Die Arktische Insel Spitzbergen wie auch die Region Surselva-Andermatt sind durch Umweltveränderungen, insbesondere durch Klimawandel, und die Auswirkungen der wirtschaftlichen Globalisierung stark betroffen. In einem internationalen Forschungsprojekt unter der Leitung der HTW Chur untersuchen Wissenschaftler, welche Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede es bei einer stetig wechselnden Bevölkerung im Vergleich zu einer sehr stabilen und regional geprägten Region bei der Anpassungsfähigkeit an klimatisch und ökonomisch bedingte Veränderungen ergibt. Die Forschungsarbeiten zum Projekt, das mit knapp 300 000 CHF dotiert ist, beginnen dieses Jahr….

Vol. 335 no. 6065 pp. 183-189

DOI: 10.1126/science.1210026

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Simultaneously Mitigating Near-Term Climate Change and Improving Human Health and Food Security

Drew Shindell1,*, Johan C. I. Kuylenstierna2, Elisabetta Vignati3, Rita van Dingenen3, Markus Amann4, Zbigniew Klimont4, Susan C. Anenberg5, Nicholas Muller6, Greet Janssens-Maenhout3, Frank Raes3, Joel Schwartz7, Greg Faluvegi1, Luca Pozzoli3,†, Kaarle Kupiainen4, Lena Höglund-Isaksson4, Lisa Emberson2, David Streets8, V. Ramanathan9, Kevin Hicks2, N. T. Kim Oanh10, George Milly1, Martin Williams11, Volodymyr Demkine12, David Fowler13

ABSTRACT

Tropospheric ozone and black carbon (BC) contribute to both degraded air quality and global warming. We considered ~400 emission control measures to reduce these pollutants by using current technology and experience. We identified 14 measures targeting methane and BC emissions that reduce projected global mean warming ~0.5°C by 2050. This strategy avoids 0.7 to 4.7 million annual premature deaths from outdoor air pollution and increases annual crop yields by 30 to 135 million metric tons due to ozone reductions in 2030 and beyond. Benefits of methane emissions reductions are valued at $700 to $5000 per metric ton, which is well above typical marginal abatement costs (less than $250). The selected controls target different sources and influence climate on shorter time scales than those of carbon dioxide–reduction measures. Implementing both substantially reduces the risks of crossing the 2°C threshold.

via Simultaneously Mitigating Near-Term Climate Change and Improving Human Health and Food Security.

Die Erde erwärmt sich, doch der Klimaschutz kommt nicht voran. 400 Methoden zur Eindämmung der Treibhausgase haben Experten nun überprüft. Das überraschende Ergebnis: Bereits mit wenigen einfachen Maßnahmen ließe sich der Klimawandel erheblich bremsen.

A teaching strategy that offers Canadian university students consecutive intensive courses compressed into a few weeks is making inroads at smaller postsecondary schools across the country.

Traditionally, full-time university students take five courses simultaneously over a 15-week semester, attending two or three classes a week for each course. In the “block plan,” students take one course at a time for three-and-half weeks, which spreads out assignment due dates more evenly over the school year and avoids the dreaded end-of-term exam crunch…

via Extremwetter: Das ist der Klimawandel! Oder? – SPIEGEL ONLINE – Nachrichten – Wissenschaft.

Tobias Luthe and Felix Schläpfer

via WindyLight™ – Wind Operated Outdoor Lights by adital ela — Kickstarter.

via Revealed – the capitalist network that runs the world – physics-math – 19 October 2011 – New Scientist.

It’s not an overstatement to say that British Columbia is mountain biking. The region on Canada‘s west coast has passionately nurtured both the sport’s champions and its evolution, even giving the name to a particular genre of riding known as “north shore” (elevated wooden trails which act as bridges and launches for jumps), which was born on the northern shore of Vancouver‘s harbour. Travel up the Sea to Sky highway for 70 miles and you reach the behemoth of Whistler, a mountain resort which has invested so enthusiastically in its mountain biking infrastructure that it attracts 250,000 people a year into its purpose-built park and trails.—

aktuelle Ausgabe Spielplatz Alpen