The problem with the true believer is that an issue becomes black and white. There is no room for discussion. The true believer is right and if you do not agree with him/her, you are dead wrong. The fact is the true believer is not satisfied just with the knowledge that they are right. They need you to acknowledge that they are right as well. They need to convert you. There can be no dissension. There can be no discourse. Facts do not really matter if they do not fit into the true believer's argument.
In extreme and violent terms we have seen this behavior manifest itself throughout history. The Crusades and the misguided horrors of Nazi Germany in the Second World War are examples. Today the violent true believer mentality can be seen in the extreme elements of Islam.The true believer mentality also exists in less dramatic and more subtle ways throughout our society. It can be seen in ethnic, racial or gender discrimination. It can be seen in religious intolerance. Unfortunately, it was also be seen in the United Nations sponsored climate change event in Bali in December 2007.
The U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) panel's chairman, Rajendra Pachauri, said: Climate change imperils "the most precious treasures of our planet," and the effects are "so severe and so sweeping that only urgent global action will do.
In fact, the United Nations reports that global warming is "unequivocal". It estimates that as early as the year 2020 between 75 and 250 million people in Africa will suffer water shortages. It goes on to state that residents of Asia's largest cities will be at great risk of river and coastal flooding. Europeans can expect extensive species loss. North Americans will experience longer and hotter heat waves and greater competition for water.
The world's scientists have spoken clearly and with one voice," UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, "I expect the world's policy makers to do the same."
According to the United Nations true believers, global warming is "unequivocal" and the world scientists "have spoken clearly and with one voice". There is no discussion. There is no dissent. All knowledgeable people now have been converted to this crusade. The reality, of course, is that global warming consensus is not the case in the scientific community.
Indeed for the Nobel winning United Nations panel (IPCC) and Nobel Prize winner Al Gore, fundamental problems with their global warming argument have already started to appear. As true believers in their global warming crusade, they will probably rationalize or ignore all facts that do not advance the cause. For the rest of us, as objective observers of the issue of global warming, the following facts should be carefully considered.
Global warming was supposed to cause frequent and violent hurricanes. The fact is that neither the intensity nor the frequency of hurricanes has increased. The 2007 season was the third quietest since 1966. In 2006 not a single hurricane made landfall in the U.S..
Since the mid 19th century, the mean global temperature has increased by 0.7 degrees Celsius. This slight warming is not unusual, and lies well within the range of natural variation. Carbon dioxide continues to increase in the atmosphere, but the mean planetary temperature hasn't increased significantly now for the last nine years.
In fact , 2007 provides anecdotal evidence that the Earth is, in effect, cooling. Antarctica is getting colder. Snow fell for the first time in Buenos Aires since 1918. Australia had the coldest June in its history this year. It snowed in South Africa for the first time in 15 years. South America experienced one of its coldest winters in the last three decades.
The truth is that the entire southern hemisphere experienced bitter cold weather in 2007. In addition, the Canadian government has just warned that this winter is likely to be its coldest in at least 15 years. Already, this winter has been very cold in many other parts of the Northern Hemisphere as well.
We have heard about global warming causing the rapidly melting Arctic Ice Cap in the last several years. In fact, advocates of man made global warming point to the rapidly melting Arctic ice as a sign that global warming is occurring even faster than expected.
However, the facts as reported by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California last month indicate a quite different conclusion. The melting of the Arctic sea ice in this study has nothing to do with global warming. It was a natural phenomenon caused by unusual winds and atmospheric pressure.
The project studied trends in Arctic Sea Ice using satellite data , computer models and buoy observations of sea ice drift. The conclusion of the study was as follows: "The rapid decline in winter perennial ice the past two years was caused by unusual winds. Unusual atmospheric conditions set up wind patterns that compressed the sea ice, loaded it into the Transpolar Drift Stream, and then sped its flow out of the Arctic. When that sea ice reached lower latitudes, it rapidly melted in the warmer waters. The winds causing this trend in ice reduction were set up by an unusual pattern of atmospheric pressure that began at the beginning of this century".
Global warming proponents have pointed out that records showed that 1998 was the hottest year on record in the United States. Several of the years surrounding 1998 were very warm and near the record as well. It certainly appeared that the climate was warming due to these historical records. However, it has just been discovered that the records were erroneous. A Canadian blogger named Steve McIntyre audited the NASA records and found errors. When he reported his findings to NASA scientists, they conducted a review that showed he was correct.
This led NASA to recently revise the data published on its website. The errors change the historical facts concerning the global warming argument. The hottest year in the United States is no longer 1998, but 1934. 2001 is no longer in the Top Ten. Instead, four of the top ten hottest years are in the 1930s.
Global warming is an issue that needs to be looked at objectively. It is an issue for rational discourse concerning science and facts. However, it has become a crusade for environmental true believers. Despite the United Nations rhetoric, scientists do not speak with "one voice" and man-made global warming is not "unequivocal".
The danger in blindly following the United Nations global warming crusaders is that we become far removed from the facts of the issue. Indeed, these same United Nations true believers could one day be wearing winter coats in tropical Bali asking Gaia, (the goddess of nature), for increased global warming. Such perversity happens when an issue becomes a crusade.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Facts About Global Warming you Should Know
Global warming is not a 20th century phenomenon. It has, in fact, occurred in the past more than once, along with periods of extreme cold known as the ice ages. With so much written and reported about global warming, sometimes it's difficult to detect which is fact and which is just part of scientific scare tactics. Here are some facts about global warming that might help:
What exactly is global warming?
Global warming is basically the increase in the temperatures of the Earth's atmosphere, land masses and oceans. The Earth's surface temperature is at an average of 59F and over the last hundred years, this figure has risen to about 1F. By the year 2100, the average change in the temperature of the Earth could range from 2.5F to about 10F, enough to melt glaciers and polar ice caps.
The cause of global warming
Global warming has and will always occur naturally. Why it has become such a concern in our lifetime is due to the fact that human activities and practices have contributed significantly to its occurrence and severity. With the advent of industrialization and careless environmental practices, we have caused the increase in the average global temperatures by contributing negatively to the greenhouse effect.
This began about 240 years ago, when the Industrial Revolution was born. As more and more fossil fuels in the form of oil were mined and burned, gases as the by-product of that process began to be released in the atmosphere. Currently, it is estimated that 75% of the increase in the carbon dioxide content of the Earth's atmosphere is caused by the burning of these fossil fuels.
Global warming and the greenhouse effect
Global warming is related to changes in the Earth's greenhouse effect. Gases naturally occur in the Earth's atmosphere and act both to protect and retain heat. These gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and water vapor. Of these, water vapor is the most dominant and abundant greenhouse gas.
Global warming and the greenhouse effect are not the same thing. The greenhouse effect refers to a natural process that occurs in the Earth's atmosphere. If this process is disrupted, then it could contribute to global warming.
As the sun's rays hit the Earth, heat is bounced back to the atmosphere where these gases contain the heat and keep it there to warm the planet. This is an important natural process and allows life forms to flourish and survive. Problems only occur when these gases multiply and build-up, containing heat too efficiently and thus warming the Earth's atmosphere.
As the Earth's average temperature rises, effects in its landmasses and sea water level become apparent. Polar ice caps melt along with glaciers, contributing to higher and warmer sea levels. By the end of the century, it is estimated that sea levels can increase from 4 inches to a high of about 40 inches if global warming continues unabated.
