Greenhouse effects: earth's climate in transition
Many experts are predicting significant change in the earth's climate during the next 50 years as theories of global warming gain broad acceptance in the scientific community. The consequences of accumulating greenhouse gases in the atmosphere may turn out to be the greatest environmental problem of modern times. One of the key uncertainties in projecting temperature change centers on the question of how much of the carbon dioxide (CO/sub 2/) released to the atmosphere will remain there. Scientists do not yet agree on how the CO/sub 2/ is apportioned among the plants and oceans, how much CO/sub 2/ these reservoirs can hold, or how long they can hold it. Climatologists link hundreds of mathematical equations and temperature measurements to develop their climate models, which are limited by their ability to predict regional changes accurately. There is no consensus on whether there is a need to focus on research or on developing an appropriate response. 12 references, 6 figures.
- OSTI ID:
- 5419691
- Journal Information:
- EPRI J.; (United States), Vol. 11:4
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
CARBON CYCLE
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
CARBON DIOXIDE
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
CLIMATES
GLOBAL ASPECTS
AIR-WATER INTERACTIONS
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT
TEMPERATURE MONITORING
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMISTRY
MONITORING
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
290300 - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
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