March 31, 2006
Hot spot
Image source: BBC news
Today's print media is full of news about the publication in today's Science magazine which reveals that the air over the Antarctic is warming much faster than previously thought. This is the third study inside a month to make this assertion. I do wish these scientists would leave us in peace. A special issue devoted to the topic last week, and now more scare-mongering. It's only a few degrees warmer in the space of 30 years ... what's that between friends?
March 29, 2006
It's getting hot in here
The Earth Policy Institute maintains 12 Eco-Economy Indicators to measure progress in building an eco-economy. One such indicator is the earth's temperature. Here is the latest update:
2005 HOTTEST YEAR ON RECORD
Joseph Florence
The year 2005 was the hottest on record. The average global surface temperature of 14.77 degrees Celsius (58.6 degrees Fahrenheit) was the highest since recordkeeping began in 1880. January, April, September, and October of 2005 were the hottest of those months on record, while March, June, and November were the second warmest ever. In fact, the six hottest years on record have all occurred in the last eight years.
March 20, 2006
Guangzhou Seasonal Affective Disorder
I travelled to Guangzhou in Southern China last week for a few days on business. The air pollution was pretty appalling. The picture above is taken from my hotel window. On my travels, this part of the world is easily the worst for air quality. Aside from the rasping sensation one gets in the respiratory system, it's pretty depressing not seeing the sun all day. It is quite common to read about the Brits complaining about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). I wouldn't be at all surprised if people in Southern China are similarly afflicted.