What does the Earth's historical climate record say about the future of climate change?

Answer 1

The world's climate record shows gradual variations in temperature, including a number of ice ages, during the last several hundred thousand years. To us the most important change has occurred since the beginning of the Industrial Age, when average global temperatures began to rise at a faster rate than ever before.

Scientists have demonstrated a link between climate change and the emissions of greenhouse gases resulting from human activities such as burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas). They say that continuing to emit carbon dioxide and methane at the present rate, or on a rising trend, will result in dangerous climate change. They warn that the time to act is now, and that we must move decisively to reduce our greenhouse gas emission, to allow the rate of increase in average global temperatures to slow before it is too late.

Answer 2

As the global temperatures continue to rise, some changes to be expected in the future include:

1) continued melting of glacial and arctic ice

2) rising sea levels and flooding of low-lying coastal areas

3) displacement of millions of people who live in these areas (i.e., Bangladesh)

4) shifting of agricultural zones poleward in response to the warming climate (i.e., crops that favored SC might begin to favor DC)

5) spread of mosquito's and other pests that are not killed during the warmer winters

6) more severe weather and stronger hurricanes (i.e., Katrina-like storms more common in the future)

7) more drought in some areas and flooding rains in other areas

8) mass extinction of flora and fauna species that can't adapt to the changes in time

I'm a meteorologist who has studied this issue. These are a few changes in mind. HOWEVER, be aware that these things are possible but will not necessarily happen. The planet Earth is so vast and complex that no scientist can accurately predict any aspect of climate change . The best they can do , is make an educated guess. There is very litle likelihood that they can predict exact figures for changes in world temperature and world wide sea level for the next 20 or so years. Very long term climate estimates are very rarely correct. The media would have us believe these so called Climatologists are so clever they can read the future . There is a current trend by a few scientists, to scare people about global warming, but the figure they commonly quote, is a rise of about 0.2 degree every 10 years or so.

Answer 3

I'm a meteorologist and there's no doubt in my mind for anthropogenic global warming. The evidence is everywhere.

Some 'broadcast' meteorologists' are skeptics however. But the official statement from the American Meteorological Society (of which they are members most likely) has an official statement supporting human-caused global warming.