 Global Warming Q&AA panel discussion was held in Woods Hole as part of the Institution’s spring trustee meeting on May 19, 2006. The discussion was introduced by Terry Joyce, director of the Ocean and Climate Change Institute and senior scientist, and moderated by Tom Wheeler, chairman of the corporation. WHOI Featured Stories March 4, 2009Will Climate Change Affect the Greenland Ice Sheet? A multimedia presentation on an expedition to Greenland's vast, empty whiteness. Also see related article: Getting to the Bottom of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Source: Oceanus Magazine  December 12, 2008Tracking Nitrogen's Elusive Trail in the Ocean Fertilizers have leaked into the oceans, loading coastal waters with excess nitrogen and possibly leading to another greenhouse gas to watch: nitrous oxide. Any attempts to restore the nitrogen balance on our planet requires more understanding of how nitrogen moves through the environment. Source: Oceanus Magazine  December 12, 2008Another Greenhouse Gas to Watch: Nitrous Oxide Source: Oceanus Magazine  July 17, 2008DMS: The Climate Gas You've Never Heard Of Scientists are just beginning to learn how a gas called dimethlysulfide cycles its way through the ocean and air, where it helps form clouds that can help cool the Earth. The airborne scent of DMS is also key to the survival of birds at sea. (See Seabirds Use Their Sense of Smell to Find Food.) Source: Oceanus Magazine  July 7, 2008Crack! A Lake Atop Greenland Disappears Scientists document for the first time a long-suspected plumbing system for ice sheets. It sends water melted at the surface during summer all the way through the ice to the bottom, where the water greases the skids between ice and ground. What will happen in a warming world? Source: Oceanus Magazine  June 25, 2008Earth, Wind, and Fire in Antarctica From a windy, isolated camp in southern Victoria Land, Antarctica, three scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution explore how the waterless, lifeless, volcanic terrain forms and changes. Read the story and watch the video. Source: Oceanus Magazine  January 23, 2008Melting Ice Threatens Polar Bears' Survival Some climate studies project that summer Arctic ice may disappear by mid-century. If it does, the polar bear may follow soon after. Source: Oceanus Magazine  January 11, 2008Proposals Emerge to Transfer Excess Carbon into the Ocean Giant plastic tubes, swarms of transparent animals called salps, adding acid to the sea, and other proposals to increase carbon storage in the ocean. Source: Oceanus Magazine  January 10, 2008Dumping Iron and Trading Carbon How will ocean fertilization schemes be regulated and how soon are they likely to become profitable? (fifth in a six-part series). Source: Oceanus Magazine  January 9, 2008Lessons from Nature, Models, and the Past To project what adding iron to the oceans might do, scientists use several types of evidence to augment what they have learned from small-scale iron-addition experiments conducted since 1993 (fourth in a six-part series). Source: Oceanus Magazine  January 8, 2008What Are the Possible Side Effects? Assemble a list of the ways iron fertilization potentially could harm the ocean, and it quickly becomes lengthy and distressing. Source: Oceanus Magazine  January 7, 2008Will Ocean Iron Fertilization Work? The first of a five-part series beginning today on the debate on proposals to add iron to the oceans to help reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Source: Oceanus Magazine  November 13, 2007Fertilizing the Ocean with Iron Scientists, policymakers, economists, and environmental advocates gathered at a symposium at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to iron out the uncertainties of fertilizing the oceans with iron as a means to mediate global warming. Source: Oceanus Magazine  May 20, 2007Highlights of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2007 Report and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Research on the Ocean's Role on Climate Change  January 5, 2007Sunspots, Sea Changes, and Climate Shifts Sometimes, clues to environmental conditions in Earth's past tell conflicting stories and point to competing mechanisms for change. Source: Oceanus Magazine  November 29, 2006How Long Can the Ocean Slow Global Warming? About one-third of the excess carbon dioxide humans emit has dissolved into the oceans. But that also makes seawater more acidic and corrosive to the shells of marine life. Source: Oceanus Magazine  June 20, 2008Will Climate Change Disrupt the Arctic Ecosystem? Forty-six researchers with different scientific expertise headed on a 39-day voyage to unravel the complexities of the Arctic food chain, which begins with algae growing on the underside of sea ice. Source: Oceanus Magazine  June 22, 2006Observations on Global Warming As presented to the Aspen Institute by OCCI Director Terrence M. Joyce.  