Earth’s hot past indicates much hotter future
January 16th, 2011 - 4:43 pm ICT by IANSWashington, Jan 16 (IANS) Earth’s hot past indicates a much hotter future than projected if the pace of greenhouse emissions continues unabated.The study warns that if CO2 emissions continue at their current rate through the end of this century, atmospheric concentrations will reach levels that existed about 30 million to 100 million years ago.
Building on recent research, National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) scientist Jeffrey Kiehl examined the link between global temperatures and high levels of CO2 tens of millions of years ago, reports the journal Science.
Global temperatures then averaged about 29 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius) above pre-industrial levels, according to an NCAR statement.
Kiehl said that global temperatures may take centuries or millennia to fully adjust in response to the higher carbon dioxide levels.
The study, based on recent computer model studies of geochemical processes, says elevated levels of CO2 may remain in the atmosphere for tens of thousands of years.
The study also indicates that the planet’s climate system, over long periods of times, may be at least twice as sensitive to CO2 as currently projected by computer models, which have generally focused on shorter-term warming trends.
The work was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), NCAR’s sponsor.
- Earth's hot past points to drastic global warming - Jan 14, 2011
- Switching to natural gas won't slow climate change - Sep 09, 2011
- 2050 climate conditions crucial to harmful impacts in 2100 - Jan 12, 2010
- Climate changes will be rapid if warming continues - Dec 09, 2011
- Earth can recover faster from CO2 emissions - Apr 22, 2011
- Carbon emissions speed up ocean acidification - Jan 23, 2012
- Global warming might reduce if nations cut greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent - Apr 15, 2009
- Ancient fossils hold clues for predicting future climate change - Apr 09, 2011
- Scrubbing CO2 from air could be a long-term commitment - Jul 02, 2010
- Slow changes to Earth systems can amplify global warming - Dec 21, 2009
- Changes in population growth and composition influence climate change - Oct 12, 2010
- Halting greenhouse gas emissions would still make Earth warmer - Feb 16, 2011
- Sea levels to rise upto 70 cm by 2100 - Aug 25, 2010
- Emission pledges not enough to avoid worst consequences of global warming: UN report - Nov 24, 2010
- Shrinking snow and ice cover 'making global warming worse' - Jan 19, 2011
Tags: 100 million years, 30 million, atmospheric concentrations, carbon dioxide levels, climate system, co2 emissions, computer model, computer models, current rate, geochemical processes, global temperatures, greenhouse emissions, journal science, kiehl, long periods, model studies, national center for atmospheric research, national science foundation, recent computer, warming trends