Marine heatwaves in the Bay of Bengal cause heavier monsoon rains. Photo: © Ian.CuiYi / Shutterstock.com

Accurate monitoring of marine heatwaves needed for the Indian Ocean

A recent study shows that marine heatwaves in the Indian Ocean affect the Indian summer monsoon rainfall. The incidence of marine heatwaves (events with extremely high temperatures) has increased because of climate change. According to the study, marine heatwaves in the western Indian Ocean and the north Bay of Bengal are coupled with a reduction in monsoon rainfall over the central Indian subcontinent. Monsoon rainfall over southwest India is increasing, however, due to marine heatwaves that occur in the Bay of Bengal.

At present, a deeper understanding of the relationship between marine heatwaves (and between other factors) and rainfall is hampered by a lack of necessary monitoring data. Such data could be also used for forecasting marine heatwaves in the Indian Ocean.

A roadmap known as InDOOS, comprising four primary improvements to the current observation system, has been proposed. These improvements concern the upscaling of biological and chemical measurements, expanding monitoring to the western tropics, higher resolution for upper ocean processes, and developments regarding key coastal regions as well as the deep ocean.

Sources:
https://india.mongabay.com/2022/02/broaden-understanding-of-marine-heatw...
https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JC017427
https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/bams/101/11/bamsD190209.xml

In this issue

A just transition in EU farming

The EU needs to plan and act for a just transition in agriculture, is the message in a new report. Not only because it is fair, but also to mitigate the resistance to change.

Editorial: Peace a prerequisite for a sustainable Europe

Like many others, I have a hard time focusing on anything else than the Russian war against Ukraine right now. AirClim has been working for a long time ...

Dirty air harms birds and bees

New evidence shows that birds and bees are also affected by the air pollution we humans emit. Birds seem especially vulnerable to ozone ...

EU innovation fund: Most of it goes to CCS

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) featured highly when the European Innovation Fund for innovative low-carbon technologies shortlisted its first large-scale projects in November.

Case study: Stockholm BECCS

BECCS(a)STHLM is a CCS project storing CO₂ from a biomass power and heat plant in Stockholm, Sweden. The plant was built in 2016 ...

Solar parks can benefit bumble bees

If solar parks are managed as meadows they could provide valuable habitats for polinators. This is an example of how renewable energy and nature conservation can work together.

Fossil fuels behind a quarter of PM deaths

Burning of coal, oil and gas caused most of the fine particle (PM_2.5) related deaths in industralised countries, shows a new study. Shipping and farming had higher impacts than are widely recognised.

Farm emissions high on Air Convention agenda

The last CLRTAP meeting featured a new guidance on agricultural waste burning, a new assessment report on ammonia, and the inclusion of methane in the revision analysis.

EU paves the way for carbon farming credits

All farmers should have access to carbon emission and removal data for their land by 2028. Carbon credits play a key role in the EU Commission’s plans to boost carbon sequestration on farmland.

IEA "net zero" scenario shows little faith in renewables

“If you continue to invest in dirty energy, you risk losing money. If you invest in clean energy, you can make some handsome profit”, said Fatih Birol, head of the IEA when he launched its annual World Energy Outlook (WEO) in October. The new WEO marks a substantial change for the organisation and the international establishment. That change is a victory for NGOs’ efforts to make Paris and 1.5 degrees the new normal.

CCS projects around the world

The situation for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) in Canada, Norway and Italy.

Wind and solar power cheapest energy

New nuclear, new coal and new gas are far more expensive than wind and solar, according to financial advisor and asset management firm Lazard. Renewables can even beat existing fossil and nuclear power under some circumstances.

EU renewable heating manifesto: “We need to heat our homes, not the planet”

During the ongoing EU energy policy revision, a coalition of Europe’s biggest environmental groups has pushed for renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions as well as rejection of fossil fuel boilers.

New parliamentary vote to ramp up offshore wind production in EU

More offshore renewable energy is needed to meet Europe’s climate goals, but permits for new sites need to be approved quicker, according to the European Parliament.

Green certificates a Swedish success

By 2002, wind power in Sweden and Norway was less than 0.5 TWh, far behind Denmark’s 4.4 TWh. In 2003, green certificates were introduced ...

A saltier world is to be expected

Sealevel rise and increased evaporation due to climate change cause salinisation of freshwater. Salinisation of wetlands may also lead to higher emissions of greenhouse gases.