New Life Style

Antarctic melt is speeding methane release.

climatechangeconcern — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:02:14 +0000

Microbes living under ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland could be churning out large quantities of the greenhouse gas methane, a new study suggests.

On a recent trip to the Antarctic Peninsula, Argentine geologist Dr. Rodolfo del Valle witnessed continuous bubbling under certain areas of the water’s surface. Measurements revealed that the bubbles were 99% methane gas.

With ice shelves in Western Antarctica and the Peninsula already noted to be melting due to climate change, the additional release of methane could, due to its potency, accelerate global warming beyond what scientists have described as an irreversible tipping point, leading then to immense Earth changes.

Dr. del Valle is now working to determine the potential impact of this greenhouse gas as he stated, “We believe there is a huge amount of destabilized methane deposits that may leak into the atmosphere and ramp up warming.”

He went on to speak of the changes seen throughout significant periods of geologic history, saying, “Of seven major mass extinctions that erased 90% of the species at the time, five are attributable to climate change, and one in particular – at the Permo-Triassic boundary – could be directly attributable to mass methane release in the Upper Paleozoic.”

Dr. del Valle, we appreciate your work alerting us to this most recent evidence of continued climate change. Let us join in a rapid response to preserve a habitable ecosystem for all beings while we still have time.
Supreme Master Ching Hai has cautioned on previous occasions about the risks of methane release due to global warming, while also highlighting an effective way to stop it, as during a September 2008 interview on the US-based Environmentally Sound Radio.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: You look all that and you see already because the methane gas and hydrogen sulfide are resulted from animal raising, and that produces a lot of toxic gas into the air and it warms the atmosphere, and then the atmosphere melts the ice and the ocean will be warm, and then more methane and other toxins will be released from the bottom of the ocean and permafrost and all that. And then it will be like a devil’s circle. I hope we stop it quick.

If we do not do anything, then we will goto the point of no return. But luckily, because due to many new vegetarian people joining the vegetarian diet, now we have delayed the point of no return.

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/03/antarctic-methane-lakes/

Ocean dead zones increase at alarming rate.

climatechangeconcern — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:50:02 +0000

A report just issued by the US Executive Office of Science and Technology Policy, representing the work of scientists from multiple institutions, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the US Geological Survey and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, indicates that ocean hypoxia has increased nearly 30-fold since data began to be collected 50 years ago.

The scientists found that nearly half of the 647 total US coastal water bodies evaluated are currently affected by hypoxia, a condition in which oxygen levels drop so low that fish and other marine life cannot survive.

Their assessment also linked the rapid spread of these low-oxygen areas to livestock manure and fertilizer run-off, which is carried in waterways and dumps a surplus of substances such as nitrogen and phosphorus into the oceans.

Algae then grow in the waters and deplete oxygen supplies. While this report focuses on the coastal waters of the USA, Dr. Tony Koslow of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography cautioned that dead zones are a growing global problem, one which is likely being accelerated by climate change, because of the effect that the warming of the top ocean layer has when it mixes with the colder, oxygen-poor layers further below.

Dr. Koslow stated that oxygen levels in deep oceans are forecast to decline up to 40% in the next century, with potentially devastating effects on sensitive marine organisms. Moreover, the report concluded, “If current practices are continued, the expansion of hypoxia in coastal waters will continue and increase in severity.”

Our appreciation, Dr. Koslow, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, US Executive Office of Science and Technology Policy and all participating scientists, for this updated information about the dire state of our marine environments.

We pray for the rejuvenation of the oceans and all inhabitants as humans choose lifestyles that reflect awareness and consideration of all beings.Speaking with concern during an October 2009 videoconference in Formosa (Taiwan), Supreme Master Ching Hai addressed the detrimental impacts of livestock-raising to marine ecosystems and what must be done to reverse these effects.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: The livestock sector is probably the world’s biggest source of water pollution. Excessive animal waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides degrade waterways, killing aquatic organisms by creating algae blooms, which in turn chokes the oxygen from water systems and help form these oceanic dead zones.

The number of oxygen-depleted oceanic dead zones has increased from only 49 in the 1960s to 405 in 2008. And I am sure there are more now. Regarding the concrete instructions and guidance to avoid the planet’s destruction, it’s again: Be veg, go green, do good deeds and be loving. That’s the loving way to live; that’s the noble way to live.

