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Svante Arrhenius proposed that increasing carbon dioxide could increase earth's temperature back in the late 19th century, well over a hundred years ago. He had no way to prove this, beyond noting that CO2 was a heat trapping (greenhouse) gas.

By the 1950s many scientists began growing concerned about the possibility mankind was unalterably changing his environment, and more precise CO2 monitoring stations were placed in areas around the globe where a careful record of "thoroughly mixed" CO2 could be made. The oldest of these monitoring stations is in Hawaii, and it is sufficiently precise we can detect seasonal variations in CO2 attributable to changing biomass in the northern hemisphere.

We also know humans are currently releasing 40 billion tons of CO2 into the atmosphere each year, and that this gas accumulates. There are no known natural processes removing it as fast as we are emitting it. We have also measured a steady decrease in the ratio of C14 to C12, which indicates the source of the additional atmospheric CO2 is not natural. This decreasing ratio is explained by our consumption of depleted fossil carbon (coal and oil).

Scientists are convinced humans are the primary cause of current global warming, and have been so convinced for well over a decade. Among climate scientists this consensus has grown to exceed 97%.

Scientists predict temperature increases will increase ocean levels, and this prediction has largely been born out. In addition, we can expect many places to experience prolonged periods of drought, while a few areas may receive extra rainfall. Temperate species are expected to increase their range or simply migrate to higher latitudes, while extinction is anticipated for more sessile species. Tropical diseases are expected to achieve wider distribution, and instances of flooding should increase, particularly in lower lying coastal areas.

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How are gray wolves affected by global warming?

Wolves, as far as we know, are not affected by global warming.


Why are scientists worried about global warming?

Scientists are worried about global warming because not only will it affect people but it will affect everything on the earth. They know that the rate of global warming is increasing, and that this will inevitably have serious consequences for the environment and our economies. Their concern is for science to be taken seriously by politicians and business leaders, so that solutions can be put in place in time to avoid catastrophic effects.


Was there global warming 100 years ago?

We know know that global warming began in the Industrial Revolution, more than 200 years ago, when we began to burn fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) and release their age-old reserves of carbon dioxide. One hundred years ago scientists were just beginning to think something was happening. Svante Arrhenius (1859-1927), a Swedish scientist developed what is now know as the 'greenhouse gas law' in 1896.


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.


Why do some people think that global warming has nothing to do with human activities?

I believe that some people misunderstand the science and this misunderstanding leads them to believe that trained research scientists must be wrong in their conclusions. In other cases, I believe that some people simply do not want to know that global warming is caused by human activities. Imagine for example someone who thinks that his job could be at risk if we try to prevent any further global warming: such a person would very probably deny the reality of global warming.

Related Questions

How is Hurricane Katrina related to global warming?

No single weather event can be attributed with certainty to global warming. All climate scientists can say is that the icreased intensity of hurricanes and tornado events is consistent with predictions about global warming. Scientists simply do not know whether global warming influenced the intensity or duration of Hurricane Katrina.


How may kids know the causes of global warming?

Kids may know the causes of global warming because:they read and understandthey may have learnt the causes at schoolthey follow news reportsthey are the scientists of the futurethey know they will be part of the future


Is the planet Earth going to recover from global warming?

It is impossible to say. Some scientists think it is already too late to stop 2 degrees Celsius of warming, which will cause colossal damage to us and the environment as we know it now.


Why are you deluded into believing that global warming is a fact and is happening as you speak?

Hmmm... that question poses a bit of a bias. But ultimately as Joe Citizen, I don't know anything, so I have to turn to scientists to investigate and answer these kinds of questions. And 90% of climate scientists agree: global warming is real.


How did bubal hartbeests become extinct?

maybe it's because it's global warming. scientists dont know why they became extinct


How are gray wolves affected by global warming?

Wolves, as far as we know, are not affected by global warming.


How do scientists know that global warming is occurring?

There are accurate measurements of temperature every day, all round the world. Scientists can see that temperatures are rising. They can measure ice melting, and sea levels rising. This is how they know.


What year will global warming stop?

2012 we really don't know when global warming will stop but we hope soon


What is Global Warming and how it related to Human Rights?

Global Warming is the increase in the temperature of earth. It is a human right to know about it.


What should people know about global warming?

How to STOP IT.


Why are scientists worried about global warming?

Scientists are worried about global warming because not only will it affect people but it will affect everything on the earth. They know that the rate of global warming is increasing, and that this will inevitably have serious consequences for the environment and our economies. Their concern is for science to be taken seriously by politicians and business leaders, so that solutions can be put in place in time to avoid catastrophic effects.


How many people think global warming is true?

The students in India studying in schools are widely aware of the effects and causes of global warming. The schools give them a lot of knowledge about global warming. Some schools have started performing activities to inform other people about global warming.One. My kid. She knows the TRUTH about global warming. All the other kids are being indoctrinated by the public schools.Me! Well, I'm thirteen right now and I know about it because my mom told me but, NEVER HAS THE SCHOOL TAUGHT ME ANYTHING ABOUT IT!That's a lot of kids I suppose.