The Amazon rainforest, so crucial to the Earth's climate system, is coming under threat from cleaner air say prominent UK and Brazilian climate scientists in the journal Nature.
Science Daily: Amazon Under Threat From Cleaner Air
Report: CO2 from deforestation 'far outstrip damage caused by planes and automobiles and factories'
Excerpt: The accelerating destruction of the rainforests that form a precious cooling band around the Earth's equator, is now being recognised as one of the main causes of climate change. Carbon emissions from deforestation far outstrip damage caused by planes and automobiles and factories. The rampant slashing and burning of tropical forests is second only to the energy sector as a source of greenhouses gases according to report published today by the Oxford-based Global Canopy Programme, an alliance of leading rainforest scientists. Figures from the GCP, summarising the latest findings from the United Nations, and building on estimates contained in the Stern Report, show deforestation accounts for up to 25 per cent of global emissions of heat-trapping gases, while transport and industry account for 14 per cent each; and aviation makes up only 3 per cent of the total. "Tropical forests are the elephant in the living room of climate change," said Andrew Mitchell, the head of the GCP.Scientists say one days' deforestation is equivalent to the carbon footprint of eight million people flying to New York. Reducing those catastrophic emissions can be achieved most quickly and most cheaply by halting the destruction in Brazil, Indonesia, the Congo and elsewhere.No new technology is needed, says the GCP, just the political will and a system of enforcement and incentives that makes the trees worth more to governments and individuals standing than felled. "The focus on technological fixes for the emissions of rich nations while giving no incentive to poorer nations to stop burning the standing forest means we are putting the cart before the horse," said Mr Mitchell.
The Independent: Deforestation: The hidden cause of global warming
KEVIN Rudd's climate change guru Ross Garnaut has used his newly attained expertise in the field to argue heritage traditions, such as a slate roof, should not apply to a sleek, modern house he wants to build in inner suburban Melbourne.
The Australian: Garnaut heavies council over roof
WATER Commissioner Elizabeth Nosworthy says installing a pool at her home is sending "the right message" to Queenslanders coping with tough water restrictions.
couriermail.com.au: Water chief defends new pool
CLIMATE change could lead to "killer cornflakes" with the most potent liver toxin ever recorded, an environmental health conference has been told.
news.com.au: Cornflakes in cereal killer warning
A $34 million solar instrument package to be built by the University of Colorado at Boulder, considered a crucial tool to help monitor global climate change, has been restored to a U.S. government satellite mission slated for launch in 2013.
The data from these instruments will help scientists differentiate between natural and human-caused climate change, said Pilewskie.
CU Team To Build $34 Million Instrument Package For U.S. Environmental Satellite
Study: With locked crust, Earth could become another Venus
HOUSTON, May 12, 2008 -- A new study of possible links between climate and geophysics on Earth and similar planets finds that prolonged heating of the atmosphere can shut down plate tectonics and cause a planet's crust to become locked in place.
EurekAlert: Hot climate could shut down plate tectonics
It must get get terribly frustrating for you, Lord Creepo. You posted a set of links to distinctly one-eyed material that supported the claims in the initial post. I responded by pointing out a number of in principle errors and omissions in those links that were subsequently confirmed by material you had actually provided.
I suppose that is the problem that you and your mates have with the delivery of facts to a policy process. Facts are neutral. The damned things can favour either side. Better stick to bull$hit and spin, at least you know they will always be "loyal".
How can they be over-estimates when you don't have any information yourself. When do you ever post anything that's not pulled out of thin air. Then have a big rave like it's all true. You're full of it. Just an industry apologist and whinger.
Oh, so it wasn't you who posted the links to Mongabay and Fearnside's overestimates of carbon emissions from land-cover change by up to a factor of two? Blame it on the dingo.