New Federal Rules for Debt Collectors

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Source: dealbook.nytimes.com --- Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Debt collection agencies, whose sometimes aggressive tactics have earned them scrutiny from consumer protection groups and state regulators, will come under federal supervision for the first time when the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau begins oversight early next year. The consumer agency will examine companies to ensure they properly identify themselves to consumers and disclose the amount of Debt owed, Edward Wyatt reports in The New York Times. Read more ? ...

Source: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/10/24/new-federal-rules-for-debt-collectors/

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Crossroads groups spending another 8 million to help Republican Senate candidates (Star Tribune)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories News, News Feeds and News via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/257551090?client_source=feed&format=rss

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"X Factor" Renewed for third season by Fox

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Israel not committed to two-state solution: Carter

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter on Monday said the Israeli-Palestinian peace process had reached a crisis point and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government was not pursuing a two-state solution.

"That policy of promoting a two-state solution seems to be abandoned now and we are deeply concerned about this move towards this catastrophic so-called one-state choice ... this is a major concern," Carter told a news conference.

Carter helped forge Israel's peace deal with Egypt in 1979, the first between the Jewish state and an Arab country but has been a strong critic of Israeli settlement policy in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

"Every (Israeli) prime minister that I have known has been a pursuer of the two-state solution and I don't know that (U.S. President Barack) Obama has found that Prime Minister Netanyahu has been willing to go that route," Carter added.

He spoke during a visit along with other members of "The Elders", a group of former world leaders, to Israel, the occupied West Bank and Egypt.

"All indications to us is that this two-state solution has basically been abandoned and we've had a moving forward towards a 'greater Israel' which I think is contrary to the two-state solution concept," Carter said.

Israeli-Palestinian peace talks collapsed in 2010 over settlement building in the West Bank, territory Israel captured in a 1967 Middle East war that Palestinians seek, with the Gaza Strip, for a future state, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Netanyahu has voiced support for a two-state solution, but has said a future Palestinian country must be demilitarized and accept an Israeli military presence along the Jordan River, its likely eastern frontier.

He has said Israel was willing to make "painful compromises" for peace that require giving up "parts of the ancestral Jewish homeland" but has balked at returning to lines that existed before the 1967 conflict.

Israel cites historical and Biblical links to the West Bank, which it calls Judea and Samaria.

(Writing by Ori Lewis; Editing by Michael Roddy)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/israel-not-committed-two-state-solution-carter-181641219.html

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Texans Dominate Ravens 43-13: Houston Beats Baltimore For First Time In Franchise History

Kevin Walters, Cary Williams

Houston Texans wide receiver Kevin Walter (83) scores a touchdown against Baltimore Ravens cornerback Cary Williams (29) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, Houston, Texas. (AP Photo/Waco Tribune Herald, Jose Yau)

Carson Palmer, Paul Posluszny

Oakland Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer (3) passes as Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Paul Posluszny (51) applies pressure during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Vince Wilfork, Chandler Jones

New England Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork (75) and defensive end Chandler Jones (95) celebrate a New York Jets safety in the second quarter of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Josh Freeman

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman (5) walks off the field following the their 35-28 loss to the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)

Rashad Jennings, Mike Thomas

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Rashad Jennings (23) celebrates after scoring on a 5-yard touchdown run with wide receiver Mike Thomas (80) against the Oakland Raiders during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Jayron Hosley

New York Giants cornerback Jayron Hosley (28) celebrates with teammates after recovering a fumble during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won 27-23. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

Justin Bethel, Rashad Johnson

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (31) and Rashad Johnson (49) watch the scoreboard in the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012. The Vikings won 21-14. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees celebrates after the Saints defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 35-28 during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack )

Nate Washington, Justin Rogers

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nate Washington (85) catches the winning touchdown over Buffalo Bills defensive back Justin Rogers (26) during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012. Tennessee won 35-34. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)

Robert Griffin III, Hakeem Nicks

New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (88) shakes hands with Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III after an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won 27-23. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Robert Kraft, Donald Trump

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, and businessman Donald Trump, right, applaud on the field before an NFL football game between the Patriots and the New York Jets in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Victor Cruz

New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) catches a pass as Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Wilson (26) and Madieu Williams pursue him during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won the game 27-23. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

Arian Foster

Houston Texans' Arian Foster celebrates a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/Patric Schneider)

Reggie Wayne, D'Qwell Jackson, Buster Skrine

Indianapolis Colts' Reggie Wayne (87) is tackled by Cleveland Browns' Craig Robertson (53) and Buster Skrine (22) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Indianapolis. Indianapolis defeated Cleveland 17-13. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Jerel Worthy, Morgan Burnett

