Three U.S. States and British Columbia to Ink Climate Pact

By: Reuters 


The U.S. states, California, Washington State, and Oregon plan to sign climate agreement also with the Canadian province of the British Columbia. (Reuters 1). Governor, Jerry Brown of California planned to host all of these governors of the states and the minister in San Francisco. This agreement is about bringing their climate opinions together and develop an important partnership between these four places. Their goal with this agreement is to improve plans for energy saving and helping the Earth. (Reuters 1).

"The agreement will be based on the recognition that the West Coast is bounded together by a common geography, shared infrastructure and a regional economy with a combined GDP of $2.8 trillion," according to a joint media advisory. In addition, their policies and programs will come together and become stronger. There has been talk that the agreement will also deal with a "carbon pricing component". (Reuters 1). There has been a relationship with Oregon, Washington, and California before. All of these states were apart of the Western Climate Initiative. Overall, this agreement between all of them can really strengthen their environmental programs and between all of them, they can share and bring new ideas to the table to help improve the environment. (Reuters 1)





http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=three-us-states-british-columbia-to-climate-change

Could Heat Waves Be Forecast 3 Weeks Out? 

By: Richard A. Lovett and Nature Magazine

Scientists have been researching the topic of heat waves and are now questioning the United States' heat wave. (Lovett 1). They have discovered an atmospheric circulation pattern and this only shows that the heat wave itself of the United States is more likely to happen than usual. The pattern that the scientists discovered showed a dangerous occurrence of heat spells. In addition to this heat wave, it will occur in 2-3 weeks before expected. (Lovett 1). Research that scientists have looked at show that some of the factors that have connected to this heat wave include, tropical conditions, sea temperatures, and the Asian monsoon. The scientists have been using the heat model to help to see if they can predict these heat waves, because the waves only occur every couple of years. Climate scientists have been analyzing the climate models for more information and trace of these heat waves. (Lovett 1). “The analysis revealed that major- heat waves were four times more likely to develop after a strong wave number-5 system formed at mid-latitudes. Haiyan Teng, a climate scientist, says that his particular pattern can stagnate, leading to slow-moving-high-pressure zones that can produce prolonged heat” (Lovett 1). The pattern only increases the possibility of a heat wave to 6%. This percentage is not high enough to display and distribute warnings that are putting people at risk. Any day in the summer, there is a 1.5% chance that it is a heat wave. Overall, the percentage is not high enough but when living in urban areas, people can be more prepared and there are ways to help cool. (Lovett 1). 

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=could-heat-waves-be-forecast-3-weeks-out

Atlantic Hurricane Season Quietest in 45 Years 

By: Tom Brown 


Shockingly, the Atlantic hurricane season has been extremely quiet. (Brown 1) With the strongest storm only being a Category 1 hurricane, this season has marked the quietest in 45 years. After the shocking storm of Hurricane Sandy last year, people think that storms were only going to get worse from this point on. It is still possible that a storm could show up in the month of November, but so far, so good. This is a complete relief for all of the people who are living in hurricane zones. People are still recovering from Superstorm Sandy and its devastation.  (Brown 1) "That period is still playing out, fed primarily by warm ocean temperatures in the tropical Atlantic that fuel hurricanes. But instead of increased activity, 2013 almost  seems like a year when an enormous tranquilizer dart was fired into the heart of the main breeding ground for hurricanes", Jeff Masters,  a hurricane expert said. "The errant forest said 2013 would see above-average activity, with eight hurricanes and three would develop into major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher on the five-step Saffir-Simpson intensity scale" (Brown 1). 

Even the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said there would be around six or nine hurricanes. It hasn't been since 1994 that a huge or controversial hurricane has occurred. (Brown 1) Experts say that all of this information will make sense in the future. Like this year, there will be years where the predictions will be off and different. Its all about keeping up with all of the information and predictions to keep on estimating for the future (Brown 1).





http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=atlantic-hurricane-season-quietest

Why Australia's Wildfires Are So Extensive Now 

By: Stephanie Pappas and LiveScience 


In New South Wales, Australia, warm and dry winters have resulted in intense wildfires. (Pappas 1) These wildfires are negatively affecting the population and the nature in the surrounding areas. Australia is approaching the season of summer and is a lot of danger of wildfires but have also had many problems, which occurred in January. Smoke and ash can be seen in the air all throughout Sydney. "The past three months have been among the driest 10 percent on record in New South Wales", said Todd Lane, a meteorologist at Melbourne. (Pappas 1)

Australia has experienced 4 inches less rain, when compared to normal rain fall throughout the year. In addition, to the region being dry, it is also warmer. Winter temperatures were about 5 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than the temperatures from the past reports. (Pappas 1) When these warm temperatures and decreased rainfalls are put together, they build a higher risk for wildfires. Four major fires have occurred throughout the NSW and there have been 53 smaller fires. All of these fires are putting natural areas and homes at risk. Furthermore, meteorologists have been predicting many winds and will really affect this environment. These winds will transition into huge gusts, which will then spread the fires into many other directions, so the people here really need to be prepared for the worst. "Complicating the response is the mountainous terrain where the fires are burning. Mountain wind is often 'stronger, gustier, and less predictable'. Eucalyptus forests may also be feeding the flames" (Lane 1). Overall, when looking at Australia, it is so common for this region to experience these wildfires, but they have been getting worse, especially because of these two components. The climate change really has a huge effect over these wildfires, when looking to the future. (Pappas 1)

 

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=why-australias-wildfires-are-so-extensive-now