1. Introduction (Climate change)
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This article is from the Climate Change FAQ, by Jan Schloerer jan.schloerer@medizin.uni-ulm.de with numerous contributions by others.
1. Introduction (Climate change)
By outpouring greenhouse gases humankind has launched an experiment
of geologic proportions. Will this experiment, if countermeasures
worth mentioning are delayed for some more decades, cause serious
consequences during the next century ? Alas, there is no simple
yes-no-answer to this question. Climate, its natural vagaries,
and the long-term effects of rising greenhouse gas levels are only
partially understood. The shortest defensible answer I can think of,
a first approximation so to speak: it is roughly an even bet,
fifty-fifty. The longer greenhouse gas emissions go on uncurbed,
the worse the odds.
A nontechnical, by no means comprehensive outline of some of the basic
science behind this answer follows. Potential impacts and responses
are not addressed. Please note that this is not my field. I have
a fair idea of the broad picture, but I don't understand all the
technical niceties. I have attempted to sketch some basics in a way
which most readers with some interest in our planet's workings might
be able to understand.
Jan Schloerer
jan.schloerer@medizin.uni-ulm.de
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