The Killer Drought of 2012 Eases — But Not By Much
The historic drought of 2012 continues to parch the nation, according to the latest version of the U.S. Drought Monitor, released Thursday. Although conditions have improved somewhat in the hard-hit states of Ohio and Indiana, nearly 53 percent of the U.S. remains at some level in drought as of August 21, the most recent date for which statistics … Read More
Green Climate Fund to Discuss Billions Already Pledged
The fate of billions of dollars of promised funding from rich countries to help the developing world adapt to climate change will be discussed on Thursday in Geneva, at the first meeting of the UN's Green Climate Fund. The fund is meant to be the biggest single funding route for the $100bn (£63bn) that developed countries have pledged should flow … Read More
Climate is Ripe for Deadly West Nile Virus Attack on Texas
Texas dodged one major bullet this year: the crushing drought that seared the Lone Star State in 2011 shifted its sights northward in 2012, frying the nation’s agricultural midland but leaving Texas at least a little wetter than it was last summer. But that little bit of extra moisture has put Texas in the crosshairs of another climate-related … Read More
Greenland Melt Sets Record Weeks Before Summer Ends
Even as the sea ice on the Arctic Ocean looks to be headed for a possible record meltback this year, scientists reported Wednesday that the land-based ice sitting atop Greenland has already melted more than any time in the past 30 years — and that’s with another four weeks left in the melting season. The new study, based on satellite observations, … Read More
City Temps May Soar From Urbanization, Global Warming
According to a paper just published in Nature Climate Change, the combination of global warming and urbanization could drive local temperatures up by a whopping 7°F by 2050 in some parts of the U.S. — some two or three times higher than the effects of global warming alone.… Read More
As the South Bakes, Is it Too Hot for High School Football?
Lightning strikes above the live oaks lining the practice field in this coastal town in southeast Georgia. Coach Jeff Herron blows his whistle three times, giving the evacuation orders. A cheer of "Hey!" erupts from the 160 football players as they happily hustle off the field and into the gym. Coach Herron doesn't share their enthusiasm. A lost … Read More
Researchers ID Link Between Heat and Heart Stress
In a summer of blistering weather, heart researchers have yet more bad news: Higher temperatures can increase inflammation in people with pre-existing heart conditions, impairing heart muscle function and potentially triggering heart failure. Scientists, in one of the first studies of its kind, believe they have identified a pathway by which … Read More
July Sizzles, Records Fall: Warmest Month on Record
July 2012 was officially not only the warmest July on record, but also the warmest month ever recorded for the lower 48 states, according to a report released Wednesday by scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Climatic Data Center. The average temperature for the month came in at 77.6°F overall, which is 3.3°F… Read More