We must develop our innate noble qualities, because after all, we are humane beings. And, it’s the only way we can save the planet from destruction.

http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2583
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/sep/03/coastal-dead-zones-threat-us-waters/

Whales assist in the world’s carbon storage.

climatechangeconcern — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 01:18:08 +0000

Researchers from the US and Canada recently published a report on the impact of whaling on the ocean carbon cycle in the international Public Library of Science, noting that the past century of killing the marine mammals may have released 100 million tons of carbon into the atmosphere.

Saying that whales are the “forests of the ocean,” study scientist Dr. Andrew Pershing of the University of Maine in the USA, stated that the cetaceans store carbon within their immense bodies.

When a whale dies naturally, it transports the carbon to the ocean depths, away from the atmosphere for up to hundreds of years. However, when whales are killed, this carbon is released instead. The scientists thus cite this as yet another reason that restoring whale and large fish populations should be a top priority for the balance of marine ecosystems and our planet.

Our sincere thanks, Dr. Pershing and fellow scientists in the US and Canada. May such efforts as yours help us appreciate the intricate harmony of nature so that we may more deeply respect and protect the life of the majestic whale and all beings.

During an interview published in the December 16, 2009 edition of The Irish Dog Journal, Supreme Master Ching Hai reiterated the vital role of our marine co-inhabitants, as well as humanity’s need to safeguard their welfare, and in so doing, the survival of the planet.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: Of course, animals also have very noble, vital roles in the physical realm. In the oceans, fish play an important role in quickly recycling nutrients in the ecosystem, which helps to sustain all the marine life.

Some of them are from higher levels of consciousness; they only came down in animal form to help humankind or other beings on Earth. You see, the seals and the whales emanate an incredible, great power of divine love, an unconditional love that could be likened to that between a mother and her child.

And it is this love that is sustaining our planet and keeping it from destruction up to now. So, we should never ever hunt and kill these noble, gracious helpers of humankind and the planet.

http://www.physorg.com/news202985104.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8538033.stm

Walruses endure mass migration due to melting ice.

climatechangeconcern — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 13:38:00 +0000

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has announced the observation that between 10,000 and 20,000 mother walruses and their calves had to travel this summer to the Alaskan shore, because the ice floes, where they typically spend their time raising families, are melting so quickly that they can no longer support the walrus populations.

Geoff York, of the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) global Arctic program stated, “It’s something that we have never seen before in this area. As the ice decreases, the walrus are abandoning it earlier and earlier.”
A new report also found that 17 additional species are at risk of extinction due to global warming and effects such as melting Arctic ice.

Our thanks, US Geological Survey, World Wildlife Fund and other participating scientists for this distressing alert to the adjustments being made by walruses and other Arctic animals as they attempt to cope with human-caused climate change.

Let us act swiftly to save all beings, including ourselves. As on previous occasions, Supreme Master Ching Hai spoke with concern for the suffering of animal co-inhabitants during a May 2009 videoconference in Togo as she offered ways to explain the tolls of global warming to young people, who are key to the welfare of our planet’s future.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: You can show how the migrating birds have to fly farther and farther to find a place to nest, and the polar bears swim longer and longer now because there is no more ice until sometimes they drown of exhaustion, or why the neighboring country has so many floods in recent years, so many disasters, etc.

Tell them how climate change is affecting real lives, real animals, real people, and their own lives as well. But it’s also important to show the young people that there is still hope; we can still save the planet.

It’s a chance to be true heroes, by being vegan and spread the news of this solution.

http://www.physorg.com/news203613652.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/sep/13/walrus-haul-out-alaska

Global spread of dengue linked to climate change.

climatechangeconcern — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:28:42 +0000

With warming temperatures extending the northward range of tropical organisms, World Health Organization experts have also been forecasting the spread of disease such as mosquito-borne dengue fever, saying that some 2.5 billion people are currently at risk.

This severely painful disease is characterized by high fever, headaches and muscle and joint pains, and can be fatal. There is currently no vaccination or effective treatment that offers a cure.

In the Philippines, the Department of Health has reported a 48% increase in dengue cases this year, which now total nearly 41,000, with 328 fatalities. Cases now exceed 35,000 in Sri Lanka, and the government has warned that the entire population could become affected.

