Earth Watch Archive
Here you can find a selection of the Earth Watch series and other associated short pieces. Scroll down for the older pieces.
Earth Watch - October 2024
Global Records Broken
Item from The-Energy-Syndicate
The global temperature figures for August have confirmed that August saw the 15th consecutive month of record breaking global high temperatures. This 15 month run of record breaking highs is a record in itself; a sobering landmark. The metrological summer in the northern hemisphere has been the hottest on record, being 1.52 degrees C above the average. The metrological winter in the southern hemisphere has been the warmest on record, at almost 1 degree C above the average. The year thus far has been the warmest on record. The impact of these continuing highs affects practically every area of the ecosystem. We are entering uncharted territory that will see the scientific systems of prediction being tested to their limits.
Earth Watch - September 2024
Warmest July On Record
Item from The-Energy-Syndicate
At the time of writing this, the figures for global temperatures from NOAA, are reporting for July 2024. They reveal the average global surface temperature for July broke the record - thats 14 months of consecutive record breaking highs for the planet. July saw the global surface temperature rise to 1.2 degrees centigrade above the 20th Century average. Africa, Asia and Europe experienced their warmest July’s on record. So far this year, from January to July, the planet has seen temperatures of 1.28 degrees C (2.30 Fahrenheit) above the average. That makes this year, so far, the warmest on record. This picture may change before the end of the year. According to the data and models, there is a 77% chance of 2024 becoming the warmest year ever recorded.
Earth Watch - August 2024
Solar Activity Increases
Item from The-Energy-Syndicate
It was reported in July 2024 that scientists are surprised by the intensity of the current solar activity. The spectacular aurora aside, globally, intense solar storms could impact sensitive systems, including satellites. Space missions, such as ESA’s Solar Orbiter, are monitoring the Sun’s activity closely. Daniel Muller, project scientist for Solar Orbiter, talking about the current cycle says it is, "significantly more active than what people predicted". Without wanting to sound too self serving, we, the Energy Syndicate, for the last three years, has predicted, and been warning of intense solar activity, for this period running into 2025. Sunspots continue to increase beyond the expectations of scientists. In May, one day was twice the number NOAA had predicted, exceeding 240.
Earth Watch - July 2024
UN Climate Survey
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The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in June 2024, revealed the results of the world’s largest stand-alone survey on climate crisis. The survey was carried out by Oxford University and Geo Poll. They asked 75000 people from 77 countries, 15 questions about climate change. This is described as a ‘peoples vote’. The results have proved to be more conclusive than any of the team dared to dream. 80% of respondents want all countries to strengthen their commitments on climate change and 86% want countries to put aside their differences and work in meaningful ways together. “The Peoples’ Climate Vote is loud and clear. Global citizens want their leaders to transcend their differences, to act now and to act boldly to fight the climate crisis.” Achim Steiner- UNDP Administrator
Earth Watch - June 2024
Global Records Fall
Item from The-Energy-Syndicate
Regular readers will be very aware that Earth Watch has reported on global air and sea temperatures breaking records. The pattern of records being broken, month by month, has been observed before, during 2015 and 2016. The frequency of records being broken is alarming and becoming more of a norm. April 2024 saw yet another global record being broken. When compared with the estimates for the pre-industrial average, (1850-1900) the temperature was 1.58C above the average. At the time of writing this, the figures for May are not yet available, but it appears May will be the twelfth consecutive month seeing records broken. Globally, the 12 month period from May 2023 was the hottest ever recorded. The average was a staggering 1.61C above Pre-Industrial levels.
Earth Watch - May 2024
Climate – No U-Turn
Item from The-Energy-Syndicate
"Que será, será Whatever will be, will be” – Lyrics to a song but could equally be the mantra of many governments and businesses around the world with regard to their commitment to tackling climate change. For 5 years we have been predicting 2025 is going to be a tough year for the world, due, primarily, to increased global temperatures caused by polluting greenhouse gases. In April, Simon Stiell, United Nations executive secretary for climate change warned that there is only 2 years left to reduce emissions to avert climate catastrophe. A stern warning but a warning that we believe will be lost in the forthcoming months as the climate changes race towards, and past, the benchmarks before the end of this year.
