While analysing Antarctic water samples, scientists have discovered a substantial volcanic heat source beneath Pine Island Glacier. Elevated levels of helium-3 gas detected in the waters around Pine Island glacier indicate volcanic activity beneath the ice sheet – exhibiting as much as 25 times more thermal energy than a dormant volcano. The volcanic heat source is one more factor to account for when modelling the stability of the West Antarctic Ice Shelf. The shelf’s stability has serious implications for the future of sea level rising. Click on the graphic for an expanded view. Continue reading Volcanic heat source found beneath Antarctic glacier – an annotated infographic

More bad news for the world’s poor – which, lets face it, is most of us: a World Bank report has determined that climate change caused by increasing greenhouse gases could see the world’s poor rise by over 100 million. Particularly affected will be those people living in extreme poverty in Africa and South Asia, the numbers of which are expected to rise dramatically by 2030. Click on the graphic for an expanded view. Continue reading #ClimateChange poised to bite hardest on the world’s poorest people – an annotated infographic

A leading geophysicist believes that recent temperature rises in Alaska indicate that the permafrost will thaw in some parts by 2070, releasing methane gas into the atmosphere and exacerbating climate change. Click on the graphic for an expanded view.   Continue reading Alaskan permafrost to thaw this century – mucho methane gas released – an annotated infographic

As rapper, bon viveur and keen amateur climatologist (we’re guessing) Nelly once so memorably said: it’s getting hot in here, so take off all your clothes. The year 2014 has now officially been declared the warmest year across global land and ocean surfaces since records began in 1880. The annually-averaged temperature was 0.69°C above the 20th-century average of 13.9°C, breaking the previous records of 2005 and 2010 by 0.04°C . This also marks the 38th consecutive year that the yearly global temperature was above average. Deny that, climate change deniers. Either way, we’d all be well advised to keep our … Continue reading #Climatechange continues to heat up planet Earth as 2014 sets new record – an annotated infographic