Archive for July, 2010

Rising temperatures could make it hard for crocodiles to dive for food

Friday, July 9th, 2010

Researchers at the University of Queensland believe that rising temperatures could trouble crocodiles, hampering their ability to dive for food.

It’s been noted that crocodiles have more problems in this regard during summer months, therefore climate change could affect them to a degree throughout the year.

They point out that crocodiles dive not just for food, but to escape predators when they are young. While adult crocodiles are at the top of the food chain, smaller ones are vulnerable to birds of prey and evade them by diving and hiding in crevices.

A water temperature rise of even a few degrees could have a substantial impact, meaning crocodiles were able to spend less time diving. A rise in temperature increases their metabolism and the resulting increase in oxygen that they consume has a knock-on effect on how long they can remain submerged.

Climate scientists cleared of fudging results

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

Following a six-month investigation, it has been found that the scientists at the centre of what is annoyingly being termed ‘climategate’ did not fudge results and nor did they silence critics. However, the review did suggest that they could have been more open with their work.

Allegations surrounded the subverting of the peer review process, but the report found no evidence of this. However, it was suggested that the scientists in question were unnecessarily coy and defensive when people requested information and it is also believed that emails had been deleted to prevent them being seen in the event that they were requested later on.

Climate change could lead to lemons in the South-East

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

Hadlow College, in Kent, has put on a display of the county’s past, present and future agriculture.

The future part of the garden features peach trees, lemons and nectarines, reflecting the fact that the Kent climate could become more Mediterranean in the coming years. As temperatures rise, the regions in which to grow certain crops are moving steadily towards the poles.

It has already been noted by some experts that Champagne is no longer the best place to grow the grapes for that particular wine. In reality, the most suitable climate is the very north of France and into the southern parts of the UK.

UN climate change report gave worst-case scenarios

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

An investigation has found that a UN report into climate change could be considered misleading as it often wasn’t clear that it was referring to worst-case scenarios.

The findings were made by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It also suggested that the report should have included the fact that there could be benefits to an increase in temperatures. The report was considered one-sided and alarmist.

An example given was that the report stated that regular bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef was anticipated for 60 per cent of it by 2020. However, this was a worst case scenario and not a realistic projection.

Electric cars could be taxed to fund power stations

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

While electric cars are pushed as a greener form of transportation, they do need some source of fuel and it is thought that Britain will need additional power stations if the Climate Change Committee’s view that we should have 1.7m of them on the roads by 2020.

The national grid is already struggling to provide the electricity that we need and electric cars would demand a great deal extra. A suggested fuel duty of 10p per mile for these vehicles would fund up to 10,000 new wind turbines each year.

Renewable energy funding is currently at a low due to financial nervousness. However, a taxation on electric cars would put some people off who might be tempted by what is theoretically a cheaper form of transport.