Paleo-perspectives on ocean acidification - marine ecosystems under threat

Anthropogenic climate change is driving Ocean Acidification threatening marine ecosystems, according to a new scientific paper. "This will create conditions not seen on Earth for at least 40 million years. These changes are taking place at rates as much as 100 times faster than they ever have over the last tens of millions of years" Prof. Hoegh-Guldberg said, "Conditions are likely to become very hostile for calcifying species in the north Atlantic and Pacific over the next decade and in the Southern Ocean over the next few decades," the researchers warn.

Arctic Sea Ice Extent returns to average trend

During March 2010 sea ice extent has continued to grow bucking the trend of a slow reduction in sea ice at this time of year. Sea Ice Extent is just below the 1979-2000 average sea ice extent. This data is still in accord with the long term trend of reduction in arctic sea ice.

One of the indicators of rapid global warming in polar regions is the area covered by winter and summer sea ice - the Sea Ice Extent. Other indicators are average thickness of sea ice and how much is 1st year ice as against older multi-year ice.

According to a report in the UK Telegraph - Arctic ice increased during freezing winter - the usual pattern of winds has changed around the North Pole resulting in more cold air than usual in lower latitudes. This pattern is known as the Arctic Oscillation, which has been in a strong negative phase this northern winter bringing freezing temperatures and snow to lower latitudes - a colder winter for North America, Britain and Europe.

Dr Mark Serreze, Director of the National Snow and Ice Data Centre (NSlDC), said the sea ice continued to grow through March but that other areas of the arctic were warmer than normal. 'What this doesn't show is any indication that global warming is over. If you look at the Arctic as a whole we might get to average amounts of sea ice for the time of year. But the ice is thin and quite vulnerable and it can melt very quickly.' he said.
You can see land surface tempature mapped for December, January and February at the NASA Earth Obervatory Page - Temperature Anomalies, Winter 2009-2010. These maps show clearly the results of the negative phase of the Arctic Oscillation with warmer temperatures in Newfoundland, Greenland, Alaska and eastern Siberia, while lower latitudes are much cooler.

Sources:

• NASA Earth Obervatory Page - Temperature Anomalies, Winter 2009-2010, Mar 25, 2010.


• National Snow and Ice Data Centre (NSlDC) - Arctic Sea Ice News & Analysis

Images:








Takver is a citizen journalist from Melbourne who has been writing on Climate Change issues and protests including Rising Sea Level, Ocean acidification, Environmental and social Impacts since 2004.

Conservationists criticise government over coal ship grounding on Great Barrier Reef

Conservationists have criticised the Queensland State Government and Federal Government for the expansion of LNG and coal for export without acknowledging the environmental harm that will be caused both on land and sea by these industries. Chinese bulk coal carrier the Shen Neng 1 grounded on a reef, is leaking oil and in danger of breakup in a restricted zone about 70km east of Great Keppel Island. It grounded just after 5pm Saturday April 3, 15km from the nearest shipping channel in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, a World Heritage listed area.

Exposing Koch Industries' web of climate denial

A new Greenpeace report uncovers the multimillion dollar funding and intense lobbying against climate science and climate action by Koch Industries, that eclipses the traditional funding for climate deniers from ExxonMobil and other fossil fuel companies.

Greenpeace Reports: Koch Industries: secretly funding the climate denial machine | Dealing in Doubt: A Brief History of Attacks on Climate Science, Climate Scientists and the IPCC

Climate criminals come in many shapes and forms including many corporate executives and politicians who fail to take meaningful action to reduce carbon emissions or other climate mitigation action despite being aware of the climate science.

Video: James Hansen at Sydney University on 'After Copenhagen: Looking for real solutions'

James Hansen visited Australia in March and his lecture at Sydney University is available online. This is an excellent scientific introduction to current climate science, climate change and global warming.

In 2008 James Hansen wrote an open letter to Kevin Rudd calling on the Australian government to halt plans for the mining of coal, the export of coal and the construction of new coal-fired power plants.

