Climate Science

Climate Science

Past temperature changes have current meaning
Data show that about 56 million years ago our planet got very warm. Is this the beginning of a fairy tale? Not really, says Ray Johnson.

August 7, 2011 1 Photo
Higher temps, drought appear; may be new norm
Actively publishing climate scientists have expressed concern about GHGs that are bringing about climate change. However, many in Congress do not believe that GHGs are a concern and no actions are being taken to reduce these levels.

July 3, 2011 1 Photo
Climate change, extreme weather create perfect storms
Since warm water heats the air above it — and warmer air holds more water vapor — the stage is set for events to happen, says columnist Ray Johnson.

June 5, 2011 1 Photo
Earth's climate system: a study in process
It may not fit with our impression or experience but globally, March was one of hottest months on record says columnist Ray Johnson.

May 1, 2011 3 Photos
Climate Science: Indicators of Human Fingerprint on Climate Change
Two central questions in Climate Science are: is our planet warming, and, if so, are human activities primarily responsible? Ray Johnson looks to the 2007 Report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for answers.

April 3, 2011 1 Photo
Fossil fuel dependence affecting climate change
According to NOAA scientists temperatures last year were 1.34 degrees warmer than the global surface temperature from 1951 to 1980, says columnist Ray Johnson.

February 6, 2011 4 Photos
Black Carbon: Part 2 — Changing Glaciers in Asia
Reducing black carbon will give world leaders time to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas of concern, columnist Ray Johnson points out.

January 2, 2011 5 Photos
Black Carbon: Impact on Climate Change and Human Health
Black carbon or soot is a part of a larger type of emissions, both natural and manmade, called aerosols. These aerosols are very small particles that are suspended in our atmosphere. They can originate from natural sources such as salt spray formed during ocean wave processes, dust formed from the grinding and erosion of land surfaces, forest fires, and volcanic eruptions for example.

December 5, 2010 3 Photos
Carbon dioxide: the 800-pound gorilla that we have to talk about
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that has a long residence time in the thin gaseous envelope that surrounds our planet, columnist Ray Johnson says.

November 7, 2010 3 Photos
Arctic transformed at hands of climate change
The Arctic of today is a very different place, says columnist Ray Johnson. On a visit to Beechey Island one can still see the barrel staves and opened tin cans from what is believed to be their first original campsite.

October 3, 2010 3 Photos
More Climate Science Headlines