Global warming can also affect the behavior of the winds and can also contribute to a harsher and drier climate, with frequent visitings of strong hurricanes. Water from heavier rainfall will not stay long to irrigate the land, however because with a warmer climate, water on the Earth's surface will evaporate quickly. This has a significant effect on agricultural practices not only in the US but also for the rest of the world.
Another phenomenon that is equated with global warming is the El Nino. The El Nino phenomenon has occurred for possibly thousands of years and is not caused directly by global warming. However, changes in the average temperature of the planet can contribute to its severity and frequency.
Other human practices that contribute to global warming
The agricultural revolution has also contributed to global warming. As more and more communities need lands converted from forests to residential and commercial areas, biomass is reduced, contributing to the increase in the presence of carbon dioxide in those regions. Since carbon dioxide is processed by plants and trees, their absence contributes to its increase.
It is estimated that about 25% of the annual increase in the carbon dioxide found in the Earth's atmosphere is caused by extreme changes and usage of the Earth's natural resources. Other practices also include deforestation, salinization, desertification and overgrazing also contribute to global warming. However, many scientists surmise and agree that the contribution is slight and indirect.
Facing the facts of global warming
Countries all over the world have just begun to acknowledge the negative effects of global warming not only to the world's politics and economy but also to humankind in general. Many of the world's governments have encouraged implementation of measures to try to counteract the problem of global warming through careful measures and practices designed to protect and respect the environment.
How these measures will fare and contribute to the long-term maintenance of our planet, though, remains to be seen.
What exactly is global warming?
Global warming is basically the increase in the temperatures of the Earth's atmosphere, land masses and oceans. The Earth's surface temperature is at an average of 59F and over the last hundred years, this figure has risen to about 1F. By the year 2100, the average change in the temperature of the Earth could range from 2.5F to about 10F, enough to melt glaciers and polar ice caps.
The cause of global warming
Global warming has and will always occur naturally. Why it has become such a concern in our lifetime is due to the fact that human activities and practices have contributed significantly to its occurrence and severity. With the advent of industrialization and careless environmental practices, we have caused the increase in the average global temperatures by contributing negatively to the greenhouse effect.
This began about 240 years ago, when the Industrial Revolution was born. As more and more fossil fuels in the form of oil were mined and burned, gases as the by-product of that process began to be released in the atmosphere. Currently, it is estimated that 75% of the increase in the carbon dioxide content of the Earth's atmosphere is caused by the burning of these fossil fuels.
Global warming and the greenhouse effect
Global warming is related to changes in the Earth's greenhouse effect. Gases naturally occur in the Earth's atmosphere and act both to protect and retain heat. These gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and water vapor. Of these, water vapor is the most dominant and abundant greenhouse gas.
Global warming and the greenhouse effect are not the same thing. The greenhouse effect refers to a natural process that occurs in the Earth's atmosphere. If this process is disrupted, then it could contribute to global warming.
As the sun's rays hit the Earth, heat is bounced back to the atmosphere where these gases contain the heat and keep it there to warm the planet. This is an important natural process and allows life forms to flourish and survive. Problems only occur when these gases multiply and build-up, containing heat too efficiently and thus warming the Earth's atmosphere.
As the Earth's average temperature rises, effects in its landmasses and sea water level become apparent. Polar ice caps melt along with glaciers, contributing to higher and warmer sea levels. By the end of the century, it is estimated that sea levels can increase from 4 inches to a high of about 40 inches if global warming continues unabated.
Global warming can also affect the behavior of the winds and can also contribute to a harsher and drier climate, with frequent visitings of strong hurricanes. Water from heavier rainfall will not stay long to irrigate the land, however because with a warmer climate, water on the Earth's surface will evaporate quickly. This has a significant effect on agricultural practices not only in the US but also for the rest of the world.
Another phenomenon that is equated with global warming is the El Nino. The El Nino phenomenon has occurred for possibly thousands of years and is not caused directly by global warming. However, changes in the average temperature of the planet can contribute to its severity and frequency.
Other human practices that contribute to global warming
The agricultural revolution has also contributed to global warming. As more and more communities need lands converted from forests to residential and commercial areas, biomass is reduced, contributing to the increase in the presence of carbon dioxide in those regions. Since carbon dioxide is processed by plants and trees, their absence contributes to its increase.
It is estimated that about 25% of the annual increase in the carbon dioxide found in the Earth's atmosphere is caused by extreme changes and usage of the Earth's natural resources. Other practices also include deforestation, salinization, desertification and overgrazing also contribute to global warming. However, many scientists surmise and agree that the contribution is slight and indirect.
Facing the facts of global warming
Countries all over the world have just begun to acknowledge the negative effects of global warming not only to the world's politics and economy but also to humankind in general. Many of the world's governments have encouraged implementation of measures to try to counteract the problem of global warming through careful measures and practices designed to protect and respect the environment.
How these measures will fare and contribute to the long-term maintenance of our planet, though, remains to be seen.
Exploding The Global Warming Myths
Are you a believer of Global warming or not? Or are you one of the cynics yet to be convinced? Well both have a part to play in the Global Warming arena debate. The whole issue is surrounded by facts and figures but when these facts and figures are looked at it is very difficult to prove them with science, so you end up with hearsay.
Global warming from our point of view is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's near-surface air and oceans.
When you observe all the different global warming myths that are published in various publications, online, TV, and radio you will understand the issue with conflicting information. Because of these global warming myths come in many forms it is essential to understand the causes of global warming, and the facts attached to those myths.
MYTH: Water vapour is the most important, abundant greenhouse gas. So if we're going to control a greenhouse gas, why don't we control it instead of carbon dioxide?
FACT: Water vapour does trap more heat than carbon dioxide (CO2), but as CO2 levels increase in the atmosphere, they lead to warmer conditions, which lead to more water vapour in the air, which leads to even warmer conditions, thus a never ending cycle. Because of this relationship between CO2, water vapour and climate, to fight global warming nations must focus on controlling CO2.
MYTH: Global warming reduces as the ozone hole shrinks.
FACT: Global warming and the ozone hole are two separate issues.
MYTH: Global warming is not occurring due to some glaciers and ice sheets are expanding and not shrinking.
FACT: In most parts of the world, the shrinking of glaciers and ice caps have been dramatic. The best available scientific data indicate that Greenland's massive ice sheet is shrinking.
MYTH: So what if global warming is a problem, trying to fix it will affect American industry and workers.
FACT: A well thought out trading program will harness American ingenuity to decrease heat-trapping pollution cost-effectively, jumpstarting a new carbon economy.
MYTH: The cold winters and cool summers that have been happening of late are not the effects of global warming, and are infrequent events.
FACT: While it is true that different areas of country's have experienced some colder winters here and there, between them the average temperature has ben on the up.
MYTH: We can adapt to climate change. Civilizations have survived droughts and temperature shifts in the past.
FACT: Although it is true that the human race has survived an onslaught of drought and prolonged warmth along with the bitter cold and more, entire societies have collapsed from dramatic climatic shifts.
MYTH: Global warming along with extra CO2 will be beneficial, they reduce cold related deaths and stimulate crop growth.
FACT: Any beneficial effects will be far outweighed by damage and disruption.
MYTH: Global warming is just part of the worlds natural cycle. The Arctic has warmed up in the past as it is doing now.
FACT: The global warming we are experiencing is not natural. People are causing it.
While the global warming myth story is interesting, it does reduce the impact of the facts. But as they say "Truth is stranger than fiction." The many myths on global warming doing the rounds are based on global warming statistics, just with a different view point.