Instead there are plans to build 12 new coal fired power stations around Australia, new coal mines are being developed, and coal port facilities in Queensland and New South Wales are being expanded. Twelve new coal fired power stations will increase Australia's total annual greenhouse emissions by approximately 39 Mt CO2-e, or around 7% compared to 2008 emission levels according to Greenpeace. The rhetoric of action on climate change is strongly out of kilter with the scientific reality of the actions required on limiting climate change.

Warning: the lecture goes for 1hour 44mins. The video can also be downloaded (mp4, 289.4 Mb) from the Sydney University lecture page. Enjoy!

UK Parliamentary Enquiry into Climategate exonerates Scientist

Climate Scientist Professor Phil Jones has been exonerated from any wrongdoing by the The UK Parliament Science and Technology Committee report into 'Climategate' - the theft and publication of emails from the University of East Anglia Climate Research Unit. The Charges of withholding data and questionable scientific ethics were found not to be proved according to the enquiry media release published 31 march 2010.

However, the enquiry did criticize the lack of disclosure of raw climate data and called for climate science raw data and detailed methodologies to become more transparent and open.
Phil Willis MP, Committee Chair, said:

"Climate science is a matter of global importance. On the basis of the science, governments across the world will be spending trillions of pounds on climate change mitigation. The quality of the science therefore has to be irreproachable. What this inquiry revealed was that climate scientists need to take steps to make available all the data that support their work and full methodological workings, including their computer codes. Had both been available, many of the problems at CRU could have been avoided."

The University of East Anglia was criticised for the mishandling of Freedom of Information (FoI) requests. "The leaked e-mails appear to show a culture of non-disclosure at CRU and instances where information may have been deleted to avoid disclosure, particularly to climate change sceptics. The failure of the University to grasp fully the potential damage this could do and did was regrettable. The University needs to re-assess how it can support academics whose expertise in FoI requests is limited."

Many in the climate movement or working in climate science won't be surprised at the report findings.
Professor Neville Nicholls from the School of Geography & Environmental Science at Monash University said

"I was unsurprised to hear that the UK House of Commons Science and Technology Committee had determined that the allegations against Professor Phil Jones and his colleagues were baseless. This was exactly what was expected by those of us familiar with Phil's exemplary honesty and integrity.
Nor was I surprised to hear the Committee Chairman saying that the Climatic Research Unit's climate science is 'beyond reproach'. Again, anyone with any knowledge of the science and the scientists involved would have known this to be the case. Perhaps now we can return to discussing the facts of global warming, such as the fact that the last six months (September 2009 - February 2010) have been the hottest September-February yet observed in the satellite data."

Read more about this on retired NZ scientific researcher Ken Perrott's blog - Open Parachute: Climate scientist Phil Jones exonerated

You can read the full parliamentary report: 'The disclosure of climate data from the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia (PDF)'

I wonder if the Universities are being properly funded to handle FoI requests, and the extra web design and programming work to make the data available on the web? We know Koch Industries is bankrolling climate denial front groups to the tune of nearly $50million according to a new report by Greenpeace. Other fossil fuels companies are also still funding groups promoting denial of climate science and climate action.

Brian Walters on Emission permit property rights and the CPRS

The carbon emission targets and the compromises to the fossil fuel industry have been well criticised in the Rudd Government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. But what hasn't been made clear is that the emissions permits granted under the scheme become effective property rights that will make it much more difficult for future Governments to ratchett up the targets or change the scheme when more effective action is required. Brian Walters, a prominent senior legal counsel in Melbourne and past President of Liberty Victoria, outlines the problems in the CPRS, particularly on emission permits as property rights.

Brian is standing as a candidate for the Greens for the seat of Melbourne in the upcoming 2010 state election.

I videoed his speech at a picket of Peter Batchelor, Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources, who was about to attend a $3000 a head Victorian Coal Industry conference. I took the time to transcribe the speech, so you can Read or watch:

Brian Walters on the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS)

It's great to have you all here, and I say all because it is great to have our numbers augmented with the Victoria police who brought along the equine support - thanks for coming - it's great to have you here and no doubt supporting our cause.

The CPRS. Some people say that the Greens are hypocritical for not supporting the CPRS. They say, "well look, this scheme is a step in the right direction, it's better than nothing! We ought to at least support that!"

The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, or the Continued Polluting Regardless Scheme, is worse than nothing at all and it will not be supported by the Greens at any time. Not in this form.

