An increasing number of validated scientific papers, published since the last IPCC Assessment Report in 2007, shows that climate change is happening now, and that it is speedier than suggested only 2 years ago.
The evidence for this statement is from many areas. Some of the areas showing change are shown below.
-Multiple plants and animals, in widespread sites, are already showing evidence of climate change. Examples include the timing of plant flowering, animal breeding, and lake thawing.
-Warmer ocean surface temperatures in Pacific & Atlantic hurricane-formation zones leading to stronger storms are significantly linked to human-induced warming.
-Ocean acidification is occurring quickly, due to CO2 in massive amounts dissolving in salty water. This will have major impacts on marine ecosystems and subsequently food supplies for many countries.
-Probable sea-level rise over the next 100 years will be higher than that calculated in 2007. It will probably increase at least 100cm, based on newly released scientific studies.
-The accelerated melting of the ice sheet in Greenland that started in 2004 has been definitely linked to climate change.
-West Antarctica has melted at an accelerated rate since 1999 and has suffered 10 major ice shelf collapses since then. After an ice shelf collapses there is a rapid and marked acceleration of glacial flows, contributing to sea level increases.
-Sea-ice in the Arctic is disappearing much quicker than previously estimated, and it is almost a given that this area will be ice-free in summer within a few decades.
-Permafrost in the Arctic Circle is thawing much quicker than recently thought, and is releasing larger amounts of greenhouse gases than predicted.
The climate change that we are now witnessing is expected to continue for millennia, even after all anthropogenic carbon dioxide production stops. This is because of the major lags present in the climate system, and the slow removal of CO2 from the atmosphere.
Information:
Learn more at the world's greatest climate change blog, or learn more about accelerated sea level rise.
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