3,2,1, Panic: Climate change could make humans shrink. Great Headlines in Science: “Climate crisis could make humans shrink in size, says fossil expert” Where science is just like a movie set It’s another great moment in science leaving beleaguered teenagers wondering if their kids will be shorter than them. Perhaps if they can buy an EV, they wonder, Johnny will be as tall as his dad? Or maybe the journalist could have said “in five million years” because that’s the kind of time-frame this scientist is talking in: Nicola Davis, The Guardian The climate crisis may lead the human race to shrink in size, as mammals with smaller frames appear better able to deal with rising global temperatures, a leading fossil expert has said.
Let’s make that “in five million years without air-conditioning”. Prof Steve Brusatte, a palaeontologist at the University of Edinburgh, suggested that the way in which other mammals have previously responded to periods of climate change could offer an insight into humans’ future. Save Science. 10 out of 10 based on 50 ratings. Claim: Climate Will Increase Toxic Mercury Levels in Seawater. Guest essay by Eric Worrall A new study claims global warming will increase biological production and bio-accumulation of methylmercury, a hideously toxic organic mercury compound. But the attempt by the study authors to attach their conclusions to future climate projections seems questionable. The abstract of the study; Terrestrial discharges mediate trophic shifts and enhance methylmercury accumulation in estuarine biotaSofi Jonsson, Agneta Andersson, Mats B.
Nilsson, Ulf Skyllberg, Erik Lundberg, Jeffra K. Read more: To their credit, the study authors appear to have performed actual physical experiments, they didn’t just rely on models, like far too many climate studies. Delving into the study, the main issue appears to be nutrients released by land use changes and increased coastal rainfall will change the population balance of water based microorganisms. Read more: Same link as above Update (EW) – fixed a typo in the first paragraph. Climate craziness of the week: seriously “ducked up” science.
It was recently reported that journalism lost a lot of jobs this year, and again in July. After looking at this piece from the UK Telegraph, where the journalist couldn’t separate fantasy from reality, taking the word of a “scientist”, there’s no need to wonder why. #LearnToCode I’m sorry, really I am. Like this: Like Loading... Bad science journalism and the false dilemma of offshore wind and oil. Guest rant by David Middleton "If you've ever wondered why science journalism is so incredibly bad... " February 7, 2018 In "Bad science journalism" The Taste of Climate Change. Beer enthusiasts, myself among them, were upset to read this week that our pints of pilsner lager might be the latest casualty of climate change. New Scientist reported the depressing news: it seems that the quality of Eastern European Saaz hops is going downhill each year. According to brewing suppliers Seven Bridges Cooperative, “Saaz hops have long been revered as the very mild, spicy, earthy aroma hop associated with European Lagers.
This is the hop you will want for your finest European style Pilsners, and it will shine in wheat beers and Belgian style ales.” The delicate bitterness of Czech pilsners is a result of the alpha acid levels in Saaz hops; the best quality hops contain approximately 5% alpha acids, to produce a pale brew with a soft hop aroma but low bitterness. IMAGE: A nice cold glass of pilsner lager, or five (via Beersmith). In short, climate change doesn’t just change the climate; it also changes the taste of Pilsner Urquell. IMAGE: The fruit lottery. Climate change 'could make steak worse' A good old Aussie BBQ may not taste quite as good for future generations, according to new research.
A study of the impact of climate change on 55 foods grown in Australia, found the quality of beef and chicken may plummet, eggplants may look weirder than they already do and carrots could taste worse. The report by researchers at the University of Melbourne said Australia's dry deserts will become hotter, heavy rain will increase in areas like NSW and cyclones will become less frequent but more intense in the north. It found those predictions will impact agriculture production and force farmers to adapt to changing conditions. That could mean cattle farmers switch to more heat-tolerant, but lower eating-quality, cows and winemakers will have to migrate south or face lower-quality yields.
Cheese could be harder to get as extreme heat reduces milk production and the fight against disease in Atlantic salmon farms could be more difficult. Global warming might be causing dogs to become depressed, say pet behaviourists | The Independent. A boredom epidemic is sweeping through Britain’s dog population – and global warming could be to blame. Across the country, there are reports of down-in-the-mouth mutts, and under-the-weather canines. Leading pet behaviourists told The Independent that the number of depressed and unsettled dogs they have seen in recent months is unprecedented. And they suggested that the spate of wet winters could be at the root of the problem, as owners cut down on the daily walks that are crucial to keeping dogs’ spirits up.
“I’ve been working with dogs for more than 20 years and I can’t remember a time when they’ve been this bored. I tend to see boredom in bursts but I’m seeing it chronically this winter,” said Carolyn Menteith, a dog behaviourist who was named Britain’s Instructor of the Year in 2015. “They are just really, really, bored. People are quite happy to get their dogs out in frosty, hard weather but not when it’s muddy and horrible.” The Dogs Trust awards 2015 – in pictures Playing games Eating. Climate Craziness of the Week – UN: Climate change to affect computers, communications, prepare now.
Potsdam PIK Climate Director Says We Will Have To Go Back To Mud Huts By 2040. Germany’s Deutsche Welle (DW) here presents a commentary by Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, the director of German ultra-alarmist Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. Professor Schellnhuber fears that the planet could warm even as much as 12°C if man does not act quickly to totally eliminate greenhouse gases. He adds that he “has all the evidence” and that climate scientists “are only trying to do a job” for us.
Hat-tip: Reader Dennis A. With the US Administration pledging to back out of the Paris climate treaty, Schellnhuber is now calling on scientists “to take to the streets to counter climate denial“. If we want to hold the 1.5 degrees [Celsius; 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit] line, which is the ambitious goal of the Paris agreement, we have maybe 300 billion tons left – more or less the budget of 10 years – if we do business as usual.
Fortunately Schellnhuber’s view is a rare one that is out on the remote fringe. Claim: Climate will inhibit bread dough from rising. Claim: Climate change may bring more kidney stones – but the Tasian et al. paper lacks proper controls. Climate Prediction: “Take-off distances will get longer as the climate warms”