Greenhouse gases: Changing the global climate

Conference · Fri Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1989

OSTI ID:5415164

MacCracken, M. C.

The increasing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and other radiatively active gases will enhance the ability of the atmosphere to trap infrared radiation and thereby lead to warming of the climate. Numerical models suggest that the global average surface air temperature can be expected to increase a few degrees during the twenty-first century. This estimate is probably uncertain by a factor of at least two. The uncertainties in estimates of regional changes of temperature and precipitation are even greater. Despite these uncertainties, there is broad agreement that the persistence of such changes would be unprecedented in historical times. To moderate the projected climatic and environmental changes, the rate of emissions of greenhouse gases must be slowed while alternative energy technologies are developed. 31 refs., 1 tab.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/DP
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5415164
• Report Number(s): UCRL-101837; CONF-8908182-1; ON: DE90002788
• Resource Relation: Conference: 9. session of the international seminars on nuclear war, Erice (Italy), 19-24 Aug 1989
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR-WATER INTERACTIONS
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
CARBON DIOXIDE
CONCENTRATION RATIO
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
FORECASTING
AIR-BIOSPHERE INTERACTIONS
GLOBAL ASPECTS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
METHANE
NITROGEN OXIDES
TASK SCHEDULING
TRAPPING
ALKANES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
DATA PROCESSING
HYDROCARBONS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PROCESSING
540120* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)