In Thailand, 45,000 people have been diagnosed, with 43 fatalities, leading the government to recommend that youth avoid black leggings, stating the mosquitoes carrying dengue are more attracted to dark clothing. The incidence in Yemen is currently so high that it is being called an epidemic, with the disease having spread to 100,000 people, causing over 200 deaths.

And with some 60,000 confirmed illnesses on the small French Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe, the epidemic there now affects around 4000 persons per week on each island.

Meanwhile, scientists such as Dr. Franco G. Teves in the Philippines are evaluating whether the actual life cycle of the dengue-carrying mosquito is changing as temperatures continue to rise.

He stated, “We are trying to substantiate whether temperature increase hastens the completion of the mosquito’s life cycle, leading to a … population explosion.”

Our appreciation, Dr. Teves, World Health Organization and scientists around the world for these findings that raise the alert to the accelerating risk of dengue fever.

We are deeply saddened to know of the suffering endured by so many and pray that everyone quickly joins in planet-cooling actions to reverse climate change and protect all lives.

Supreme Master Ching Hai has often reminded of acting preventively to address the imbalances of global warming, as in the following March 2009 videoconference in California, USA.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: How can we take measures to protect , not from rising sea levels, but also all the similar consequences of global warming? See?
When the sea level rises, there will be more mosquitoes and diseases.

Being vegan is our top priority because this provides the most immediate cooling through actions that can be taken by individuals because we are a big group on the planet, you see. Carbon removal is also good and acts fairly quickly, but being veg is something that every single person in the world can do and immediately

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100816-287167/Dengue-cases-48-higher-than-09DOH
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=35620&Cr=Mosquito&Cr1=
http://www.france24.com/en/20100809-thailand-issues-health-warning-black-leggings

地球暖化大難臨頭

climatechangeconcern — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 17:55:37 +0000

地球暖化大難臨頭（陳惟華）

2010年08月07日蘋果日報

美國海洋大氣管理局（National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration，NOAA）於7月28日發表2009年「氣候狀況」報告，彙整來自全球七千多個氣象站，從空中、高山、地面到海洋首次歸納成十個不同的指標，每一個指標都根據回溯到1850~1970年代之間3至7組的數據集。報告來自48個國家，包括俄羅斯和中國一共300多位科學家的獨立研究資料，由國家氣候數據中心編輯群綜整，經過美國氣象學會提供科學評論家審閱並出版。報告聲明我們的世界正在變暖的科學證據，是「明白無誤」不容置疑的。海洋大氣管理局長盧布琴科博士強調，這些來自全球各大機構研究的結論都一致，這些獨立研究的證據都指向相同的結論：地球的確在暖化！

根據報告，過去10年是全球最溫暖的紀錄以及過去50年已越來越熱。全球過去10年地表的氣溫比1960年代高出華氏1度（攝氏0.6度），比1990年代約高華氏0.4度。暖化已導致冰川融化退縮，由於大氣水分增加造成更多的熱浪和強降雨。升高華氏1度，在過去50年中可能看上去很小，但它已經改變了我們的星球。現在證據顯示，過去50年暖化的熱能93.4％已被我們的海洋所吸收，包括水面下6000英尺深度的海洋都變暖。水保溫比空氣要好，所以暖化會停留更久。

報告的作者說，人們不應該從去年寒冷天氣得出地球一切都還好的結論。氣候變暖仍會有寒流，但將變得不那麼頻繁和強烈。例如，在2009~2010年的冬天，一個溫暖的氣團進入加拿大而把冷空氣往南推，結果加拿大經歷了一個暖冬，但美國中大西洋沿岸則變寒冷多雪。NOAA說雖然美國從達拉斯到紐約都有積雪紀錄，其餘的北半球則有最溫暖冬季之一的紀錄。報告結論指出十個暖化的主要指標：對流層氣溫、地表氣溫、海水溫度、海上氣溫、海洋熱量、海平面和濕度七個指標都升高；而海冰、冰河和積雪三個指標卻減少。研究人員還審查了27項其他指標，包括大氣中溫室氣體的濃度、降雨量和海洋的鹽度等。實際證據已顯示氣候變遷是人為造成的，這點無庸置疑！

