Author: postMigrator

National Center for Atmospheric Research  (NCAR)

Permafrost Threatened by Rapid Retreat of Arctic Sea Ice, NCAR Study Finds
http://www.ucar.edu/news/releases/2008/permafrost.jsp

June 10, 2008

BOULDER-The rate of climate warming over northern Alaska, Canada, and
Russia could more than triple during periods of rapid sea ice loss,
according to a new study led by the National Center for Atmospheric
Research (NCAR). The findings raise concerns about the thawing of
permafrost, or permanently frozen soil, and the potential
consequences for sensitive ecosystems, human infrastructure, and the
release of additional greenhouse gases.

“Our study suggests that, if sea-ice continues to contract rapidly
over the next several years, Arctic land warming and permafrost thaw
are likely to accelerate,” says lead author David Lawrence of NCAR.

See the complete news release at:
http://www.ucar.edu/news/releases/2008/permafrost.jsp

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“If we have bad crops, it’s going to be a wild ride,” said the
Agriculture Department’s chief economist, Joseph Glauber. “There’s
just no cushion.”

“China also faces trouble: the agriculture ministry issued an urgent
notice to wheat and rice farmers in southern China on Sunday, telling
them to harvest as much of their crop as possible immediately in the
face of unseasonable torrential rains expected to rake the region for
the next 10 days.”

“”We can’t snap our fingers and make high yields,” said Emerson D.
Nafziger, a professor of agronomic extension at the University of
Illinois. “We still depend on the weather.”
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New York Times
June 10, 2008

Worries Mount as Farmers Push for Big Harvest
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/10/business/10planting.html?hp
By DAVID STREITFELD and KEITH BRADSHER

GRIFFIN, Ind. – In a year when global harvests need to be excellent
to ease the threat of pervasive food shortages, evidence is mounting
that they will be average at best. Some farmers are starting to fear
disaster.

American corn and soybean farmers are suffering from too much rain,
while Australian wheat farmers have been plagued by drought.

“The planting has gotten off to a poor start,” said Bill Nelson, a
Wachovia grains analyst. “The anxiety level is increasing.”

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Midwest sees more floods
Mon Jun 9, 2008 5:58pm EDT

MADISON, Wisconsin (Reuters) – A dam near the Wisconsin Dells resort area broke on Monday, sweeping away some homes, as torrential rains caused more flooding across parts of the U.S. Midwest, authorities said.

No deaths or injuries were reported, though residents living beside a few rain-swollen rivers in central Wisconsin were urged to evacuate, the Columbia County Sheriff’s office said.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 9, 2008 2:15 PM

CONTACT: Center for Biological Diversity
Brendan Cummings, Center for Biological Diversity, (760) 366-2232 x 304
Whit Sheard, Pacific Environment, (907) 982-7095

Lawsuit to Be Filed to Protect Polar Bears from Oil Development and Greenhouse Gases
Offshore Oil Development in Arctic Seas Challenged

SAN FRANCISCO – June 9 – Today two conservation groups formally notified Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne of their intent to file suit under the Endangered Species Act for Secretary Kempthorne’s failure to protect polar bears from oil development in their habitat in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas off Alaska.

Polar bears were listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act on May 15, 2008 due to the ongoing and projected loss of their sea-ice habitat from global warming. Polar bears in the United States live on and near the seasonally frozen waters of the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas off Alaska. The Bush administration has opened up virtually all of this habitat to leasing by oil companies.

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