First thing we have to say about the scheme is, and we all know, the targets. They are scandalous! And that is because they have been set by polluters, not by scientists. We are going to pay out as Jesmine said about $24billion at least to big carbon as part of this scheme. $24billion. That means its the first source of revenue in history in Australia which will run at a loss.

And what are we getting from all this money we are paying out to big carbon? Well, according to Treasury modelling, nothing! There won't be any reducton in carbon pollution in Australia. What we will get will be brought in and imported from overseas, and that won't be much anyway.

We are giving major concessions to coal. For the first five years they will be given concessions of course which will give them a windfall in profits and encourages the use of coal. The energy intensive trade exposed industries will get far more: they get 25% free permits - this is industries like aluminium smelting - 25% free permits going up to 45% in 2020. In other words, we are actually encouraging the expansion of major carbon pollution by this scheme.

[Crowd interjection: Corporate Welfare!]

The exact opposite of what we want to achieve.

One of the things about this scheme which I'm not sure has had much coverage, but in my view is the worst part of the scheme, is that it makes it impossible for future Governments to ratchett up the targets. That's because under a section of the legislation the carbon pollution permits, won't just be permits, they will be property rights.

You've all seen 'The Castle' and you know the Government of Australia under the constitution can't acquire property except on just terms. So you give this property right to carbon polluters - it's a social evil - give them the right to do this evil thing and make it a property right and it means that future governments down the track can't acquire those property rights or diminish those property rights except on just terms.

Now that is scandalous. And it is not what was proposed by Garnault or by anybody. We are left with a scheme that will make things worse, and it will not be supported by the Greens.

They are digging a hole, they are digging it deeper, they won't stop digging, and they can't get out of it.

They want to take us down into the graveyard caused by their coal mines, and they are happy about that so long as they can clutch onto their riches on the way down.

The climate crisis is the great moral challenge of our age Kevin Rudd, just up the road today. It is. And we need some leadership to confront it. And leadership is not doing no more and no less than other countries are doing, and in fact we are doing less. The solutions are available and they are inspiring. We owe it to our children and to the planet to adopt those solutions.

Thankyou



Takver is a citizen journalist from Melbourne who has been writing on Climate Change issues and protests including Rising Sea Level, Ocean acidification, Environmental and social Impacts since 2004. I am not a member of the Greens or any political party.

Chris Breen on Government Greenwash, Hypocrisy and the Mildura Solar Power Plant

Chris Breen has been active in the Save Solar Systems Campaign. As a person working in the renewable energy sector, he has first hand experience of the lies and double standards our politicians have accorded between the subsidies and support to the fossil fuel industry as against the limited support for the renewable sector. Greenwashing.

I videoed his speech at a picket of Peter Batchelor, Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources, who was about to attend a $3000 a head Victorian Coal Industry conference. I took the time to transcribe the speech, so you can Read or watch:

Speech

On the one hand the Rudd and Brumby Government say that climate change is one of the most serious problems humanity has ever faced and that they are acting. On the other hand the reason we are here today is what they are actually doing is that they are sending Peter Batchelor to a $3000 day a head coal conference on how Victoria can keep burning coal to Kingdom Come.

And I think Damien Lawson was right when he said there is a simple test. They tell some very complicated lies around carbon trading. But there are simple tests about are they acting or not. The simple test is are we getting large scale renewable energy, are we getting the Mildura Solar power plant, or are indeed are we getting new coal, the new HRL coal power plant.

Unfortunately the answer is the wrong way around at the moment and that is what we are trying to change.
If carbon trading came in tomorrow, if we had any sort of carbon pricing, carbon tax, it's not going to build the Mildura Solar Power Plant, and it's not going to stop the HRL power plant. The climate movement needs to be demanding these very practical things about what the Government should do.

When it comes to the Mildura Solar Power Plant it really is part of the smoke and mirrors that the Government is acting on climate change. Brumby has been saying that they are committed to this project for three years, and yet we still don't have a construction date. The Victorian Government put out a media release recently saying that the money is on the table; they want this project to go ahead but the company Solar Systems who were going to build it has been sold to, are saying it may go ahead in 2011 which is conveniently after the next two - state and federal - elections. There is no date for construction.

