In science, the word ‘theory’ has a very specific meaning that’s easy for nonscientists to misunderstand or misconstrue. Here’s what a theory must withstand to be accepted by the scientific community.
As the planet warms, the amount of moisture in the atmosphere is increasing. This will cause a lot more heavy rainfall, even in areas that are becoming drier.
Pardon me while I blow this out of proportion.
Blowfish image via www.shutterstock.com.
Laser-like focus on a tiny, unimportant detail can mean you miss the gorilla in the room – a tactic climate change deniers use to cast doubt on the science.
Leaders are worried US leadership on global issues like climate change will be diminished under President Trump. Experts explain why China is ready to lead, and how that could be a good thing.
Donald Trump has promised to make America great again.
Reuters/Jonathan Ernst
The Global Trends report provides a useful starting point to reflect on what’s in store for Africa over the next five years. And how the continent should think about responding to its challenges.
The main cause of coral bleaching – the disappearance of the coral’s colour, revealing the white skeleton – is heat stress.
Shutterstock
Tanzania has experienced two major coral bleaching events. Major coral bleaching events occur when sea surface temperatures are high thanks to El Nino.
An Arctic iceberg, pictured in 2015. This year, ice coverage has reached record lows for the early northern winter.
AWeith/Wikimedia Commons
The end of 2016 has brought balmy Arctic temperatures and record low ice extent for the time of year. It’s a freak event even by modern standards, and climate models point the finger firmly at humans.
President-elect Donald Trump’s stance on climate change is very different to Barack Obama’s.
Reuters/Kevin Lamarque
If Trump forsakes US support for the 2015 Paris Climate Accord as well as Obama’s bilateral climate agreement with China, the resultant rise of global warming will wreak havoc throughout Africa.
Ultra-low interest rates have made low-carbon projects like windmill farms more attractive than coal power plants. That will begin to change as the central bank lifts rates, hurting the green economy.
Modern science can be difficult or complex for one person to understand and verify, especially a non-scientist. So who should we believe when scientific evidence is met with denial?
Philip Lloyd, Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Without understanding why the ‘fingerprint’ has failed to appear our predictions about global warming - as carbon dioxide concentrations increase - are uncertain.
Testing the waters.
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Follow
Cold polar water can stop the Arctic sea ice from melting – but what happens if it warms up?
Upper Coomera is one of those fast-growing fringe suburbs that are hotter because of tightly packed housing with less greenery.
Daryl Jones/www.ozaerial.com.au/
Recently published research has found that the concentration of poorer people in hotter places is a real problem for cities’ capacity to cope with climate change.