carbon emissions

Scientists analyzing the seasonal oscillations of carbonate concentration and pH in the Southern Ocean have found a naturally occurring wintertime low in carbonate concentration that, when coupled with anthropogenic CO2 absorption, may cause further depletion in carbonate concentration, hastening ocean acidification. Their analyses led the scientists to predict an undersaturation of carbonate concentration in the Southern Ocean within just 30 years time, which is sooner than previously expected.

The latest report released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) affirms that as a result of the colossal loss of sea ice, autumn air temperature in the Arctic is a record 5º C (9°F) above normal, since the warming trend began in the mid-20th century.

As temperatures continue to rise due to human generated carbon dioxide emissions, white snow and ice give way to darker water and land beneath them. These darker surfaces absorb more heat than what would be reflected by the lighter snow and ice. This results in a positive feedback loop, causing more snow and sea ice to melt, exacerbating the Arctic warming.

On Tuesday night, I took a deep breath and braced for more bad news as I settled down to watch Frontline's two-hour climate investigation, "Heat."

The program, hosted by Frontline's Martin Smith, focuses on how the world's largest governments and corporations have responded -- or not -- to the worst environmental crisis of our time. But first, as the New York Times review points outs, there's quite a bit of familiar-sounding history about carbon emissions and climate treaties.

What makes it worth watching, though, are the many penetrating interviews with top energy executives. Smith confronts, among others, executives from Exxon Mobil and China's coal giant, Shenhua Energy, about their lack of action on renewable energy -- and receives mostly non-answers, as one might anticipate. (In one memorable Michael Moore-esque moment he tells GM's Vice president for environmental affairs in regards to the company's lagging environmental innovation, "Toyota is eating your lunch.")

Last week I attended the International Coral Reef Symposium – a massive gathering of coral reef enthusiasts from all over the world, with more than 2,500 scientists, managers, organizers, and journalists present.