October 20, 2006The Coral-Climate Connection Much like tree rings, many species of corals have growth bands. Using complex geochemical analyses, scientists can extract precise information about ocean conditions in the past at the times when the coral bands formed. Source: Oceanus Magazine  November 16, 2006The Once and Future Circulation of the Ocean Did changes in ocean circulation play a role in melting the vast ice sheets that covered North America and Europe during the last ice age? Could global warming cause ocean circulation changes that lead to dramatic climate changes in the future? Source: Oceanus Magazine  February 17, 2006An Ocean Warmer Than a Hot Tub New evidence from ancient seafloor sediments suggests that current climate forecasting models may underestimate future ocean warming caused by the buildup of greenhouse gases. Source: Oceanus Magazine  June 5, 2006Abandoned Walrus Calves Reported in the Arctic On a research cruise to investigate possible impacts of global warming on the delicately balanced Arctic Ocean ecosystem, scientists found warmer-than-usual ocean temperatures, a dearth of nearshore sea ice, and baby walruses unaccompanied by mothers in areas where they likely could not survive. Source: Oceanus Magazine  January 23, 2006Is Global Warming Changing the Arctic? In the Arctic, the air, sea ice, and underlying ocean all interact in a delicately balanced system. Four ambitious Arctic projects are pulling back the icy veil that shrouds our understanding of the Arctic Ocean’s role in our climate system. (First of a five-part series.) Source: Oceanus Magazine  October 5, 2005Earth Can't Soak Up Excess Fossil Fuel Emissions Indefinitely A new-generation computer model indicates that the capacity of land and ocean to absorb and store the heat-trapping greenhouse gas will reach its peak by the end of the century—removing a brake that has been tempering the effects of global warming. Source: Oceanus Magazine  September 14, 2005Fresher Ocean, Cooler Climate Large and climatically sensitive regions of the North Atlantic Ocean have become less salty since the late 1960s, a trend that could alter global ocean circulation and spur climate changes by the 21st century. Source: Oceanus Magazine  November 16, 2004Rising Sea Levels and Moving Shorelines New tools and techniques show promise for better predictions and decisions about coastline change Source: Oceanus Magazine WHOI News Releases January 29, 2009Ocean Islands Fuel Productivity and Carbon Sequestration Through Natural Iron Fertilization An experiment to study the effects of naturally deposited iron in the Southern Ocean has filled in a key piece of the puzzle surrounding iron’s role in locking atmospheric carbon dioxide in the ocean. The research, conducted by an international team led by Raymond Pollard of the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, and included Matthew Charette, a marine chemist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, found that natural iron fertilization enhanced the export of carbon to the deep ocean. Source: Media Relations  January 26, 2009Emperor Penguins March toward Extinction? Popularized by the 2005 movie “March of the Penguins,” emperor penguins could be headed toward extinction in at least part of their range before the end of the century, according to a paper by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) researchers published January 26, 2009, in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. Source: Media Relations  January 13, 2009Study links swings in North Atlantic Oscillation variability to climate warming Using a 218-year-long temperature record from a Bermuda brain coral, researchers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) have created the first marine-based reconstruction showing the long-term behavior of one of the most important drivers of climate fluctuations in the North Atlantic. Source: Media Relations  January 5, 2009Surprising Return of North Atlantic Circulation Pump One of the “pumps” contributing to the ocean’s global circulation suddenly switched on again last winter for the first time this decade, scientists reported Tuesday (Dec. 23) in Nature Geoscience. The finding surprised scientists, who had been wondering if global warming was inhibiting the pump—which, in turn, would cause other far-reaching climate changes. Source: Media Relations  April 17, 2008Lakes of Meltwater Can Crack Greenland’s Ice and Contribute to Faster Ice Sheet Flow Researchers from WHOI and the University of Washington have for the first time documented the sudden and complete drainage of a lake of meltwater from the top of the Greenland ice sheet to its base. From those observations, scientists have uncovered a plumbing system for the ice sheet, where meltwater can penetrate thick, cold ice and accelerate some of the large-scale summer movements of the ice sheet. Source: Media Relations  February 17, 2006Warmer than a Hot Tub: Atlantic Ocean Temperatures Much Higher in the Past Scientists have found evidence that tropical Atlantic Ocean temperatures may have once reached 107°F, about 25°F higher than ocean temperatures today and warmer than a hot tub. While these high ocean temperatures occurred millions of year ago, the new study suggests climate models underestimate future warming. Source: Media Relations  April 13, 2006Walrus Calves Stranded by Melting Sea Ice Scientists have reported an unprecedented number of abandoned walrus calves in the Arctic Ocean, where melting sea ice may be forcing mothers to abandon their pups. Source: Media Relations  June 16, 2005How Much Excess Fresh Water Was Added to the North Atlantic in Recent Decades? Continued Freshening of the North Atlantic Could Slow the Conveyor in the 21st Century Source: Media Relations  August 16, 2005Earth's Ability to Absorb Increased Carbon Emissions May Be Limited The ability of the planet to absorb increased emissions of carbon dioxide is limited, according to a recent study using a new computer model of Earth's climate that takes into account the planet's carbon cycle. Source: Media Relations  December 7, 2005Fine-tuning the Steps in the Intricate Climate Change Dance New scientific