Green Bay Packers defensive end Jerel Worthy, left, and free safety Morgan Burnett celebrate during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in St. Louis. The Packers won 30-20. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)

Dan Bailey

Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) watches his second field goal of the fourth quarter alongside Brian Moorman (2) in an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. The Cowboys won 19-14. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Tandon Doss, Dennis Pitta, Torrey Smith

Baltimore Ravens Tandon Doss (17), Dennis Pitta (88) and Torrey Smith (82) celebrate a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/Patric Schneider)

Josh Norman ,Dwayne Harris,Tom Hill

Carolina Panthers defensive back Josh Norman (24) and Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dwayne Harris (17) speak as Side Judge Tom Hill break them up during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Randall Cobb, Trumaine Johnson

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb, left, catches a 39-yard touchdown pass as St. Louis Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson defends during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

Jonathan Stewart

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) rushes upfield against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)

Bernard Pollard

Baltimore Ravens strong safety Bernard Pollard (31) reacts to the officials call during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/Patric Schneider)

John McGrath, Bernard Pollard

Baltimore Ravens strong safety Bernard Pollard (31) and head linesman John McGrath have a heated exchange during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/Patric Schneider)

Mike Tolbert

Carolina Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert (35) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C.(AP Photo/Bob Leverone)

Joe Flacco, Glover Quin

Houston Texans strong safety Glover Quin (29) tips a pass by Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)

Ahmad Bradshaw, Ryan Kerrigan

New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw (44) is tackled by Washington Redskins outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan (91) and Josh Wilson (26) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Robert Griffin III, Prince Amukamara

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) avoids a tackle by New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Clay Matthews, Sam Bradford

St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford (8) is sacked for a 9-yard loss by Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)

Brandon LaFell ,Gerald Sensabaugh ,Morris Claiborne

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Brandon LaFell (11) can't make the reception while being defended by Dallas Cowboys free safety Gerald Sensabaugh (43) and cornerback Morris Claiborne (24) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Miles Austin

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin (19) reacts to his touchdown catch with teammate Lawrence Vickers (47) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)

Cam Newton

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs the ball against the Dallas Cowboys looks on during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Charlotte. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)

Andrew Luck, Donnie Avery

Indianapolis Colts' Andrew Luck, left, and Donnie Avery celebrate after Luck ran for a 5-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Brandon LaFell, Brandon Carr

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Brandon LaFell (11) heads into the end zone for a touchdown as Dallas Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr (39) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

E.J. Biggers, Joe Morgan

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Joe Morgan (13) beats Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback E.J. Biggers (31) to the end zone to score on a 48-yard touchdown reception during the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)

Eli Manning

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass to Victor Cruz (80) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won 27-23. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

Johnathan Joseph

Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph celebrates a touchdown after intercepting a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/Patric Schneider)

Christian Ponder, Calais Campbell

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) breaks away from Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) in the first half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Andy King)

Adrian Peterson, Paris Lenon

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) tackles Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Paris Lenon (51) after Lenon intercepted a pass in the first half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Fred Jackson

Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson (22) reacts with fans after scoring a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)

Percy Harvin

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin (12) celebrates after making a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Andy King)

Morris Claiborne

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne (24) picks off a Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Charlotte. Dallas Cowboys inside linebacker Bruce Carter (54) looks on (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Greg Little, JJerrell Freeman, Cassius Vaughn

Cleveland Browns' Greg Little makes a 14-yard touchdown reception against Indianapolis Colts' Jerrell Freeman (50) and Cassius Vaughn (32) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Chris Johnson, George Wilson, Aaron Williams

Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson (28) scores a touchdown in front of Buffalo Bills defenders George Wilson (37) and Aaron Williams (23) during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)

Robert Griffin III

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won 27-23. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/21/texans-ravens-43-13-houston-baltimore_n_1998079.html

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The l?Aquila Verdict: A Judgment Not Against Science, but Against A Failure of Science Communication

A court in Italy has convicted six scientists and one civil defense official of manslaughter in connection with their predictions about an earthquake in l?Aquila in 2009 that killed 309 people. But, contrary to the majority of the news coverage this decision is getting and the gnashing of teeth in the scientific community, the trial was not about science, not about seismology, not about the ability or inability of scientists to predict earthquakes. These convictions were about poor risk communication, and more broadly, about the responsibility scientists have as citizens to share their expertise in order to help people make informed and healthy choices.

It is ludicrous and na?ve for the American Association for the Advancement of Science to condemn the verdict, as they did the charges when they were filed, as a misunderstanding about the science behind earthquake probabilities. That this was never about the ability of seismologists to predict earthquakes is clear from the very indictment itself; the defendants were accused of giving ?inexact, incomplete and contradictory information? about whether small tremors prior to the April 6 quake should have constituted grounds for a warning.

