The study of significant and lasting changes in the weather pattern over a period of decades to periods of millions of years (climate change) has been undertaken since ancient times (around 300 BC). More intresting research however has been undertaken since the 18th/19th century, due to a availability of new instruments that allow better examination of changes in the weather pattern. Since this period, the rise in the average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans since from the 19th to the 21st century (global warming) has also been under investigation. In this article, we will specifically focus on that.

Overview of global warming

The global average air temperature near the Earth's surface rose 0.74 ± 0.18 °C (1.33 ± 0.32 °F) during the last 100 years. This event has been called global warming. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has concluded that "most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely caused due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gases [1]

variations in rainfall patterns. Some areas will become drier, others wetter; most will become warmer, but some may become cooler; ice caps will melt (though how much is unclear) and sea levels will rise. This is expected have devastating effects on vulnerable communities.

The overall effect is most accurately termed 'climate change' rather than 'global warming' as there are many changes of concern besides warming, and it also includes various local effects.


Note that Appropedia is focused on solutions and has only basic and especially relevant information on climate science. See Wikipedia:Climate science as a starting point for climate science information.

Contrarian views

Climate change skepticsW are a very small and decreasing minority of scientists and a relatively large number of economists. This does not require proving it beyond doubt: consider the practice of the insurance industry to plan for outcomes of varying degrees of likelihood. As the scientific consensus is that there is a very strong probability (the IPCC says 90%[verification needed]) that humans are causing significant climate change, it is vital to prepare for it.

There is less agreement over the best solutions. For example, the role of nuclear energy is endorsed by some, but opposed by many, especially environmentalists. The relative importance of climate change as opposed to directly addressing poverty are open to debate.[2]

The positive contribution that climate skeptics can make includes critical analysis of technologies and strategies - this applies when it is considered and informed analysis rather than polemic.

Such contrarian viewpoints and critical analysis can be found at:

Note: this is not an endorsement of arguments found at these websites. However, if a site is assessed in depth and found to be seriously inaccurate and misleading, it should be removed from this page, and the reasons given on the talk page (where the decision can be noted and reviewed by the Appropedia community).

Further information

Note that Appropedia is focused on solutions and has only basic and especially relevant information on climate science. See Wikipedia:Climate science as a starting point for climate science information.


See also

Interwiki links

Note: Please help identify any good existing wikis on climate science, apart from Wikipedia.

External Links

Notes

  1. Greenhouse effect
  2. Bjorn LomborgW and the Copenhagen Consensus.W

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