Climate Change Over the Last 130 Years

A recent article by Leslie McCarthy, NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, says:

“The global average surface temperature in 2011 was the ninth warmest since 1880, according to NASA scientists. The finding continues a trend in which nine of the 10 warmest years in the modern meteorological record have occurred since the year 2000.”

This finding affirms recent trends and illustrates their difference from a longer-term temperature trends. This decade can be seen in a better perspective by looking at the long term. These records date from 1880, the earliest there are reliable global indicators.

“NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York, which monitors global surface temperatures on an ongoing basis, released an updated analysis that shows temperatures around the globe in 2011 compared to the average global temperature from the mid-20th century. The comparison shows how Earth continues to experience warmer temperatures than several decades ago. The average temperature around the globe in 2011 was 0.92 degrees F (0.51 C) warmer than the mid-20th century baseline.”

Watch the time series at the article web site. It gives hints as to the variety of climate impacts but also suggests elements noted in longer-term trends.

http://climate.nasa.gov/news/index.cfm?FuseAction=ShowNews&NewsID=668

Faster Glacier Melting, More Cooperation and More Conflict?

Faster Glacier Melting, More Cooperation and More Conflict?

French researchers reported in December 2011 that the glacier melting around Mount Blanc was accelerating.  This confirms reports elsewhere in the Alps.  At the same meeting three years ago, Swiss researchers reported similar findings. See Jonathan Amos, “French Alpine glaciers in retreat”, BBC News, December 6, 2011, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16025568.

Mountains are often borders areas, precisely because they demarcate, and glacier and the water in glaciers that melts from them mark the precise boundaries.  With this melting, borders change.  This change may be peaceful.  Take the case of Italy and Switzerland, who have instituted a process of border change.  See the ICE Case Study: http://www1.american.edu/ted/ice/AlpineBorder.html

On the other side of the world, glaciers in the Himalaya Mountains also are experiencing an accelerating melt.  These glacial melts feed the great rivers of Asia such as the Mekong, Irrawaddy, Ganges, Indus, and others.   They also mark the border between great powers with historic grievances – India, Pakistan, and China.  The Siachin Glacier is one place where melting and changing conflict strategies are intersecting in a conflictual way.  See this ICE case study: http://www1.american.edu/ted/ice/siachen.html

Which is the way ahead, cooperation or conflict?

Climate Change and Conflict: Open Courseware

This blog intends to support this an open courseware site (Mandala Projects) on climate change and armed conflict.   This is  a free course and allows a student access to relevant course materials for self-paced learning.  To take the course, review the syllabus and schedule, read and watch course materials, and complete the assignments. 

In this blog, we can discuss learning in this venue along with substantial topics related to climate change and conflict.  Also see the Climate Change and Conflict Project web site.