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As we count down to the #ClimateAction summit on 23 September, it has been confirmed that the Northern hemisphere had the hottest summer (June to August) on record. It was 2nd hottest at global level. The last five June-August periods are the five hottest on record.
Scorching temperatures around the world tied August 2019 as the second-hottest August on record and also impacted Arctic sea ice coverage, shrinking it to the second smallest for the month on record, according to US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
#ClimateAction #climatechange #globalwarming https://bit.ly/2lWItxe
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ARCTIC WARMING REPORT (Released December, 2018)
Scientists know the Arctic is getting warmer. But just how warm? A new report from NOAA says the polar area is going through a multi-year stretch of unparalleled warmth "unlike any period on record." Reductions in sea ice and losses in wildlife populations there are the result of climate change caused by humans, the peer-reviewed report says. And the warming of the Arctic affects a lot more than the ice caps. The report says less sea ice has changed the weather in the US and Europe because ice influences ocean currents and the jet stream.
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GLOBAL GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS On a global scale, the key greenhouse gases emitted by human activities are:
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Scorching temperatures around the world tied August 2019 as the second-hottest August on record and also impacted Arctic sea ice coverage, shrinking it to the second smallest for the month on record, according to US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
#ClimateAction #climatechange #globalwarming https://bit.ly/2lWItxe
______________
ARCTIC WARMING REPORT (Released December, 2018)
Scientists know the Arctic is getting warmer. But just how warm? A new report from NOAA says the polar area is going through a multi-year stretch of unparalleled warmth "unlike any period on record." Reductions in sea ice and losses in wildlife populations there are the result of climate change caused by humans, the peer-reviewed report says. And the warming of the Arctic affects a lot more than the ice caps. The report says less sea ice has changed the weather in the US and Europe because ice influences ocean currents and the jet stream.
_______________
GLOBAL GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS On a global scale, the key greenhouse gases emitted by human activities are:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2): Fossil fuel use is the primary source of CO2. CO2 can also be emitted from direct human-induced impacts on forestry and other land use, such as through deforestation, land clearing for agriculture, and degradation of soils. Likewise, land can also remove CO2 from the atmosphere through reforestation, improvement of soils, and other activities.
- Methane (CH4): Agricultural activities, waste management, energy use, and biomass burning all contribute to CH4 emissions.
- Nitrous oxide (N2O): Agricultural activities, such as fertilizer use, are the primary source of N2O emissions. Fossil fuel combustion also generates N2O.
- Fluorinated gases (F-gases): Industrial processes, refrigeration, and the use of a variety of consumer products contribute to emissions of F-gases, which include hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).
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June, 2018's global average concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) was about 408 parts per million (ppm)
The rise in global temperatures since the Industrial Revolution is clearly linked to greenhouse gas emissions/carbon dioxide.
The long lifetime of the gas means it’ll take generations before numbers below 400 ppm are revisited on the way down.
Reuters: Environment October 17, 2018 / 11:21 AM /U.S. greenhouse emissions fell in 2017 as coal plants shut
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Greenhouse gases emissions from the largest U.S. industrial plants fell 2.7 percent in 2017, the Trump administration said, as coal plants shut and as that industry competes with cheap natural gas and solar and wind power that emit less pollution. ...While Wheeler [acting EPA Administrator] gave the administration credit for the reductions, which mainly came from the power sector, the numbers also underscore that the administration has not been able to stop the rapid pace of coal plant shutdowns.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Greenhouse gases emissions from the largest U.S. industrial plants fell 2.7 percent in 2017, the Trump administration said, as coal plants shut and as that industry competes with cheap natural gas and solar and wind power that emit less pollution. ...While Wheeler [acting EPA Administrator] gave the administration credit for the reductions, which mainly came from the power sector, the numbers also underscore that the administration has not been able to stop the rapid pace of coal plant shutdowns.
U.S. estimated carbon dioxide emissions jumped dramatically in 2018International agreements reached in Copenhagen and Paris call for sharp greenhouse gas reductions, which the U.S. is struggling to meet
U.S. energy-related CO₂ emissions
Copenhagen Accord and Paris Agreement Targets
6 billion metric tons
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THE PARIS AGREEMENT - effective 11/7/16
The aim of the Agreement is described in Article 2, "enhancing the implementation" of the UNFCCC through: "
(a) Holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above
pre-industrial levels, recognizing that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change;
(b) Increasing the ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development, in a manner that does not threaten food production;
(c) Making finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions & climate-resilient development."
Countries furthermore aim to reach "global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible". The agreement has been described as an incentive for and driver of fossil fuel divestment.
Note Post Election 2017: Although Trump has formally withdrawn the U.S. from the Agreement, many American cities and states pledged to move forward.
U.S. energy-related CO₂ emissions
Copenhagen Accord and Paris Agreement Targets
6 billion metric tons
________________
THE PARIS AGREEMENT - effective 11/7/16
The aim of the Agreement is described in Article 2, "enhancing the implementation" of the UNFCCC through: "
(a) Holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above
pre-industrial levels, recognizing that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change;
(b) Increasing the ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development, in a manner that does not threaten food production;
(c) Making finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions & climate-resilient development."
Countries furthermore aim to reach "global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible". The agreement has been described as an incentive for and driver of fossil fuel divestment.
Note Post Election 2017: Although Trump has formally withdrawn the U.S. from the Agreement, many American cities and states pledged to move forward.
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