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Showing posts from May, 2019

All the world's carbon emissions in one chart

Carbon emissions , primarily in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2), are a central component of global greenhouse gas emissions, contributing significantly to climate change. These emissions originate from various human activities and natural processes. The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas for energy production, is one of the primary sources of anthropogenic (human-caused) carbon emissions. These emissions occur in various sectors, including electricity and heat production, transportation, industry, and residential and commercial buildings. The process of deforestation and land-use changes also releases significant amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. When forests are cleared or burned, the carbon stored in trees and vegetation is released as CO2. Agricultural practices, including livestock production and rice cultivation, contribute to carbon emissions as well. According to visualisation created by visualcapitalist.com , China, the United States, and India

Rivers Should Flow Free

Undammed rivers hold significant ecological importance within natural landscapes. These free-flowing watercourses are critical for the health and balance of ecosystems in several ways. Firstly, undammed rivers provide essential habitats for a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial species. These ecosystems support diverse populations of fish, invertebrates, amphibians, and birds, many of which have adapted to the natural flow patterns and water quality of the river. Additionally, these rivers serve as migratory pathways for fish, allowing species like salmon to move freely upstream and downstream, essential for their life cycles. Dams can obstruct these pathways, leading to declines in fish populations and disrupting the intricate food webs that depend on them. Furthermore, undammed rivers facilitate the natural transportation of nutrients, sediments, and organic matter downstream. This process contributes to the health of downstream ecosystems and supports nutrient cycling, which is

Summer Ice Extent (1970 - 2100)

Summer ice extent represents the area covered by sea ice in the Arctic during the summer months when the ice typically reaches its minimum extent. This is a critical aspect of the annual sea ice cycle, and it holds significant implications for both the environment and human activities in the Arctic. During the summer, as temperatures rise, the Arctic experiences a natural ice melt. The extent of this melt varies from year to year, influenced by factors such as temperature, wind patterns, and ocean currents. In recent years, there has been growing concern about the declining summer ice extent in the Arctic due to the effects of global climate change. The reduction in summer ice extent has numerous consequences. It directly impacts Arctic ecosystems, with implications for species like polar bears , seals, and seabirds that rely on sea ice as a platform for hunting and breeding. Additionally, it affects global climate patterns, as the loss of reflective ice surfaces contributes to furthe