Tiempo Climate Newswatch

2008 is likely to be recorded amongst the top ten warmest years worldwide but will be cooler than recent years, report scientists from the United Kingdom Met Office (UKMO) and University of East Anglia (UEA). Phil Jones, director of UEA's Climatic Research Unit noted that the fact that 2008 is likely to have been cooler than any of the last seven years does not mean that "global warming has gone away. What matters is the underlying rate of warming." Global temperature over the period 2001-2007 was 0.21 degrees Celsius warmer than the corresponding value for the period 1991-2000.

The current year, 2009, is set to become one of the five warmest years on record despite widespread cooling in the Pacific associated with the La Niña phenomenon according to a UKMO forecast. "Warmer conditions in 2009 are expected because the strong cooling influence of the recent powerful La Niña has given way to a weaker La Niña. Further warming to record levels is likely once a moderate El Niño develops," said Chris Folland from the UKMO's Hadley Centre. In the longer-term, a UKMO forecast in 2007 predicted that over half the years to 2014 would exceed the warmest year currently on record, 1998.

The United States faces the possibility of abrupt climate change during the present century with the potential for substantial disruption to human society, according to a new assessment led by the United States Geological Survey. The report highlights rapid and sustained loss of Arctic sea ice during the early autumn, a decrease in the poleward flow of warm water in the Atlantic Ocean and an increase in the pace of methane emissions. While an abrupt change in sea level is considered possible, predictions are highly uncertain.

There is also a risk that the southwestern United States may have entered a prolonged period of increased drought. "Our report finds that drying is likely to extend poleward into the American West, increasing the likelihood of severe and persistent drought there in the future," said Peter Clark of Oregon State University. "If the models are accurate, it appears this has already begun. The possibility that the Southwest may be entering a permanent drought state is not yet widely appreciated," he continued.

Air New Zealand has flown a test flight powered by second-generation biofuel. One engine was powered by a 50:50 blend of synthetic fuel made from jatropha oil and standard jet fuel. "We undertook a range of tests on the ground and in flight with the jatropha biofuel performing well through both the fuel system and engine," said chief pilot Dave Morgan.

A Continental Airlines test flight on January 7th will power one engine with a blend of conventional fuel and a mix of biofuel from algae and jatropha. "This flight represents another step in Continental's commitment to reducing carbon emissions and identifying sustainable, long-term fuel solutions for the aviation industry," said chairman and chief executive officer Larry Kellner. The International Air Transport Association aims for its members to use 10 per cent alternative fuels by 2017. Its long-term goal is for airlines to fly carbon-free in 50 years time using technologies such as fuel cells and solar energy.

2008 is likely to be recorded amongst the top ten warmest years worldwide but will be cooler than recent years, report scientists from the United Kingdom Met Office (UKMO) and University of East Anglia (UEA). Phil Jones, director of UEA's Climatic Research Unit noted that the fact that 2008 is likely to have been cooler than any of the last seven years does not mean that "global warming has gone away. What matters is the underlying rate of warming." Global temperature over the period 2001-2007 was 0.21 degrees Celsius warmer than the corresponding value for the period 1991-2000.

The current year, 2009, is set to become one of the five warmest years on record despite widespread cooling in the Pacific associated with the La Niña phenomenon according to a UKMO forecast. "Warmer conditions in 2009 are expected because the strong cooling influence of the recent powerful La Niña has given way to a weaker La Niña. Further warming to record levels is likely once a moderate El Niño develops," said Chris Folland from the UKMO's Hadley Centre. In the longer-term, a UKMO forecast in 2007 predicted that over half the years to 2014 would exceed the warmest year currently on record, 1998.

The United States faces the possibility of abrupt climate change during the present century with the potential for substantial disruption to human society, according to a new assessment led by the United States Geological Survey. The report highlights rapid and sustained loss of Arctic sea ice during the early autumn, a decrease in the poleward flow of warm water in the Atlantic Ocean and an increase in the pace of methane emissions. While an abrupt change in sea level is considered possible, predictions are highly uncertain.

There is also a risk that the southwestern United States may have entered a prolonged period of increased drought. "Our report finds that drying is likely to extend poleward into the American West, increasing the likelihood of severe and persistent drought there in the future," said Peter Clark of Oregon State University. "If the models are accurate, it appears this has already begun. The possibility that the Southwest may be entering a permanent drought state is not yet widely appreciated," he continued.

Air New Zealand has flown a test flight powered by second-generation biofuel. One engine was powered by a 50:50 blend of synthetic fuel made from jatropha oil and standard jet fuel. "We undertook a range of tests on the ground and in flight with the jatropha biofuel performing well through both the fuel system and engine," said chief pilot Dave Morgan.

A Continental Airlines test flight on January 7th will power one engine with a blend of conventional fuel and a mix of biofuel from algae and jatropha. "This flight represents another step in Continental's commitment to reducing carbon emissions and identifying sustainable, long-term fuel solutions for the aviation industry," said chairman and chief executive officer Larry Kellner. The International Air Transport Association aims for its members to use 10 per cent alternative fuels by 2017. Its long-term goal is for airlines to fly carbon-free in 50 years time using technologies such as fuel cells and solar energy.