Climate change education in zoos
I'm in San Francisco this week for the annual Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), the world's largest gathering of Earth Scientists. Over ten thousand scientists from all over the world, including most of the world's top climate scientists, are in town this week to exchange ideas to advance the cause of Earth Science. This year, there is much attention being given to communication of science to the public, and the first talk I attended today on the subject was given by Dr. Michael Mann of Penn State University. Dr. Mann has been at the center of much recent controversy over climate science, and has an op-ed in today's Wall Street Journal titled, "Climate Contrarians Ignore Overwhelming Evidence". His "hockey stick" graphs showing the unprecedented increase in global temperatures over the past 1,000 years has been the subject of heated attack, much of it orchestrated by the public relations wings of powerful industries whose profits are threatened by by possibility of regulatory action to reduce global warming. He has a book coming out in January titled, The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars: Dispatches from the Front Lines. Dr. Mann reaffirmed his stance on human-caused climate change in his talk this morning, calling attention to a paper that appeared in Nature Geoscience last week, finding that most of the observed warming of Earth's climate in recent decades—at least 74 percent—is almost certainly due to human activity. Dr. Mann said that this study did not go far enough, and that more than 100% of the warming in the past 30 years was due to humans. Without humans, the climate would have cooled over the past 30 years.
Figure 1. An example of educational material on polar bears that has been developed by CliZEN for use at nine U.S. zoos.
Dr. Mann also introduced a new pilot program he is involved with to advance climate change education through U.S. zoos. The National Science Foundation-funded project is called CliZEN, The Climate Literacy Zoo Education Network. Zoos represent a unique way for people to connect to the natural world, and over 50 million people in the U.S. go to the zoo each year--double that, if one includes aquariums. Thus, zoos thus offer a unique opportunity to communicate how climate change threatens the natural world. People who go to zoos are approximately 50% more likely to be alarmed or concerned about climate change than the general population, Dr. Mann showed. The initial eduction effort has a polar theme, and is being brought to nine zoos: the Chicago Zoological Society of Brookfield, IL; Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, OH; Como Zoo & Conservatory, St. Paul, MN; Indianapolis Zoo, IN; Louisville Zoological Garden, KY; Oregon Zoo, Portland, OR; Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, PA; Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence, RI; and the Toledo Zoological Gardens, OH. The organization Polar Bears International is helping develop the educational material.
Jeff Masters
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Tropical Cyclone Advisory #3
DEPRESSION TROPICALE (02-20112012)
22:30 PM RET December 6 2011
==============================================
At 18:00 PM UTC, Tropical Depression 02 (999 hPa) located at 16.5S 67.9E has 10 minute sustained winds of 30 with gusts of 45 knots. The depression is reported as moving west at 6 knots.
Near Gale Force Winds
=====================
80 NM from the center in the southern semi-circle
Dvorak Intensity: T1.5/2.5/W0.5/6 HRS
Forecast and Intensity
======================
12 HRS: 16.7S 66.5E - 35 knots (Tempête Tropicale Moderée)
24 HRS: 16.9S 65.5E - 35 knots (Tempête Tropicale Moderée)
48 HRS: 16.9S 63.9E - 30 knots (Depression Tropicale)
72 HRS: 16.7S 62.1E - 25 knots (Low Pressure)
Additional Information
======================
The center has been relocated to the northwest according to latest microwave imagery. Deep convection has disappeared close to the center and exist only within a peripheral band located to more than 120 NM in near gale force winds in the southern semi-circle. System is now tracking westward. Rebuilding subtropical anticyclone within the next 24 hours should improve the polar inflow in the lower levels. Energetic potential is poor (26/26.5 degrees). Upper level wind shear is weak. System should deepen a bit within the next 24 hours and could reach moderate tropical storm status. Due to the current trend, this is a low confident forecast. Beyond 48 hours, it should weaken due to a strong vertical wind shear and fill up beyond 96 hours.
Tropical Cyclone Advisory #7
TEMPETE TROPICALE MODEREE ALENGA (01-20112012)
22:30 PM RET December 6 2011
==============================================
At 18:00 PM UTC, Moderate Tropical Storm Alenga (995 hPa) located at 13.9S 88.7E has 10 minute sustained winds of 40 with gusts of 60 knots. The cyclone is reported as moving east southeast at 8 knots.
Gale Force Winds
================
30 NM from the center extending up to 40 NM in the northern semi-circle
Near Gale Force Winds
====================
50 NM from the center extending up to 60 NM in the northern semi-circle
Dvorak Intensity: T3.0/3.0/W0.5/24 HRS
Forecast and Intensity
======================
12 HRS: 14.7S 90.4E - 40 knots (Tempête Tropicale Moderée)
24 HRS: 15.9S 92.9E - 40 knots (Tempête Tropicale Moderée)
48 HRS: 18.8S 98.5E - 30 knots (Depression Tropicale)
72 HRS: 20.8S 101.1E - 30 knots (Depression Extratropicale)
Additional Information
======================
It is a little bit tricky to find Alenga's center tonight with the most recent fix, and uncertain METOP IR3 fix of 1513z. Vigorous convection has started near the center since 1200z but come mainly from the southwestern quadrant according to latest SSMIS overpass of 1149z. Current cloud pattern is closed to an irregular central dense overcast pattern of a little more than 90 NM diameter.
Alenga seems now to speed up towards the east southeast as it is catching within the west northwesterly steering flow that exists ahead of a mid-level trough transiting in its south.
