A Bangladeshi father dubbed “Tree Man” for massive bark-like warts on his hands and feet will finally have surgery to remove the growths that first began appearing a decade ago.
Earth breaks it’s own world temperature record, again.
A new report from the Climate Council of Australia revealed that last year’s global average temperature was the highest since global records began in 1880, with 2015 experiencing its hottest year on record – again – besting the 2014 stats by a jaw-dropping 0.16°C. To paraphrase Paris Hilton, that’s hot.
The temperature was 0.90°C* above the 20th century average, which factors in a strong warming trend from 1970 through the end of the century. Last year’s record warmth is part of a long-term trend. Did you know that all the world’s 10 warmest years have occurred since 1998?
Last year also holds the title as the 39th consecutive year with above-average global temperatures. Said differently, nobody under age 40 has lived in a year with global average temperatures at or below the global 20th century average. Which means Baby Boomers really are the cooler generation.
This is nothing to laugh about. The trend towards warmer temperatures is happening across many regions of the world, with the Middle East and North Africa among the most vulnerable areas. Last July, a weather phenomenon called a “heat dome” – a high pressure ridge that passed over the region – created mind-boggling combinations of heat and humidity, even for cities familiar with furnace-like summers.
Doha, Qatar registered temperatures of 48.5 °C (nearly 120 °F), six degrees higher than normal. The southeastern Iraqi city of Samawah reported the same, paired with a dew point of 29.5 °C (85.1°F) , yielding a feels-like temperature of 71°C (159 °F) and prompting the government to declare a mandatory four-day holiday. The feels-like temperature reached 53°C (128 °F) in Bahrain.
An increase in atmospheric greenhouse gases, resulting primarily from the burning of coal, oil and gas, is driving climate change and increasing global temperatures. Unless we take action, we can expect even hotter conditions ahead as the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere continues to increase.
The World Meteorological Organization says the official record-high temperature for Asia, of which the Middle East is a part, is 129 degrees (54 degrees Celsius) set at Tivat Tsvi, Israel, on June 21, 1942. That figure is sometimes refuted as unreliable, but it should bring the issue closer to home.
The Paris Conference of Parties has officially ended in December with 195 nations signing up to a partially legally binding program of measures for curbing climate change. That global pact asks countries to limit their greenhouse gas emissions and commit to enacting changes that will keep average global temperatures from rising another 2°C (3.6 °F) between now and the year 2100.
What are some of the things you are doing to keep the planet cool? Drop us a comment to share your experiences, experiments and tips. We all have to act, now, because being too hot just isn’t cool.
The Climate Council is an independent, crowd-funded organisation providing quality information on climate change to the Australian public. Download the full report (link here).
Image from the Climate Council of Australia, Ltd.
Clematis You Need
| Starfish Clematis |
On Saturday, Feb 20th, the Flower Garden Nature Society is hosting Dan Long of Brushwood Nursery. His vine nursery in Athens Georgia features native vines but Clematis, too.
The nursery’s website has two sections: 1) for growers and 2) finished retail products. It looks like the grower side is just for a few of their hybrids.
The Gardenvines website for gardeners still says Brushwood. At any rate, there are links to their various collection of Clematis, Passionflower vines, Climbing Roses, Honeysuckle and Jasmine,
| Dan Long |
Long’s talks on the 20th will focus on Clematis and native vines for our gardens.
The 10 am talk is titled “Clematis You Need/You Need Clematis”
His 2 pm talk is titled “Social Climbers: Native Vines that Won’t Kill Your Garden Party”
$15 for both talks.
For more information contact Gail Pianalto 479.361.2198 or Joyce Mendenhall 479.7265
National borders are becoming irrelevant, says John McDonnell
Shadow chancellor predicts international open borders by end of century as Labour’s Yvette Cooper backs need for checks
John McDonnell has claimed that borders between countries will become “irrelevant” by the end of the century, a prediction that has been questioned by his Labour colleague Yvette Cooper.
The shadow chancellor said on Sunday it was inevitable that there would eventually be open borders, warning that people are already “ignoring” boundaries that currently exist.
German vice chancellor: Monitor AfD after call to shoot at refugees
Sigmar Gabriel has called for the right-leaning Alternative for Germany (AfD) party to be watched by intelligence services. AfD’s leader Frauke Petry said police should have the right to shoot at migrants.
More than 10,000 migrant children ‘missing’: Europol
Some 10,000 unaccompanied migrant children have disappeared in Europe since their registered arrivals, according to Europol. The EU police agency fears many may have been forced into sex rings or the slave trade.
Brazilian official calls for WHO to declare emergency over Zika outbreak
Amid the outbreak of the Zika virus in Brazil, a senior health official wants the WHO to declare a state of emergency. Researchers remain baffled by the virus and its possible link to a form of infant brain damage.
National borders are becoming irrelevant, says John McDonnell
<img title=”Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell.” src=”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c4f3310f03aed01870107cb1bb049bcb93ce4ab3/0_104_3000_1800/master/3000.jpg?w=300
Source: National borders are becoming irrelevant, says John McDonnell
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Avian Flu Diary: EID Journal: Zika’s Evolution And Spread To The Western Hemisphere
Uganda virus expert says Zika adapting to humansA top scientist at the Uganda-based facility that first identified the Zika virus has told Anadolu Agency that the bug is multiplying and becoming more adaptable to humans.Dr. Julius Lutwama, senior principal research officer at the Uganda Virus Research Institute, said the virus outbreak in the Americas can only be reduced by supportive treatment and through controlling disease-carrying mosquitoes.“There are two strains of the Zika virus, which include the African Zika virus and the Asian strain, which are slightly different,” he said.“The strain that is causing problems in the Americas comes from Asia, went to Micronesia, Polynesia and moved to South America.”
Source: Avian Flu Diary: EID Journal: Zika’s Evolution And Spread To The Western Hemisphere

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