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The dates are approximate. During this time, carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere increased due to the industrial revolution (coal, railroads, tree-cutting).
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In 1859, Tyndall discovers that certain gases blocked infrared radiation. He also suggested that changes in these gases could cause climate change.
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Second Industrial Revolution- use of fertilizers and other chemicals, electricity, and public health further accelerate temperature rise.
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Arrhenius publishes the first calculation of global warming due to human emissions of carbon dioxide gas.
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Goverments use industrial societies to their advantage.
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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.
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Military struggle during 1939-1945 caused by oil field control.
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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
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During the 1950s, the temperature increase was more noticeable, probably due to the increased use of inventions requiring fossil fuels.
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Plass calculates that adding CO2 to the atmosphere will have a significant effect on the radiation balance.
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Ewing and Donn offer a feedback model for quick ice age onset.
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Revelle finds that CO2 produced by humans will not be readily absorbed by the oceans.
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Calculations suggest that feedback with water vapor could make the climate very sensitive to changes in CO2 level.
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Studies suggest a possibility of the collapse of Antarctica ice sheets which would raise sea levels a lot.
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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.
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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.
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Astronauts walk on the moon and look at Earth as a fragile whole.
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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.
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Droughts in Africa, Ukraine, India cause world food crisis, spreading fears about climate change.
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The use of oil and its price increase starts the first "energy" crisis.
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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.
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Second oil "energy crisis." Strengthened environmental movement encourages renewable energy sources, inhibits nuclear energy growth.
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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.
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Toyota introduces Prius in Japan, first mass-market electric hybrid car; swift progress in large wind turbines and other energy alternatives.
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"Super El Niño" causes weather disasters and warmest year on record (approximately matched by 2005, 2007 and 2010). Borehole data confirm extraordinary warming trend.
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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. -
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.
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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.
