Fort McMurray

   The tragedy of Fort McMurray has devastated Alberta, forcing thousands to leave their homes and flee for their lives. Firefighters are working constantly to bring the wildfire down to a manageable level, but they are finding it extremely difficult. Could climate change be one of the reasons for it's cause? CBC claims yes, as the warm temperatures this year have far exceeded all records and potentially fueled the fire.
  CBC notes that this phenomenon is not just local to Alberta, but these uncontrollable fires, or at least the risk of them, has been more apparent across the globe. Warmer temperatures combined with lack of precipitation can result in dangerous dryness spreading across grasslands and forests. With the unusual heat assisting the inferno, fires can become nearly impossible to control, as Canadians witnessed in Fort McMurray.
   Take a look at this great video explaining the science of wildfire here.

UK Satellite to Weigh the Earth's Trees

    Deforestation has been a global issue, and has greatly effected the earth's carbon emissions. Deforestation occurs for a variety of reasons, depending on the region, but overall causes the same detrimental impact. Now, the UK has won the rights to the construction of a satellite to launch in 2021. The satellite's goal is to detect the amount of carbon trapped in the world's forests using biomass technology. Read the details here.

Artist's depiction of the future satellite

Oklahoma Seismologist Confirms that Fracking Causes Earthquakes

    There has been quite a controversy surrounding hydraulic fracking over the past several years, particularly over its effects on the environment. Questions have been raised over water waste, well and river contamination, as well as strange seismic activity. Fracking companies endorse the practice as an environmentally friendly alternative compared to oil and coal, but some have investigated the credentials of these claims and come back with some contradictory reports. Oklahoma seismologists have investigated increases in seismic activity in the Guthrie area, and discovered that the nearby fracking sites are responsible for the change. Full story here.

Newfoundland Slammed by Snow

   It's April, where the rain is supposed to bring flowers for the following months. Yet, Newfoundland finds itself buried in snow. An example of climate change, perhaps?

Fries and Ketchup, Anyone?

     A horticulture company based in the UK known as Thompson & Morgan seems to have defied nature itself. They have fabricated a plant for commercial sale they first presented in 2013 that is capable of growing potatoes at the roots and cherry tomatoes on the top. It is known as a "TomTato" plant. Such a plant has never been successfully executed to this degree before. This plant took a decade of work to finally produce, but is only sold in the UK so far. Check out the full story on CBC here.

A TomTato plant after weeks of growing.

Australian River Set on Fire: Is Fracking to Blame?

Take a look at this short video of a member of Greens MP of Australia, Jeremy Buckingham, sets the Condamine River on fire in a matter of seconds. The politician blames methane leakage due to fracking for this unnatural occurrence.

The Paris Agreement

     Today, April 22, is known as Earth Day around the globe, and there is an extremely influential meeting of nations taking place today. Last December, an agreement to collaborate and make an effort to take action against climate change was made in Paris. Over 160 countries, Canada included, are expected to sign this agreement on this very day. Justin Trudeau and Environment Minister Catherine McKenna are currently in New York for the signing ceremony today. McKenna told the press that the government of Canada has 6 months to work on a plan to fulfill the obligations of the treaty. To get a better idea of what exactly has been accomplished and what will be accomplished because of this treaty, check out the article here.

     For a better idea of the carbon emissions of some of the countries involved in this treaty, observe the following diagram taken from this page.