NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its new \u201cState of the Climate 2009\u201d report on July 28.\u00a0 This report should remove any remaining doubt that climate change is happening now, continues to happen, and that human activity is the cause of it.\u00a0 It describes 10 indicators as proof.\u00a0 The report is free and anyone can download it.\u00a0 (Click the link above).\u00a0 From NOAA:<\/p>\n
The 2009 State of the Climate report … draws on data for 10 key climate indicators that all point to the same finding: the scientific evidence that our world is warming is unmistakable. More than 300 scientists from 160 research groups in 48 countries contributed to the report, which confirms that the past decade was the warmest on record and that the Earth has been growing warmer over the last 50 years.<\/p>\n
Graphic provided by NOAA<\/p>\n
Based on comprehensive data from multiple sources, the report defines 10 measurable planet-wide features used to gauge global temperature changes. The relative movement of each of these indicators proves consistent with a warming world. Seven indicators are rising: air temperature over land, sea-surface temperature, air temperature over oceans, sea level, ocean heat, humidity and tropospheric temperature in the \u201cactive-weather\u201d layer of the atmosphere closest to the Earth\u2019s surface. Three indicators are declining: Arctic sea ice, glaciers and spring snow cover in the Northern hemisphere.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the first time, and in a single compelling comparison, the analysis brings together multiple observational records from the top of the atmosphere to the depths of the ocean,\u201d said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. \u201cThe records come from many institutions worldwide. They use data collected from diverse sources, including satellites, weather balloons, weather stations, ships, buoys and field surveys. These independently produced lines of evidence all point to the same conclusion: our planet is warming,\u201d<\/p>\n
The report emphasizes that human society has developed for thousands of years under one climatic state, and now a new set of climatic conditions are taking shape. These conditions are consistently warmer, and some areas are likely to see more extreme events like severe drought, torrential rain and violent storms.<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite the variability caused by short-term changes, the analysis conducted for this report illustrates why we are so confident the world is warming,\u201d said Peter Stott, Ph.D., contributor to the report and head of Climate Monitoring and Attribution of the United Kingdom Met Office Hadley Centre. \u201cWhen we look at air temperature and other indicators of climate, we see highs and lows in the data from year [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its new \u201cState of the Climate 2009\u201d report on July 28.\u00a0 This report should remove any remaining doubt that climate change is happening now, continues to happen, and that human activity is … Continue reading