It is always best, as with everything, to look at the global warming myth with an open mind. There is always two sides to every coin, so explore both before making your full opinion.
Global warming from our point of view is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's near-surface air and oceans.
When you observe all the different global warming myths that are published in various publications, online, TV, and radio you will understand the issue with conflicting information. Because of these global warming myths come in many forms it is essential to understand the causes of global warming, and the facts attached to those myths.
MYTH: Water vapour is the most important, abundant greenhouse gas. So if we're going to control a greenhouse gas, why don't we control it instead of carbon dioxide?
FACT: Water vapour does trap more heat than carbon dioxide (CO2), but as CO2 levels increase in the atmosphere, they lead to warmer conditions, which lead to more water vapour in the air, which leads to even warmer conditions, thus a never ending cycle. Because of this relationship between CO2, water vapour and climate, to fight global warming nations must focus on controlling CO2.
MYTH: Global warming reduces as the ozone hole shrinks.
FACT: Global warming and the ozone hole are two separate issues.
MYTH: Global warming is not occurring due to some glaciers and ice sheets are expanding and not shrinking.
FACT: In most parts of the world, the shrinking of glaciers and ice caps have been dramatic. The best available scientific data indicate that Greenland's massive ice sheet is shrinking.
MYTH: So what if global warming is a problem, trying to fix it will affect American industry and workers.
FACT: A well thought out trading program will harness American ingenuity to decrease heat-trapping pollution cost-effectively, jumpstarting a new carbon economy.
MYTH: The cold winters and cool summers that have been happening of late are not the effects of global warming, and are infrequent events.
FACT: While it is true that different areas of country's have experienced some colder winters here and there, between them the average temperature has ben on the up.
MYTH: We can adapt to climate change. Civilizations have survived droughts and temperature shifts in the past.
FACT: Although it is true that the human race has survived an onslaught of drought and prolonged warmth along with the bitter cold and more, entire societies have collapsed from dramatic climatic shifts.
MYTH: Global warming along with extra CO2 will be beneficial, they reduce cold related deaths and stimulate crop growth.
FACT: Any beneficial effects will be far outweighed by damage and disruption.
MYTH: Global warming is just part of the worlds natural cycle. The Arctic has warmed up in the past as it is doing now.
FACT: The global warming we are experiencing is not natural. People are causing it.
While the global warming myth story is interesting, it does reduce the impact of the facts. But as they say "Truth is stranger than fiction." The many myths on global warming doing the rounds are based on global warming statistics, just with a different view point.
It is always best, as with everything, to look at the global warming myth with an open mind. There is always two sides to every coin, so explore both before making your full opinion.
Global Warming Scientists Dispute Man-made Greenhouse Effects
In February 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated in their Fourth Assessment Report that human actions are "very likely" (i.e. with 90% or greater probability) the cause of global warming, indicated by an increase of 0.75 degrees in average global temperatures over the last 100 years. This statement is the result of very tough discussions on a worldwide scale between thousands of climate researchers whether human activity is the main cause of global warming. The results of this discussion were presented to the public in many publications, for instance in Martin Durkin´s documentary “The Great Global Warming Swindle”, presented in March 2007 at UK´s Channel 4. The main message of this production was that man-made global warming is "a lie" and "the biggest scam of modern times." Martin Durkin and coworkers argue that the scientific consensus on climate change is the product of "a multibillion-dollar worldwide industry, created by fanatically anti-industrial environmentalists, supported by scientists peddling scare stories to chase funding and propped up by complicit politicians and the media". The documentary showcases scientists, politicians, economists, writers, and others who are sceptical of the scientific consensus on anthropogenic (or man-made) global warming. Some of the scientists, opposing the main stream of greenhouse gas theories, simply argue that it has not yet been ascertained whether humans are the primary cause of global warming or if there are other natural variations responsible for this phenomenon like increased solar activity, cosmic rays or variations in natural climatic cycles. There is also a series of scientists questioning the temperature records used in the databases as temperature differences attributed to the greenhouse effect are reasonable small (fractions of a ºC). The so-called “urban heat island” effect leads to a local warming in more populated areas, showing slightly higher temperatures due to to increased heat generated by cities, rather than a global temperature rise. Anyhow, this argument was confuted by the IPPC, indicating that the effect of the urban heat island on the global temperature trend is no more than 0.05 °C (0.09 °F) degrees through 1990.
Other facts presented by the film were shown to be incorrect or misinterpreted. The film asserts for instance that records of atmospheric CO2 levels since 1940 show a continuing increase, but during this period, global temperature decreased until 1975, and has increased since then. Anyhow, it is well recognized that this cooling was driven mostly by aerosols (i.e. pollution) in the atmosphere. There is nothing contradictory about this cooling when all sources of radiation changes are considered. A second argument that easily can be invalidated is the impact of the so-called “solar variation theory” on global warming. According to the authors, solar activity (and involving cosmic rays as well as heat from the sun aiding cloud formation) is currently at an extremely high level and directly linked to changes in global temperature. The film argues that solar activity is far more influential on global warming than any other anthropogenic or natural activity on Earth. What the film does not mention is that solar activity has declined over the last 30 years - at the same time as the major spike in global temperature.
But there are some statements related to the influence of the oceanic mass and water vapour on climate change which are more difficult to confute. Water vapour makes up about 98% of the greenhouse gases by volume and provides something between 40 to 80 percent of the natural greenhouse effect. It probably has the largest impact on the planet's temperature and climatic conditions, much larger than CO2. Water particles in the form of clouds act to reflect incoming solar heat, but the film argues that the effects of clouds cannot be accurately simulated by scientists attempting to predict future weather patterns and their effects on global warming. This argument probably is correct and it is well recognized that water vapor is responsible for the natural warming up of the surface temperature to approximately 30-35ºC. Anthropogenic greenhouse effect, according to the film’s argumentation, is only about 2% of the total “natural” greenhouse effect, which corresponds to a 0.6-0.7 ºC increase in temperature. This estimate is somewhat smaller compared to the results of much more sophisticated simulations (0.9 – 2.7ºC), but there is undoubtedly an anthropogenic effect of CO2 increasing the average surface temperature.
One example of the complexity of climatic simulations is the prediction of future storm events considering global warming effects. According to a recently published study, published online by research meteorologist Tom Knutson in the journal Nature Geoscience and resumed in the New York Times (May 18, 2008), global warming isn't to blame for the recent jump in hurricanes in the Atlantic. The study predicts that by the end of the century the number of hurricanes in the Atlantic will fall by 18 percent. In the past, Knutson has raised concerns about the effects of climate change on storms. His new paper has the potential to heat up a simmering debate among meteorologists about current and future effects of global warming in the Atlantic. And Knutson is not alone with this view. Another group of experts, those who study hurricanes and who are more often skeptical about global warming, also say there is no link between global warming and hurricane frequency. They attribute the recent increase to a natural multi-decade cycle. According to the prediction, the number of hurricanes touching land in the US and its neighbors will drop by about 30 percent because of wind factors. However, the biggest storms, those with winds of more than 110 mph, would only decrease in frequency by 8 percent. The biggest decrease is forecasted for storms with winds between 39 and 73 mph (normal tropical storms), who would decrease by 27 percent.
It's not all good news from Knutson's study, however. His computer model also forecasts that “hurricanes and tropical storms will be wetter and fiercer. Rainfall within 30 miles of a hurricane should jump by 37 percent and wind strength should increase by about 2 percent”, Knutson's study says.
