CO/sub 2/ and Spaceship Earth
Atmospheric CO/sub 2/ concentrations have increased so rapidly since the start of the industrial revolution that the threat of climatic and economic disruptions may require limitations on future fossil-energy production. The greenhouse effect by which longwave radiation is absorbed by CO/sub 2/ and reradiated back to earth, will raise the earth's temperature. Other factors can be traced to a warming trend caused by an increase in nitrous oxides from agricultural activity and a cooling tendency as the added warmth increases evaporation and cloud formation. Several national and international studies of CO/sub 2/ effects are underway and legislation for further data and research has been proposed in Congress. While scientists agree that CO/sub 2/ levels are increasing, they disagree on the nature of the long-term effects on climate, crop production, deglaciation, and the impact of forest and other biological matter. Simulation models for projecting future conditions need to include transients to predict the effects of CO/sub 2/ level changes.
- OSTI ID:
- 6668366
- Journal Information:
- EPRI J.; (United States), Journal Name: EPRI J.; (United States) Vol. 3:6; ISSN EPRJD
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AGRICULTURE
ANALOG SYSTEMS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CLIMATES
CLOUD COVER
CROPS
ECONOMIC IMPACT
ENERGY TRANSFER
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
FORESTS
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
FUELS
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
GLOBAL ASPECTS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
HEAT TRANSFER
MONITORING
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POWER PLANTS
REFLECTION
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SIMULATORS
SOCIAL IMPACT
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
TEMPERATURE MONITORING
THERMAL POWER PLANTS