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There is now an overwhelming scientific consensus that global warming is happening, the key to
the debate is to what extent. "Eleven of the last twelve years (1995 - 2006) rank among the twelve
warmest years in the instrumental record of global surface temperature (since 1850)" -
International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In addition the IPCC reports that the average
global temperature has risen by about 0.74°C over the last 100 years, that sea levels are rising
by between 1.3 and 2.3 mm per year and that Arctic sea ice has shrunk by 2.7% per decade.
the debate is to what extent. "Eleven of the last twelve years (1995 - 2006) rank among the twelve
warmest years in the instrumental record of global surface temperature (since 1850)" -
International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In addition the IPCC reports that the average
global temperature has risen by about 0.74°C over the last 100 years, that sea levels are rising
by between 1.3 and 2.3 mm per year and that Arctic sea ice has shrunk by 2.7% per decade.
Climate change
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| Registered Company No. 6506463 | V.A.T. no. 927 6938 72 | Email: info@energyreporter.co.uk | Call (0151) 727 5235 |
How does global warming happen?
Warming is largely the result of emissions of carbon
dioxide and other greenhouse gases from human
activities including industrial processes, fossil fuel
combustion and changes in land use such as
deforestation. Green house gases such as C02
reflect back heat in the atmosphere towards the Earth
that would usually escape out of the atmosphere. This
causes the warming of the Earth's surface.
Warming is largely the result of emissions of carbon
dioxide and other greenhouse gases from human
activities including industrial processes, fossil fuel
combustion and changes in land use such as
deforestation. Green house gases such as C02
reflect back heat in the atmosphere towards the Earth
that would usually escape out of the atmosphere. This
causes the warming of the Earth's surface.
Oxford University has produced a presentation called 'The Basics of Climate Prediction' that gives
a simple scientific explanation of climate change. It explains how we are able to predict the climate
in 100 years but why cannot accurately predict the weather next week. To view this presentation
click here
Climate change predictions
Samples taken from ice cores show that the natural range of C02 over the last 650,000 years has
been 180 - 300 parts per million (ppm). Before industrialisation (pre-1750) it is thought that the
atmosphere contained about 280ppm of C02. Today the atmosphere contains 370ppm C02
-vastly exceeding the last 650,000 year range. If industrialisation continues as forecast, it is
estimated that by 2100 the atmosphere will exceed 450ppm C02, doubling the concentration in
just 350 years. The latest predictions from the IPCC are that without further action to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, the global average surface temperature is likely to rise by a further
1.8-4.0°C this century. Even the lower end of this range it would take the temperature increase
since pre-industrial times above 2°C, the threshold beyond which irreversible and possibly
catastrophic changes become far more likely. Such a rise in the average surface temperature
would have a massive impact on bio-diversity, causing mass extinctions and dramatically effecting
the delicate balance in nature. A predicted sea level rise of approximately half a meter and the
increase of extreme weather events would cause flooding in almost all the countries in the world.
Such a scenario would not only endanger plants and animals, but mankind itself. We could be
undermining the very habitat that gave us life, doing so with irreversible consequences.
If you would like to learn more about climate change and your impact on the planet click here for
our recommended links page.
a simple scientific explanation of climate change. It explains how we are able to predict the climate
in 100 years but why cannot accurately predict the weather next week. To view this presentation
click here
Climate change predictions
Samples taken from ice cores show that the natural range of C02 over the last 650,000 years has
been 180 - 300 parts per million (ppm). Before industrialisation (pre-1750) it is thought that the
atmosphere contained about 280ppm of C02. Today the atmosphere contains 370ppm C02
-vastly exceeding the last 650,000 year range. If industrialisation continues as forecast, it is
estimated that by 2100 the atmosphere will exceed 450ppm C02, doubling the concentration in
just 350 years. The latest predictions from the IPCC are that without further action to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, the global average surface temperature is likely to rise by a further
1.8-4.0°C this century. Even the lower end of this range it would take the temperature increase
since pre-industrial times above 2°C, the threshold beyond which irreversible and possibly
catastrophic changes become far more likely. Such a rise in the average surface temperature
would have a massive impact on bio-diversity, causing mass extinctions and dramatically effecting
the delicate balance in nature. A predicted sea level rise of approximately half a meter and the
increase of extreme weather events would cause flooding in almost all the countries in the world.
Such a scenario would not only endanger plants and animals, but mankind itself. We could be
undermining the very habitat that gave us life, doing so with irreversible consequences.
If you would like to learn more about climate change and your impact on the planet click here for
our recommended links page.
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