Here is a good article providing an excellent overview on the issues. While some climate doubters claim that temperatures are not rising, the acidification of the oceans and melting of Greenland is increasing every year at an upward pace.
From the Boston Globe.
More than 190 countries are meeting in the Danish capital through Dec. 18 to negotiate an international treaty to curb greenhouse gas emissions. The talks are the latest in a series of United Nations meetings dating back to 1992 to respond to man-made global warming, which scientists say is caused by the burning of fossil fuels. Here is a look at the science, the summit, and the stumbling blocks to reaching a deal there.
THE CHANGES
Hotter: Air temperatures have warmed about 1.3 degrees Fahrenheit over the last 100 years. They are expected to rise 3.1 to 7.2 degrees by the end of the century if worldwide emissions continue to grow unchecked.
Rising seas: Melting glaciers and the larger volume of warmer seawater have contributed to a sea level rise of about .12 inches a year since the 1990s, and sea level is projected to rise 7 to 23 inches, and perhaps more, by the end of the century.
Acidic oceans: Seawater’s absorption of carbon dioxide from the air is causing the ph of the world’s oceans to drop, threatening corals, shell-building animals, and possibly other marine life.
Extreme weather: The frequency and intensity of rainstorms and droughts are increasing in some places.
Changing seasons: Spring is lengthening in some places and starting earlier, in some instances changing bird migrations, egg laying, and flowering of plants.
Species shift: Ranges of plant and animal species are shifting toward the poles.THE SCIENCE
Doesn’t the climate change naturally?
Yes. Changes in the earth’s orbit and the sun’s intensity, as well as volcanic eruptions, can cause climatic changes. Also, natural fluctuations in the ocean and atmosphere, such as El Niño and La Niña, can affect climate.
So how do we know humans are causing warming?
It’s well accepted by scientists that greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere and warm the planet. Humans have released more of these gases in the last 100 years by the burning of fossil fuels — chiefly coal and oil — amplifying the natural greenhouse effect. Scientists can find no other explanation for the recent temperature rise without including humans’ contribution. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a United Nations body that is the scientific authority on global warming, says most of the global temperature increase since the mid-20th century is very likely due to man.
Continue Reading this story at the Boston Globe site HERE.
{ 1 comment }
Chia Hemp Protein Drink
Spinach and Cheese Pasta (Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free)
Red Hot Fire cRAWkers
