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How certain are scientists that humans are causing global climate change?
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
Temperature readings taken from around the world since 1850 prove that the global average temperature has risen by around 0.75 degrees Celsius, so there is no question that there has been a rise in average global temperatures.
Scientists proved in the nineteenth century that greenhouse gases are responsible for keeping the world some 30 degrees Celsius warmer than it otherwise would be. In 1896, Arrhenius completed a laborious numerical computation which suggested that cutting the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere by half could lower the temperature in Europe some 4-5°C (roughly 7-9°F) - that is, to an ice age level. Arrhenius made a calculation for doubling the CO2 in the atmosphere, and estimated it would raise the Earth's temperature some 5-6°C (averaged over all zones of latitude). His calculations did not take into account the effect of the oceans in ameliorating the effect of rising carbon dioxide levels, and in any case Arrhenius and other researchers were only interested in explaining the Ice Ages. No scientist at the time seriously believed that global warming was coming, but they had demonstrated that changes in carbon dioxide levels would cause global warming.
However, chemical analysis of the atmosphere has since shown that atmospheric CO2 concentrations have increased by some 35 per cent since the beginning of the Industrail Age, from the long-term average of 260-280 parts per million (PPM) to the present level of over 400 PPM. Scientists say that by burning fossil fuels, we are now releasing nearly 30 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, in addition to the emissions from cement manufacture and deforestation. Analysis of the proportions of atmospheric carbon isotopes C12, C13 and C14 also proves that most of the increased levels of atmospheric CO2 do come from fossil fuels.
Most climate scientists do believe that human activities have been a significant factor in global warming and consequent climate change.
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
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What natural factors do scientists think might be causing climate change?
There are no natural factors that scientists think are causing the present climate change. It is now clear that global warming is caused by deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas).
Do most scientists agree that there is conclusive evidence that carbon dioxide drives climate?
Yes, 97% of peer-reviewed climate scientists agree that there is conclusive proof that carbon dioxide is causing global warming, which is driving climate change.
What is man's role in global warming?
Humans are responsible for serious deforestation as well as the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas). Climate scientists agree that this is what is causing global warming and climate change.
Why do scientists think that climate is changing?
Scientists can measure that the global temperature is rising. They know that rising temperatures will change the climate. Weather happens from day to day, but climate change takes longer, several years, or several decades before it becomes clear that it is happening. That is the situation now. Scientists know that rising temperatures will change the climate.
Are humans causing climate change or is there something speeding up the process?
The vast majority of scientists accept that humans are causing climate change. The main contributors to climate change are the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. Both these activities were caused by us. We have increased the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and the natural result is that these capture more heat. There is nothing else involved except the sun's warmth which has remained constant all through.
What natural factors do scientists think might be causing climate change?
There are no natural factors that scientists think are causing the present climate change. It is now clear that global warming is caused by deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas).
Do most scientists agree that there is conclusive evidence that carbon dioxide drives climate?
Yes, 97% of peer-reviewed climate scientists agree that there is conclusive proof that carbon dioxide is causing global warming, which is driving climate change.
Can human activity change the climate?
Yes, the burning of fossil fuels for the past 200 years is accepted by most climate scientists as adding additional greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide) to the atmosphere. This is causing a global warming, which is making the climate change.
Why do climate scientists believe climate change is real and is of concern?
Climate scientists believe climate change is real and is of concern because they understand the science involved and the factors that contribute to the climate, what controls it, and what is happening that makes the climate change. They also see and understand how the climate is changing and why it is happening.
What are climate changes linked to?
Global warming is causing climate change.
What is man's role in global warming?
Humans are responsible for serious deforestation as well as the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas). Climate scientists agree that this is what is causing global warming and climate change.
Is there a single instrument to measure climate change?
No one instrument measures climate change. Scientists use data from thermometers, wind anemometers and many other instruments. Historical records are very important also. Scientists have measured changes in climate with certain environmental markers as tree rings, ice cores, and temperature monitoring stations.
Why did mammoths become exstinct?
Scientists do not know for certain why mammoths died out. Theories include climate change leading to habitat loss or overhunting from humans.
What does earth's shifting have to do with climate change?
Absolutely nothing. Climate change is a big scam put on by dumb scientists.
Why do scientists think that climate is changing?
Scientists can measure that the global temperature is rising. They know that rising temperatures will change the climate. Weather happens from day to day, but climate change takes longer, several years, or several decades before it becomes clear that it is happening. That is the situation now. Scientists know that rising temperatures will change the climate.
What type of scientist studies global warming?
Climate scientists and atmospheric scientists are the main experts studying global warming. There are many names for the different aspects of climate study.climatologist: scientists who study weather patterns and climate.meteorologist: scientists who study the weather and how it changes.oceanographers: scientists who study weather and climate based on what is happening in the world's oceans.biologists: scientists that study climate change based on how it is impacting animals.anthropologists: scientists who are studying people, and how climate change may affect our way of life as a civilized society
Are humans causing climate change or is there something speeding up the process?
The vast majority of scientists accept that humans are causing climate change. The main contributors to climate change are the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. Both these activities were caused by us. We have increased the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and the natural result is that these capture more heat. There is nothing else involved except the sun's warmth which has remained constant all through.