It was never about whether the scientists could or could not predict earthquakes. Even the leader of the 309 Martiri (309 Martyrs) who pressed for the case to be brought said so; Dr. Vincenzo Vittorini, who lost his wife and daughter in the quake, said back when the trial began ?Nobody here wants to put science in the dock. We all know that the earthquake could not be predicted, and that evacuation was not an option. All we wanted was clearer information on risks in order to make our choices?.

Dr. Vittorini?s frustration and anger are understandable. The scientists did a horrible job of communicating. In fact, the scientists didn?t communicate at all! Italy?s national Commissione Nazionale dei Grandi Rischi asked the experts to convene after a series of tremors in the seismically active Appenines led a local physics lab technician to predict a big quake (based on radon levels).

The experts met for several hours, discounted the radon-based prediction, and agreed that the tremors could not help predict whether there would be a major quake. The scientists then left town without speaking at all. A local civil defense official who ran the meeting was asked about it by a reporter and casually and inaccurately described the discussions. ?The scientific community tells us there is no danger, because there is an ongoing discharge of energy. The situation looks favourable.? Dr. Bernardo De Bernardinis, deputy chief of Italy?s Civil Protection Department, added laconically that local citizens should go have a glass of wine. A little over a week later 309 of them were dead.

That is what this trial was all about; the poor risk communication from Dr. De Bernardinis ? one of those convicted ? and the NON-communication by seismic experts, who would certainly have offered more careful and qualified comments. Did that poor communication cause those tragic deaths and warrant manslaughter convictions? Certainly not directly, as the defense attorneys argued.

Did it fail a frightened community looking to the scientific experts for help, for guidance, for whatever insights they could offer?a community so scared by the tremors and that lab tech?s prediction that hundreds of people were sleeping outdoors? Yes, the poor communication was a serious failure, although scientists share the responsibility with the Italian national government.

While these scientists were there for their expertise in seismic risk, not as communicators, they also knew full well how frightened people were, and how important their opinions about the possibility of a major earthquake would be, and how urgently the community wanted?needed?to hear from them. But they just left town, and let a non-seismologist describe their discussions. For his failing to do so accurately and without appropriate qualifications, the scientists themselves are also surely to blame.

But so is the national government. How can a Commissione Nazionale dei Grandi Rischi, which convenes experts to try to predict and plan for various possible disasters, not include someone responsible for the vital job of risk communication? This is a critical part of overall risk management, because it shapes the way the public perceives a risk, and that has everything to do with how prepared people are for natural disasters, how they respond when a disaster strikes, and how they recover, both physically and psychologically.

The psychological recovery matters a lot to physical health. Chronic stress does great harm to human health in many ways and it is often the case in disaster recovery that the psychological damage does as much damage to the effected community, and in some cases more, than the disastrous event itself.

That there was no one at that experts? meeting trained in and responsible for communicating the results of the discussion to the public, is a gross failure in and of itself. At the very least the experts in the meeting should have been expressly told that as members of the Commissione Nazionale dei Grandi Rischi they had an obligation to communicate to the public they were there to serve. Any risk management program that overlooks the importance of risk communication is dangerously inadequate.

This entire affair could well have been prevented but for that oversight.

But there is a subtext here that brings us back to the role of scientists as communicators and educators, particularly scientists with expertise about issues involving risk. Indeed, this trial sends a message to them all. As much as we need experts to help predict and plan for risk to society in general, we also need experts to help us understand what we need to know to protect ourselves as individuals.

Scientific experts are among the most highly trusted sources of information in society, and as much as they share their expertise about risk with governments, they should also communicate with and educate individuals looking for the same kind of guidance. Small wonder then that the people of l?Aquila are celebrating what is essentially their revenge against those they hoped would help them make informed choices about how to stay safe, experts who ? quite innocently, to be sure ? let those people down.

Image: Flickr/Darkroom Daze

Source: http://rss.sciam.com/click.phdo?i=0f4e4e5d9150fbcca0279a0584477ad9

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Improving effectiveness of solar geoengineering

Public release date: 21-Oct-2012
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Ken Caldeira
kcaldeira@carnegie.stanford.edu
650-704-7212
Carnegie Institution

Washington, D.C. Solar radiation management is a type of geoengineering that would manipulate the climate in order to reduce the impact of global warming caused by greenhouse gasses. Ideas include increasing the amount of aerosols in the stratosphere, which could scatter incoming solar light away from Earth's surface, or creating low-altitude marine clouds to reflect these same rays.

