No Ice, No Walrus

Global warming has far reaching consequences. A report from Russia highlights this. Walrus depend on ice sheets for respite. They cannot swim indefinitely. With lessen ice the herds of walrus are now congregating in enormous herds on shore. These herds number up to 40,000 walrus. When they are spooked they stampede and the death toll is staggering.

The Russian government reports that last summer and fall thousands of walrus above the Arctic Circle died from stampedes related to this over congregation.

The estimate is that 3000 to 4000 walrus were killed. Most died of internal injuries. Most of the fatalities were among the old and the calves.

This congregating on shore did not occur until the 1990s.

An additional concern is that with less ice the walrus will have to live close to shore during the warmer months. The result may be the destruction of shoreline foods necessary for other marine mammals.

Many in the U.S. demand that we use the phrase “climate change” as opposed to “global warming”. The implication is that it is not a man-made disaster. Ecosystems are faltering and crashing around the global. Don’t we have more important things to argue about than correct phrasing? Climate change or global warming there are still 4000 dead walrus.

Arctic Ice: going, going, go...

One of the challenges of global-warming is simply staying current with the predictions. The earlier predictions of Arctic Ice cap melting had the summer ice melted by 2040. Dr. Maslowski of the Naval Postgraduate School has changed that prediction. He is now predicting that the arctic ice will melt away during summers by the year 1213.

The less ice the less reflection of sun light. The result, the lack of ice from global warming will potentially increase global warming. Additionally, the ice will introduce large amounts of fresh water into the oceans and potentially change ocean circulation and hence impact regional weather.

2040 sounded bad enough, this is far more serious. The temptation will be to use the new found access to search for oil that has been a major contributing factor to the problem in the first place.

The U.S., China and Bali: Talks are heating Up

China is resistant to any mandatory caps on CO2 emissions. It states the problem of global warming is the result of Western greed. They are of course correct. Historically that is how we got in this predicament. However, we are here and the planet needs us to act. Blaming is not enough. Besides, you cannot be a regional or global power and not take a leading role in the fight to save the planet. Or can you?

The United States refuses to agree to the limitations of the Kyoto Accords. As 190 nations meet in Bali to direct the world’s newest efforts to at least slow down global warming the U.S. continues to reject mandatory caps. To be sure the caps on CO2 emissions are significant, 20-40% reductions by 2020. However even that ambition plan would not turn back the rising temperatures. The U.S., China, Indian and perhaps Japan are resistant to mandatory caps.

Al Gore will receive his Noble Peace Prize in Oslo today. He will call for China and the United States to work together to solve this problem. Let's pray they are listening.

The problem is not an American or Indian or Chinese problem, it is a planetary problem. We must begin to recognize we are not just the citizens of our nations but we are also the inhabitants of our planet. It is time for individual citizens to take the lead if our leaders are incapable, unwilling or too compromised to lead. Vote for Green candidates, of any party. Boycott products from nations that will not support mandatory caps. That will not be easy, look around your house, and try to find something that does not have a part of it built in China. Now say, “so what” and give it up. It is time to live simply so others (0n the planet) can simply live.

The Cost

Scientist have warned that global warming may lead to the extinction of 30% of all land-bird species by 2100. With habitat shrinkage escalating due to global warming, a new study warns that climate change will accelerate the rate of extinction among birds and animals.

The predictions are based on projected habitat loss and projections of surface warming. Much of the data is based on the 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. This is an evaluation of the world’s ecosystems by over 1300 experts. The findings were published online Conservation Biology Journal.

This is consistent with data emphasizing that global warming is having a devastating effect on animals and plants. Squid are attacking commercial fishing off the coast of California. These creatures normally swim in the warmer waters off Mexico but now swim in the warming waters of California.

2000 flying foxes fell out of trees in dead in Australia, victims of the changing temperatures and ecosystems. The planet is hurting, the planet is in trouble.

Lucky Dube: In Memory Of..."Let Jah Be Praised"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewRzSOCDApc

Al Gore

I cannot stop smiling. The fact that Al Gore won the Noble Peace Prize for his work on global warming is a major feat. Long after the Bush administration is history Gore will be remembered as one of the early leaders of an important movement to save the planetary environment. The question is, will it make a difference?

I am especially pleased that he shares the award with all of the researchers from around that world that worked with the United Nations. The award is not just about Gore. However, its reference to his many decades of fighting for the environment also makes it clear the award is not simply a response to one movie, no matter how important that movie may be.

Al Gore may not run for President and that may be considered a loss by some. However, I think that Hillary, Obama and the world would benefit from Gore using his added prestige to continue to fight to save the planet. That is not a shabby crusade to fight. And, I am still smiling!