There are already critical reactions on this new publication. MIT hurricane meteorologist Kerry Emanuel claims that the computer model used by Knutson is not adequate enough to look at storms and according to Kevin Trenberth, a climate scientist from the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo., Knutson's computer model is poor at assessing tropical weather and ''fail to replicate storms with any kind of fidelity.'' It also does not considering well enough the intensity, duration and size of the storm events, as not only the number of hurricanes is important to evaluate.
Positive feedback comes from NOAA hurricane meteorologist Chris Landsea , who wasn't part of this study, praised Knutson's work as ''very consistent with what's being said all along.'' ''I think global warming is a big concern, but when it comes to hurricanes the evidence for changes is pretty darn tiny,'' Landsea said.
Other facts presented by the film were shown to be incorrect or misinterpreted. The film asserts for instance that records of atmospheric CO2 levels since 1940 show a continuing increase, but during this period, global temperature decreased until 1975, and has increased since then. Anyhow, it is well recognized that this cooling was driven mostly by aerosols (i.e. pollution) in the atmosphere. There is nothing contradictory about this cooling when all sources of radiation changes are considered. A second argument that easily can be invalidated is the impact of the so-called “solar variation theory” on global warming. According to the authors, solar activity (and involving cosmic rays as well as heat from the sun aiding cloud formation) is currently at an extremely high level and directly linked to changes in global temperature. The film argues that solar activity is far more influential on global warming than any other anthropogenic or natural activity on Earth. What the film does not mention is that solar activity has declined over the last 30 years - at the same time as the major spike in global temperature.
But there are some statements related to the influence of the oceanic mass and water vapour on climate change which are more difficult to confute. Water vapour makes up about 98% of the greenhouse gases by volume and provides something between 40 to 80 percent of the natural greenhouse effect. It probably has the largest impact on the planet's temperature and climatic conditions, much larger than CO2. Water particles in the form of clouds act to reflect incoming solar heat, but the film argues that the effects of clouds cannot be accurately simulated by scientists attempting to predict future weather patterns and their effects on global warming. This argument probably is correct and it is well recognized that water vapor is responsible for the natural warming up of the surface temperature to approximately 30-35ºC. Anthropogenic greenhouse effect, according to the film’s argumentation, is only about 2% of the total “natural” greenhouse effect, which corresponds to a 0.6-0.7 ºC increase in temperature. This estimate is somewhat smaller compared to the results of much more sophisticated simulations (0.9 – 2.7ºC), but there is undoubtedly an anthropogenic effect of CO2 increasing the average surface temperature.
One example of the complexity of climatic simulations is the prediction of future storm events considering global warming effects. According to a recently published study, published online by research meteorologist Tom Knutson in the journal Nature Geoscience and resumed in the New York Times (May 18, 2008), global warming isn't to blame for the recent jump in hurricanes in the Atlantic. The study predicts that by the end of the century the number of hurricanes in the Atlantic will fall by 18 percent. In the past, Knutson has raised concerns about the effects of climate change on storms. His new paper has the potential to heat up a simmering debate among meteorologists about current and future effects of global warming in the Atlantic. And Knutson is not alone with this view. Another group of experts, those who study hurricanes and who are more often skeptical about global warming, also say there is no link between global warming and hurricane frequency. They attribute the recent increase to a natural multi-decade cycle. According to the prediction, the number of hurricanes touching land in the US and its neighbors will drop by about 30 percent because of wind factors. However, the biggest storms, those with winds of more than 110 mph, would only decrease in frequency by 8 percent. The biggest decrease is forecasted for storms with winds between 39 and 73 mph (normal tropical storms), who would decrease by 27 percent.
It's not all good news from Knutson's study, however. His computer model also forecasts that “hurricanes and tropical storms will be wetter and fiercer. Rainfall within 30 miles of a hurricane should jump by 37 percent and wind strength should increase by about 2 percent”, Knutson's study says.
There are already critical reactions on this new publication. MIT hurricane meteorologist Kerry Emanuel claims that the computer model used by Knutson is not adequate enough to look at storms and according to Kevin Trenberth, a climate scientist from the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo., Knutson's computer model is poor at assessing tropical weather and ''fail to replicate storms with any kind of fidelity.'' It also does not considering well enough the intensity, duration and size of the storm events, as not only the number of hurricanes is important to evaluate.
Positive feedback comes from NOAA hurricane meteorologist Chris Landsea , who wasn't part of this study, praised Knutson's work as ''very consistent with what's being said all along.'' ''I think global warming is a big concern, but when it comes to hurricanes the evidence for changes is pretty darn tiny,'' Landsea said.
Global Warming-How It Could Spark World War III
These Days global warming is a very hot topic and little wonder, seeing as the earth grows hotter with each passing year.
For a long time now the effect of man's industrialization and technological progress has quietly yet continuously eked away at the delicate balance of the planet's atmosphere and ecosystem, but within the last 30 or so years the pace of this damage has markedly accelerated!
DOWNPLAYING GLOBAL WARMING
In much the same way that big tobacco once vehemently denied the association between cigarette smoking and lung cancer, for the longest time a number of multi-billion-dollar-a-year industries have also been questioning the existence of global warming and misleading the public about its reality.
In fact the Bush II years have been particular devastating to Environmental Protection Rights, yet staggeringly lucrative for those who would profit from the loss of such protection.
In what can best be described as an orgy-fest of self-congratulatory backslapping, many a heavyweight lobbyist for industries such as oil, coal, mining, logging, aviation and auto manufacturers have left the Bush Whitehouse grinning like the proverbial Cheshire cat because they'd gotten firm assurance that pesky environmental laws would never get in the way of business as usual!
An example of how the Bush II Administration misled the public into believing they were truly concerned about protecting the environment was the sneaky way in which they enacted laws such as The Clean Skies Act.
The Clean Skies Act introduced in February 2003 apparently appears to strengthen already existent environmental laws such as The Clean Air Act but which in reality actually weakened and undermined them.
The Clean Skies Act gave pollutant industries a lot of leeway allowing them to spew an additional 42 million more tons of pollution into the atmosphere and raised caps on greenhouse gas emissions.
Soon after Bush II came to power the situation got so bad, that after decades of effective service, two of the most senior enforcement officials in the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) resigned citing an agency that was pursuing contrary goals to that of actually protecting the environment.
Former US vice president Al Gore is no stranger to these tactics. As perhaps the most widely recognizable face in the fight against global warming he has been scoffed at and ridiculed by the same individuals who would have us believe global warming is nothing more than a myth!
Recently in 2007 several scientists have gone on public record citing claims of a gestapo-like environment of intimidation to produce figures and reports that belied the true extent of global warming!
CAUSE OF GLOBAL WARMING
The unprecedented super-accelerated rate of global warming happening today is due to the amount of greenhouse gases being spewed into the atmosphere.
The most notorious greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide (CO2) because it so happens to be the biggest single contributing factor to global warming (CO2 comprises more than 75% of all greenhouse gases). So what's spewing all that CO2 in the air? Simply put--mankind and his toys!
Some of the biggest greenhouse gas pollutants include automobiles; electricity production; planes; shipping and the various manufacturing industries dotted all over the globe.
