizona University assistant research professor Christina Schädel and published in the journal Nature Climate Change.

“The findings show that a 10 degree Celsius increase in soil temperature released twice as much carbon into the atmosphere, and drier, aerobic soil conditions released more than three times more carbon than wetter, anaerobic soil conditions.

“Our results show that increasing temperatures have a large effect on carbon release from permafrost but that changes in soil moisture conditions have an even greater effect,” said Schädel. “We conclude that the permafrost carbon feedback will be stronger when a larger percentage of the permafrost zone undergoes thaw in a dry and oxygen-rich environment.”

“The study was part of an ongoing effort to quantify greenhouse gas releases from thawing permafrost, a critical part of the global warming equation because so much carbon is currently locked up in frozen organic soils in the Arctic. Much of the data came from the international Permafrost Carbon Network that Schädel co-leads with Northern Arizona University professor of ecosystem ecology, Ted Schuur.”  Continue reading:  How much CO2 will melting permafrost release? | Summit County Citizens Voice

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Chile’s Salmon Industry Using Record Levels of Antibiotics to Combat Bacterial Outbreak

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GR.–The first superbug resistant to all our antibiotics was reported last month.  I haven’t heard if the thing has begun to spread.  Just as pesticide resistant weeds and insects require steady increases in pesticide applications, so antibiotic resistance requires more and more investment in antibiotic research.  Now, we are behind on antibiotic development.

The antibiotic issue is just one of the growing problems with the large factory farms needed to feed our growing population.  As with the “leave it in the ground” call for fossil fuels, we need a “leave it in the pants” call for population control.

Lorraine Chow.–“The Chilean salmon industry’s rampant use of antibiotics is once again under the microscope after a new report revealed that salmon producers are using record levels of the drugs to treat stocks suffering from salmonid rickettsial septicemia (SRS).

“Following a Chile Appeals Court order, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca) revealed that the country’s salmon producers used 557 tonnes of antibiotics in 2015, with consumption rate per tonne of salmon reaching its highest point in the last nine years at 660 grams per tonne. The previous high was 640 grams per tonne in 2007. Usage was as low as 310 grams per tonne in 2010, Undercurrent News noted. The newest figures were compiled from 46 companies that operate in both freshwater and sea water.

“SRS, or piscirickettsiosis, causes lesions, hemorrhaging and swollen kidneys and spleens in the salmon, and can ultimately lead to death. Chilean farmers have used ever-increasing amounts of antibiotics to try and keep their stocks healthy.

“However, concerns over drug-resistant superbugs are driving away American consumers and retailers who seek antibiotic-free products. Last year, Costco spurned the South American country’s farmed salmon, opting instead for farmed salmon from Norway, whose farmers use far less antibiotics.”  Continue reading:  Chile’s Salmon Industry Using Record Levels of Antibiotics to Combat Bacterial Outbreak

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The Dalai Lama Offers Wisdom on Migration

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Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama is the most popular world leader, according to a Harris poll, with a 78 percent favorable opinion.

GR.–In the narrow context of the migration problem, the Dalai Lama doesn’t mention the need for climate and population control.  If global warming-caused drought continues in the Middle East, migrants cannot return, for there, Earth’s carrying capacity can no longer feed them.  The situation should send a tingle of fear up our spine as it is the harbinger of the collapse of the current human civilization and close of the Anthropocene.

By John Vinson.–“In a world where genuine moral wisdom is rare, the recent words of the Dalai Lama on migration are refreshing indeed. The spiritual leader of Tibet began by affirming the importance of compassion. “When we look at the face of each refugee,” he said, “we feel their suffering, and a human being who has a better situation in life has the responsibility to help them.” But then he thoughtfully added that other considerations must balance compassion to uphold the greatest moral good.

“Specifically, the Buddhist monk warned that the numbers of migrants moving into Europe are too many for the charity of European countries to sustain, and that those countries have the right to preserve themselves. He observed that “[T]here are too many [migrants] at the moment… Europe, Germany in particular, cannot become an Arab country. Germany is Germany.” He went on to say “[F]rom a moral point of view too, I think that the refugees should only to be admitted temporarily. The goal should be that they return and help rebuild their countries.”  Continue reading:  The Dalai Lama Offers Wisdom on Migration | Californians For Population Stabilization

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Citizen Science Volunteers find Wolverines

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Citizen science wildlife monitoring project finds continued evidence of wolverines in Bitterroot National Forest.

Kylie Paul.–This spring, we wrapped up another exciting field season for our Wolverine Watchers! This data collection program, in partnership with the Bitterroot National Forest, set up monitoring stations for medium-sized carnivores of the Northern Rockies. We were particularly looking for wolverines and fishers, and hoped to also find Canada lynx.

