WhiteShadow has left a new comment on the post "East Africa in 2 months":
Jesus!!
Impressive!!
Wow!!
And so close to those animals!!
....i'm speachless...
give us more!
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Posted by WhiteShadow to ......EAST AFRICA ...... at January 22, 2009 4:15 AM
Thursday 22 January 2009
Antarctica is actually warming
One of the major issues claimed by skeptics against climate change is that Antarctica is actually cooling. How is this possible when the whole earth should be, according to scientists, warming?
Well an answer has actually been found that rebukes the whole idea. Check this out at The Guardian. A recent investigation into the issue has discovered that while some parts of the frozen continent have been getting slightly colder over the last few decades, the average temperature across the continent has been rising for at least the last 50 years.
How come?
The picture below explains it all:
The Western part of Antarctica (shown in red) has been warming at a rate of 0.17 degrees C every decade for the past 50 years. This outweighs the observed cooling in the Eastern part of Antarctica for a an average heating over the region of 0.12 degrees C per decade. This rate matches the heating rate of the southern hemisphere as a whole.
This was not understood before since there was not much data for the Western Antarctica and / or any date it was not yet analysed. Mainly, satellite data was used for this study. Furthermore, it should be noted that the cooling is caused by the ozone hole, a feature that is healing itself and will eventually close by mid-century. Hence, more accelerated warming is expected.
Well an answer has actually been found that rebukes the whole idea. Check this out at The Guardian. A recent investigation into the issue has discovered that while some parts of the frozen continent have been getting slightly colder over the last few decades, the average temperature across the continent has been rising for at least the last 50 years.
How come?
The picture below explains it all:
The Western part of Antarctica (shown in red) has been warming at a rate of 0.17 degrees C every decade for the past 50 years. This outweighs the observed cooling in the Eastern part of Antarctica for a an average heating over the region of 0.12 degrees C per decade. This rate matches the heating rate of the southern hemisphere as a whole.This was not understood before since there was not much data for the Western Antarctica and / or any date it was not yet analysed. Mainly, satellite data was used for this study. Furthermore, it should be noted that the cooling is caused by the ozone hole, a feature that is healing itself and will eventually close by mid-century. Hence, more accelerated warming is expected.
Friday 16 January 2009
How to cool the planet
This, I think, really makes sense.
A seemingly simple way of keeping those temperatures cool, especially in view of climate change is:
(wait for it....)
...painting the urban areas white.
From our physics classes, we all learned on black-body radiation...the darker the body, the more heat is absorbed and the less is reflected. Hence, Hashem Akbari a scientist at the prestigious Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California, came up with the idea of painting roads, pavements and building in light colours to reduce the urban heat island effect and hence save on electricity and pollution. In a few words, we need to increase our albedo.
Easy, simple and cost-effective.
Just some ratios:
Coloured paints have an albedo of 0.1-0.3;
White paints an albedo of 0.5-0.9;
Asphalt road surfaces have albedos as low as 0.05;
Concrete has an albedo of up to 0.3;
Tar and gravel just 0.1.
What does this mean? Take concrete. An albedo of 0.3 means that concrete absorbs 70% of the sun's radiation.
In California warehouses and commercial premises with flat roof have to have them painted white. This has been in force since 2005 (always avant-garde).
Now lets think locally. We should do this in Malta. Think of the picturesque villages in Italy and Greece that are all whitewashed saved for the colourful doors and windows. They did it for a reason!
Sources: The Guardian; New Scientist
A seemingly simple way of keeping those temperatures cool, especially in view of climate change is:
(wait for it....)
...painting the urban areas white.
From our physics classes, we all learned on black-body radiation...the darker the body, the more heat is absorbed and the less is reflected. Hence, Hashem Akbari a scientist at the prestigious Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California, came up with the idea of painting roads, pavements and building in light colours to reduce the urban heat island effect and hence save on electricity and pollution. In a few words, we need to increase our albedo.
Easy, simple and cost-effective.
Just some ratios:
Coloured paints have an albedo of 0.1-0.3;
White paints an albedo of 0.5-0.9;
Asphalt road surfaces have albedos as low as 0.05;
Concrete has an albedo of up to 0.3;
Tar and gravel just 0.1.
What does this mean? Take concrete. An albedo of 0.3 means that concrete absorbs 70% of the sun's radiation.
In California warehouses and commercial premises with flat roof have to have them painted white. This has been in force since 2005 (always avant-garde).
Now lets think locally. We should do this in Malta. Think of the picturesque villages in Italy and Greece that are all whitewashed saved for the colourful doors and windows. They did it for a reason!
Sources: The Guardian; New Scientist
Plans for 2009
The new year has started.
What were my expectation for 2008?
- Masters Graduation: - Done (with distinction :))
- Italy winning Euro 2008: - Not quite...
- Holidays:- City weekend breaks to Paris (for Valentines) and London (Unholy Trinity gig)
- also trip to Maremma (Tuscany) as part of my Masters
- Inter:- won Serie A, kicked Mancini out, brought Mourinho...so far so good
- A calmer year:- not quite, but having more time for myself and Baanisuu
- Started playing football again with Kirkop F.C.
So what about 2009?
- Supporting Baanisuu during her final year at University
- Baanisuu's Graduation (and commencement of Masters??)
- Swimming in summer (have not enjoyed a swimful summer for years)
- Hoping Inter will win the Serie A and reach at least the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League
- Skiing holiday (hopefully December 2009)
That is it, my list for 2009. Not too heavy as you can see and nothing that cannot be achieved.
What were my expectation for 2008?
- Masters Graduation: - Done (with distinction :))
- Italy winning Euro 2008: - Not quite...
- Holidays:- City weekend breaks to Paris (for Valentines) and London (Unholy Trinity gig)
- also trip to Maremma (Tuscany) as part of my Masters
- Inter:- won Serie A, kicked Mancini out, brought Mourinho...so far so good
- A calmer year:- not quite, but having more time for myself and Baanisuu
- Started playing football again with Kirkop F.C.
So what about 2009?
- Supporting Baanisuu during her final year at University
- Baanisuu's Graduation (and commencement of Masters??)
- Swimming in summer (have not enjoyed a swimful summer for years)
- Hoping Inter will win the Serie A and reach at least the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League
- Skiing holiday (hopefully December 2009)
That is it, my list for 2009. Not too heavy as you can see and nothing that cannot be achieved.
Tuesday 13 January 2009
Detroit 2009: Third-gen Prius arrives with 50 mpg combined rating
It is out, the Prius 2010. First looks show an improvement over the current one. Will wait for 3rd party reviews to judge.
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