Five things climate scientists disagree about

“Climate science isn’t settled” is a favourite call and a favourite excuse for inaction on global warming. It’s therefore worth noting that a vast majority of real climate scientists agree on the existence, causes, and approximate magnitude of man-made climate change. Not every aspect of climate science is completely resolved however, and here are five questions that are guaranteed to get the experts going.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11559213

Scientists just pointed out how the Earth itself could undermine a Paris climate agreement

With only days left, tensions are rising as countries race to resolve outstanding differences and forge an agreement that - hopefully - will set the planet on a path to avoiding the worst consequences of climate change.

The goal is an agreement that would set the world on a path to limit warming to below 2 degrees Celsius, or perhaps even 1.5 degrees Celsius, above pre-industrial levels. But at a news conference here at the Le Bourget conference centre, scientists pointed out a factor that could make hitting these targets quite a lot harder.

It's called permafrost.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11559222

Optimism for climate accord

Optimism is growing in Paris over reaching a landmark agreement to spare future generations the worst effects of climate change.

A draft text is in place and negotiators from close to 200 nations have cranked up the pace in the second and final week of COP21 amid hopes the world could have a new deal by the weekend.

The agreement would set out the commitments of countries to cut back emissions beyond the start of the next decade.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/climate-change/news/article.cfm?c_id=26&objectid=11557919

Reindeer in front line of climate change

Above the Arctic Circle, reindeer have returned from the coast to inland grazing areas as they eke out an existence through the thick snow, as they have for thousands of years.

In Norway, between 400 to 500 indigenous Sami families own 180,000 reindeer which can roam largely unfenced to Finland, Sweden and western Russia.

But the reindeer herders of Noway are worried about climate change.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/environment/news/article.cfm?c_id=39&objectid=11556835

The Amazing Comeback of U.S. Fisheries, and What It Means for Sustainable Seafood

 

At last some positive news on the fisheries front in USA. Let's hope this practice can be followed by other countries for both fisheries and climate change!

http://www.care2.com/causes/the-amazing-comeback-of-u-s-fisheries-and-what-it-means-for-sustainable-seafood.html

Will global warming deprive us of oxygen?

Global warming has triggered an array of apocalyptic scenarios for future generations, from worsening drought, storms and floods to melted icesheets and rising seas.

Now a new study, published on Tuesday and coinciding with the UN climate talks in Paris, adds to the grim tableau: the risk that warming at the far end of the scale could rob our planet of oxygen.

"We have identified another possible consequence of ... global warming that can potentially be more dangerous than all others," say a pair of scientists from Britain's University of Leicester.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/environment/news/article.cfm?c_id=39&objectid=11554812

Tens of billions promised for clean energy tech development

Government and business leaders plan to spend tens of billions of dollars in the next five years to develop clean energy technology in efforts to fight global warming, an official and a former official have told The Associated Press.

The initiative, which will be announced at the opening of the UN climate summit, involves Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates, President Barack Obama and French President Francois Hollande, according to a French official and a former US official who weren't authorized to talk on the record.

France, the US, India, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Canada and Norway have already decided to participate in the "ambitious" project that will aim at developing clean energies, the French official said.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/environment/news/article.cfm?c_id=39&objectid=11553201