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Period: to
Carbon Dioxide
The dates are approximate. During this time, carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere increased due to the industrial revolution (coal, railroads, tree-cutting). -
DIscovery by Tyndall
In 1859, Tyndall discovers that certain gases blocked infrared radiation. He also suggested that changes in these gases could cause climate change. -
Period: to
Second industrial revolution
Second Industrial Revolution- use of fertilizers and other chemicals, electricity, and public health further accelerate temperature rise. -
Calculations of CO2-Arrhenius
Arrhenius publishes the first calculation of global warming due to human emissions of carbon dioxide gas. -
World War I
Goverments use industrial societies to their advantage. -
Climate change cycles
During the 1930s, people propose climate change cycles in relation to the Ice Ages. The global warming trend since the late 19th century is reported. -
World War II
Military struggle during 1939-1945 caused by oil field control. -
Research
In 1945, the Office of Naval Research begins generous funding of many fields of science, some of which happen to be useful for understanding climate change -
noticeable temperature increase
During the 1950s, the temperature increase was more noticeable, probably due to the increased use of inventions requiring fossil fuels. -
Radiation discovery
Plass calculates that adding CO2 to the atmosphere will have a significant effect on the radiation balance. -
Models of climate change
Ewing and Donn offer a feedback model for quick ice age onset. -
CO2 problem
Revelle finds that CO2 produced by humans will not be readily absorbed by the oceans. -
The role of water
Calculations suggest that feedback with water vapor could make the climate very sensitive to changes in CO2 level. -
Antarctica ice sheets
Studies suggest a possibility of the collapse of Antarctica ice sheets which would raise sea levels a lot. -
Possibiliies of shifts
Boulder, Colo. meeting on causes of climate change: Lorenz and others point out the chaotic nature of climate system and the possibility of sudden shifts. -
more data and calculation
The International Atmospheric Research Program is established for gathering data for short-term and climate forecasts. Also, Manabe and Wetherald make a convincing calculation that doubling CO2 would raise world temperatures a couple of degrees. -
Moon view
Astronauts walk on the moon and look at Earth as a fragile whole. -
Earth Day and awareness
The First Earth Day was held in 1970. This environmental movement attained strong influence, spread concern about global deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water and soil; the destruction of ecosystems. -
World problems
Droughts in Africa, Ukraine, India cause world food crisis, spreading fears about climate change. -
Energy
The use of oil and its price increase starts the first "energy" crisis. -
worry
Serious droughts since 1972 increase concern about climate, with cooling from aerosols suspected to be as likely as warming; but scientists are doubtful as journalists talk of a new ice age. Deforestation and other ecosystem changes are recognized as major factors in the future of the climate. Scientific opinion tends to be on global warming, not cooling, as the chief climate risk in next century. -
developments in energy sources
Second oil "energy crisis." Strengthened environmental movement encourages renewable energy sources, inhibits nuclear energy growth. -
government influence
Election of Reagan brings backlash against environmental movement to power. Political conservatism is linked to skepticism about global warming. The research linked to this requires money that the government doesn't find worth it. -
Energy alternatives
Toyota introduces Prius in Japan, first mass-market electric hybrid car; swift progress in large wind turbines and other energy alternatives. -
Warm weather
"Super El Niño" causes weather disasters and warmest year on record (approximately matched by 2005, 2007 and 2010). Borehole data confirm extraordinary warming trend. -
The view of scientists and experts
Many experts warn that global warming is arriving at a faster and more dangerous pace than anticipated just a few years earlier.
Excerpts from stolen e-mails of climate scientists fuel public skepticism.
Copenhagen conference fails to negotiate binding agreements: end of hopes of avoiding dangerous future climate change.
Level of CO2 in the atmosphere reaches 385 ppm.
Mean global temperature (five-year average) is 14.5°C, the warmest in hundreds and probably thousands of years. -
Now
The current situation of global warming is only getting worse. People refuse to believe the facts and continue polluting the environment; it is almost beyond repair. Our planet Earth is constantly increasing in temperature along with ozone depletion. The ozone layer protects the Earth from the ultraviolet rays sent down by the sun. If the ozone layer is depleted by human action, the effects on the planet could be catastrophic. -
THE FUTURE
The future in front of us includes drastic climate changes and therefore adaption is required. Because of the increase in UV rays, cancer rates will also increase. WE must find an alternate source of energy that won't harm the beautiful environment of our Earth.