Well, what a year! With more than 140 volunteers tallying well over 2,000 volunteer hours, we gathered more than 12,000 photos of wildlife in the mountains and creek bottoms of the Bitterroot National Forest, south of Missoula. We found 20 different species, including some of the ones we were most eager to see! We found black bear, bobcat, a variety of bird species, deer mouse, flying squirrel, marten, moose, mountain lion, red fox, red squirrel, snowshoe hare, western striped skunk, wolf and wolverine. Here are some great shots from the remote cameras:

Also, one of our volunteers is a photographer, so he set up a fancy camera set that has a trigger and flash system near one of our monitoring stations and got an AMAZING photo of one of our favorite individual wolverines!  Continue reading:  Citizen Science Volunteers find Wolverines

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Al Gore’s Revenge — Internal Combustion Engines Stink and This Ridiculously Powerful Electric Turbine Truck Proves It | robertscribbler

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As of yesterday, Nikola Motors announced the performance specs and preorders for its new hybrid electric long-haul truck. It’s a ridiculously awesome design — one that boasts across the board superior performance when compared to internal combustion engine based trucks that are currently available. The company producing this amazing feat of electrical hybrid vehicle engineering calls its new vehicle the Nikola One. But we’re going to have some fun at the expense of climate change deniers and electric vehicle detractors both here and call this thing Al Gore’s Revenge.

If there’s ever been a name that climate change deniers tried to turn into a nasty joke, it’s Al Gore. Back in the late 1990s, Al Gore displayed amazing foresight and did the prescient, responsible thing by working to incentivize a transition to electrical vehicles. He rightfully attacked internal combustion engines for the inefficient, wasteful and fossil-fuel dependent beasts that they were. Calling them infernal internals, he was probably the first person of political standing to make the apt link, in reference, between climate change and hell on Earth.

For his good deeds and for his speaking truth to the political and economic powers of the day, Gore was largely demonized in the fossil fuels industry supported republican media. Pretty much anyone who defended Al Gore was attacked. And, for a while, despite a glaringly huge and growing scientific consensus, climate change deniers pretended that the notion of human caused climate change itself was the sole mental invention of this sensitive and thoughtful man.

Now, though, the joke is on the climate change deniers and on the fossil fuel industries, like Peabody Coal, who paid to support their demonization of climate leaders. For now even the fossil fuel haven that was long haul trucking is starting to fall due to the superior physical performance potentials of electric engines.  Continue reading:  Al Gore’s Revenge — Internal Combustion Engines Stink and This Ridiculously Powerful Electric Turbine Truck Proves It | robertscribbler

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U. S. Map | The Oil and Gas Threat Map

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GR:  We already know that we must leave the oil and gas in the ground if our civilization is to survive global warming.  Toxicity threats to humans and wildlife gives us another reason.

Interactive map shows the millions of homes, schools and hospitals threatened by oil & gas air pollution. Find out if you’re one. See why we need to cut methane pollution.  Try the map:  Map | The Oil & Gas Threat Map

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Monster African Thunderstorm Hurls Enormous Haboob at Europe, 100 + Degree (F) Heat to Follow | robertscribbler

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GR:  Humans cause desertification directly as livestock grazing, farming, and logging remove plants and expose soil to erosion.  They also cause desertification indirectly by burning fossil fuel, increasing global temperature, and increasing droughts and storms.  Of course, there are also the disturbing impacts of our toxic wastes and our footprints on the land.  And there’s more.  Folks, I think we’ve covered all the bases.

(Monster thunderstorm explodes over Northwestern Africa last night, hurling a huge dust storm or Haboob northward toward Europe. Image source: The Met Office.)

Robertscribbler.–“An expansion of the Sahara Desert northward into Europe. A scenario that has long been a concern raised by scientists modeling potential extreme weather and climate scenarios related to human-caused climate change. And this week, it appears that Southern and Eastern Europe are going to get a taste of Sahara Desert-type weather conditions. It’s just unfolding a bit more dramatically than scientists at first anticipated.

“Last night, a massive thunderstorm large enough to cover the England, Scotland and Ireland combined blew up over western Africa. The storm, larger than most hurricanes, drew in strong, hot winds from North Africa and the Sahara Desert. These winds bore upon them a great load of dust. Dust which the strong outflow of the storm then turned northward along a frontal boundary draped across the Mediterranean toward Europe.”  Continue reading:  Monster African Thunderstorm Hurls Enormous Haboob at Europe, 100 + Degree (F) Heat to Follow | robertscribbler

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Petition: U. S. Congress, Fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund – Permanently!

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The Land and Water Conservation Fund is one our nation’s most important conservation programs, protecting natural resources and providing recreation areas for all Americans. Since 1965, the LWCF has been one of the most effective conservation programs and has dramatically expanded the choice of close-to-home places for Americans to get outside and enjoy the outdoors. And it costs nothing to taxpayers, since it is funded by oil and gas revenue.

The LWCF expired for the first time in its 50 year history in September when the Congress failed to act in time to renew this vital initiative.

The Senate has approved permanent reauthorization, but now the bill faces opposition in the House of Representatives.We want Congress to permanently reauthorize this program at its full annual funding limit of $900 million a year.

Unfortunately, not all of our elected leaders feel as you and I do about conserving land, and we must pressure them to do the right thing. Take action today and send a message to your congressional representative, urging action to permanently and fully fund the LWCF.  Sign:  petition: Congress: Fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund – Permanently!

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