氣候變遷隨處可見

去年11月英國東英吉利大學的電腦數以百計的電子郵件被竊取，引發全球暖化懷疑論者，包括美國共和黨參議員詹姆斯英赫夫的批判，表示溫度資料有被操弄的嫌疑，讓英國科學家捲入這次氣候變遷的國際爭論風暴。懷疑論者認為，由於更多的氣象觀測站設在城市地區，可能扭曲了溫度的測量，並聲稱地球暖化的準確圖像是無法量測。歷經三次調查，發現除了學界應該避免直接向公眾披露資料之外並無不法，這些指控最後都被駁回。現在NOAA公布「氣候狀況」的最新報告顯示，許多指標都支持暖化是可以量測的。

盧布琴科博士說：「這份報告最重要的結論是氣候變遷確實是人類造成的！不只在偏遠的極地或熱帶小島，而是處處可見，包括自家的後院氣候變遷確實存在，而且正在發生，它不是未來的問題！我們已經看到它對日常生活的影響，人類要為眼前的改變負責。而我們是否立即行動，攸關未來衝擊的程度。」地球暖化一點也不抽象，它就在眼前，影響我們和世代子孫。今年上半年的氣溫更是一百多年來全球最熱的紀錄！美國航太總署戈達德太空研究所主任韓森博士指出，我們就快超過地球暖化不可逆的臨界點，這兩年是關鍵時刻。我們沒有時間再猶豫不決或漠不關心，請接受聯合國今年6月的研究建議：採取人人可以做到、最簡單、最有效讓地球永續的方法──純蔬食，來拯救地球和地球上的生命。

作者為英國牛津大學發育醫學博士、三軍總醫院基隆分院前院長

http://tw.nextmedia.com/applenews/article/art_id/32719469/IssueID/20100807

Global warming could lead to ocean circulation shutdown.

climatechangeconcern — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:47:43 +0000

A new study by US scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst found that the amount of fresh water cycling through the Arctic is increasing due to global warming. This has raised the concern that the large volumes of ice melt from Greenland and other sources could dilute the normally salty Arctic waters to the point that the circulation of the North Atlantic, also known as the thermohaline circulation, could be slowed or even halted, with disastrous consequences for the global climate.

Explaining this immense potential tipping point in a telephone interview with Supreme Master Television was Professor Anders Levermann from Potsdam University, a senior researcher at the Potsdam Institute of Climate Impact Research in Germany and the lead author of the Sea Level Change chapter for the coming 5th report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Professor Anders Levermann – Senior researcher, Potsdam Institute of Climate Impact Research, Germany (M): If you put additional fresh water into the North Atlantic by melting Greenland or by having more discharge from Siberian rivers, then you can freshen the North Atlantic so strongly that there won’t be any sinking of water anymore, and that would disrupt this thermohaline circulation, and could make it stop. Because there’s so much heat transport associated with this thermohaline circulation, it’s going to disturb the entire climate system.

VOICE: The thermohaline circulation acts as the “conveyor belt” bringing heat from the lower to higher parts of the northern hemisphere. A collapse of this vital system could decrease North Atlantic temperatures by up to 8 degrees Celsius, severely affecting agriculture in Europe. Sea level rise and disrupted ecosystems and rainfall patterns are the other consequences that could hugely impact human life.

Professor Anders Levermann (M): The estimates are such that this kind of sea level rise that we would get from the collapse of the thermohaline circulation would be 10 times, 20 times quicker than what we see at the moment. The sea level would, more or less, instantaneously rise in the North Atlantic by up to a meter. Then, you disrupt the heat uptake of the ocean, which would further increase global warming.

Then the rain belt in the tropics would shift by a few hundreds kilometers. If you look where people live in West Africa, and also in the Amazon region, then this is where the rainfall is, and that would change enough to disturb these communities.

VOICE: We thank Professor Levermann and Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research colleagues as well as the University of Massachusetts Amherst scientists for alerting us to this potential catastrophe of the ocean as it affects the ecosphere. May we act swiftly to avert such disastrously large-scale changes and protect lives. During a September 2009 videoconference in Peru, as on many previous occasions, Supreme Master Ching Hai urged for direct action that effectively addresses such complex climate problems at their root.

Supreme Master Ching Hai : We are not ready for the changes that are coming. We are not ready at all. We are not prepared enough. Some of the changes are even anticipated to be unexpected, because there are many complicated interacting factors. The wisest action would be to fix the situation we have now and prevent further damage, then we won’t even have to worry about the future.