Earth Watch - April 2024
Plankton
Item from The-Energy-Syndicate
Recent studies have shown plankton, less than 0.02mm, play a pivotal role in the health of the oceans and life on earth. Plankton populations come in different sizes but it is the plankton less than 0.02mm that makes up the bulk. Monitoring organisms of this size has not been easy for scientists; the primary reasons that plankton has not been significant in the environmental policy discussions. Not recognising their significance has been a failing. The findings of some studies show 99.98% of plankton consists of these tiny creatures. It would appear that confirmation of planktons essential role has arrived just at the time it would also appear to be in peril; the research shows that these creatures are vulnerable to changing ocean temperatures and could suffer in the current volatile conditions.
Earth Watch - March 2024
Record Temperatures
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February 2024 has seen record highs in temperature rise on land and in the oceans. Sea surface temperatures have been rising at such a rapid rate that scientists are struggling to explain the full cause. In the past, fluctuations in ocean temperatures have been observed and are considered normal. However, the current pattern of record breaking highs, is accelerating and persisting. The rise in February is already on a path that will see a global rise above 2C very soon. A rise of 2C above pre-industrial levels has been used as the line in the sand to never exceed to avoid climate catastrophe. The rise to this level is happening right now. A lot quicker than anyone ever envisaged - and it is still accelerating. We predict 2025 is going to be a difficult year for many.
Earth Watch - February 2024
Gone in 60 Years
Item from The-Energy-Syndicate
Gone in 60 years, as opposed to Gone in 60 Seconds, may not appear to have the drama of a Hollywood plot; the urgency of action now however can’t be overstated. The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation has calculated an alarming prediction concerning global topsoil - If the topsoil of the world continues to be lost at the rate it is being lost at this present time, there will be no topsoil left in 60 years! No topsoil means the end of life as we know it. Globally, 95% of food is grown in topsoil. Without topsoil, the ability of humans to feed themselves is practically destroyed. In the US, topsoil is eroding 10 times faster than it can be replenished. The decrease it set to accelerate if nothing affective is implemented.
Earth Watch - January 2024
Insect Decline
Item from The-Energy-Syndicate
Insect populations are declining. It is a catastrophe in the making unless there is a radical change in the way humans exist within the ecosystem. Globally there is an estimated 2% yearly loss to the insect biomass. In areas of intensive agriculture, 50% of insects have disappeared. In the UK, research indicates that flying insects have declined by 60% in the last 20 years. The USA is loosing an estimated 2.5% of its insect biomass each year. The main causes of the decline are recognised to be the extensive use of land, agricultural practices, climate change and the rise of invasive species. The loss of insects affects us all. If the decline continues unchecked, everything in the natural world is in peril – including the food on your table.
Earth Watch - December 2023
High Energy - Amaterasu
Item from The-Energy-Syndicate
In November 2023, scientists reported detecting extremely high energy cosmic rays falling to earth. Initially, thought to be a mistake, it has been confirmed that these rare particles, named Amaterasu, are indeed falling towards us. It was thought that these incredibly powerful particles could only be caused by huge events. Events much bigger than just a star exploding. Scientists are baffled. The calculations trace the source of the blasts back to a region of space just outside the Milky Way - the ‘Local Void’ – a region of what is thought to be empty space. Although there is clearly a gap in their understanding, what is clear is the fact that cosmic rays can be damaging but also cause changes in DNA and the evolution of life.
Earth Watch - November 2023
Global Temperature Rises
Item from The-Energy-Syndicate
It was December 2015, in Paris, when political leaders agreed to make every effort to keep the long term rise in global temperatures below 1.5C. Although there have been many days that have risen above this figure over the last few years, the overall picture still lies below 1.5C. The most recent data however is concerning scientists. It is showing an increased trend of days above the threshold. September and October this year (2023), have seen a sustained increase. This increase represents a record breaking point in the data. It is highly likely that these records will continue to be broken over the coming months and year. Sadly, it is in line with the Energy Syndicates prediction – 2025 is going to be a particularly difficult year.
