Greenhouse gases: Changing the global climate

Conference · Fri Sep 01 04:00:00 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., CA (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/DP
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5415164
• Report Number(s): UCRL-101837; CONF-8908182--1; ON: DE90002788
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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