Explore Our Planet

Do you think global warming is an environmental problem that is causing a serious impact now, or do you think global warming isn’t having a serious impact?

Hmm, in which category you’d look for Hillary “I’m in” Rodham Clinton?

Source: TNS / Washington Post / ABC News
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 American adults, conducted from Jan. 16 to Jan. 19, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

More: Pollingreport.com - Environment

The International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) analyzes, documents and promotes market-based trading systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

‘ETA’s 2006 Greenhouse Gas Market Report - Moving to Action’ breaks down the flexible instruments implemented under the Kyoto protocol: the Clean Development Mechanism, Joint Implementation and emissions trading.

“…the reality of carbon markets is an increasingly potent factor as various regions try to devise their own approach and architecture to the management of carbon, off sets and emissions reduction.”

Solar-B is an international mission to study our nearest star, the sun. To accomplish this, the Solar-B mission includes a suite of three science instruments — the Solar Optical Telescope, X-ray Telescope and Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer.

The satellite’s polar orbit will allow its instruments to stay in continuous contact with the Sun for nine months of the year. SOLAR-B will operate for at least three years. Hinode’s operations center is located at JAXA’s facility in Sagamihara, Japan. (more…)

Though Kyrill was not an extrem storm its footprint is impressive. The storm struck Europe with hurricane-force winds over the course of two days, causing significant flight, rail, ferry and power disruptions, flooding, and building damage over a large part of Europe including the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands and Germany. (more…)

Starting in 1990 the round based game let you play the president of the European Nations. You have to reduce emission of carbon dioxid and stay in office, so do not offend voters with unpopular decisions or policies.

Would the planet survive if you were in power? Innovate, trade and persuade other nations to help you save the environment.

In preparation are reviews of two popular climate board games produced by MunichRe and Spieltrieb GbR: Winds of Change and ‘Keep Cool’

By moving the hand of the Clock closer to midnight — the figurative end of civilization — the BAS Board of Directors is drawing attention to the increasing dangers from the spread of nuclear weapons in a world of violent conflict, and to the catastrophic harm from climate change that is unfolding.

“The dangers posed by climate change are nearly as dire as those posed by nuclear weapons. The effects may be less dramatic in the short term than the destruction that could be wrought by nuclear explosions, but over the next three to four decades climate change could cause irremediable harm to the habitats upon which human societies depend for survival.”

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists was founded in 1945 by University of Chicago scientists who had worked on the Manhattan Project and were deeply concerned about the use of nuclear weapons and nuclear war. The Doomsday Clock evoked both the imagery of apocalypse (midnight) and the contemporary idiom of nuclear explosion (countdown to zero).

More: Robert H. Socolow - Facing new unknowns

The Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) located in Minneapolis is a nonprofit research and educational organization and provides technical assistance and information to city and state governments, citizen organizations and industry.

While the Bush administration refused to ratify Kyoto Protocol, in June 2005 U.S. Conference of Mayors adopted the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. As of January 2007, 355 mayors in communities representing over 54 million Americans in 49 states have signed the Agreement. (more…)

Last weekend Sweden was hit by a strong storm with wind speeds of more than 100kph. Falling trees killed at least five people and hundreds of thousands were left without power. An estimated amount of that 12 million cubic metres of forest was felled.

The bridge connecting Sweden and Denmark was temporarily shut to all traffic, while nearly all train departures in southern Sweden and parts of Norway were canceled. The Swedish weather service SMHI said the storm was the worst to hit the country in two years.

Germany’s famous North Sea island and symbol Sylt lost 700,00 m3 sand used to protect the coast. Climate scientists warn more and more efforts are needed to save island from rising sea levels and Climate Change.

Tomorrow depression Kyrill is expected to arrive in Germany with hurricane strength. German weather service DWD warns gusts will have up to 150kph and whole country should prepare for heavy rain and Beaufort 11-12.

zdf.de: Orkan “Kyrill” kommt nach Deutschland

Picture credit: Naval Research Laboratory

Today Bushfire swept through transmission lines near Benalla, caused a massive blackouts in Victoria and affected 200,000. Temperature was at 39°C and network came under demand by cooling devices. Seen by Daily Terra, 2007-01-15.

With placing the right symbol at right place and time the advocacy group drew attention to the issue of homelessness in France as members began camping out in red tents in Paris last month.

The right to housing may seem revolutionary, but it is a right enshrined in some fashion in at least twenty-five U.S. state constitutions. Moreover, it is a federal constitutional right in South Africa, and is also a right under international human rights law. (more…)