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Climate change is usually used as a synonym for global warming, but encompasses wider effects, most of which are probably the result of global warming.

Over the past two decades, three independent groups have used varying statistical methods and yet arrived at nearly identical conclusion that the planet's surface, on average, has warmed about 0.75 degree since the beginning of the twentieth century. The evidence is now so overwhelming that climate scientists are no longer in doubt that global warming and climate change are occurring, and that this is the result of human activity. Even opponents of climate science are beginning to accept the facts of global warming. Richard Muller, a Physics Professor and longtime critic of climate studies, set out with a team of physicists and statisticians to challenge the scientific consensus on global warming but is producing results nearly identical to those underlying the prevailing view.

There is a close correlation between the rise in average global temperatures and the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, and scientists are confident that it is these greenhouse gas concentrations, particularly carbon dioxide levels, that are causing global warming.

There are two means by which carbon dioxide concentrations can increase significantly in the atmosphere: reduce the amount of carbon sequestered in organic matter, particularly trees, or burn coal and oil. In both cases, human activity is the root cause - we cut down forests for farming, and we burn coal and oil for electricity generation and transport.

Methane is present in the atmosphere in much smaller concentrations than carbon dioxide, but is a potent greenhouse gas. It is produced by some industrial activity, but principally exhaled by sheep and cattle as they burp. Fortunately, methane is not a long-lived gas in the atmosphere.

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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.


Who discovered climate change?

The concept of climate change can be attributed to various scientists over time, but the modern understanding began to take shape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with researchers such as Svante Arrhenius, who proposed the greenhouse effect theory. The recognition of human activities as a major cause of climate change gained momentum in the late 20th century with the work of scientists like James Hansen and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).


Many scientists believe the greenhouses gases?

Many scientists believe that the greenhouses gases have contributed to the climate change due to increased concentrations of the gases in the atmosphere courtesy of human activities such as deforestation, and through fossil fuels.


What are the major causes of surface water and groundwater depletion?

The major causes of surface water depletion include over-extraction for agriculture, industry, and domestic use, as well as climate change affecting precipitation patterns. Groundwater depletion is primarily caused by excessive pumping for irrigation, urban development, and industrial activities, leading to aquifer depletion and land subsidence.


Is global warming or the sun's cycle or the milankovitch theory or the asteroid impact considered an effect on climate change?

Scientists conclude that the main factor in climate change is the present global warming from the burning of fossil fuels(coal, oil and natural gas) and deforestation (cutting down trees which previously removed carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere).

Related Questions

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.


Do scientists think people affect climate change?

Yes climate scientists think that people are affecting climate change mostly from carbon emissions (from burning fossil fuels) and because we have destroyed the forests of the world that used to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.


What are major causes of desertification?

drought, desforestation, salinization, overgrazzing, climate change, and over use of land.Hope this helped! :)go green


Does Hillary Clinton believe in climate change?

Yes. Clinton has listed "climate change" as a major issue on her 2016 campaign web site. She calls climate change an "urgent threat".


Who discovered climate change?

The concept of climate change can be attributed to various scientists over time, but the modern understanding began to take shape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with researchers such as Svante Arrhenius, who proposed the greenhouse effect theory. The recognition of human activities as a major cause of climate change gained momentum in the late 20th century with the work of scientists like James Hansen and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).


What is the major concern of the Green Party?

The Environment and Climate Change.


What are the major type of physical and biological evidence for climate change?

bob


Why is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change so concerned about the emission of CO2?

As atmospheric CO2 is considered the major cause of climate change it is only natural that the Panel on Climate Change should be concerned with processes that affect it.


Do all scientist agree that global climate change will happen rapidly?

There is most certainly NOT consensus amoung scientists about the speed of global climate change - nor is there even consensus as to what would constitute a sufficient change to be considered a "global climate change". How much melting of ice caps is necessary before it is considered a major change? How much change in average temperature? 0.5 °F? 1 °F? 2 °F? 10 °F? Over what length of time do you average? 5 years? 10 years? 100 years? some models suggest a shift over 10 years. Others suggest a change taking more than 100 years.


What is the major cause of dying forests in Germany?

Climate change is the major cause of dying forests in Germany.


What were the major causes of the development of agricultural?

The major causes of the development of agriculture include climate change leading to the end of the last Ice Age, which forced humans to settle in one place; population growth, which created a need for reliable food sources; and experimentation with wild plants that led to the domestication of crops.


Many scientists believe the greenhouses gases?

Many scientists believe that the greenhouses gases have contributed to the climate change due to increased concentrations of the gases in the atmosphere courtesy of human activities such as deforestation, and through fossil fuels.