Global Warming May Cause Natural Disasters, May Not
A prominent scientist from the U.S. National Hurricane Center this month fired the latest volley in the debate over whether global warming is increasing the intensity of hurricanes. In an article in the journal Science, researcher Chris Landsea attributes the perceived increase in strong storms to technological advancements that have improved forecasters' ability to recognize a hurricane's power. When President Bush visited the Hurricane Center this week, Landsea told him that there was "not a consensus" linking hurricane intensity and global warming, though the researcher does believe climate change is occurring.
A Swiss-led study on Alpine permafrost has reinforced suspicion that global warming will cause natural disasters in the Alps. If the permafrost—the frozen soil that helps hold the colossal peaks together—melts, the Swiss government worries there could be an increase in rock falls and mudslides, threatening villages and tourists. Global warming could also lead to changing weather patterns, retreating glaciers and increased flooding, according to the study.
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Britain and California announced an agreement to reduce greenhouse gases together by exploring the possibility of an emissions trading program. "The environmental and economic consequences of climate change and our dependency on fossil fuels compel both California and the United Kingdom to commit to urgent action," said a joint statement from both governments. A spokesman from the British Consulate-General in Los Angeles explicitly stated that the move is in no way intended to sidestep President Bush on the global warming issue.
A rapidly growing population in Spain is making it difficult for the European nation to meet its Kyoto Protocol-mandated goals for energy use reduction. Spain's population jumped from 40 million in 1997 to 44.3 million in 2006, an increase on a scale that no other developed nation has had to contend with, a Spanish official said. Non-localized sources of carbon dioxide, such as homes and vehicles, account for 60% of Spain's emissions and make the country the worst performer among the Kyoto Protocol signatories. In an attempt to control carbon dioxide emissions from houses, the Spanish government recently approved building specifications that require new homes to be more energy efficient and come equipped with rooftop solar panels.
Google Earth, a global search program replete with images of nearly the entire planet, is becoming increasingly popular among scientists, according to German news sources. Researchers are using Google Earth to help with tasks ranging from ice sheet tracking to volcano monitoring, Der Spiegel reported earlier this month. "Google Earth offers globally available data in a very straightforward manner," said Klaus Greve of the Geographic Institute at the University of Bonn.
The Brain's Own Reality Show
A breakthrough in microscope technology known as two-photon microscopy has allowed MIT scientists to observe real-time changes in individual mouse neurons as they respond to an environment. Never before have researchers been able to see the brains of live subjects with such fine resolution. The discovery could "offer unparalleled advantages in understanding pathological processes in real time, leading to potential new drugs and treatments for a host of neurological diseases and mental disorders," said Nobel laureate Susumu Tonegawa, a co-author of the study, which appeared in the July 28 issue of Cell.
Global illegal trade in wild animals and plants exceeds $10 billion a year, making it the third highest source of illicit income after trade in drugs and guns, a conservation group said at a closed-door Chinese wildlife conference. Protected plants and animal parts are still sold in many Chinese cities and rural districts, despite punishments that could exceed 10 years of jail time.
Not Yet Time to Pack for Mars