Only a minor change has been made on the intensity forecast. On an after Thursday, system should undergo a moderate west northwesterly vertical wind shear. Intensity is expected to decrease faster, and system should begin its extratropical transition.
On this forecast, the system should pass east of 90E Wednesday morning. Current forecast is a little bit faster than the previous one about this point.
How would you know they're conservative? We've not any real tropical system to test it out on.
its been observed
Not really...
No model support? A lot of models have it developing in 24 hours. It's unlikely that that would happen, and the origins of this is the same as our last two bust invests..90L and 99L, so it will probably follow the same path as those two.
That's not true...Looks like that this system will follow a completely different path. The CMC brings it into the Bahamas by 144 hours.
i am not using observations from 2011. i have followed the tropics since 08 tracked every atlantic movement since 09. in 09 and 2010, i have seen some systems that would have gotten 10% in august/september, and in late november they had nothing. the NHC tends to require more agressiveness in a Tropical Wave, or Low pressure system in late/post season Hurricane season then they do in early/mid hurricane season.
They have no bias in what time of year it is when it comes to tropical cyclones. They choose the percentages they think are warranted, regardless of whether its August or December.
True, but it's origins are the same, just this one will have much longer time over warm water and less shear (although it will still be heavy shear regardless). Maybe it has a chance...
gotta disagree there. ASCAT picked up a small, weak circulation center yesterday evening, and convection was deep in some areas overtop it(area near Lesser Antilles) today the supposed circulation isnt that great and convection going down recently.
What you saw what was not a closed circulation. It was a messy, disorganized, and weak area of low pressure that did not warrant any mention in a special Tropical Weather Outlook.
No, sorry, Hydrus. Should've put in a break between the two paragraphs, they weren't connected. Just a comment to whoever was interested.
Refers to Frozen Planet
It does appear whenever the DVD is released, it'll contain all seven episodes as intended (including for US viewers).
Crust expansion...?
Look towards the top left corner, 10-15knot winds. it did not last, but if this was in september i garuntee it would have gotten atleast <10%.
From want of anything much else to do on this cold night in the northern UK.3/c here with gales tomorrow.
I would like to postulate that the maths connected with meteor impact must depend on 4 things:-
1,Physical Size rather than Mass of object at impact.
2,Speed of object at impact.
3,Angle of trajectory at point of impact.
4,Depth of water at point of impact.
Given the high level of mathematical ability of some of the bloggers on this site, I am sure that the size of any waves resulting form an hypothetical impact can relatively easily be calculated and no doubt relevant graphs drawn up.
PS.Its behond me but I'd love to see them!
I guarantee it wouldn't have.
Another inch of rain yesterday, Trees, plants catching a break from the relentless heat and drought, but FAR from over
you can remain in rebellion as long as you want, but i have indications that it would have been and you dont contain any to prove it wouldnt have been. end of discussion.
Says the guy citing anecdotal evidence, rather than scientific observation. In the confines of a scientific discussion, no less.
Somehow WIND CHILL just doesn't seem fair though. :( Sigh
Orange County Airport
Lat: 30.07 Lon: -93.8 Elev: 13
Last Update on Dec 6, 3:35 pm CST
Overcast
41 °F
(5 °C)
Humidity: 87 % Wind Speed: NW 9 MPH Barometer: 30.19" Dewpoint: 37 °F (3 °C) Wind Chill: 35 °F (2 °C) Visibility: 10.00 mi. :
Buenas tardes,
And we all thought you had gone away on vacation to some frozen wasteland for a well deserved break!
Excuse me? Since when ha--
You know what? Nevermind. Think whatever you want.
Hola! I am still away. I went to watch the glaciers retreating. Here is a little picture of Greenland I just took. :)
Hey, tropical! Who are you fighting with now?
SPLbeater. i dont succumb easy xD
Hi Gro.
I'm arguing with SLPBeater because he thinks that the system near the Leeward Islands would've gotten mentioned in the TWO if it were August/September, and he says that the NHC is being more conservative because it is off season, which just isn't true.
Aw, come on now. Tropical is a nice guy. I have known him for years. Since you two are usually the only two on here sometimes, you shouldn't be arguing. It's like living next door to an ex-wife, just smile and be friendly when you see each other.
There are always swirls out there. I don't pay attention to them. You see a lot in winter but they are usually short lived.
Yes.
yeah he nice to certain people, all i get is stern comments which arent taken lightly
Como Estas?
Usted es el corazon de nosotros mas predido!
(You are the heart of us most lost!)
We had cause to worry with all this evidence of impending doom and drowning from this CO2 stuff we felt that you had baled out in favour of one of these newly discovered paradise planets a mere 600 light years away!
However an"Alma" restored is a soul regained!
Love that picture of the south coast of Greenland in Autumn!
the las tthing im going to say to you. if you can PROVE to me, and show me evidence that my view isnt true, i will tell you your right. until then, goodbye
That's because you stray far away from what we talk about, including bringing your religion onto the blog, as well as saying that the NHC is wrong in not classifying 90L/99L.
I don't tolerate either.
Shoe me YOUR evidence, because any you have is not plausible.
You didn't have to provide so much detail!!!
Lol, it'll be cold.
It's always sunny in Philadelphia! Isn't it?
Estoy muy bien, y gracias. Los argumentos que siguen!
No, I decided to stick around here until about 2100 until things really get bad.
LOL. Never at the airport. I will only be there to change planes back to Fort Lauderdale. I have been away too long. I haven't had time to catch up on the weather. Thanks to TropicalAnalyst, I got the full details.
:S
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