Difference between revisions of "Global warming"
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==Politics of global warming== | ==Politics of global warming== | ||
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have claimed that there is a scientific consensus on the subject. According to their latest report, scientists are 90% sure that over 50% of the observed global warming in recent decades is human-caused, and that continued global warming could be expected to raise sea levels by one foot over the next century. | have claimed that there is a scientific consensus on the subject. According to their latest report, scientists are 90% sure that over 50% of the observed global warming in recent decades is human-caused, and that continued global warming could be expected to raise sea levels by one foot over the next century. | ||
Revision as of 21:18, April 27, 2007
Global warming is the increase of average temperature since 1880. This increase in temperature is mainly caused by the increases in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.[1] During the last century near surface tempertures rose about 0.8 K.[2] The possibility of adverse consequences (especially: sea level rise, retreating of glaciers and water scarity) has become a major concern for environmentalists and some scientists.
According to geologists, the Earth has experience numerous ice ages during which the temperature dropped so far that glaciers could cover North America and Europe.
There is a close correlation between the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. During warm periods, the carbon dioxide level increases, and during cool periods it decreases.[3] Today the carbon dioxid concentration is 380 ppm. The pre-industrial level was 280 ppm. The current carbon dioxide concentration ist the highest since at least 650,000 years.
Politics of global warming
Assessments of climate science by the United Nations (see Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) have claimed that there is a scientific consensus on the subject. According to their latest report, scientists are 90% sure that over 50% of the observed global warming in recent decades is human-caused, and that continued global warming could be expected to raise sea levels by one foot over the next century.
Some prominent scientists have pointed out the politicized science of the UN's assessment methods. The scientific reports are submitted to a panel of representatives appointed by each country in the IPCC. The panel picks and chooses what they want to put in the Summary for Policymakers, over the objections of scientists whose actual evaluations are disregarded when the do not fit the preordained conclusions of the panel.