The smartest way would be to stop the worsening of global warming by being vegan. It sounds very simple but it is the best solution, the most effective and the effect of it will be felt almost immediately. So please, before the situation gets any more out of hand – let’s choose the vegan diet.

http://www.newswise.com/articles/arctic-freshwater-cycle-intensifies-marks-warming
http://www.pik-potsdam.de/news/press-releases/archive/2005/changes-in-ocean-circulation-could-lead-to-rapid-
regional-sea-level-change
http://www.pik-potsdam.de/~anders/

Current government emissions limit pledges put world on dangerous warming path.

climatechangeconcern — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 14:49:35 +0000

A new study from German researchers at organizations such as the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research has estimated global temperature increases based on the pledges of international governments to reduce emissions.

Despite calls by small island nations for a limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius global temperature rise and even the Copenhagen Accord’s establishment of 2 degrees maximum, the study’s findings point to a devastating 3 degree increase in temperature.

Potsdam Institute’s Bill Hare stated, “The current pledges and loopholes give us a virtual certainty of exceeding 1.5 degrees, with global warming very likely exceeding 2 degrees and a more than 50-percent chance of exceeding 3 degrees by 2100.”

According to environmental journalist Mark Lynas, author of the book, “Six Degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet,” a 3-degree temperature rise scenario includes super-hurricanes destroying large cities, vast areas of Africa and Australia rendered uninhabitable due to drought, massive carbon release from vegetation and soil and the loss of the entire Amazon rainforest in uncontrollable firestorms.

According to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the Earth has already heated up by 0.8 degrees Celsius since the start of industrialization, with accompanying sea level rise and accelerated loss of ice and permafrost.

Scientists forecast that even a 1 to 2-degree warming would cause calamities such as the submersion of low-lying coastlines, heatstroke fatalities across Europe, and the extinction of at least a third of all species.

We appreciate the contributions of Dr. Hare and Potsdam Institute colleagues, Mr. Lynas and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change scientists in helping us see the reality of the life-threatening perils we face, as we pray your message awakens us to the importance of acting faster and with ever more focus to preserve lives on our planet.

Supreme Master Ching Hai has long urged world leaders toward the most necessary actions to avert planetary disasters, as in an October 2009 speech addressing government magistrates and judges in Mexico.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: At this most urgent time for the planet, I beseech your honorable graces to please help your country and our world spare lives from the impending global warming calamity. If you don’t, there will be too massive a catastrophe, too immense a suffering upon people, families, the children, that our conscience might never be able to bear it.

We eliminate most of the human-made greenhouse gases by simply adopting the animal-free vegan organic lifestyle. This also leads to considerable financial savings for world governments.

We cannot wait for the sustainable energy and green technology to be available and used by everyone. It would be too late. We must become vegan to save our planet.

http://www.france24.com/en/20100610-world-still-heading-3-degree-celcius-warming-study
http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1878270/world_still_on_a_warming_trend/
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/article1480669.ece
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2007/apr/23/scienceandnature.climatechange

氣候變暖引地震火山未定論專家稱未來災害頻發

climatechangeconcern — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:39:58 +0000

2010-06-14 10:00 來源：科學畫報作者：王經

不少人認為，由於全球氣候變暖，使得地下的岩漿升溫，地球的溫度升高，從而造成地震、海嘯和火山爆發。科學家指出，冰蓋融化和海水面上升還會引發一個較為嚴重的後果，即海洋沉積物中天然氣水合物大量分解，造成大規模的甲烷釋放。

　　4月17日冰島南部火山噴發，火山口濃煙翻滾熔岩流淌，蜘蛛型閃電在火山口上空出現。

距火山爆發不遠處的冰川上殘留的冰坨。

科學畫報6月14日報導 2010年4月14日7時49分，青海省玉樹藏族自治州玉樹縣發生裡氏7.1級地震。到目前為止，地震已造成2200多人死亡，上萬人受傷。與此同時，冰島埃亞菲亞德拉冰蓋冰川附近的一座火山噴發，不僅使部分冰川融化引發洪水，沖毀了附近道路和橋樑，而且產生的大量火山煙塵嚴重地影響了歐洲的空中交通，多國機場被迫關閉。對於接連發生的地質災難，有人說，全球氣候變暖會導致更多的強地震和火山爆發；也有人說，氣候變化和地震、火山活動之間不存在任何聯繫。那麼，全球氣候變暖真的會引發地震和火山爆發嗎？

