How we know the global climate has changed
By zteve t evans
We know that the global climate has changed because of evidence from a number of factors that is taken and collated by scientists all around the world. Today, with orbiting satellites and other modern technological instruments and techniques it is now possible measure and record with accuracy how and where changes in climate have taken place in many different parts of the world on a daily basis. By various means this information is then put together to construct a meaningful insight into what is happening with the global climate
NASA point out that while it is known that the global climate has changed a number of times in the past these were caused by natural changes in the way the planet orbits the Sun resulting in changes to the solar energy levels received on Earth. With temperatures now rising at an exceptionally unparalleled rate over the last 1300 years they believe the present trend is caused by human activities.
NASA point out that while it is known that the global climate has changed a number of times in the past these were caused by natural changes in the way the planet orbits the Sun resulting in changes to the solar energy levels received on Earth. With temperatures now rising at an exceptionally unparalleled rate over the last 1300 years they believe the present trend is caused by human activities.
What evidence is used?
The UK Met Office say that all around the world temperatures are recorded from the planet surface, from the oceans and from the atmosphere every day. Rainfall patterns are also recorded around the globe daily. Evidence from changes in nature, the shrinking of glaciers and the diminishing ice sheets points to a rise in global temperature. This evidence shows that temperatures are increasing on the planet surface, in the atmosphere and in the seas and oceans. Global temperature records show that the planet’s temperature has risen by 0.75 Centigrade
Rainfall
Because data is now collected and collated from around the world it can be seen that rainfall patterns are changing all around the planet. The evidence shows that regions that had lots of rain were also getting wetter and dry regions were experiencing drier conditions. Furthermore changes were being observed in the seasons in different regions of the world. Evidence shows that the UK is receiving less summer rain but with increasing rainfall in winter.
Nature
With the spring beginning earlier in the UK and the autumn and winter starting later there is an extended growing season. Flora and fauna around the world is also impacted. For example in the UK, plants and trees are budding and flowering earlier, the earlier appearance of butterflies and patterns in the migration of birds are also being observed.
The UK Met Office say that all around the world temperatures are recorded from the planet surface, from the oceans and from the atmosphere every day. Rainfall patterns are also recorded around the globe daily. Evidence from changes in nature, the shrinking of glaciers and the diminishing ice sheets points to a rise in global temperature. This evidence shows that temperatures are increasing on the planet surface, in the atmosphere and in the seas and oceans. Global temperature records show that the planet’s temperature has risen by 0.75 Centigrade
Rainfall
Because data is now collected and collated from around the world it can be seen that rainfall patterns are changing all around the planet. The evidence shows that regions that had lots of rain were also getting wetter and dry regions were experiencing drier conditions. Furthermore changes were being observed in the seasons in different regions of the world. Evidence shows that the UK is receiving less summer rain but with increasing rainfall in winter.
Nature
With the spring beginning earlier in the UK and the autumn and winter starting later there is an extended growing season. Flora and fauna around the world is also impacted. For example in the UK, plants and trees are budding and flowering earlier, the earlier appearance of butterflies and patterns in the migration of birds are also being observed.
Rising sea-levels
Around the UK the sea-level has risen by around 10 cm since 1900 and globally the average is around 17 cm with evidence of the rate of rise increasing.
Disappearing ice worldwide
Glaciers in the Alps, Andes, Rockies, and Himalayas and in Alaska and Africa have receded. The Arctic has lost an area of sea-ice about the size Madagascar, over half a million square kilometres each decade since the late 1970s. Between them the ice-sheets of Antarctica and Greenland comprise of most of the Earth’s fresh water and are also known to be receding.
Reaching a conclusion
With satellites and the latest technology scientists from around the world are now able to compile information from around the world to construct a reasonably accurate picture of what is happening to the global climate system, and to begin to see how it will change things.
Perhaps more importantly ordinary people are beginning to experience global climate change in their own lives. The Inuit in Canada are witnessing the disappearance of the Arctic ice. People as far apart as Latin America and Asia are experiencing extremes in weather from droughts to floods and storms.
In Europe people see the glaciers melting, an increasing number of forest fires caused by hot, dry, weather conditions and increased extreme weather events throughout the year. So it is not just scientists who know the global climate is changing, but ordinary people around the world too who are experiencing it as it happens. © 12/10/2013 zteve t evans
Around the UK the sea-level has risen by around 10 cm since 1900 and globally the average is around 17 cm with evidence of the rate of rise increasing.
Disappearing ice worldwide
Glaciers in the Alps, Andes, Rockies, and Himalayas and in Alaska and Africa have receded. The Arctic has lost an area of sea-ice about the size Madagascar, over half a million square kilometres each decade since the late 1970s. Between them the ice-sheets of Antarctica and Greenland comprise of most of the Earth’s fresh water and are also known to be receding.
Reaching a conclusion
With satellites and the latest technology scientists from around the world are now able to compile information from around the world to construct a reasonably accurate picture of what is happening to the global climate system, and to begin to see how it will change things.
Perhaps more importantly ordinary people are beginning to experience global climate change in their own lives. The Inuit in Canada are witnessing the disappearance of the Arctic ice. People as far apart as Latin America and Asia are experiencing extremes in weather from droughts to floods and storms.
In Europe people see the glaciers melting, an increasing number of forest fires caused by hot, dry, weather conditions and increased extreme weather events throughout the year. So it is not just scientists who know the global climate is changing, but ordinary people around the world too who are experiencing it as it happens. © 12/10/2013 zteve t evans
Reference and Attributions
Copyright zteve t evans October 12, 2013
Copyright zteve t evans October 12, 2013
- NASA- Climate change: How do we know?
- Met Office - Climate Monitoring and Attribution
- NewScientist - Introduction: Climate Change