Friday, June 5, 2009

Odds For Climate Change Much Worse Than Expected

Recent research by MIT shows that the odds that severe climate change will occur before 2100 are worse than previously expected. Below are two quotes from the article:
"The most comprehensive modeling yet carried out on the likelihood of how much hotter the Earth's climate will get in this century shows that without rapid and massive action, the problem will be about twice as severe as previously estimated six years ago - and could be even worse than that."
"And the odds indicated by this modeling may actually understate the problem, because the model does not fully incorporate other positive feedbacks that can occur, for example, if increased temperatures caused a large-scale melting of permafrost in arctic regions and subsequent release of large quantities of methane, a very potent greenhouse gas. Including that feedback is just going to make it worse."

Read the full article to have a better understanding of the research and the seriousness of the predictions made from it. (source: MIT News, May 19, 2009)

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

UW-L Chancellor, Students Support High Speed Rail
Through La Crosse

Chancellor Joe Gow speaking at WISPIRG rally

UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow spoke in support of high speed rail and more frequent passenger train service through La Crosse on May 28 at the Amtrak train station on the city’s north side. This was part of a press conference organized by Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG), UW-L’s Environmental Council, and UW-L’s Green Transportation Council. Gow was flanked by students from UW-L and students from campuses with WISPIRG chapters around the state who chose La Crosse as their last stop on a 10-stop tour along the proposed high speed rail line in Wisconsin.

Touted benefits of a high speed line include reduced dependence upon foreign oil, reduced carbon emissions, less congested freeways, and making La Crosse a more viable place to live without a car. About fifty students and community members turned out for the event. To read more about the event, check out the online La Crosse Tribune article. To become involved with future efforts email Jeremy Gragert, student chair of the UW-L Green Transportation Council: gragert.jere@students.uwlax.edu. (submitted by Jeremy Gragert, photo provided by Jonathan Ringdahl)