Climate scientists at the University of Rochester, the University of Alabama, and the University of Virginia report that observed patterns of temperature changes ('fingerprints') over the last thirty years are not in accord with what greenhouse models predict and can better be explained by natural factors, such as solar variability. Therefore, climate change is 'unstoppable' and cannot be affected or modified by controlling the emission of greenhouse gases, such as CO2, as is proposed in current legislation.
Deborah Zabarenko
ReutersTue, 11 Dec 2007 10:00 UTC
The Greenland ice sheet melted at a record rate this year, the largest ever since satellite measurements began in 1979, a top climate scientist reported on Monday.
HONOLULU - Researchers have discovered what they believe is a new deep water coral and sponge beds found several thousands of feet below the ocean surface, officials said Monday.
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©AP Photo/Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument
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This photo released by Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument shows what is believed to be a lemon-yellow bamboo coral tree.
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OKLAHOMA CITY - A wintry storm caked the center of the nation with a thick layer of ice Monday, blacking out more than 600,000 homes and businesses, and more icy weather was on the way. At least 15 deaths in Oklahoma and Missouri were blamed on the conditions, with 13 of them killed on slick highways.
Pacific Northwest, USA
The West Coast seems to have all kinds of disasters: Wildfires. Earthquakes. Volcanoes. Landslides.
One thing the West Coast doesn't have, though, is hurricanes.
The reason is simple. The primary ocean currents off the West Coast come from the north, bringing cold water down from Alaska. Any tropical systems that move northward from the Mexican coast lose energy as they move into colder and colder water.
Once in a great while, a tropical storm can make it close to San Diego, but none on record has made it farther north. But this past week, the Pacific Northwest experienced a storm that caused more destruction, death and hardship than many hurricanes have.
An ice storm slickened roads and sidewalks, grounded flights, and cut power to tens of thousands Sunday in a swath from the Southern Plains to the Great Lakes as even colder weather threatened.
The wintry weather was expected to continue through midweek, and ice storm warnings stretched from Texas to Pennsylvania.
A large earthquake has struck in the Pacific Ocean tonight.
The quake measured 7.6 on the Richter scale and was centred about 900 kilometres northeast of New Zealand and several hundred kilometres southwest of Tonga.
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©USGS
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©REUTERS/WildlifeDirect/Handout
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Naja Ashei, a newly discovered giant spitting cobra measuring nearly nine feet and carrying enough venom to kill at least 15 people, is seen in this picture released by WildlifeDirect December 7, 2007.
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A giant spitting cobra, measuring nearly nine feet and carrying enough venom to kill at least 15 people, has been discovered in Kenya, a conservation group said on Friday.
BBCSat, 08 Dec 2007 16:14 UTC
Flood watches are in place across England and forecasters are warning of severe gales and more snow.
Winds are predicted to be strong enough to damage properties and even bring down trees in some areas.
Devon and Cornwall are expected to be the worst hit with winds up to 80mph (129 kmh) building up overnight.