　　氣候變化疑似禍首

　　早在2004年12月，印度洋海嘯發生後的幾天內，互聯網上就充斥著各種關於氣候變化導致這次海嘯的討論。不少人認為，由於全球氣候變暖，使得地下的岩漿升溫，地球的溫度升高，從而造成地震、海嘯和火山爆發。不過，科學家至今沒有找到印度洋海嘯的發生與海水面升高之間有直接聯繫的證據。

　　雖然氣候變暖引發地震和火山爆發的理論有些牽強，但是其中包含的一些理論還是值得人們思考，即氣候變化與極端的地質事件是緊密聯繫在一起的。英國氣候學家理查・貝茨說：“這是一個全新的學術研究課題，可能會取得有趣的結果。之前我們假定氣候變化和這些事件無關，但不妨推測兩者之間其實可能存在一些關係。從長期、大量的氣候變化研究中，可能會看到一些效果。”不過，貝茨表示，目前沒有證據顯示當前的全球平均氣溫上升與中國的地震和冰島的火山爆發有關。

　　2009年9月，英國倫敦曾召開了一個關於“氣候對地質和地貌的影響”的研討會。與會專家認為，氣候變化會打破地球的微平衡和誘發地質災害。他們指出，在遠古時代，大氣的巨幅升溫就曾和地質變化有關。對於未來幾十年的全球氣候變暖會不會導致類似的地質變化，雖然目前下定論還為時過早，但是已經有足夠的證據說明必須嚴肅對待這個問題。如果全球氣候變暖不能被遏制的話，人類面臨的絕不僅僅是一個更加炎熱的未來，而且是一個地質災害頻發的未來。

　　水與冰對地殼的影響

　　地質學家指出，氣候和地殼之間的相互聯繫主要是通過地球上的水－冰轉換進行的，水和冰給予地殼的壓力是需要考慮的主要因素。1立方米的水品質為1噸，而1立方米冰的品質為0.9噸。如果向地面傾倒1000米厚的冰蓋，或者從海洋中移去等體積的水，都會造成地殼岩石所受到的壓力和張力的變化。因此，水和冰在地殼上的改變會引起地震和火山爆發自然並不奇怪。

　　一般情況下，地面上的水和冰對地殼的作用並不明顯。但是，如果出現一些極端的、突發性的氣候變化，這種作用就會變得明顯，比如在冰期的開始和結束，再比如我們面臨的未來的全球氣候變暖。在這樣的情況下，岩石所受到的壓力和張力會發生較大的改變，其內部的力的平衡被打破，就很容易引起地震和火山爆發。

　　類似的事情在地球歷史上發生過多次。在過去的65萬年中，地球上大約出現過7次較大的冰期，當時南北兩極的冰蓋大大超過今天。由於大量的水被凍在海洋中和大陸上，水資源在地球上的分佈大大改變，海水面大幅下降。其直接後果就是地殼所受到的壓力和張力發生改變。當冰蓋融化時，水在地球上再次被重新分配，而地殼所受到的壓力和張力又隨之發生變化。在這些頻繁的變化中，地殼很容易產生新的斷層並誘發更多的地震。

　　1970年，澳大利亞國立大學的約翰・查普爾研究了冰期的迴圈與火山爆發頻率的關係。從最近一次冰期結束（距今1萬年前）地球開始變暖算起，冰島經歷了4次劇烈的火山爆發，這被認為是冰蓋融化導致地殼內的岩漿所受到的壓力變化的結果。美國北卡羅來納大學的研究人員對美國加利福尼亞州北部地方進行研究發現，過去80萬年中這裡也出現過類似的事情。此外，在美國喀斯喀特山脈和安第斯山脈中的中緯度冰川的進退也與火山活動的增強有著一定的聯繫。

　　地震活動與火山爆發有點相似。瑞典科學家指出，在過去的冰期中，地殼所受的壓力和張力的平衡發生變化，觸發了斯堪的納維亞半島上的地震，類似的事情在蘇格蘭和北美也都曾發生。此後，加拿大科學家進一步指出，這種效應在今天依然存在。他們特別說明，北美大陸應力的回彈可能是1811－1812年之間美國新馬德里大地震的主要原因。

