A study released by the Journal Science this week reports that increases in the melting of permafrost in the East Siberian Arctic Shelf have the potential to significantly increase the venting of methane into the atmosphere. A summary of the report notes the potential of the release of methane from this area to contribute to global warming.
In a report issued this month by NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, which looked at 13 economic sectors, the report concluded that motor vehicles contributed the most to atmospheric warming. In a departure from previous studies which focus on the impacts of individual chemicals, this study looked at where modifications to individual economic sectors may have the greatest impact on slowing or reducing climate change.
A press release issued by NASA notes that the study describes a complex interaction among chemical pollutants which variously have both warming and cooling effects. Thus, in addition to motor vehicles, the burning of household biofuels and raising livestock contribute the most to warming. Yet, the industrial sector releases aerosols into the atmosphere which have a cooling effect. But in discussing the impacts of motor vehicle emissions, the leader of the study Nadine Unger concludes:
"Targeting on-road transportation is a win-win-win, It's good for the climate in the short term and long term, and it's good for our health."
The EPA announced $17 million in grants to study the impacts of climate change. The grants announced today cover the relationship of climate change to four specific areas: (1) allergies; (2) air quality; (3) water resources and (4) carbon sequestration.
This week the U.S. government established a new Website to address climate issues. The site called NOAA Climate Services contains substantial information on climate change, GHGs, carbon dioxxide, sea level changes and related matters.
In a report released on February 1, 2010 the Department of Defense outlined strategic issues related to Climate Change. The Quadrennial Defense Review of the Department of Defense devotes a section to the potential security impacts of Climate Change.
The report notes in part:
"Climate change will affect DoD in two broad ways. First, climate change will shape the operating environment, roles, and missions that we undertake. The U.S. Global Change Research Program, composed of 13 federal agencies, reported in 2009 that climate-related changes are already being observed in every region of the world, including the United States and its coastal waters....While climate change alone does not cause conflict, it may act as an accelerant of instability or conflict, placing a burden to respond on civilian institutions and militaries around the world. In addition, extreme weather events may lead to increased demands for defense support to civil authorities for humanitarian assistance or disaster response both within the United States and overseas."
