Environment

Arctic sea ice loss and fierce storms leave Kivalina fighting to protect its island from the sea – ‘we just can’t adapt this fast’

By P. Joshua Griffin, University of Washington | – As winds and waves from Typhoon Merbok devastated communities along the coast of Western Alaska in 2022, Reppi Swan Sr.’s phone began to ring at Kivalina, a barrier island 80 miles above the Arctic Circle. A neighboring family had lost 3 feet of land to the […]

Climate Crisis

Rapid Heating of Oceans Frightens Scientists: Threatens Marine Life, Coastal Areas

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – The oceans are hot. They are hot in a way that surprises and distresses climate scientists, Everyone knew they would heat up because of the climate emergency. But no one thought it would happen this fast and with this intensity. Moreover, some of the side effects we are seeing, like […]

Climate Crisis

On Earth Day, 69% of Americans want Carbon Neutrality, with Minorities and Youth in the Vanguard

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – On Earth Day, 2023, big public events were held by activists across the US (and across the world). But activists you always have with you. I joined in picking up garbage along the road that led to our high school on April 22, 1970, the first earth day. The world […]

Climate Crisis

Climate Change makes ‘Florida Rain-bombs’ more Common, as DeSantis would Know if he had bothered to Visit Ft Lauderdale

Florida Phoenix

Craig Pittman ( Florida Phoenix)- If you live in Florida, you never suffer from an irony deficiency. Case in point: Flood managers from across the nation gathered in South Florida last week for a conference — only to run into the region’s worst flooding in yeeeeeeeeears. (Hey, do you think we can get the […]

Climate Crisis

Glaciers in Swiss Alps lost 6% of Mass last Year, as Climate Emergency brings brutal Heat Waves

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – The UN’s World Meteorological Organization has issued its annual report. As you will have guessed, things don’t look good. There were 117 heat waves in 2022 and 58 droughts globally. But there were also 61 wet spells and 63 floods. We are rushing toward weather extremes. Global heating has driven […]

Antarctica

Antarctica’s Heart of Ice has skipped a Beat. The only Medicine is Halting Fossil Fuels

The Conversation

By Edward Doddridge, University of Tasmania | – (The Conversation) – The rhythmic expansion and contraction of Antarctic sea ice is like a heartbeat. But lately, there’s been a skip in the beat. During each of the last two summers, the ice around Antarctica has retreated farther than ever before. And just as a change […]

Ecology

Ecospirituality: Spiritual connection with Nature transcends Politics, Religion

contributors

University of British Columbia News Have you ever felt awestruck by a towering evergreen, waves crashing against rocks, or the vastness of a desert canyon? You’re not alone. Across time and cultures, humans have felt a spiritual connection with nature. New UBC research gives this connection a name—ecospirituality—and reveals it could help reduce polarization on […]

Batteries

Chinese-made EVs are Conquering the world’s largest Auto Market, as BEV sales Soared 87% in ’22

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – EV sales have taken off in China, the world’s largest auto market, according to Reuters. Moreover, Chinese makers of electric vehicles are outshining most of their rivals. BYD’s sales are up a startling 69% this year even though the overall market is a bit sluggish. Tesla sales are up 27%. […]

Climate Crisis

America’s Climate Refugees are Swelling, driven by Rising Seas, Wildfires and Extreme Heat

Sustainability Times

By Laureen Fagan ( Sustainability Times) – News of an accelerating sea level rise along the Gulf Coast of the United States has renewed attention on climate migration, and the degree to which people in the U.S. have begun to retreat from climate challenges due to flooding, wildfire and other impacts. The new study, […]