　　氣候變暖不容忽視

　　在今天，全球氣候變暖的影響開始顯現出來。2004年，美國國家航空航天局的地球物理學家珍妮・索伯和美國地質調查局的地質學家布魯斯・莫爾納指出，阿拉斯加州西南部的冰川快速消融使得該地區地殼所受到的壓力發生變化，從而導致了1979年當地的7.2級大地震。“這種事情將來還會繼續發生。”他們警告說，“在那些與阿拉斯加州相似的地區，評估地震威脅的時候，必須將地震和冰川融化之間的聯繫考慮進來。”這對那些冰川和斷層並存的地區具有很重要的意義，比如阿爾卑斯山脈、喜馬拉雅山脈、洛磯山脈、安第斯山脈以及新西蘭的南阿爾卑斯山脈。

　　在格陵蘭島的大陸架上還存在一個特別的問題。冰蓋的融化會導致海底所受的壓力發生變化，有可能觸發地震。而在這個地區的大陸邊緣存在著數量巨大的沉積物，一旦發生地震，必然造成海底滑坡，進而引起巨大的海嘯。一旦這種事情發生，其規模將與8000年前在挪威西海岸發生的由海底滑坡所造成的海嘯不相上下。挪威西海岸發生的那次海底滑坡被認為是由一次海底地震引起的，造成了三次巨大的沉積物滑坡，繼而引發了巨大的海嘯，在蘇格蘭北部的設德蘭群島附近形成了20米高的海浪，在蘇格蘭東岸也形成了6米高的海浪。目前，這個地區很穩定，但格陵蘭島的這些沉積物卻存在很大的風險，有可能重蹈覆轍。

　　1997年，倫敦大學學院的比爾・麥圭爾領導的研究小組分析了從沉積物的岩心中獲取的資料後指出，過去8萬年間地中海的海水面變化與火山爆發的強度有直接的關係。最強烈的火山爆發事件恰恰發生在過去15000年中海水面一直上升的時期，而且這並不是一次區域性的事件。新漢普郡大學的研究人員已經從格陵蘭冰蓋的冰芯中找到了同時期火山爆發的證據。

　　冰蓋融化和海水面上升還意味著以前暴露的大陸邊緣將被海水淹沒。在最近一次冰期結束的時候，大部分主要的海盆邊緣的斷層異常活躍，並觸發地震，還在洋底引起了巨大的滑坡。目前，研究人員已經在北大西洋盆地發現了27個這樣的滑坡遺跡，其中很多被證實是由過去15000年間海水面上升觸發導致的。

　　那麼，這些地震、火山爆發或海嘯是否會再次發生呢？索伯和莫爾納的研究暗示，它們其實已經發生了。最近，英國南極調查局的研究人員注意到，格陵蘭冰蓋的加速融化和南極洲西部冰蓋的崩塌可能是當今海水面升高的開端。這意味著在未來幾個世紀內海水面將升高數米。這幾乎和最後一次冰期結束後海水面上升的最快速度一致。也就是說，我們將來可能不僅僅面臨著一個更加溫暖的地球，還將面臨著一個充斥著火山爆發和地震頻發的地球。

　　對於火山而言，目前全世界依然活躍的600多座活火山中有57%分佈在島嶼或者海岸線上，還有38%分佈在海岸線附近250千米之內。這些活火山很容易受到壓力的影響，而壓力則可能來自極地冰蓋融化引起的海水面上升。同樣，大陸邊緣也會因此提高地震發生的可能性，並引起一些不穩定地區的海底滑坡和海嘯，如美國的東海岸、加利福尼亞州沿岸以及加勒比地區的北部。

　　科學家指出，冰蓋融化和海水面上升還會引發一個較為嚴重的後果，即海洋沉積物中天然氣水合物大量分解，造成大規模的甲烷釋放。在海盆邊緣的沉積物中儲藏著大量的天然氣水合物，由海水溫度上升或者海水面上升引起的地震都會使它們分解並以甲烷的形式釋放出來。雖然海水面升高，海底所受到的壓力的變化在一定程度上有助於天然氣水合物保持穩定，但是作為比二氧化碳更加厲害的大氣保溫氣體，甲烷釋放也會進一步促使全球平均氣溫上升。

