Scientists Find Evolution of Life
October 30 — A trio of scientists has found that humans may owe the relatively mild climate in which their ancestors evolved to tiny marine organisms with shells and skeletons made out of calcium carbonate. (University of California-Berkeley press release) More

Polar Bears' Habitat Threatened by Thinning of Arctic Sea Ice
October 29 — The main natural habitat of the polar bear is under increasing threat as a consequence of the dramatic thinning of Arctic sea ice, potentially leading to an ecosystem catastrophe. (University College London press release) More

Meeting to Address Scientific Evidence of Arctic Environment Change
October 28 — Dramatic declines over the past 30 years in sea ice covering the Arctic Ocean appear to be part of a complex and interrelated set of environmental changes that are already affecting traditional ways of life, according to researchers. (National Science Foundation) More

UGA Researchers Track Greenhouse Gases in Forests
October 27 — University of Georgia researchers are building the tools to measure the flow of greenhouse gases to help scientists know how many trees, crops and other plants are needed to take out the carbon that fuel-burning is putting into the air. (University of Georgia press release) More

Columbia Research Sheds Light on Inter-Ocean and Ocean-Atmosphere Dynamics
October 23 — Scientists at Columbia University have found that currents connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans are colder and deeper than originally believed, a discovery that may help climate modelers better predict the intensity of the Asian monsoon or El Nino. (The Earth Institute at Columbia University) More

New Evidence of Global Warming in Earth’s Past Supports Greenhouse Climate Theory
October 23 — New results from analysis of ocean floor sediment cores show that a period of extensive global warming 55 million years ago are consistent with theoretical predictions of how Earth's climate would respond to rising concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. (University of Santa Cruz) More

Down and Dirty: Airborne Ozone Can Alter Forest Soil
October 16 — The industrial pollutant ozone, long known to be harmful to many kinds of plants, can also affect the very earth in which they grow. (Southern Research Station - USDA Forest Service) More

Climate Change and US Agriculture: Benefits Dwindle as the Picture Sharpens
October 15 — Computer-based simulations of U.S. agriculture show that, by the year 2060, the benefits of climate change to American croplands could be less than previous work had indicated. (National Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research) More

New Study Ties African Drought to Ocean Temperatures
October 10 — A strong link has been confirmed between sea surface temperatures and precipitation in Africa's semi-arid Sahel, according to a new study. (The Earth Institute at Columbia University) More

NCAR Explores Link Between Climate Change and Air Quality
October 9 — The National Center for Atmospheric Research and other institutions are launching a far-reaching project this month to help the government keep polluted areas in compliance with Clean Air Act standards in the event of rising global temperatures. (National Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research) More

NIEHS-funded Researchers Find Low-level Ozone Increases Respiratory Risk of Asthmatic Children
October 8 — New evidence suggests asthmatic children who require medication are more vulnerable to effects of very low levels of ground-level ozone. (NIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) More

Canadian Forest Fires Affect Mercury Levels in the Northeastern United States
October 8 — New research shows that fires in the Canadian boreal forest may be contributing significant amounts of mercury to the atmosphere above the northeastern United States. (American Chemical Society) More

UCI Study Uncovers Unexpectedly High Air Pollutant Levels in Southwest States
October 6 — Atmospheric scientists have found that greenhouse gases released from oil and natural gas exploration and processing in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas create regional air pollution levels similar to those found in large urban centers elsewhere in the United States. (University of California – Irvine) More

Solar Contribution to ‘Global Warming’ Predicted to Decrease
October 1 — New research that looks at solar activity over the last 11,000 years suggests that the Sun’s contribution to warming the Earth will reduce slightly over the next 100 years. (British Antarctic Survey) More

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