Earth Watch - October 2023
Northern Lights
Item from The-Energy-Syndicate
In September, the western side of the UK was treated to a Northern Lights spectacle. The aurora borealis is regularly seen in the higher latitudes, but to see them in the mainland of the UK, as far south as Cornwall, is quite unusual. They occur as a consequence of solar activity colliding with molecules in the Earth’s upper atmosphere. Even more unusually, Septembers display is not the first time this year that the UK has witnessed the aurora. The reason for this unusual aurora is an increase in solar activity. As predicted, we are in a time of intensifying solar activity. This could lead to more spectacular displays but also intense and harmful solar storms – which the Voice predicted in July 2022.
Earth Watch - September 2023
Sea Ice – Record Low
From The-Energy-Syndicate
The Arctic Sea Ice, for much of the summer appeared to be declining at a reasonably average rate. In August however the loss unexpectedly accelerated. The anomaly was reflected in the unusually slow accumulation in the Antarctic which has exacerbated the record low. The record low levels of Antarctic Sea Ice continue to be characterised as extreme. Although the models account for fluctuations, there is no doubt within the scientific community that what is being observed in August is remarkable. In the Arctic, The Northwest Passage is nearly ice free! Observations describe the southern route, [Amundsen's Route] as practically ice free and the northern route as blocked but with relatively low concentrations.
Earth Watch - August 2023
AMOC – Current Collapse?
Item from The-Energy-Syndicate
New research, published July 25th 2023 has sounded alarm bells in the scientific community as it is predicting a critical tipping point for the Atlantic Meridional Current (AMOC). This current is like a conveyor that transports tropical waters to the north and cold waters to the south. It is a principle regulator of the climate in the northern hemisphere. The research is claiming the current (AMOC) could collapse a lot sooner than first thought - 2025 to into the next century; causing a severe drop in temperature, storms, and a significant collapse of the ecosystem. Although the 2025 date is in line with our prediction of a difficult time, we believe that the current scientific research will require a radical tightening of their timescale.
Earth Watch - July 2023
El Niño Begins
Item from The-Energy-Syndicate
In Spring, we reported that a strong El Niño event combined with increased solar activity, was going to cause a rapid warning of the planet. In June, scientists have confirmed that a strong El Niño event was beginning to build. Scientists in the US are saying they expect 2024 to be the world’s hottest year. We say it will be 2025 that will cause most concern.
El Niño is a natural weather event that comes in cycles. It occurs usually between 2 and 7 years. It begins in the Pacific Ocean. The event adds heat to the environment causing characteristic events such as drought in Australia, a weak monsoon in India and increased rainfall in other areas such as the southern US.
Earth Watch - June 2023
Half of Animals in Decline
Item from The-Energy-Syndicate
Research, led by Queen’s University Belfast, has found that 48% of the Earths animals are in decline. The study that led to this conclusion was based on population densities of 70,000+ animals. Set against this concerning information is that less than 3% are increasing. The research confirms that the loss of biodiversity is significantly more than predicted in previous assessments. There are concerns that such a large reduction in biodiversity will unbalance the ecosystem, creating a cascade of issues.
Out of all the species thought to have existed, 98% of them are now extinct. The loss of species over time is normal but the speed at which that is happening at this time is hugely accelerated. There are concerns that humans may be causing a mass extinction.
Earth Watch - May 2023
Hot Seas
Item from The-Energy-Syndicate
In April 2023, scientists have been alarmed by the rise in the global sea surface temperature. Hitting a record high, combined with the rapid increase that led to that high has sounded alarm bells for many. Adding to the already heightened concern is the prediction of a strong El Nino which is expected to set in over the next few months. All the models show that an El Nino event raised the sea temperature. This expected increase could, in fact will, have immediate real world consequences for the life on the planet.