Research models have indicated that the climatic effect of this type of geoengineering will vary by region, because the climate systems respond differently to the reflecting substances than they do to the atmospheric carbon dioxide that traps warmth in Earth's atmosphere. New work from a team including Carnegie's Ken Caldeira uses a climate model to look at maximizing the effectiveness of solar radiation management techniques. Their work is published October 21st by Nature Climate Change.

Attempting to counteract the warming effect of greenhouse gases with a uniform layer of aerosols in the stratosphere, would cool the tropics much more than it affects polar areas. Greenhouse gases tend to suppress precipitation and an offsetting reduction in amount of sunlight absorbed by Earth would not restore this precipitation. Both greenhouse gases and aerosols affect the distribution of heat and rain on this planet, but they change temperature and precipitation in different ways in different places. Varying the amount of sunlight deflected away from the Earth both regionally and seasonally could combat some of this problem.

By tailoring geoengineering efforts by region and by need, the teamled by California Institute of Technology's Douglas MacMartinwas able to explore ways to maximize effectiveness while minimizing the side effects and risks of this type of planetary intervention.

"These results indicate that varying geoengineering efforts by region and over different periods of time could potentially improve the effectiveness of solar geoengineering and reduce climate impacts in at-risk areas," Caldeira said. "For example, these approaches may be able to reverse long-term changes in the Arctic sea ice."

The study used a sophisticated climate model, but the team's model is still much simpler than the real world. Interference in Earth's climate system, whether intentional or unintentional, is likely to produce unanticipated outcomes.

"We have to expect the unexpected," Caldeira added. "The safest way to reduce climate risk is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

###

David Keith of Harvard and Ben Kravitz, formerly of Carnegie but now at DOE's Pacific Northwest National Lab, are co-authors on the study.

The Carnegie Institution for Science is a private, nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., with six research departments throughout the U.S. Since its founding in 1902, the Carnegie Institution has been a pioneering force in basic scientific research. Carnegie scientists are leaders in plant biology, developmental biology, astronomy, materials science, global ecology, and Earth and planetary science.

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Public release date: 21-Oct-2012
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Ken Caldeira
kcaldeira@carnegie.stanford.edu
650-704-7212
Carnegie Institution

Washington, D.C. Solar radiation management is a type of geoengineering that would manipulate the climate in order to reduce the impact of global warming caused by greenhouse gasses. Ideas include increasing the amount of aerosols in the stratosphere, which could scatter incoming solar light away from Earth's surface, or creating low-altitude marine clouds to reflect these same rays.

Research models have indicated that the climatic effect of this type of geoengineering will vary by region, because the climate systems respond differently to the reflecting substances than they do to the atmospheric carbon dioxide that traps warmth in Earth's atmosphere. New work from a team including Carnegie's Ken Caldeira uses a climate model to look at maximizing the effectiveness of solar radiation management techniques. Their work is published October 21st by Nature Climate Change.

Attempting to counteract the warming effect of greenhouse gases with a uniform layer of aerosols in the stratosphere, would cool the tropics much more than it affects polar areas. Greenhouse gases tend to suppress precipitation and an offsetting reduction in amount of sunlight absorbed by Earth would not restore this precipitation. Both greenhouse gases and aerosols affect the distribution of heat and rain on this planet, but they change temperature and precipitation in different ways in different places. Varying the amount of sunlight deflected away from the Earth both regionally and seasonally could combat some of this problem.

By tailoring geoengineering efforts by region and by need, the teamled by California Institute of Technology's Douglas MacMartinwas able to explore ways to maximize effectiveness while minimizing the side effects and risks of this type of planetary intervention.

"These results indicate that varying geoengineering efforts by region and over different periods of time could potentially improve the effectiveness of solar geoengineering and reduce climate impacts in at-risk areas," Caldeira said. "For example, these approaches may be able to reverse long-term changes in the Arctic sea ice."

The study used a sophisticated climate model, but the team's model is still much simpler than the real world. Interference in Earth's climate system, whether intentional or unintentional, is likely to produce unanticipated outcomes.

"We have to expect the unexpected," Caldeira added. "The safest way to reduce climate risk is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

###

David Keith of Harvard and Ben Kravitz, formerly of Carnegie but now at DOE's Pacific Northwest National Lab, are co-authors on the study.

The Carnegie Institution for Science is a private, nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., with six research departments throughout the U.S. Since its founding in 1902, the Carnegie Institution has been a pioneering force in basic scientific research. Carnegie scientists are leaders in plant biology, developmental biology, astronomy, materials science, global ecology, and Earth and planetary science.

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-10/ci-ieo101812.php

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