Global Warming and Climate Change  hell button.gif (5911 bytes) (click button for more readings)
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Colors of the Rainbow- The light spectrum. White light is composed of a mixture of colors from deep violet to red. Ultraviolet light is beyond the visible spectrum and is that part of sunlight that creates a sun burn.

Although we can't see the color ultraviolet, many insects do and their view of the world is very different.


At the other end of the spectrum infrared wavelengths at 750 nm and beyond are also invisible to us, although we can perceive these wavelengths as heat.


Again, some animals, such as pit vipers can sense infrared color. Pit vipers use their pit organs to hunt for small warm-blooded creatures at night


Different chemicals absorb heat (or IR light) at varying efficiencies. Carbon dioxide, for example, absorbs IR light efficiently. Those chemicals that can absorb and hold heat have a potential for being "greenhouse gases".

Many of the greenhouse gasses are released into the atmosphere by anthropogenic means (cause by human activities). Coal-fired power plants and combustion of petroleum products are some of the biggest contributors. Note that some of the greenhouse gasses are necessary for life on earth (O2 and H2O). Without these, the earth would cool much too quickly. Even CO2 is necessary for proper heat-retention by the earth. However, if any of these chemicals increase above normal, the atmosphere begins to retain too much heat and warms the planet.

Most of the heat that warms the earth comes from the sun. Normally, the amount of heat added to the earth equals the amount of heat that leaves. In this way the earth neither cools down or heats up.

Greenhouse gasses, however, absorb the heat and hold it so that it doesn't escape into space. This causes the so-called "greenhouse" effect that is responsible for global warming and climate change.

Climate variability can be estimated from ice core examination, diatom growth rates, and other methods. The mean global temperature actually decreased from 1000 AD until the late 1800 (green regression line). However, a sharp increase is seen starting in the late 1800s. Just a 1°C increase in temperature translates to a change from 95°F to almost 97°F. Some climate models suggest that we may see a 5°C increase by the end of the century. This would change the 95°F to 104°F!

Starting in the mid 1800s, anthropogenic emissions of CO2 began to increase with rising industrialization. These emissions appear to be largely responsible for the rise in atmospheric CO2

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Not only CO2, but other gases have an anthropogenic origin. Here, the gases are expressed as carbon equivalents (N2O, for example, has no carbon, but can be described relative to carbon as a greenhouse gas). A major source of methane is from herds of cattle while most of the remaining greenhouse gasses are produced by industrial processes.

Greenhouse gases are expected to increase in the foreseeable future, even with the most favorable forecasts. These increases are expected to force climate.

Sources and sinks for greenhouse gasses. See "Carbon Conundrum" in Secret Readings


Projected Global Temperatures for Three Models (The Link to IPCC is here)

Although the best estimates suggest that earth's temperature will increase about 3°C, weather patterns and ocean currents will cause some areas to warm more than others. The above map shows expected increases from 1990 to 2070. This is likely to result in a loss of all arctic ice by 2100. Much of America's breadbasket will shift North to Canada.


Consequences of Global Warming


Annual Global Surface Mean Temperature Anomalies


Global Surface Sea Temperatures 1900 - 2000 (NOAA)

See report on Warming Southern Oceans


Glaciers are melting at an unprecedented rate.

Breakup of the Larsen B Ice Shelf February 15,1998 - March 18, 1999
Sequence of images:
February 15, 1998
March 23, 1998
November 20, 1998
February 21, 1999
March 18, 1999
More information is here. Home for this site is here.


Water World


Thawing of the Permafrost will release methane into the atmosphere, perhaps triggering run-away climate change. Permafrost melt will causes overlying ground to collapse, forming thermokarst lakes and ponds, and thaw slumps.  If the dead plants frozen in permafrost thaw and decompose, as much as one seventh of the earth's carbon will be released which will greatly increase global warming.


Changes in ice coverage 1978 - 1986


Known Methane Hydrate Locations


Future Arctic (New York Times 24 Oct 2005)


World-wide thermohaline currents


Mechanism of Normal Thermohaline Flow


Reduced Thermohaline Flow Caused By Global Warming


Global Warming will Generate More Intense Storms (NASA Storm Pix are here). An Active 2004 Atlantic Hurricane Season Likely (NOAA)


Soil Moisture Anomalies for 2004 (More Anomaly Maps are Here)


Increased ocean an terrestrial temperatures are expected to increase cloud cover. More on cloud cover is here.


Change in Malaria Risk Assuming a 1.2˚ increase in Global Mean Temperature. Green areas are already at high risk and will not increase. Tropical Disease Reading

Global Warming will Change Ecosystem Structure, Biodiversity, and Stability.