Global climate change: The dangers are real
A series of carefully reviewed scientific assessments over the past decade have all concluded that substantial global warming is likely to occur in the absence of policies to limit emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The most recent report of the National Academy of Sciences concluded that [open quotes]despite the great uncertainties, greenhouse warming is a potential threat sufficient to justify action now.[close quotes] Following this advice, the Clinton Administrations's Climate Change Action Plan released last October sets forth a plan designed to return greenhouse gas emissions to their 1990 levels by the year 2000. In this article the author attempts to set out the fundamental understanding of the global climate system that has been synthesized in scientific assessments over the past 15 years, starting with the 1979 report by the National Academy of Sciences, and continuing through the reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1990 and 1992. The author makes reference to papers published in the refereed journals only when needed to supplement these assessments, or to respond directly to challenges by the skeptics. Decision makers should, however, read the original reports for themselves rather than rely on this or any other secondary source of information.
- OSTI ID:
- 7207708
- Journal Information:
- Electricity Journal; (United States), Vol. 7:1; ISSN 1040-6190
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
POLICY AND ECONOMY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CARBON DIOXIDE
EMISSION
CLIMATIC CHANGE
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
GREENHOUSE GASES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
290300* - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety
540120 - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)