Future climate
change to be more rapid
As sulphur dioxide levels fall off, the change in climate due to greenhouse gases will
become more rapid, according to a study by a group of scientists at the world renowned
Hadley Centre for Climate Change, in the UK. The study has used a model that includes both
interactive carbon and sulphur cycles, along with natural forcings due to solar changes
and volcanic aerosol. Previous research has not included the additional forcings –
which the researchers say, have a significant impact on the carbon cycle – and
consequently
overestimated the level of carbon dioxide in the twentieth century by as much as 50%. |
| Edie (Internet), UK, May 23, 2003 |
|
28 killed as
tornadoes strike US Midwest
A series of tornadoes and high winds pummelled the midwest, killing an estimated 28 people
in three states as storms left a swath of destruction a quarter-mile wide in some places.
In Missouri, Lawrence county sheriff Doug Seneker estimated a dozen people were killed
when a tornado careened through the southwest part of the state. Kansas governor Kathleen
Sebelius declared seven counties disaster areas, and Missouri governor Bob Holden said the
process was under way to declare disaster areas in his state. |
| The Asian Age, New Delhi, May 06, 2003, Page No. 6 |
|
Climate
change may make a few variety of vegetation extinct
The pattern of some of the vegetation may change by the year 2050 if the temperatures
continue to rise at the current rate. The different models suggest an increase of 2-4
Centrigrade temperature rise in the next 50 years. |
| The Kathmandu Post,
Kathmandu, April 04, 2003, Page No. 12 |
|
Siraj calls for
steps to mitigate climate change
Bangladesh Environment and Forest Minister Shajahan Siraj emphasized the need for taking
global mitigation measures to face the climate change and said agrarian least developed
countries like Bangladesh would be the worst hit because of global warming and sea-level
rises. |
| The Bangladesh Observer, Dhaka, March 10,
2003, Page No. 3 |
|
U.S. officials
announce international forum to address climate change
U.S. officials have announced a public-private effort to construct a prototype electric
and hydrogen production plant and the formation of a new international forum to advance
carbon capture and storage technologies as ways to reduce the world's heat-trapping
greenhouse gas emissions. |
| USIS Backgrounder,
New Delhi, March 03, 2003 |
|
Investors insist
companies prepare for climate change
Climate change is recognised as a serious business threat by 80% the world's 500 largest
companies. However less than half of these have taken preventative action according to a
survey conducted by shareholders. The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) was set up to
provide information to investors and funders. An acknowledged 'knowledge deficit'
concerning the financial impact of climate change, left shareholders unable to demand
company action in this area. CDP surveyed big businesses to make up the shortfall in
information. |
| Edie (Internet), UK, February 21, 2003 |
|
UK`s Blair
demands new push on climate change:
British Prime Minister Tony Blair urged the United States and other rich nations this
week to do more to tackle global poverty and environmental damage or risk a permanent
split with the developing world. In a speech to highlight new green energy pledges by his
government, Blair said a stronger commitment by rich nations on climate change could help
convince poorer countries of its desire to act justly over crises like Iraq, the broader
Middle East peace process and the threat posed by terror
organisations. |
| Planet Ark (Internet), Australia, February 26, 2003 |
|
Carbon
dioxide won the elections:
Future generations may look back on the victory of President George W. Bush in the 2002
congressional elections and see a casualty other than the Democrats. In the world beyond
2050 - our children's easily be a paramount concern. The republican triumph could doom for
another protracted period efforts to forge a responsible U.S. policy on global climate
change. |
| International Herald
Tribune, Bangkok, January 16, 2003, Page No. 6 |
|
EU emissions
trading scheme could spell end to UK scheme:
The EU emissions trading scheme, due to come into effect in 2005, pending European
Parliament approval, could result in an end to the UK emissions trading scheme and major
changes to the Climate Change Levy, say researchers at the University of Sussex. "The
EU Directive has driven a coach and horses through UK climate policy and has turned the
UK's early start in emissions trading into a false start," said the reports author,
Steve Sorrell of Science and Technology Policy Research (SPRU) at Sussex University. He
also stated that the full implications of the discrepancy have not yet been appreciated by
government and industry. |
| Edie (Internet), UK, January
10, 2003 |
|
El Niño in
mature stage; effects should linger through end of spring:
Storms batter California. Snow piles up in the Northeast. Dry weather persists in the Ohio
Valley. Blame El Niño, the periodic Pacific weather phenomenon that has been disrupting
weather worldwide. U.S. forecasters predicted that it will continue through spring before
easing back toward more normal conditions. The El Niño phenomenon has reached its mature
stage, the National Weather Service said in its monthly update. |
| USA Today (Internet), US,
January 09, 2003 |
|
