Environment

New CO2 record

The atmosphere’s carbon concentration now exceeds 1960 levels by about a third, and rises faster each decade.

The concentration of carbon dioxide rose by 3 parts per million (ppm) for the second year in a row in 2016, bringing the average concentration to a record-setting 405 ppm, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Pre-industrial concentrations rarely exceeded 280 ppm, and some estimates suggest we would need to keep the carbon concentration between 405 and 450 ppm to limit warming to the internationally set target of 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). But while that concentration rose by less than one part per million annually in the 1960s, the current annual increase of 3 ppm would put Earth in the danger zone by the early 2030s.

Massive Thirsty Mangroves Dieback Due To Extreme Weather Condition

A James Cook University researcher has found why there was an uncommon dieback of mangroves in the Gulf of Carpentaria in mid-2016 - the plants died of thirst.

The researchers used aeronautical observations and satellite mapping information of the area going back to 1972, joined with climate and weather records. Dr. Duke said they discovered three factors met up to create the extraordinary dieback of 7400 hectares of mangroves, which extended for 1000 kilometres along the Gulf coast.

"From 2011 the coastline had experienced beyond normal rainfalls, and the 2015/16 dry season was especially serious. Secondly, the temperatures in the zone were at record levels and thirdly a few mangroves were left high and dry as the ocean or sea level dropped around 20cm during a particularly extreme El Nino."