Jennifer Marohasy

a forum for the discussion of issues concerning the natural environment

Archives for December 18, 2008

What Warms the Oceans?

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Dear Jennifer,

You recently posted an article about a paper, entitled: ‘Oceanic Influences on Recent Continental Warming’, suggesting that it is warming of the oceans that has driven warming of the land since the 1970s.  

You commented, “But it does not tell us what has warmed the oceans!”

Do you realize that is has been postulated that long-term variations in solar/lunar tides control inter-decadal ocean surface temperatures by influencing the rate of up-whelming of cold deep-water?

Climate scientists have long known that it takes about three terra-watts of power to maintain the up-welling  of water in the great oceans. Two terra-watts of this power is provided by surface winds. The winds continually blow surface water off the top of cool deep water, allowing the cooler ocean water to rise to the surface.

The problem has always been finding the extra terra-watt of power that is necessary to maintain the up-welling.  One possible source for this extra power is tidal friction. 

[Read more…] about What Warms the Oceans?

More Drought for Southern Australia?

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Based on the 130 years of data, Baker predicts that the current solar cycle, which reached a minimum in 2007, will continue a bit longer. In fact, he says, “there could be a 100-year minimum in solar activity,” meaning much of Australia could experience a prolonged drought.  Read more here.

New Report on Australian Rangelands

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The rangelands cover some 81% of Australia and are popularly known as ‘the outback’.

A new report, ‘Rangelands 2008 — Taking the pulse’, is the first time that disparate datasets have been brought together at a national and regional scale to report change in Australia’s rangelands.

The hard copy version of Rangelands 2008 — Taking the pulse includes a CD with a hypertext-linked version of the complete report plus summarised information for each of the 52 bioregions wholly or partly within the rangelands. Copies can be ordered from Land and Water Australia at http://products.lwa.gov.au/products/pn21387.

The Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts has published a booklet entitled Australia’s Rangelands 2008 — At a Glance which provides highlights from the complete report as well as the CD above. This booklet can be obtained from the DEWHA Community Information Unit.