Increased carbon dioxide levels in air restrict plants’ ability to absorb nutrients

The rapidly rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere affect plants’ absorption of nitrogen, which is the nutrient that restricts crop growth in most terrestrial ecosystems. Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have now revealed that the concentration of nitrogen in plants’ tissue is lower in air with high levels of carbon dioxide, regardless of whether or not the …

Plants may run out of time to grow under ongoing climate change

A key potential ‘benefit’ of global warming–namely, that plants at northern latitudes will thrive in a warmer world–is challenged by a new study released by University of Hawai’i scientists today. The prevailing assumption ignores the fact that plants in the North will remain limited by solar radiation, curbing positive effects of warming and additional CO2 availability. In addition, that same warming …

G7 Climate Goal Will ‘Send Shivers Down the Spine’ of Fossil Fuel Industry – Lauren McCauley

In an acknowledgement of the severity of the climate crisis, officials from the some of the world’s leading economic powers on Monday issued a joint statement calling for a “decarbonization of the global economy over the course of this century.” In a communique (pdf) issued on the second and final day of the G7 summit in Bavaria, Germany, leaders from the United …

Faking It While the World Burns By Emily Schwartz Greco

Rex Tillerson, of all people, just did the climate movement a big favor. He didn’t hand the Sierra Club tens of millions of dollars to fight the coal industry like former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg. Nor did the chairman and CEO of Exxon Mobil follow former hedge fund investor Tom Steyer‘s lead by giving political candidates with climate cred campaign …

As Planet Warms, Oceans Face Threatening Changes Unseen in 3 Million Years – Lauren McCauley

Continued warming of the world’s oceans may trigger disruptions to marine life not seen in 3 million years, according to a new study published Monday in the journal Nature Climate Change. The study, put forth by scientists from the University of Science and Technology in Lille, France, and other institutions, aims to put the anticipated ecological crisis in historic perspective. Among the foreseen …

Meet the Corporate Villains Sponsoring the COP21 Climate Talks – Sarah Lazare

Fresh revelations that yet another round of United Nations climate talks—this time the upcoming negotiations in Paris—will be sponsored by some of the very corporations driving global warming have been met with outrage and alarm that the global process continues to be “captured by big polluters.” Pierre-Henri Guignard, Secretary-General of the UN Conference of the Parties 21 (COP21), unveiled the …

Could Earthworms Save the Climate? – Anastasia Pantsios

We know that earthworms are good for our gardens. When you turn over a spade full of rich soil and find it packed with the wiggly creatures, you know that your garden is going to grow strong and healthy. Vermicomposting—using worms to consume food scraps and turn them—has justifiably become all the rage. But now it appears earthworms can do more than just …

Finally, Some Climate Crisis Honesty: Forget About a 2˚C Future; It Will be 4˚-6˚C Degrees, and Soon – Dave Lindorff

A tectonic shift is occurring suddenly in the debate over climate change. Only a year ago, at least in the US corporate media, there was always a rough equivalence accorded to those experts who were warning about a looming climate disaster facing mankind, and those who called the whole thing a “conspiracy” by corrupt scientists and politicians (albeit without ever …

Fossil Fuel Subsidies To Hit $5.3 Trillion In 2015, Says IMF – Ed King

Subsidies for fossil fuels that cause climate change have soared since 2013, a new study from the International Monetary Fund has revealed. Oil, gas and coal costs will be subsidized to the tune of US$5.3 trillion a year in 2015. The last time the IMF ran the data it calculated they were worth $1.9 trillion. Economists say the latest figures …

The Crisis of the Left and the Decline of Europe and the United States – Roberto Savio

The victory of the Conservative Party and the debacle of the Labour Party in the recent British general elections is yet another sign of the crisis facing left-wing forces today, leaving aside the question of how, under the British electoral system, the Labour Party actually increased the number of votes it won but saw a reduction in the number of …