Studying Climate Variability By Reconstructing 2500 Years Of Volcanic Activity

Scientists from the Desert Research Institute (DRI) and other institutions reconstructed 2500 years of volcanic activity to prove that volcanic eruptions contribute to climate variability. Gathering data from eruptions dating as far back as the Roman Era, the scientist published a study associating these with extreme shifts in the climate.

The study notes that eruptions in the tropic and high latitudes were primary contributors of climate variability. These were caused by large amounts of volcanic sulfate particles injected into the upper atmosphere which blocked incoming solar radiation from reaching the Earth's surface. The scientists also studied tree rings from long living bristlecone-pines and saw indications for extreme cooling after a large volcanic eruption. The same results were also derived from looking at ice cores from Greenland (see image above).

The study also shows that between 500 BC and 1000 AD, 15 of the 16 coldest summers followed large volcanic eruptions; four of them happening just after the largest volcanic events found in record.

Regular Exposure to Mild Cold Conditions Promote Healthy Weight Loss

A study by researchers of the Maastricht University Medical Center in The Netherlands show that regular exposure to mild cold can be a healthy and sustainable weight loss regimen.

The authors of the study believe that exposure to cold temperatures affect the body's energy expenditure significantly. The body starts to generate its own heat to control body temperature.

Experiments show that regular exposure to cold weather, people decreased their body fat, acclimated to the temperature and shivered less even at a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius or 59 degrees Fahrenheit.

Heat production during this process can account up to 30 percent of the body's energy budget.

The authors believe that adapting to a colder climate can be a healthy way to regulate body fat and counteract obesity as well as have a beneficial side effect of conserving energy cost in home and building heating systems.

2013 Global Carbon Emission at Record 36 Billion Tons

The Global Carbon Project released figures on global carbon dioxide emissions for 2013 and it is estimated to hit 36 billion tons. That is up 61% from CO2 emissions from 1990.

Noticable changes in the Earth's climate such as unusual weather systems, rising ocean levels, and changing temperatures are being attributed to rising carbon dioxide levels.

On 11 December 1997, an international agreement, The Kyoto Protocol, was adopted in Kyoto Japan by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to set internationally binding emission reduction targets. It set binding obligations on industrialized countries to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. In December 2012, an amendment to the Kyoto Protocol, "Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol", was adopted. The amendment included a second commitment period for parties to agree on new commitments, a revised list of greenhouse gases to be reported on, and updates on existing articles which would be affected by the new period.

Despite the agreement, global carbon emission have been steadily increasing year to year at an average 2.7 percent for the last 10 years. 2013 and 2012 are projected to be arond 2.2 percent which is slightly lower than the average. Scientists believe that governments should agree to reverse this trend if emissions must fall and limit warming and climate change.

In 2012, the biggest contributors to carbon emissions China (27%), the U.S. (14%), the EU (10%), and India (6%).

Coralline Algae Aids in Climate Reconstruction

Scientists are studying coralline algae at the Labrador Sea in the North Atlantic Ocean. These algae (Clathromorphum compactum) can be used to study the progression of the ice cover in the Arctic sea over the last 150 years. The purpose of the study is to reconstruct the past climates on Earth (Climate Reconstruction)

Climate reconstruction aims to reconstruct a consistent record of the Earth's climate dating back to thousands of years. By understanding the long term history of Earth's climate, scientists can explain and project the planet's current and future climate trends. Scientists usually drill for sediments which can reveal the past state of the Earth's climate.

The new method of using studying algal deposits on the ocean floor is similar to the practice of using tree rings to track the passing of the time. With algae, these "rings" can be as small as 30 microns. Scientists study the magnesium levels in these layers which is dependent on the amount of sunlight and water temperature.

Past climate data only goes back 150 years but with the new method of using coralline algae, this record can go back to the life span of the algae which is more than a thousand years.