The idea of man-made
climate change has been on the cards since the early-mid 20th
Century, but remains a slippery subject still now in 2013.Certainly, the
weather of 2012 fought a hard case for it. In brief, the UK saw the second
wettest year on record[1], whilst the US
experienced both heat waves, (some breaking temperature records)[2] and a recent snow storm[3]. Hurricane
Sandy and Typhoon Bopha affected the US, Caribbean and Philippines. Floods hit
China, Pakistan, and western Africa[4], whilst
droughts in the US and Europe led to hunger warnings being issued by the World
Bank. Whilst these extremes of weather obviously cannot be taken alone as a guarantee
on the existence of man-made climate change (for further details, see here),
it can surely be described as extreme and unpredictable – whack in a Jake
Gyllenhall and a touching father-son back story and there’s almost a Hollywood drama
in the making. The World Meteorological Organisation Arctic Report Card 2012
also significantly highlighted various record breaking melting events,
including sea ice extent and terrestrial snow extent[5].
2013 will also see the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) release a new report in
September. Recent leaks suggest that the upcoming report will argue more
strongly the evidence that human greenhouse gas emissions are the cause of
climate change[6].
December 2012 saw the Kyoto Protocol amended
following a Conference of the Parties in Doha, meaning extended commitments on
reducing greenhouse gas emissions. On a positive note, this represents some
form of progress... or at least absence of setback. Previous Kyoto talks have
been generally viewed pessimistically and renowned for their lack of
significant impact. However, there is hope that Kyoto 2 could benefit from a
more environmentally aware public and a realisation of the need for genuine
action (see here).
A new EPA administrator will be confirmed by Obama in
2013 following Lisa Jackson’s resignment early this year. Her legacy involves
moves to improve air and water quality, as well as strong leadership regarding
climate change. Her successor is as yet unknown but will be a strong influence
on America’s stance on greenhouse gas emissions[7].
2013 seems to be shaping
up to be a year of opportunity. Stay tuned!
[1] http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/jan/03/2012-uk-second-wettest-year
[2] http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jul/09/heatwave-easing-us-temperatures-normal; http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/jul/02/us-heatwave-temperature-records
[3] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12339494
[4] http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/2012/dec/18/weekly-review-2012-weather-environment?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487
[5] http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/reportcard/exec_summary.html
[6] http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/dec/14/global-warming-sun-leaked-ipcc-report
[7] http://theenergycollective.com/francesbeinecke/165961/epa-administrator-lisa-jackson-leaves-legacy-cleaner-air-safer-water-and-more
