collapse

Abstract

For decades, the surface of the polar Southern Ocean (south of 50°S) has been freshening—an expected response to a warming climate. This freshening enhanced upper-ocean stratification, reducing the upward transport of subsurface heat and possibly contributing to sea ice expansion. It also limited the formation of open-ocean polynyas. Using satellite observations, we reveal a marked increase in surface salinity across the circumpolar Southern Ocean since 2015. This shift has weakened upper-ocean stratification, coinciding with a dramatic decline in Antarctic sea ice coverage. Additionally, rising salinity facilitated the reemergence of the Maud Rise polynya in the Weddell Sea, a phenomenon last observed in the mid-1970s. Crucially, we demonstrate that satellites can now monitor these changes in real time, providing essential evidence of the Southern Ocean’s potential transition toward persistently reduced sea ice coverage.

Abstract

Climate change threatens global food systems1, but the extent to which adaptation will reduce losses remains unknown and controversial2. Even within the well-studied context of US agriculture, some analyses argue that adaptation will be widespread and climate damages small3,4, whereas others conclude that adaptation will be limited and losses severe5,6. Scenario-based analyses indicate that adaptation should have notable consequences on global agricultural productivity7,8,9, but there has been no systematic study of how extensively real-world producers actually adapt at the global scale. Here we empirically estimate the impact of global producer adaptations using longitudinal data on six staple crops spanning 12,658 regions, capturing two-thirds of global crop calories. We estimate that global production declines 5.5 × 1014 kcal annually per 1 °C global mean surface temperature (GMST) rise (120 kcal per person per day or 4.4% of recommended consumption per 1 °C; P < 0.001). We project that adaptation and income growth alleviate 23% of global losses in 2050 and 34% at the end of the century (6% and 12%, respectively; moderate-emissions scenario), but substantial residual losses remain for all staples except rice. In contrast to analyses of other outcomes that project the greatest damages to the global poor10,11, we find that global impacts are dominated by losses to modern-day breadbaskets with favourable climates and limited present adaptation, although losses in low-income regions losses are also substantial. These results indicate a scale of innovation, cropland expansion or further adaptation that might be necessary to ensure food security in a changing climate.

Pakistan is one of the world's most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change, and its 240 million residents are facing extreme weather events with increasing frequency.

Wonder where they will move to when they've had enough ?

I'm looking for the best .22 pistol for long-term prepping use, ideally something I can depend on in a collapse situation. Not trying to start a caliber war; I already own a 9mm, but I want a .22 for specific reasons:

• Ammo is cheap and easy to stockpile. I can afford to stack thousands of rounds without going broke.

• Low recoil. Easy to train with, teach others, and shoot all day without fatigue.

• Quieter than centerfire options (especially useful if using subsonics or suppressed).

• Good for small game or deterrence without overkill.

This would be more of a utility pistol: light defense, hunting small game, barter potential, and backup use. I’d like something reliable that can run dirty, doesn’t need constant cleaning, and ideally has a decent mag capacity.

Should I go with a semi-auto like the Ruger Mark IV, SR22, Taurus TX22, or stick to something ultra-reliable like a revolver (Ruger LCR-22 or Taurus 942)? Budget matters, but I’ll spend more if the reliability is worth it.

What do you guys trust in a long-term grid-down scenario?