To add some perspective to this, the sea surface temperature off the east coast of America saw a rise of 13.8 C when compared with the 1981 to 2011 average! Marine life is going to suffer. More extreme weather events are certain as is the rising level of the sea. Scientists do not know why there has been such a rapid increase.
Earth Watch - April 2023
Welsh Stars
Item from The-Energy-Syndicate
Light pollution is an increasingly global issue. Over the past few decades, the stars at night have been disappearing as increasing polluting light masks them from view. Even those with a reasonable view are finding the skies cluttered with the glitter of man-made satellites. Recently, an island in Wales has been officially recognised to have one of the best night skies in the world. Bardsey Island has become one of just 16 sites worldwide to be awarded an ‘International Dark Sky Sanctuary Certificate’. Although there are already a number of dark sky areas in Wales and Europe, the criteria for a Sanctuary Certificate are a lot stricter and is quite an achievement. The islands trustees spent years on work to attain the standard.
Earth Watch - March 2023
Antarctic Sea Ice
Item from The-Energy-Syndicate
In February 2023, the amount of sea ice around Antarctica was at it’s lowest level since records began. It is the height of summer in the Southern Hemisphere which always brings a seasonal reduction in sea ice but this year reached an all time low. This has happened a few weeks earlier than the previous all time low which occurred just last year. Three record breaking lows have happened since 2017.
On 13th February 2023, the winds, warmer air and water, all contributed in reducing the coverage to just 1.91 million square km. In 1980 it was nearer to 4 million square km. As a rough measure – 1 million square km would cover the British Isles entirely.
Earth Watch - February 2023
Geology – A Modern History
Item from The-Energy-Syndicate
Geological time is measured in millions and hundreds of millions of years. Within geological time there are recognised points of characterization that geologists break down into named Eras, Periods, Epochs with smaller subsections called Ages. The current Era is the ‘Cenozoic’, which is subdivided into periods with the current period being the Quaternary which is further divided into two Epochs – The Pleistocene (began 2.6 million years BCE and ended 11,700 years ago) and Holocene (0.01 million years ago).
Recently, geologists are using a new name to describe the most recent time. The Anthropocene Epoch is still an unofficial name but is a response to the planetary changes that human activity has been having upon the ecosystem.
Earth Watch - Winter 2022/2023
When the Wind Blows
Item from The-Energy-Syndicate
In the UK, the National Grid have reported that 2022 saw more electricity being generated from renewable and nuclear sources than fossil fuels. Although gas remained the largest single source of power generation, wind power came second followed by nuclear.
Wind, nuclear, biomass, solar and hydro combined, were responsible for 53.7% of all electricity production. The strengthening position of wind power is set to continue which will ultimately see cheaper and greener energy dominating production. This is not only good for the planet and the future, it is offering others an example of how letting go of fossil fuels has great benefits, including a more secure level of independence.
Earth Watch - Winter 2022/2023
Arctic Precipitation is Increasing
Item from The-Energy-Syndicate
The University of Alaska Fairbanks, using reliable data sets, have found that the Arctic is getting wetter. The research has discovered a 15% increase in precipitation since 1950. This increase has been observed across all seasons. Researchers have identified that the precipitation has increased and has turned from snow to rain at the fringes of the Arctic where the temperatures are highest.
The detail of this research can be found in the 2022 Arctic Annual Report Card, which contains reliable environmental information, produced by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Freezing rain and increased snowfall is causing problems to the infrastructure of centres of population. What is of concern to NOAA and other scientists is that the climate driven disturbance are becoming more frequent. The newness of these changes mean that modelling and prediction is becoming increasingly unreliable.
Earth Watch - Summer/Autumn 2022
Pond Rescue
Item from The-Energy-Syndicate
High temperatures and drought, in countries that are not use to it, can devastate wildlife populations. Plants, birds, mammals and insects are all affected. Here in the UK, in 2022, the delicate seasonal patterns have been impacted.
