What is “Earth's Energy Imbalance” and why does it matter?
Earth's climate is determined by a delicate balance between how much of the Sun's radiative energy is absorbed in our atmosphere and at the surface, and how much thermal infrared radiation Earth emits back into space. A positive energy imbalance means the Earth system is gaining energy, causing the planet to heat up, while a negative energy imbalance will cause the planet to cool down.
Two years ago, in June 2021, NASA issued a report warning that “Earth's Energy Imbalance Has Doubled” over the period from 2005 to 2019. The report was noticed by practically no one except diligent climate scientists and a few so-called doomers.
A few weeks ago, Leon Simons, a climate researcher in the Netherlands, stated at Xitter that the 2021 NASA report estimated that Earth's energy imbalance would soon decrease due to La Niña and with a negative PDO (that’s Pacific Decadal Oscillation, an ocean circulation pattern).
But the opposite happened. Even with La Niña (which ended very recently) and with a negative PDO, there was an overall continued increase in global heat uptake. Earth's Energy Imbalance (EEI) remained positive, meaning heat was accumulating.
That was NOT supposed to happen.
One possible explanation, according to Simons…
In January 2020 new shipping regulations came into effect, decreasing the maximum amount of sulfur in shipping fuels from 3.5% to 0.5%. Then in 2020 we saw a rapid increase in the amount of solar radiation being absorbed by the ocean in major shipping lanes.
If this trend continues, that could mean that the Northern Hemisphere mid-latitudes (where many of us live) will warm much more rapidly. It could also impact global and regional weather systems, like the monsoons. More extreme weather is likely.
He wrote the above in March of this year. Since then, we certainly have been experiencing extreme weather.
All indications are that the EEI — Earth's Energy Imbalance — is on the upswing, increasing at a dangerously fast pace.
On Friday, Simons posted an image that he calls “the most important graph in the world.” You can see it below.
He also said this…
♦️ July surface air temperatures are the highest for any month on record!
♦️ Global sea surface temperatures running record high for 5 months now and might continue for 10 more!
♦️ Global sea ice has been shattering record lows for two months now!
♦️ All at the same time!
We are rapidly entering a climate state not seen for millions of years.
The only sensible action is to STOP burning fossil fuels. No more half measures, no more Business As Usual.
Actually there needs to be an overhaul of the system, either age limit on senate, house and presidency which I agree with, or an independent medical examiner/s verifying they are mentally capable of carrying out duties (this wouldn't work and is too open to corruption).
Just don't let people serve after 60. It even works to reduce generational thinking that infects government policy.
Recently, Reddit announced that they may be discontinuing awards/coins on September 12. However I'm skeptical and I think this may be just a deceptive announcement for them to make a quick buck from awards/coins. What are your opinions on this?
Nah.
Firstly, you no longer can buy coins and awards. Three days ago they posted this:
Starting today, you will no longer be able to purchase new coins, but all awards and existing coins will continue to be available until September 12, 2023.
So currently they can not make any quick bugs with coins and awards as they no longer are buy-able.
Additionally, since all coins/awards expire on that date, there is zero reason to get more. Right now you want to get rid of what you have, not stock up just so Reddit can delete your inventory of coins.
This would be different if they announced some beneficial exchange rate for real money or their new system or kept coins you own available indefinitely (or at least way longer), which indeed would trigger some people to stock up "just in case I want to award someone later on".
This is a clean cut, meant to renew the system by first tearing down the old one completely, without leaving anything in place, and then introducing something entirely new. I don't necessarily agree with their communication and deadlines but I don't think there is anything foul at work here. They just want a new system and follow their current trend of rushing everything.
TL;DR: even if your delete script confirms a full wipe and your Reddit profile page shows zero comment, there may still be comments left over (that you can find through a search engine and delete manually on Reddit)....
How AI is helping airlines mitigate the climate impact of contrails (blog.google)
We used AI to help airlines choose routes that are less likely to cause contrails, minimizing the environmental impact of flights.
News: A confused Dianne Feinstein tried to give a speech in the middle of a Senate hearing vote and was told to 'just say aye' instead (www.businessinsider.com)
"Just say aye," Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Patty Murray repeatedly pleaded to Feinstein during the vote. Eventually, Feinstein did just that....
Reddit may be tricking users to buy awards/coins (kbin.social)
Recently, Reddit announced that they may be discontinuing awards/coins on September 12. However I'm skeptical and I think this may be just a deceptive announcement for them to make a quick buck from awards/coins. What are your opinions on this?
I just found out that not all of my Reddit comments had been deleted despite my profile page showing otherwise. (kbin.social)
TL;DR: even if your delete script confirms a full wipe and your Reddit profile page shows zero comment, there may still be comments left over (that you can find through a search engine and delete manually on Reddit)....