global temperatures

What are El Niño and La Niña, and how do they change the weather?

What are El Niño and La Niña, and how do they change the weather?

Winds blowing along the Equator above the Pacific Ocean - from South America in the east towards Asia in the west - were stronger than normal. These "trade winds" piled warm water off the coast of Asia, raising the sea surface level. In the east, near the Americas, cold water flowed upwards to the surface. During El Niño the opposite happens - weaker trade winds mean the warm water spreads out back towards the Americas, and less cold water rises towards the surface.

Most of Western Canada's glaciers will melt in 80 years, University of Northern B.C. study finds

Most of Western Canada's glaciers will melt in 80 years, University of Northern B.C. study finds

A study by international researchers using a supercomputer at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) has found that most of Western Canada's glaciers will disappear by the year 2100. The study, "Global Glacier Change in the 21st Century: Every Increase in Temperature Matters" was published Thursday in the journal Science. "A child born today will witness the near-complete disappearance of one of western Canada's most iconic symbols  glaciers," reads a statement from the university.

Ambitious London, Ont., climate action plan would require 'unprecedented' effort from citizens

Ambitious London, Ont., climate action plan would require 'unprecedented' effort from citizens

City of London bureaucrats unveiled a sweeping climate emergency action plan to the city's media Wednesday that pledges to all but eliminate greenhouse gas emissions in the city by the year 2050. The 30-year plan gives city council recommendations on how the community can bring itself in line with the worldwide effort to reduce green house gas emissions in order to hold global temperatures below two degrees above pre-industrial levels.