Tag Archives: climatologist

NASA Scientist: Climate Just one Factor in Wildfires

It’s shaping up to be a fiery summer across the United States. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, as of July 3, 45 large active wildfires are currently burning in 15 states. Combined, these fires have scorched nearly three-quarters of a million acres. Since January 1, wildfires have burned nearly 2.2 million acres across the country, including devastating blazes in Colorado and New Mexico. We asked JPL Climatologist Bill Patzert to discuss the recent wildfire outbreak and whether climate change is playing a role. (more…)

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Catastrophic Drought Looms for Capital City of Bolivia

*Historical ecology of the Andes indicates desert-like setting on the horizon* 

Catastrophic drought is on the near-term horizon for the capital city of Bolivia, according to new research into the historical ecology of the Andes. 

If temperatures rise more than 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius (3 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit) above those of modern times, parts of Peru and Bolivia will become a desert-like setting. 

About the image: Lake Titicaca from space. Its outline may look very different in the future. Image credit: NASA  (more…)

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