Promoting Science and Critical Thinking
As a rather blatant slap in the face for the anti-vaccine movement there is a new study that illustrates the profoundly positive and deep impact that vaccines have, and will continue to have. Vaccines save 20 million lives, $350 billion in poor countries since 2001 It is the one medical intervention that stands out from … Read more
The Antarctic is of course glaciated and very very cold, that is well understood. What is new is the realisation that it is not all a barren lifeless landscape, but instead contains niches where life has potentially gained a foothold in a rather surprising way. Hidden under the ice are Geothermal ice caverns. This is because Antarctic … Read more
The observation that we are seeing Hurricanes that are unprecedented and also of a size never seen before in the West Atlantic will quite naturally inspire many to wonder if there is a Climate Change connection. There is. This is because Climate Change does indeed directly increase Hurricane intensity. As I write this, we have … Read more
The Saffir/Simpson Hurricane Scale describes five distinct categories for Hurricanes. The name is of course rooted in who it all came from. Back in 1971, Herbert Saffir and also Robert Simpson created it as a simple way to communicate the impact that a Hurricane was about to have and so assigning a specific category set expectations regarding the potential … Read more
A few days ago I highlighted a posting by Climate Scientist Michael E Mann in which he lays out the case for climate change making Harvey a lot worse. Today I’d like to point to another deeply experienced climate scientist, James Hansen, saying the same. Before we get to the actual interview there are perhaps … Read more
While in Oregon in the high desert to chase the eclipse I setup my camera and telescope and took a few quick shots to ensure all was in working order. Note that within the above picture, the day before the eclipsec Sun 20th Aug 2017, there are a few sunspots visible – I’ve circled them. … Read more