Greenhouse Gases make huge jump in 2010

A new study has determined that the release of greenhouse gases jumped by the biggest amount on record.  These gases are root cause of global warming.  The newest research shows that the current figures are higher than the worse case scenario outlined by climate experts just a few years ago.

"The more we talk about the need to control emissions, the more they are growing," said John Reilly, co-director of MIT's Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change. The world pumped about 564 million more tons of carbon into the air in 2010 than it did in 2009. That's an increase of 6%.

That amount of extra pollution eclipses the individual emissions of all but three countries China, the United States and India, the world's top producers of greenhouse gases. Extra pollution in China and the US account for more than half the increase in emissions last year.

Even though global warming skeptics have attacked the climate change panel as being too alarmist, scientists have generally found their predictions too conservative, Reilly said. He said his university worked on emissions scenarios, their likelihood, and what would happen. The IPCC's worst case scenario was only about in the middle of what MIT calculated are likely scenarios.

"Really dismaying," Granger Morgan, head of the engineering and public policy department at Carnegie Mellon University, said of the new figures. "We are building up a horrible legacy for our children and grandchildren."

US launches coalition to fight climate change

The United States on Thursday announced the formation of a coalition to cut pollutants that speed up warming and harm health.

Arctic Sea Ice at historic low levels

Arctic Sea ice melted this summer to the second lowest level since record-keeping began more than 50 years ago

Arctic Ozone layer experiences record thinning

The protective ozone layer in the Arctic that keeps out the sun's most damaging rays, ultraviolet radiation, has thinned about 40% percent this winter, a record drop.

Alaska's national parks feeling Climate Change

A rapidly warming climate is reshaping Denali, Kenai Fjords and other national parks comprising the crown jewels of Alaska's heritage as America's last frontier.

Cancun Climate Conference debating Forest Plan

A United Nations program under debate at the climate change conference in Cancun could help millions who live in the world's forests earn more while slowing the deforestation that accounts for 20% of the carbon dioxide emissions