Scientists discover unprecedented atmospheric behaviour has disrupted one of world's the most repeatable atmospheric patterns. The normal flow of air high up in the atmosphere over the equator, known as the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation, was seen to break down earlier this year. These winds in the stratosphere are found high above the tropics, their direction and strength … [Read more...]
Getting to grips with climate feedbacks
From catastrophic chain-reactions which could push us into dangerous climate change, to cooling effects which balance out global warming, climate feedbacks are an important area of research for scientists. This happens when a change in our climate causes an impact which changes our climate further - a knock-on effect which feeds back into our climate. There are two kinds … [Read more...]
Plant a tree this arbor month
Arbor month is upon us. A time when people are encouraged to plant trees to help remove some carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and produce oxygen. Imagine if trees gave off Wifi signals, we would be planting so many trees. We’d probably save the planet too. Too bad they ONLY produce the oxygen we breathe! Trees might not help with wi-fi but they are as essential as we … [Read more...]
Ozone hole still gapes yearly
Every August, the ozone hole begins to grow over Antarctica, reaching its maximum size by late September. But by the New Year, it's gone again. Russell Schnell, of NOAA's Earth System Research Laboratory, explains the weird forces behind the ozone hole's formation—and why, in recent years, an ozone hole has capped the Arctic too. This is SCIENCE FRIDAY. I'm Ira Flatow. 21 … [Read more...]
Global CO2 emissions cross threshold
According to the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii, concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have reached 400ppm. The Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii announced that the average carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in the atmosphere crossed the threshold of 400ppm (parts per million) on May 10. Atmospheric levels of CO2 have been steadily rising for 200 years, ever … [Read more...]
Audi plants another 350 trees to commemorate arbor month
The 16th September marks another greening day for the residents of Olievenhoutbosch as Audi and FTFA celebrate Arbor Month and the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. Audi of South Africa has embarked on a Greening Project with Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA) that will see the distribution of over 25 000 trees to indigent communities. Audi SA is … [Read more...]