SCIENCE OF GLOBAL WARMING
This article is intentionally not an in-depth treatise of the process of global warming, but having said that, here's a brief explanation:
The rays from the sun are comprised of shortwave solar radiation which pass through the atmosphere and are then absorbed by the earth thereby warming it. Part of that absorbed energy is reflected back to the atmosphere as long wave infrared radiation which is mostly trapped by the greenhouse gases. This trapped heat ensures that the earth is approximately warmer by 33 degrees Celsius than it would otherwise be.
This trapped heat is actually good for us, for were it not for those greenhouse gases and other constituents in the atmosphere that trap heat, the earth would be as cold as Mars which has for all intents and purpose no atmosphere to speak of.
Over the past century the earth has gotten warmer by approximately 0.7 degrees Celsius. This may not seem like much until you consider that the difference between the average earth temperature of today and another ice age is a mere 5 degrees Celsius!
EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING
Drought! Flooding! Disease! Hurricanes! Starvation! Unbearable Heat!
Any of these words seem to you to be appearing much more often in the news than before?
Do you remember the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that claimed more than 200,000 people? Remember hurricane Katrina that claimed more than 2,000 lives? These are the better documented horror stories. The less well documented global-warming related stories are often dismissively written off as ethnic conflicts in a region (Africa) where supposedly little else can be expected.
CATASTROPHIC ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS CAUSED BY GLOBAL WARMING
1. Larsen B Ice Shelf: In 2002, a 500 billion ton chunk of ice that was 220m thick and covering a surface area of 3,250 sq km disintegrated in 35 days! What was especially alarming was that the experts expected this ice shelf to still be around for the next 100 years even after factoring in current global warming trends.
Yet more alarming still is that there're two other MUCH, MUCH BIGGER ice masses that are exhibiting the same global warming related disintegration characteristics!
These endangered ice masses are Greenland and the West Antarctic Ice Shelf which was previously thought to be stable. Since these ice masses are land based (unlike the Larsen B Ice Shelf) if either one of them goes they could raise sea levels by 20ft apiece!
If both of them disintegrate around the same time, sea levels could rise by 40ft! Catastrophic does not adequately describe the ensuing destruction.
More than 66% of the world's largest cities would be devastated if even just one of these ice masses disintegrated. Though many of the affected low-elevation costal areas are located in Asia, New York, Florida, San Francisco and The Netherlands are also on the list!
Perhaps this disturbing data may explain the belated, albeit grudging acknowledgement by the Bush II administration that global warming is not a myth after all and that it won't just affect the poorer regions of the world. As things stand, experts are predicting that with current unmodified global warming trends Greenland may collapse as soon as 2050.
2. Lake Chad: Lake Chad used to be the 6th largest lake in the world but due to global warming has shrunk to 1/20th of its former size. In fact Chad the country for which it is named after is now more than 60 miles from the water's edge!
3. New Ice Age: The northern hemisphere of the world is located above the equator and constitutes most of the world's land mass as well as almost 90% of the world population.
Though current expert reports on global warming imply that the northern hemisphere will initially actually benefit from the temperature increase (unlike the southern hemisphere where unprecedented drought and starvation is predicted by 2020) what is little mentioned is how global warming could usher in a new Ice Age!
Some paradox, huh? Warming leading to freezing! Here's a simplified explanation of how that comes about:
The Gulf Stream current is one of several currents that occur in the Atlantic Ocean. The particular importance of the Gulf Stream Current and its northern extension (the North Atlantic Drift which flows towards Europe) is that their warm-water flow heats up the surrounding air which in turn ensures that the temperature of the northern hemispheres does not dip precipitously.
These two currents are saline (salt) based. If a huge mass of fresh water (such as a melting body of ice the size of Greenland) was to dilute these currents, in effect that would shut down the Gulf Stream Current!
Once the Gulf Stream Current shuts down temperatures are going to drop precariously in the United States, Europe and other nations located in the northern hemisphere. When that happens those regions will deep-freeze into another Ice Age!
GLOBAL WARMING AND THE CO2 WARS
The following figures illustrate the CO2 emissions from the various regions around the globe:
USA: 30.3%
Europe: 27.7%
Russia: 13.7%
South East Asia: 12.2%
Japan: 3.7%
South America/Central America: 3.8%
Middle East: 2.6%
Africa: 2.5%
Australia: 1.1%
These figures amply illustrate how Western Europe and the United States are by far largely responsible for the effects of global warming we are seeing today.
Contrastingly the regions least responsible are the ones that will bear the brunt of those effects (initially at any rate, until such time that the process progresses to an ice age then the situation will reverse).
However, with the two mega economies of China and India expanding rapidly (each boasting a population in excess of 1 billion) soon their greenhouse gas emissions may surpass those of the U.S.
A series of meetings held in Washington in early 2007 had American legislators demanding that developing nations be held to the same greenhouse-gas-emission accountability as the developed nations! Not unexpectedly there were worldwide outcries and accusations of shameless hypocrisy leveled at the United States.
With the not unreasonable contention that they have the right to develop and advance in the same manner that both Europe and America have enjoyed over the past forty years these two looming economical giants are not about to be cowed by Washington.
Furthermore considering the suspicious manner with which the U.S. justified its invasion of Iraq, few these days are inclined to believe a word that Washington says.
Compounding this climate of distrust and suspicion are the many questionable prerogatives the U.S. claims. These include:
1. Not subscribing to the Kyoto Protocol (Treaty on Global Warming)
2. Seeking the right to pre-emptive strikes (Bush II)
3. Demanding to be exempted from The Geneva Convention (Bush II)
4. Not a participant of the World Court
5. Biggest contributor to global warming but doing the least to rectify the situation.
In a world where America demands exclusive rights to pre-emptive strikes, perhaps then it is not too far fetched to understand if India and China harbor a degree of paranoia that the U.S. may one day set its targets on them.
After all for a country that so conveniently and magically connected two totally unrelated events to one another as an excuse to pursue its ultimate goal (U.S. invasion of Iraq after 911), it is not unconceivable that the U.S. could one day claim that the greenhouse gas emissions from the Asian giants are threatening the very existence of its coastal cities and hence amount to an act of war!
For their part the Asian giants already suspiciously view Washington's demands concerning greenhouse gases as a thinly veiled attempt to restrict their economical development.
That said, China and India are hardly Iraq! These are two countries which both boast formidable nuclear arsenals that are quite capable of reaching the U.S. Besides if the U.S. were to take any drastic action it is unlikely that the slumbering Russian bear would continue dozing for much longer.
World wars have erupted over much less and in the heated climate of today it only takes one more little spark to set everything off!
For a long time now the effect of man's industrialization and technological progress has quietly yet continuously eked away at the delicate balance of the planet's atmosphere and ecosystem, but within the last 30 or so years the pace of this damage has markedly accelerated!
DOWNPLAYING GLOBAL WARMING
In much the same way that big tobacco once vehemently denied the association between cigarette smoking and lung cancer, for the longest time a number of multi-billion-dollar-a-year industries have also been questioning the existence of global warming and misleading the public about its reality.
In fact the Bush II years have been particular devastating to Environmental Protection Rights, yet staggeringly lucrative for those who would profit from the loss of such protection.
In what can best be described as an orgy-fest of self-congratulatory backslapping, many a heavyweight lobbyist for industries such as oil, coal, mining, logging, aviation and auto manufacturers have left the Bush Whitehouse grinning like the proverbial Cheshire cat because they'd gotten firm assurance that pesky environmental laws would never get in the way of business as usual!
An example of how the Bush II Administration misled the public into believing they were truly concerned about protecting the environment was the sneaky way in which they enacted laws such as The Clean Skies Act.