findings are strengthening the case that rapid climate change may be related to how vigorously ocean currents move heat between low and high latitude. Source: Media Relations  December 17, 2003New Study Reports Large-scale Salinity Changes in the Oceans Source: Media Relations Testimonies & Briefings July 18, 2000The Ocean's Role in Climate Testimony to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation from WHOI scientist Raymond W. Schmitt  The Future Oceans - Warming Up, Rising High, Turning Sour2006 Special Report from WBGU, the German Advisory Council on Global Change » Visit Web site Research ProjectsCoastal Dunes as Archives of Climate Change Ilya Buynevich » Visit Web site Reconstructing Tropical Atlantic Variability Delia Oppo, Anne Cohen and Ruth Curry » Visit Web site Beaufort Gyre Exploration Project » Visit Web site WHOI Researchers, Labs, and Groups Karen BiceGeology and Geophysics » Contact » Visit Web site  Ilya BuynevichGeology and Geophysics » Contact » Visit Web site  Ruth CurryPhysical Oceanography » Contact » Visit Web site  William CurryGeology and Geophysics » Visit Web site  Anne CohenGeology and Geophysics » Contact » Visit Web site  Scott DoneyMarine Chemistry and Geochemistry » Contact » Visit Web site  Delia OppoGeology & Geophysics » Visit Web site  Terrence JoycePhysical Oceanography » Visit Web site  Andrey ProshutinskyPhysical Oceanography » Visit Web site In the NewsDiscussion about the U.N. International Panel on Climate Change's Fourth Assessment Report A Cape and Islands NPR segment featuring WHOI scientists Karen Bice and Ray Schmitt. » Visit Web site Is Global Warming Making Hurricanes Worse? National Geographic News August 4, 2005 » Visit Web site Interactive Graphic: Boston in 100 Years The Boston Globe: Flood Potential » Visit Web site Global Warming: How Hot? How Soon? National Geographic News July 27, 2005 » Visit Web site Polar Warming PBS Online News Hour featuring WHOI Scientist Carin Ashjian November 8, 2004 » Visit Web site Ice Age to Warming - and Back? The Christian Science Monitor news story featuring WHOI Scientist Lloyd Keigwin January 28, 2004 » Visit Web site Stronger Hurricanes tied to Global Warming Discovery News Brief » Visit Web site Green house Theory smashed by Biggest Stone Nasa Earth Observatory News A differing opinion on the cause of global warming » Visit Web site Radar Altimetry confirms Global Warming is affecting Polar Glaciers European Space Agency » Visit Web site Scientists use Satellites to Detect Deep-Ocean Whirlpools University of Delaware » Visit Web site Global Warming? BBC News: In Depth » Visit Web site Science PublicationsHoyos, C.D.; P.A. Agudelo; P.J. Webster; J.A. Curry. Online March 16, 2006. Science Express Reports.Curry R., Mauritzen C. June 17, 2005. Dilution of the northern North Atlantic Ocean in recent decades Science 308(5729):1772-1774. Bryden, H.L. Longworth, H.R. and Cunningham, S.A. December 1, 2005. Slowing of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation at 25°N Nature 438: 655-657. Ehrlich, P.R and D. Kennedy. July 22, 2005. Millennium Assessment of Human Behavior Science 309 (5734): 562-563. Global society is seriously threatened by the environmental impacts of human activities. Hegerl, G.C and N. L. Bindoff. July 8, 2005. Warming the World's Oceans. Science 309 (5732): 254-255. Several recent studies have provided evidence for a warming of the world's oceans. Barnett, T.P.; D.W. Pierce; K.M. Achutarao; P.J. Gleckler; B.D. Santer; J.M. Gregory; W. M. Washington. July 8, 2005. Penetration of Human-Induced Warming into the World's Oceans Science 309 (5732): 284-287. A warming signal has penetrated into the world's oceans over the past 40 years. The signal is complex, with a vertical structure that varies widely by ocean; it cannot be explained by natural internal climate variability. Levitus, S., J. Antonov, T. Boyer. January 22, 2005. Warming of the World Ocean, 1955-2003. Geophysical Research Letters 32: L02604. Hansen, J. March 2004. Defusing the Global Warming Time Bomb. Scientific American 280(3):68-77. Hoerling, M.; A. Kumar. January 31, 2003. The Perfect Ocean or Drought. Science 299: 691-694. Levitus, S.; J.I. Antonov, J. Wang; T.L. Delworth; K.W. Dixon; A.J. Broccoli. April 13, 2001. Anthropogenic Warming of Earth's Climate System. Science:267-270. Levitus, S.; J.I. Antonov; T.P. Boyer; C. Stephens. March 24, 2000. Warming of the World Ocean. Science 287:2225-2229. Broecker, W.S. November 28, 1997. Thermohaline Circulation, the Achilles Heel of Our Climate System: Will Man-Made CO 2 Upset the Current Balance? Science 278: 1582-1588. Other Sites We RecommendClimate Change and the EnvironmentInformation from the New England Aquarium Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Global Warming Facts and Our Future From the National Academy of Science Present Climate: How do we know the Earth is warming now? From the National Center for Atmospheric Research The Discovery of Global Warming A history of the science from the American Institute of Physics Global Warming From the US Environmental Protection Agency A Paleo Perspective on Global Warming from the National Satellite Data and Information Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RealClimate Blog, or commentary site, on issues of climate science by scientists. Global Warming Pew Center on Global Climate Change Human Impacts on Climate American Geophysical Union statement, December 2003 Last updated: September 3, 2009 | |||||||||||||
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