science
Humans are causing the sixth great extinction
Thursday, 14 October 2010
While the global population's set to top nine billion by mid-century, non-human life is dying at rates not seen in 60 million years. Scientists are calling it the sixth great extinction, a catastrophic drop in the number of the world's plant and animal species. The UN's holding a major biodiversity meeting in Japan . . .
The figures are staggering. UN scientists estimate that the world is losing 200 species every day - that's every day. And here's another one for you: the total number of vertebrates on the planet - that's mammals, reptiles, fish, birds and amphibians - plummeted by a third between 1970 and 2006.
And while Australia has one of the richest and most unique range of species, we also have one of the highest extinction rates. But because most of us live in cities, isolated from the rhythms of nature, we don't seem to notice the carnage. It may be the International Year of Biodiversity, but research shows that most people don't know what biodiversity is or why it's important.
Climate scientists respond to Monckton's misinformation
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
On May 2010, Christopher Monckton testified to the U.S. Congress, where he argued there was no need to take quick action to address climate change. Monckton made a number of assertions about CO2 warming, the benefits of elevated CO2, ocean acidification, temperature trends and climate sensitivity. Recently, a group of 5 scientists solicited responses to Monckton's testimony from more than 20 world-class climate scientists. Each climate scientist examined the part of Monckton's testimony related to their particular area of expertise and summarised their responses in the report Climate Scientists Respond. The result is thorough, methodical and devastating. Monckton’s assertions are shown to be without merit, demonstrating a number of obvious and elementary errors and based on a thorough misunderstanding of the science.
Report aims to combat climate 'misinformation'
Monday, 16 August 2010
Some of the nation's top scientists have united in a new climate statement which issues fresh warnings about the dangers of global warming.
The statement released by the Australian Academy of Science is a first for the organisation and details the key evidence identified globally by climate scientists.
It also says global emissions must peak within a decade and decline rapidly if dangerous climate change is to be avoided.
Climate action delay to cost Australia dearly, warns PM's top adviser
Friday, 7 May 2010
THE chief scientist, Penny Sackett, says Australia is moving too slowly to bring its greenhouse gas emissions under control, exposing the nation to high risks and financial costs, after the federal government's decision to shelve its emissions trading scheme.
The warning came as a leading Chinese government adviser criticised Australia's lack of action on climate change, saying the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, had reduced the chance that the world could curb global warming before it was too late.
The Science of Climate Change
This powerful short video is a good place to learn about why we need to take urgent action on climate climate change.
Problems playing? View on YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T_3WJPYY9g