The Clean Skies Act introduced in February 2003 apparently appears to strengthen already existent environmental laws such as The Clean Air Act but which in reality actually weakened and undermined them.
The Clean Skies Act gave pollutant industries a lot of leeway allowing them to spew an additional 42 million more tons of pollution into the atmosphere and raised caps on greenhouse gas emissions.
Soon after Bush II came to power the situation got so bad, that after decades of effective service, two of the most senior enforcement officials in the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) resigned citing an agency that was pursuing contrary goals to that of actually protecting the environment.
Former US vice president Al Gore is no stranger to these tactics. As perhaps the most widely recognizable face in the fight against global warming he has been scoffed at and ridiculed by the same individuals who would have us believe global warming is nothing more than a myth!
Recently in 2007 several scientists have gone on public record citing claims of a gestapo-like environment of intimidation to produce figures and reports that belied the true extent of global warming!
CAUSE OF GLOBAL WARMING
The unprecedented super-accelerated rate of global warming happening today is due to the amount of greenhouse gases being spewed into the atmosphere.
The most notorious greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide (CO2) because it so happens to be the biggest single contributing factor to global warming (CO2 comprises more than 75% of all greenhouse gases). So what's spewing all that CO2 in the air? Simply put--mankind and his toys!
Some of the biggest greenhouse gas pollutants include automobiles; electricity production; planes; shipping and the various manufacturing industries dotted all over the globe.
SCIENCE OF GLOBAL WARMING
This article is intentionally not an in-depth treatise of the process of global warming, but having said that, here's a brief explanation:
The rays from the sun are comprised of shortwave solar radiation which pass through the atmosphere and are then absorbed by the earth thereby warming it. Part of that absorbed energy is reflected back to the atmosphere as long wave infrared radiation which is mostly trapped by the greenhouse gases. This trapped heat ensures that the earth is approximately warmer by 33 degrees Celsius than it would otherwise be.
This trapped heat is actually good for us, for were it not for those greenhouse gases and other constituents in the atmosphere that trap heat, the earth would be as cold as Mars which has for all intents and purpose no atmosphere to speak of.
Over the past century the earth has gotten warmer by approximately 0.7 degrees Celsius. This may not seem like much until you consider that the difference between the average earth temperature of today and another ice age is a mere 5 degrees Celsius!
EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING
Drought! Flooding! Disease! Hurricanes! Starvation! Unbearable Heat!
Any of these words seem to you to be appearing much more often in the news than before?
Do you remember the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that claimed more than 200,000 people? Remember hurricane Katrina that claimed more than 2,000 lives? These are the better documented horror stories. The less well documented global-warming related stories are often dismissively written off as ethnic conflicts in a region (Africa) where supposedly little else can be expected.
CATASTROPHIC ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS CAUSED BY GLOBAL WARMING
1. Larsen B Ice Shelf: In 2002, a 500 billion ton chunk of ice that was 220m thick and covering a surface area of 3,250 sq km disintegrated in 35 days! What was especially alarming was that the experts expected this ice shelf to still be around for the next 100 years even after factoring in current global warming trends.
Yet more alarming still is that there're two other MUCH, MUCH BIGGER ice masses that are exhibiting the same global warming related disintegration characteristics!
These endangered ice masses are Greenland and the West Antarctic Ice Shelf which was previously thought to be stable. Since these ice masses are land based (unlike the Larsen B Ice Shelf) if either one of them goes they could raise sea levels by 20ft apiece!
If both of them disintegrate around the same time, sea levels could rise by 40ft! Catastrophic does not adequately describe the ensuing destruction.
More than 66% of the world's largest cities would be devastated if even just one of these ice masses disintegrated. Though many of the affected low-elevation costal areas are located in Asia, New York, Florida, San Francisco and The Netherlands are also on the list!
Perhaps this disturbing data may explain the belated, albeit grudging acknowledgement by the Bush II administration that global warming is not a myth after all and that it won't just affect the poorer regions of the world. As things stand, experts are predicting that with current unmodified global warming trends Greenland may collapse as soon as 2050.
2. Lake Chad: Lake Chad used to be the 6th largest lake in the world but due to global warming has shrunk to 1/20th of its former size. In fact Chad the country for which it is named after is now more than 60 miles from the water's edge!
3. New Ice Age: The northern hemisphere of the world is located above the equator and constitutes most of the world's land mass as well as almost 90% of the world population.
Though current expert reports on global warming imply that the northern hemisphere will initially actually benefit from the temperature increase (unlike the southern hemisphere where unprecedented drought and starvation is predicted by 2020) what is little mentioned is how global warming could usher in a new Ice Age!
Some paradox, huh? Warming leading to freezing! Here's a simplified explanation of how that comes about:
The Gulf Stream current is one of several currents that occur in the Atlantic Ocean. The particular importance of the Gulf Stream Current and its northern extension (the North Atlantic Drift which flows towards Europe) is that their warm-water flow heats up the surrounding air which in turn ensures that the temperature of the northern hemispheres does not dip precipitously.
These two currents are saline (salt) based. If a huge mass of fresh water (such as a melting body of ice the size of Greenland) was to dilute these currents, in effect that would shut down the Gulf Stream Current!
Once the Gulf Stream Current shuts down temperatures are going to drop precariously in the United States, Europe and other nations located in the northern hemisphere. When that happens those regions will deep-freeze into another Ice Age!
GLOBAL WARMING AND THE CO2 WARS
The following figures illustrate the CO2 emissions from the various regions around the globe:
USA: 30.3%
Europe: 27.7%
Russia: 13.7%
South East Asia: 12.2%
Japan: 3.7%
South America/Central America: 3.8%
Middle East: 2.6%
Africa: 2.5%
Australia: 1.1%
These figures amply illustrate how Western Europe and the United States are by far largely responsible for the effects of global warming we are seeing today.
Contrastingly the regions least responsible are the ones that will bear the brunt of those effects (initially at any rate, until such time that the process progresses to an ice age then the situation will reverse).
However, with the two mega economies of China and India expanding rapidly (each boasting a population in excess of 1 billion) soon their greenhouse gas emissions may surpass those of the U.S.
A series of meetings held in Washington in early 2007 had American legislators demanding that developing nations be held to the same greenhouse-gas-emission accountability as the developed nations! Not unexpectedly there were worldwide outcries and accusations of shameless hypocrisy leveled at the United States.
With the not unreasonable contention that they have the right to develop and advance in the same manner that both Europe and America have enjoyed over the past forty years these two looming economical giants are not about to be cowed by Washington.
Furthermore considering the suspicious manner with which the U.S. justified its invasion of Iraq, few these days are inclined to believe a word that Washington says.
Compounding this climate of distrust and suspicion are the many questionable prerogatives the U.S. claims. These include:
1. Not subscribing to the Kyoto Protocol (Treaty on Global Warming)
2. Seeking the right to pre-emptive strikes (Bush II)
3. Demanding to be exempted from The Geneva Convention (Bush II)
4. Not a participant of the World Court
5. Biggest contributor to global warming but doing the least to rectify the situation.
In a world where America demands exclusive rights to pre-emptive strikes, perhaps then it is not too far fetched to understand if India and China harbor a degree of paranoia that the U.S. may one day set its targets on them.
After all for a country that so conveniently and magically connected two totally unrelated events to one another as an excuse to pursue its ultimate goal (U.S. invasion of Iraq after 911), it is not unconceivable that the U.S. could one day claim that the greenhouse gas emissions from the Asian giants are threatening the very existence of its coastal cities and hence amount to an act of war!