There are some simple things that we can do to help. Putting out fresh water can be a life saver. For those of you who have a garden, maintaining or building a pond is single most effective way of helping wildlife survive difficult times.
For some good advice about garden ponds click this to download/view the booklet from the Wildlife Trusts site. It includes information for those with limited space.
Earth Watch - August 2022
Lake Mead
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For the last 22 years, water levels in Lake Mead have been dropping. The levels currently are at their lowest since 1937, when the reservoir was still being filled! Today it is at just 27% of its capacity.
As heatwaves intensify, the continuing decline of water in the USA’s largest reservoir is of growing concern. An alarming issue for the millions of people who are supplied by the reservoir. According to current information, three-quarters of the Western States have some level of drought, with over a third of the area classed as being under extreme drought conditions. Urgent action is needed now.
Earth Watch - July 2022
Rainbows over Norfolk
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European Bee-Eaters are causing bird watchers to flock to the north east of Norfolk. These rare visitors with marked rainbow colourings, have been seen nesting. Birds have been spotted close to Cramer and making burrows in the sand of a quarry near Trimingham on the coast.
Mark Thomas from the RSPB said, “While and incredible sight, we mustn’t forget that the arrival of these birds to our shores is due to changes in our climate and subsequent pressures on wildlife both here and across the globe.” He went onto say, “Pushed northwards by climate change, these exotic birds will probably become established visitors in the future.
Earth Watch - June 2022
UK Butterflies in Danger
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At present, the UK is host to 58 species of butterfly. The Butterfly Conservation group however, have issued a warning that 24 of the 58 species may soon become absent from the UK shores. It is thought that humans are the cause of the endangerment through the destruction of the wildlife rich habitats.
"They've literally been destroyed, been ploughed up, covered in fertilisers and used to grow crops or for housing,"Dr Richard Fox, Head of Science for Butterfly Conservation
Despite this report, there is hope. Some species have seen recovering numbers due to intense conservation work. The ‘Wood White’, ‘Swallowtails’, ‘Adonis Blues’, ‘Large Heath’ and ‘Scotch Argus’ are all in danger and new to the list this year. Saving and re-establishing habitats is essential to prevent the loss.
Earth Watch - Autumn/Winter 2021
Worst Deforestation levels in 15 Years
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Brazil’s space research agency has announced a 22% increase in deforestation in the last year. The data shows the highest level in over 15 years. In 2020 – 2021 Brazil lost 13235sq km of forest cover.
At COP 26, Brazil promised to end deforestation by 2030. This latest data is proving to be uncomfortable for the Brazillian government. The Environment Minister Joaquim Leite described the situation as a challenge, adding “We have to be more forceful in relation to these crimes.”
Deforestation has increased under President Jair Bolsonaro who has encouraged activities which add to the cause e.g. mining activities and agriculture.
Earth Watch - Autumn 2021
Costa Rica
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In the 1940s, 75% of Costa Rica was covered in rainforests. Within just 50 years almost half the forest cover was destroyed by the arrival of loggers. The land was cleared to grow crops and livestock.
Due to the devastation, the government intervened to restore and preserve the forests. It was made illegal to chop down forests without approval in 1996. In 1997 Costa Rica introduced PES – the Payments for Environmental Services Program. This government-led initiative pays local communities to help protect the natural ecosystem. It became the first tropical country to have stopped, and subsequently reversed, deforestation. There is now 60% forest cover.
Earth Watch - Summer 2021
Hazel Dormouse
Item from The-Energy-Syndicate
The Hazel Dormouse is about as endearing as a tiny creature could be. With a body length of only 6cm to 9cm, they are very hard to spot. Sadly they have been in decline in the UK. The good news is there is a collaborative project working to increase their numbers.
The Peoples Trust for Endangered Species, National England and the University of Cumbria are running the reintroduction project and have recently announced a landmark moment; they have released the 1000th breeding pair into the wild. 17 English counties had lost all traces of the species and so it is hoped that the projects work will see an increase of breeding pairs in the wild.
For more information about the dormouse click this link.
