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Ship condensation trails are wider and fainter than those left by aircraft, but are visible in satellite images
On a clear winter’s day, the sky is full of condensation trails from aircraft. More surprisingly, ships also leave faint trails in the sky, an effect not studied until the 1980s. Like aircraft contrails, ship tracks are formed when water in the atmosphere condenses around tiny particles.
A study in the 1990s set out to discover whether the ships’ exhaust was responsible, or salt crystals thrown up by their wake. A nuclear-powered aircraft carrier with no exhaust left no cloud trail, unlike diesel-powered ships in the same conditions, indicating exhaust particles were the main factor.
Related: Aircraft contrails bring warmer nights and conspiracy theories
Continue reading...In your letter you have asked me if it’s true that the Great Barrier Reef is dying. The reef is sick, but if we stand up to those destroying it, it can recover
Dear Lizzy,
Thank you so much for writing to me. It is really nice of you to have taken the time.
Related: New lab-bred super corals could help avert global reef wipeout
We grownups haven’t always done the best job of looking after the world
Continue reading...A key chapter of the US Global Change Research Program Report deals with how the oceans are being impacted by human carbon pollution
In the recently released US Global Change Research Program Report, one of the chapters I was most interested in was about the changes we’ve observed in the world’s oceans. The oceans are really the key to the climate change issue, whether that be in quantifying how fast it’s happening or how much will happen in the future. As humans emit greenhouse gases (particularly carbon dioxide), we see some major changes that cannot be explained naturally.
The oceans are important because they act as a buffer; that is, they absorb much of the effects of greenhouse gases. In fact, the oceans absorb a lot of human carbon pollution. This is a big help for us because without the oceans, the climate would change much faster.
Continue reading...Nearly a third of all new cars sold in the country this year will be plug-in models and experts expect that share to skyrocket
While tourists explore Oslo’s history in the grounds of the centuries-old Akershus fortress, below their feet is a harbinger of the city’s future.
Here in the catacombs sit scores of Teslas, Nissan Leafs and BMW i3s, plugged into the charging points of the world’s largest public garage for electric cars.
Related: How green are electric cars?
Related: Electric and plug-in hybrid cars whiz past 3m mark worldwide
Related: Electric and plug-in hybrid cars whiz past 3m mark worldwide
Continue reading...Rapid growth is due to falling battery costs, government incentives and car makers competing to build new models
The number of fully electric and plug-in hybrid cars on the world’s roads has passed the 3m mark, as manufacturers ramp up their plans for mass production of battery-powered vehicles.
Related: Norway leads way on electric cars: 'it’s part of a green taxation shift'
Related: How green are electric cars?
Related: Electric cars may stall without a battery revolution
Continue reading...As Donald Trump cut funding for family planning and people from east Africa to Yemen went hungry, peace finally gained a foothold in Colombia
The year began with the inauguration of Donald Trump and the reinstatement of the “global gag rule”, or Mexico City policy, which banned US federal funding for NGOs in countries that provide abortion services or advocacy.
Related: Portraits of South Sudanese refugees in Uganda – in pictures
Related: Iraq's killing fields: the lethal legacy of landmines – in pictures
Continue reading...Fire. Oil palm. Cattle. Soy. Rubber. Wood. New data from Global Forest Watch shows that forest destruction is on the rise globally, in spite of a slate of pledges and commitments.
Two years ago the world signed the Paris Agreement to combat climate change. It included specific pledges to “conserve and enhance” the world’s forests in order to combat rising temperatures. But in the last two years – 2015 and 2016 – we’ve lost enough trees to cover 493,716 square kilometres, according to satellite data recently released by Global Forest Watch (GFW). This is nearly equal to the entirety of Spain – or about four Englands.
Currently, deforestation accounts for around 10-15% of annual global carbon emissions. Even as combating deforestation has long been seen as one of the cheapest ways to tackle global warming, GFW’s data shows just how far we have to go.
Related: Could we set aside half the Earth for nature?
Continue reading...A prime minister captive to his conservative base has proved incapable of leading the nation forward. 2018 will show how this will play out politically
The moment that summed up the political year 2017 for me came in the first sitting week when treasurer Scott Morrison marched into parliament brandishing a lump of coal.
“This is coal – don’t be afraid, don’t be scared”, the treasurer cried out maniacally, before passing it along his front bench where Barnaby Joyce proceeded to fondle it like Gollum his precious ring.
Related: What is the national energy guarantee and is it really a game changer?
Related: Coalition trails Labor as corporate tax cuts fail to win voters – Guardian Essential poll
Continue reading...While some showers are expected for Sydney and Brisbane, the majority of the country will see sunshine
Australia is set for drama-free Christmas weather after one of its warmest years on record.
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a quiet Christmas Day with generally fine weather across much of the country.
Related: Festive stress: why the Christmas season can be anything but merry
Related: Wild weather: Australian Bureau of Meteorology's 2018 calendar – in pictures
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