Counting down to climate talks

A sobering story this week from the Associated Press indicates that readings at the 2-mile-high Mauna Loa Observatory show an upward curve as the world counts down to climate talks.  According to the story, global warming gases have built up to record levels in the atmosphere, from emissions that match scientists' worst-case scenarios. Carbon dioxide concentrations this fall are hovering at around 385 parts per million, on their way to a near-certain record high above 390 in the first half of next year, at the annual peak, according to the story. "For the past million years we've never seen 390. You have to wonder what that's going to do," said physicist John Barnes, the observatory director.  Something to think about as negotiators from 192 nations gather in Copenhagen, Denmark, next month to try to agree on steps to head off climate disruption.

Read the full story at:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hplptq9wxlp5eCDFL2Mv5A_H6bcwD9C5EC7O1


New York has its own climate change expert who has been tracking the impact of global warming in Upstate New York.  Dave Eichorn is a meteorologist of 30 years experience. He was formerly with WSYR TV Syracuse for 20 years, specializing in lake effect snowstorms and atmospheric patterns which produce them. Dave now holds adjunct positions at SUNY Oswego and Onondaga Community College where he teaches Introductory Meteorology, Advanced Forecasting, Broadcast Meteorology. He is an award-winning member of the American Meteorological Society, has a specialized background in mesoscale atmospheric modeling and lake effect snow forecasting. Since January 2006, he has given presentations on climate change with a meteorological perspective to thousands of New Yorkers. Dave has moderated SUNY-ESF’s seminar series “CNY's Response to Global Energy and Climate Change Challenges” working with community leaders on efforts toward the mitigation of our carbon footprint, and he is working on climate change course development at ESF.

Read more about Dave's work at:  
http://www.linkedin.com/in/davideichorn