Symptoms and driving factors of contemporary Earth warming and projections for the future
Journal Title: Papers on Global Change IGBP - Year 2016, Vol 23, Issue 23
Abstract
This paper outlines the symptoms of contemporary global warming, reviews its possible driving factors and presents some projections for future. Key among the symptoms are those related to temperature, with the increase in average global temperature since 1880 now reaching a value of 0.85°C. While warming has encompassed almost the whole world, the high latitudes have warmed more than the low, and maximum temperature has increased more than average temperature. Warming has been causing sea level rise, thanks to both the thermal expansion of warming water and the melting of ice on land. The other consequence of warming is a change in precipitation pattern, manifesting itself in higher precipitation in certain parts of the world (generally at low and high latitudes), but also lower precipitation in other parts (mainly the Tropics); as well as in changes in the intraannual course characterising precipitation (with more falling in winter and less in summer), and in the frequency and intensity of rainfall (more intense heavy-precipitation events and higher variability where the frequency of precipitation is concerned). Among the possible driving factors, the most important are those related to the increase of CO2 and mixing ratios of other greenhouse gases in the troposphere. Land-use changes and emissions of aerosols to the atmosphere also exert a major impact on temperature. These are mainly anthropogenic factors. While natural drivers also modulate the climate markedly, they tend to warm and cool the globe alternately, stepping up warming when they are in a warming phase, but slowing down or even offsetting warming during a cooling phase.
Authors and Affiliations
Joanna Wibig
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP350841
- DOI 10.1515/igbp-2016-0004
- Views 130
- Downloads 0
Forecast changes of heat and cool stress in Warsaw in 21st century and their possible influence on mortality risk
This paper presents the results of research dealing with forecast changes in the frequency of occurrence of heat and cold stress in Warsaw (Poland) in the years 2001–2100, and the possible influence these may exert on mo...
Walthère Victor Spring – a forerunner in the study of the greenhouse effect
In 1886, an article by Walthère Spring and Léon Roland, two scientists from the University of Liège, dealing with the carbon dioxide content in the atmosphere in Liège appeared in the “Mẻmoires” of the Royal Academy of B...
Climate change – Is it worse than expected?
A review of fi ndings contained in the IPCC AR5 Synthesis Report, of particular relevance to the Polish audience, is offered. Polish perspectives on coal-climate nexus are discussed in a broader, universal, context. Posi...
Streamflow Changes in Mesoscale Lowland Catchment under Future Climate Conditions
The objective of this study was to investigate the performance of streamflow in a lowland mesoscale catchment in Poland under current and future climate conditions. Simulations of hypothetical streamflow in the future cl...
Look at Global Climate Change through Papal Encyclicals
The aim of this article is a comprehensive review of Papal Encyclicals in the context of global environmental and climatic change, against the backdrop of the activity of multinational institutions. The Encyclicals look...