For their part the Asian giants already suspiciously view Washington's demands concerning greenhouse gases as a thinly veiled attempt to restrict their economical development.
That said, China and India are hardly Iraq! These are two countries which both boast formidable nuclear arsenals that are quite capable of reaching the U.S. Besides if the U.S. were to take any drastic action it is unlikely that the slumbering Russian bear would continue dozing for much longer.
World wars have erupted over much less and in the heated climate of today it only takes one more little spark to set everything off!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Global Warming Research - Do You Recognize the 3 major goals for global warming research
Global warming research concluded rapid increase in the consumption of fossil fuels, level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been steadily increasing. Many great scientist have projected that if greenhouse gases doesn't stopped from increasing in the atmosphere, than it could effect negatively on and it is very critical suitation now to investigate about this important problem. Concerned orgatnisation must do something on this and should provide reliable assessment of current and future changes in global climate.
As this global warming research have many different goal to achieve but one of the main goal is to provide reliable and quantitative projection of global warming.
Let's divide global warming research into three different goal to make it simple for you:
First gloal(G1) is to reduce the uncertainty while determining the appropriate response of climate changes in real time (which could help the concerned localities to intimate from calamities) concentration of greenhouse gases and aerosols in theatmosphere, elucidating the physical mechanism of global warming.
Second gloal(G2) is to develop model for an atmosphere-ocean-land coupled which have high performance through numerical experiments and comparison of the outputs with the observed analyses.
Third Goal(G3) is to get detailed information about the chemical and physical mechanisms, which are responsible for the large climactic change of the geological past.
It also attempts to evaluate and validate the sensitivity of model climate through paleoclimate simulations. The primary tools of these groups are general circulation models of both the atmosphere and ocean and the coupled atmosphere-ocean-land models.
Figure: The distribution of future precipitation change projected with CCSR/NIES/FRCGC climate model. The blue region indicates precipitation increase, while the red indicates decrease.
This group explores the physical mechanism of future changes of weather and climate, which occur in response to the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. It will thus contribute to the reduction of the uncertainty in projections of these changes. Specifically, the project will investigate how the behavior of tropical and extra-tropical cyclones, monsoon, and the baiu front, which have substantial impacts on the Asian climate, are influenced by the climate change with a high-resolution climate model. The response of cloud distribution and thickness to the climate change, which affects strongly the amplitude of the future warming, will be examined with a climate model and observational data analysis. The possibility of weakening of the Atlantic deep ocean circulation in response to the climate change will also be investigated.
These studies are conducted as joint projects with the Center for Climate System Research of the University of Tokyo (CCSR) and the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) and with the Meteorological Research Institute (MRI).
One of the main goals of FRCGC is the development of a coupled atmosphere-ocean-land model which can reproduce climate variability at various time scales. Cooperation between specialists in each research field related to the climate system is essential to further understanding of the various physical mechanisms involved in climate change, and to ensure that each process is accurately represented in the model. The coupled model development group has been formed within the Global Warming Research Program so that it works as the central core team in the coupled model development. Our group will collaborate closely with researchers in related organizations outside FRCGC, as well as with other members of the Global Warming Research Program and FRCGC, with the aim of developing the best model to date. The coupled model will be open for use by researchers inside and outside FRCGC under a certain guideline of usage.
Using a hierarchy of climate models with varying degrees of complexity, this project will explore the physical and chemical processes that control past changes of climate, ice sheet extent and oceanic circulation. It also validates climate models based upon the simulation of the climates of geological past such as the last glacial maximum and the late Cretaceous period.
The emphasis of this project is also on the quantitative assessment of the astronomical theory of glacial/interglacial fluctuation of global climate during the Quaternary. Using coupled or uncoupled ocean-atmosphere-continental ice sheet models of varying degrees of complexity, this project inquires why the changes of Earthеs orbit around the Sun had an enormous impact upon the fluctuation of ice volume and global climate. In addition, this project will attempt to project future changes in Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets associated with global warming.
These studies are conducted in close collaboration with the Center for Climate System Research (CCSR) of the University of Tokyo.
As this global warming research have many different goal to achieve but one of the main goal is to provide reliable and quantitative projection of global warming.
Let's divide global warming research into three different goal to make it simple for you:
First gloal(G1) is to reduce the uncertainty while determining the appropriate response of climate changes in real time (which could help the concerned localities to intimate from calamities) concentration of greenhouse gases and aerosols in theatmosphere, elucidating the physical mechanism of global warming.
Second gloal(G2) is to develop model for an atmosphere-ocean-land coupled which have high performance through numerical experiments and comparison of the outputs with the observed analyses.
Third Goal(G3) is to get detailed information about the chemical and physical mechanisms, which are responsible for the large climactic change of the geological past.
It also attempts to evaluate and validate the sensitivity of model climate through paleoclimate simulations. The primary tools of these groups are general circulation models of both the atmosphere and ocean and the coupled atmosphere-ocean-land models.
Global Warming Research Group [First gloal(G1)]
Figure: The distribution of future precipitation change projected with CCSR/NIES/FRCGC climate model. The blue region indicates precipitation increase, while the red indicates decrease.
This group explores the physical mechanism of future changes of weather and climate, which occur in response to the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. It will thus contribute to the reduction of the uncertainty in projections of these changes. Specifically, the project will investigate how the behavior of tropical and extra-tropical cyclones, monsoon, and the baiu front, which have substantial impacts on the Asian climate, are influenced by the climate change with a high-resolution climate model. The response of cloud distribution and thickness to the climate change, which affects strongly the amplitude of the future warming, will be examined with a climate model and observational data analysis. The possibility of weakening of the Atlantic deep ocean circulation in response to the climate change will also be investigated.
These studies are conducted as joint projects with the Center for Climate System Research of the University of Tokyo (CCSR) and the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) and with the Meteorological Research Institute (MRI).
Coupled Model Development Group [Second gloal(G2)]
One of the main goals of FRCGC is the development of a coupled atmosphere-ocean-land model which can reproduce climate variability at various time scales. Cooperation between specialists in each research field related to the climate system is essential to further understanding of the various physical mechanisms involved in climate change, and to ensure that each process is accurately represented in the model. The coupled model development group has been formed within the Global Warming Research Program so that it works as the central core team in the coupled model development. Our group will collaborate closely with researchers in related organizations outside FRCGC, as well as with other members of the Global Warming Research Program and FRCGC, with the aim of developing the best model to date. The coupled model will be open for use by researchers inside and outside FRCGC under a certain guideline of usage.
Paleoclimate Research Group [Third gloal(G3)]
Using a hierarchy of climate models with varying degrees of complexity, this project will explore the physical and chemical processes that control past changes of climate, ice sheet extent and oceanic circulation. It also validates climate models based upon the simulation of the climates of geological past such as the last glacial maximum and the late Cretaceous period.
The emphasis of this project is also on the quantitative assessment of the astronomical theory of glacial/interglacial fluctuation of global climate during the Quaternary. Using coupled or uncoupled ocean-atmosphere-continental ice sheet models of varying degrees of complexity, this project inquires why the changes of Earthеs orbit around the Sun had an enormous impact upon the fluctuation of ice volume and global climate. In addition, this project will attempt to project future changes in Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets associated with global warming.
These studies are conducted in close collaboration with the Center for Climate System Research (CCSR) of the University of Tokyo.