And the other key thing is that Solar Systems who were going to build it had 150 employees. After the sale, Silex, who it has been sold to, has 14 employees. How are you going to build a solar power plant with 14 employees, let alone continue the research and development programs to commercialise the technology. This was going to be 1000 jobs in construction in Mildura, this was going to power all of Mildura by the sun, and yet it is not going ahead.

I would love Batchelor and Brumby to prove I'm wrong and start construction but it seems that is not happening. What we are getting instead is the coal conference. If you look at the agenda of the coal conference is very much the same sort of thing: on the one hand they are talking about low emissions coal technology, clean coal - it's entirely fantasy - it's about coming up with the lies they are going to need to keep burning coal for as long as possible.

Clean coal is simply not going to work, not going to work at scale. You would have more chance at turning a cigarette into a safe cigarette by adding uranium to it than clean coal going to work.

You don't need to go to a Future of Coal Conference at $3000 a head to understand what the future of coal is. The future of coal is death. If we don't stop burning coal and build renewable energy, we will pass climate tipping points, we will see the deaths of hundreds of millions of people, we will see agricultural collapse, we will see war, we will see starvation, we will see disease, we will see hundreds and hundreds of millions of refugees.

So what Peter Batchelor is choosing is obscene. There is a choice. You can choose the future of coal or the future of the planet. And it is obscene we have Government ministers going to this. Imagine if Peter Batchelor was at a conference on the future of tobacco? the future of Asbestos? But this is what we are getting again and again.

I think that climate change has made renewable energy an essential service. Like Government built schools and hospitals, it needs to start building renewable energy. These things should be part of the social wage. There are more jobs in renewable energy than there are in new coal, the HRL thing is only going to have 35 jobs if it gets up and running. There was going to be a 1000 jobs in the construction of the Mildura Power plant.

The Government should employ people like it employs nurses and teachers to start to transform our economy. People tell you that Governments don't do things directly anymore, but they do. The same week that Solar Systems was sold the Brumby Government gave $363million to build a new roof for the tennis centre directly. That is about the cost of the Mildura Solar power plant.

Nothing against tennis, but what's more important? That we have a planet on which to play tennis or that we have a roof on the tennis centre?

The Government is spending $40billion on the national broadband network directly. They are spending $36billion on new submarines. To put that in context: $36billion you divide that up by $50,000 each, you could employ 700,000 people for that money to begin to transform our economy.

The very last thing I will say is this. I think it was fantastic we had the firefighters union here today. If we are going to force our government to start to do what is necessary to stop climate change, we are going to need a power, which is an alternative power, to the power of the corporations which are currently running the show.

I think that power is in the union movement. I think we need union leaders, not just in the firefighters but in every union, we need union members saying again and again and again give us the jobs that will save the world.

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You can see images from the Peter Batchelor picket at my Flickr Peter Batchelor Climate Picket Set. Some of the speeches I have transcribed.

Climate activists picket Peter Batchelor calling for climate jobs not new coal

Climate activists held a picket outside the ministerial offices of Peter Batchelor, Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources, at 1 Spring Street, highlighting his attendance at a $3000 a head Victorian Coal and Energy Conference meeting at Taralgon in the La Trobe Valley and the Brumby Government's continued in-action on climate change and support for the coal and fossil fuel industry at the expense of developing the renewable energy industry. See Photos and speech transcripts

Related: Protest to meet brown coal Industry heavyweights in Latrobe Valley | Coal power up: Victoria fails to diversify electricty generation | Climate activists Disrupt Coal Conference

Youtube Videos of speakers: Brian Walters, Chris Breen, Damien Lawson, Madeline Hudson, Peter Marshal

Bayswater carbon pollution under legal challenge by NSW climate activists

Two members of Newcastle climate protest group Rising Tide are challenging in the NSW Land and Environment Court the amount of carbon pollution emissions allowed by the coal fired Bayswater Power Station owned by Macquarie Generation. Macquarie Generation produces 12 to 15 million tonnes of carbon dioxide pollution every year.

Rising Tide members Peter Gray and Naomi Hodgson launched the action against the Bayswater Power Station in July 2009.