Climate Change Index for week ending 8 Nov. 2009
Greenbang’s weekly Climate Change Index tracks research findings and events directly attributable to global warming. Our aim is to provide a numerical, week-to-week indicator of climate change developments.
Items that qualify for listing in each week’s index include new climate data published in peer-reviewed academic journals and extreme weather incidents or other natural events that are likely directly linked to the global warming trend.
The Climate Change Index for this week, ending 8 Nov. 2009 (details below): 4
2 November: The snows — and ice — of Kilimanjaro could melt away within two decades or less, according to the latest survey of ice fields remaining on the storied Tanzanian peak.
2 November: Most land-use changes occurring in the continental United States reduce vegetative cover and raise regional surface temperatures, says a new study by scientists at the University of Maryland, Purdue University, and the University of Colorado in Boulder.
2 November: Commenting on the flooding that recently hit parts of Scotland, Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham last week said, “Climate change is clearly happening on our doorsteps and flooding events such as these are likely to occur with increasing frequency. Everyone needs to be aware of the increased risks and, as we have seen in the last 24 hours, that doesn’t just apply to those living in areas where there is a history of flooding.”
3 November: The latest update of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ shows that 17,291 species out of the 47,677 assessed species are threatened with extinction. Environmental changes, including climate change, are blamed for the threats to many of the species listed.