15 tried-and-tested methods for Global Warming Solutions
We are living in modernized world and we have lots resources and technologies to reduce the threat of global warming. Global Warming Solutions are always available that will give boost to International economy by creating various jobs, saving consumers money, and protecting our national security. If we invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency programs, than we can have better day tomorrow. Increasing the efficiency of the cars we drive, we can take essential steps toward reducing our dependence on oil and other fossil fuels that cause global warming for most than ever.
1. Start burying stuff on a massive scale
The whole problem with global warming starts with digging up and burning the carbon from plants and animals, in the form of coal and oil, that has been buried for millions of years. So two German scientists have a solution: Start burying stuff on a massive scale.2. Use Energy efficient home appliances
Every single Individual can make big differences which will in turn give a impact on global climate change in a positive or negative way. Your family and you don't have to stop using heat-trapping emitting products like appliances, industrial equipment and buildings for reducing global warming level, but making clever choices to select energy-efficient products for your use, Which might cost you more than usual, but often it will pay back you into the form of energy savings within a couple of years. Most of us have bought an Energy Star appliance or two, and have seen firsthand how much money and energy they can save.3. Plant 3.8 million square miles of forest every year
One of the most important global warming solution is plant 3.8 million square miles of forest every year to counteract current global carbon dioxide emissions.4. Unplug appliances which is not in use
Unplug seldom-used appliances, like an extra refrigerator, A/C, cooler etc which you doesn't use frequently.5. Unplug your charger
Unplug your chargers when you're not charging any pda's, cell phones, digital cameras and other gadgets.6. Switch off T.V. and home theater from power strips
Switch off televisions, home theater equipment, and stereos by using power strips When it is ideal(not in use).7. Keep your computer on sleep and hibernate mode
Set your computer to "sleep mode" feature, Which enables your computer to use very much less power as compared to usual it takes. Hibernating computers can make you able to save more energy than enabling your computer to sleep mode as it shuts down your computer by saving your work at the same state.8. Put lights off when not in use
Don't forget to putt off the switch of lights when you leave a room. Practice the same in your offices/workplaces.9. Use Energy Star compact fluorescents
Don't use any bulbs which require high energy, there is a solution for this use Energy Star compact fluorescents, which have been concluded that it is best for quality and longevity. If you swap the five standard light bulbs you use most for energy-saving compact fluorescents, you can save roughly $60 each year on electricity.10. Change Air filters on timely basis
By changing air filters and keeping air conditioner coils clean can decrease emission of co2 in Air.11. Use Renewable power resources(if applicable)
Now it is permissible to use the power to choose their own energy supplier for any consumer. If it is applicable in your selected area or sector, Select a supplier who uses renewable power resources, like solar, wind, low-impact hydroelectric, or geothermal to generate energy(electricity).12. Keep the tires on your car adequately expanded
You might be driving you car with out taking care of your vehicle Tires. You have to Keep the tires on your car adequately expanded(inflated) and so u can save lots of carbon-di-oxide as well as wealth.13. Use Hybrid and Fuel Efficient Car
Buy Hybrid Car and Fuel Efficient Car which can increase your fuel efficiencies. Will decrease level of CO2 and the most important thing your wealth.14. Avoid eating of chemically produced foods
Don't eat chemically produced foods which is produced in the modern agriculture world now. This kind of food pollute the water supply and require energy to produce while productions.15. Increase the usage of Recyclable products
Use Recycled products and goods such as papers, plastic bags and other related stuffs.Top 10 steps to Create Global Warming Awareness
Check list for creating Global Warming Awareness
Global warming! Global warming! Global warming! You might be hearing this from last 10 or 15 more often in the news channels, news paper, and media and through other source of medium. But let me explain you this topic in details.Basically, Global Warming means our earth getting hotter and hotter. Our home i.e is Earth is getting warmed continuously through various sources such as Gases in the Atmosphere, ultra violet radiations and many more. And thousand of Scientist has concluded that Global Warming might be not possible to control and it is beyond of our hand which is changing our current climate. Only one factor is not associated with the global warming because there are many and due the human activities is the single most major factor which increasing global warming in the atmosphere. Such activities include burning of fossil fuels, oils and many more similar to that.
Don’t think one can’t make any difference towards global warming awareness, but you have to start first than rest of others will follow you.
1. Use less produce able Carbon Dioxide bulbs or lightings
Don’t use fluorescent bulbs as it takes high ratio of energy to output large amount of lights. So replace it with less energy consumable light bulbs. Scientist has discovered that if we use CFL bulb than we can lower down nearly 700 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the air over the bulb's lifetime. It use only a quarter of the energy consumed by conventional bulbs.2. Efficient usage of Home Appliances
In home we are using energy more than required and it resulting wastage of energy. As we get energy by power plants, which burn fossil fuel to power our electric products. Making it burn outputs air pollution and contributes to smog, acid rain and global warming. If we use less energy definitely we will be saving money as well as energy.The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy estimates that if each of us increases the energy-efficiency in our major appliances by 10 - 30%, we'll release the demand for electricity by the equivalent of 25 large power plants!
3. Buy power saving Appliances
While you go for shopping for any electric appliances don’t buy appliances which use power above than average use specially appliances such as Refrigerator, Stove, Washer/Dryer, Air Conditioners, Water Heater, Computers and Home Office Equipment. Buy which has highest energy efficiency rating specified by any experts or sources.By using appliances marked with Energy Star Logo can help us to save 15 percent of energy than the federal requirement.
Energy Star is the symbol for energy efficiency. It's a label created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy to help consumers save money and minimize air pollution.
4. Mineralize the energy needed for heating
USA Scientist concluded that heating and cooling systems in the U.S.A. emit into the atmosphere more than millions of tons of carbon dioxide each year, which increasing the % of Global Warming rates. By decreasing the usage appliances we can save lots of energy which emits heat.5. Save your fuel while driving
You can’t image that you can manage to save your fuel 30% by simple vehicle maintenance and attention to your style of driving in an appropriate way. You should take care of for saving fuel by: Don’t drive aggressively, Drive steadily at posted speed limits, Avoid idling your vehicle, Make sure your tires are properly inflated, Select the right gear, Service your vehicle regularly and much more.6. Drive less and Use public transports more
If you try to drive less and walk more than it would be great contribution towards saving energy and creating global warming awareness. You should try travel by taking the bus, riding a bike, or walking. Try consolidating trips to the mall or longer routine drives. Encourage car-pooling.7. Paint your Home according to Seasons
Paint your home a light color if you live in a warm climate, or a dark color in a cold climate. This can contribute saving up to 5000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.8. Recycle every material
Try not to use products and materials which are not recyclable. Recycling saves energy, landfill space and natural resources. Increase usage of recycled materials such as paper & cardboard, plastic, glass, aluminum, steel & copper. Visit your local recycling center and find out what materials they accept for recycling. For your convenience use plastic bags or totes to store materials for recycling.9. Eat more vegetarian meals than non-vegetarians
Avoid eating non-vegetarian food as it is not good for human health as well as to the planet. Try to this meal to increase your contribution towards Global Warming Awareness: Nutburgers, Irish Colcannon, Tofu Tamale Pie, Tofu Loaf, Grilled Polenta with Portabello Mushrooms, Vegetable Fajitas and many more.10. Choose clean Energy Options
If you can choose your electricity supplier, pick a company that generates at least half its power from wind, solar energy and other renewable sources.
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