By Rod Hill on 2010-08-19
Below are a few headline notes from a weather conference earlier this year in Colorado. The point of the information is not to debate the role of man, but to confirm that earth's climate is seeing what many are calling rapid change. It should be noted, the planet's climate has always evolved and will continue to do so. Many of the data sets measured today can be compared to estimates from thousands of years ago. The current phase of warming opens up a fascinating period of scientific research and speculation.
1. 20% of all carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere has been burned since 1997.
2. A quarter of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere will remain for 1-3,000 years.
3. The United States currently releases twice the output of Europe.
4. Computer climate models are inconsistent toward the amount of warming over the coming 100 years, the reason is the uncertainty of heat absorbed by the oceans.
5. Sea level could rise 3 feet by the year 3,000, simply due to thermal expansion of warmer water temperature.
6. Increased beach erosion due to rising sea level is already being seen in the Arctic.
7. Current estimate for ice free summers over the Arctic is the year 2030.
8. January - July of this year, warmest global temperature on record.
9. Good News: Leading researcher believes warming temperatures will increase tropical storms by 1% at most. An increasing subtropical jet stream will produce shear and limit tropical activity.
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