Climate change 2007: The Physical Science Basis summary

    This article released from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change  discusses the effects we are having on the earths atmosphere and what the impacts on the earth will be if we continue emitting greenhouse gasses like we are. The atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide have increased significantly since the pre-industrial era. This increase in greenhouse gasses was predicted to cause a global increase in temperature. We now have evidence that this is true and climate change has already begun. Since 1961 global surface and ocean temperatures have increased along with an increase in the average atmospheric water vapour content which is due to the fact that warm air can hold more moisture than cold air. Glaciers, ice sheets  and snow cover has decreased significantly and is contributing to the rise in sea level. Changes in weather patterns along with more severe weather has also been observed and can be attributed to climate change. It is predicted that heat waves and  heavy precipitation events will increase along with both the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones. Even if we were to hold greenhouse gasses at a consistent level we would still see an increase in global temperature  between 1.8 Celsius and 4.0 Celsius. This means that we have already done irreparable damage however the longer we continue with rising greenhouse gasses the worse this problem is going to get. Therefore from both environmental and economic standpoints it would be best to take action immediately.