　　事實上，並不是所有的火山爆發和地震都與氣候變化有關。然而，隨著時間的推移，人們很可能會看到越來越多的地質災害因為氣候的變化而產生。唯一令人欣慰的是，火山爆發會向大氣中釋放大量的二氧化硫氣體，這可能使地表溫度下降而減緩大氣保溫效應。

　　火山爆發竟是天氣惹的禍

　　在白令海峽，有一座叫做巴甫洛夫的火山，它的爆發由天氣控制。

　　巴甫洛夫火山的爆發幾乎都發生在秋天和冬天。阿拉斯加火山觀測站的史蒂夫・麥克納特認為，這是因為寒冷天氣下的低氣壓控制了該火山的爆發。按照麥克納特的說法，氣壓降低會使巴甫洛夫火山附近的水平面上升30釐米，而暴風有可能將水面推得更高。他推測，高水面使火山受到更大的壓力，繼而把岩漿通過火山通道向上擠壓，就像擠牙膏一樣。因此，巴甫洛夫火山形成了有規律的噴發。

　　巴甫洛夫火山並不是唯一對環境變化非常敏感的火山。劍橋大學的本・馬森和他的同事認為，大部分的火山對周圍的環境都非常敏感。他們通過對1700－1999年間3000多次火山爆發的時間進行統計研究，總結出了地球上火山爆發與季節變化的關係，即發生在11月到次年3月之間的火山爆發比一年內其他時間更多。研究人員認為，這可能跟海水面隨季節變化而變化有關。由於季節的冷暖變化，使得億萬噸的水在海洋和大陸之間轉移。這種轉移必然使地殼所受到的壓力產生巨大變化，繼而導致火山爆發。

　　一些因斷層產生的地震同樣對季節非常敏感。與巴甫洛夫火山相似，華盛頓卡內基研究院的地球物理學家將發生在臺灣東部的一類“慢地震”（發震持續時間較長）與颱風的超低氣壓聯繫起來。

　　研究人員推測，很多潛在的地質災害都與洋流、海水面和氣壓的短期變化有關。在過去30年間，氣候變化導致超出預期2倍多的熱帶氣旋出現。強熱帶氣旋具有更大的破壞力和影響力，更有可能引發地質災害。

　　(本文來源：科學畫報作者：王經)

http://news.xinmin.cn/rollnews/2010/06/14/5247749.html

国际专家小组：化石燃料的使用和喂养世界对环境造成的冲击最大

climatechangeconcern — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:09:50 +0000

國際專家小組：化石燃料的使用和餵養世界對環境造成的衝擊最大

2010年6月2日如何餵養世界、如何向其提供燃料在很大程度上決定著21世紀如何發展：是變得越來越具有可持續性，還是使數十億人走進一個死胡同，是擺在人們面前的一個需要回答的問題。

一個由27名專家組成的“可持續資源管理國際小組”6月2日發表的一份報告指出，當前的化石燃料和糧食生產及消費模式正在使淡水供應變得枯竭、引發具有經濟價值的生態系統，如森林的喪失、使疾病和死亡加劇，並使污染水準惡化到一個不可持續的水準。

報告得出結論：對能源和農業進行大刀闊斧地改革、重新思考和重新設計將可以在環境、社會和經濟方面帶來顯著的回報。

報告指出，將能源和糧食兩大部門的環境衝擊同經濟增長脫鉤可以從家庭層面做起。可持續性目標可以從通過改善家庭能源和糧食消費的模式開始，如取暖和製冷系統、電器以及旅行的方式。

報告甚至發出具有爭議性的呼籲：人們的膳食結構應該做出顯著的改變：從以動物蛋白為基礎向更加素食的方向轉變，以減少環境的壓力。報告同時對普遍存在的一種觀點提出挑戰：即越來越富裕將自動可以使環境改善。報告指出，研究表明：如果富裕程度增加一倍，環境受到的壓力則增加60%到80%，而在新興經濟體當中，環境受到的壓力似乎更大。

據統計，全球溫室氣體排放總量的19%來自糧食生產。畜牧業需消耗世界糧食作物的一半；農業生產需要耗費全球70%的淡水資源和38%的土地。

http://www.un.org/chinese/News/fullstorynews.asp?newsID=13554