10 key indicators of a human fingerprint on climate change below, with links to the science behind them.
The science is firm that global warming is happening. Even so-called “climate skeptics” are realizing this. We have discussed many times on Planetsave how humans cause global warming and the main effects and causes of global warming, but with so many people still confused or unaware, when someone comes out with an excellent visual AND science-backed explanation of how human actions are causing global warming, it is a crime not to share.
–> Highly recommended: What is Causing Global Warming?
Global warming expert John Cook of Skeptical Science has just done that. A recent post of his, 10 Indicators of a Human Fingerprint on Climate Change, is where I got the visual above. To go with that visual, here are 10 science-backed explanations of those 10 indicators:
- Humans are currently emitting around 30 billion tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere every year (CDIAC). Of course, it could be coincidence that CO2 levels are rising so sharply at the same time so let’s look at more evidence that we’re responsible for the rise in CO2 levels.
- When we measure the type of carbon accumulating in the atmosphere, we observe more of the type of carbon that comes from fossil fuels (Manning 2006).
- This is corroborated by measurements of oxygen in the atmosphere. Oxygen levels are falling in line with the amount of carbon dioxide rising, just as you’d expect from fossil fuel burning which takes oxygen out of the air to create carbon dioxide (Manning 2006).
- Further independent evidence that humans are raising CO2 levels comes from measurements of carbon found in coral records going back several centuries. These find a recent sharp rise in the type of carbon that comes from fossil fuels (Pelejero 2005).
- So we know humans are raising CO2 levels. What’s the effect? Satellites measure less heat escaping out to space, at the particular wavelengths that CO2 absorbs heat, thus finding “direct experimental evidence for a significant increase in the Earth’s greenhouse effect”. (Harries 2001, Griggs 2004, Chen 2007).
- If less heat is escaping to space, where is it going? Back to the Earth’s surface. Surface measurements confirm this, observing more downward infrared radiation (Philipona 2004,Wang 2009). A closer look at the downward radiation finds more heat returning at CO2 wavelengths, leading to the conclusion that “this experimental data should effectively end the argument by skeptics that no experimental evidence exists for the connection between greenhouse gas increases in the atmosphere and global warming.” (Evans 2006).
- If an increased greenhouse effect is causing global warming, we should see certain patterns in the warming. For example, the planet should warm faster at night than during the day. This is indeed being observed (Braganza 2004, Alexander 2006).
- Another distinctive pattern of greenhouse warming is cooling in the upper atmosphere, otherwise known as the stratosphere. This is exactly what’s happening (Jones 2003).
- With the lower atmosphere (the troposphere) warming and the upper atmosphere (the stratosphere) cooling, another consequence is the boundary between the troposphere and stratosphere, otherwise known as the tropopause, should rise as a consequence of greenhouse warming. This has been observed (Santer 2003).
- An even higher layer of the atmosphere, the ionosphere, is expected to cool and contract in response to greenhouse warming. This has been observed by satellites (Laštovi?ka 2006).
The science on this matter is clear, and with regards to science and climate change science, Cook summarizes things so well here again that I think it’s pointless to do anything but repost his summary comments:
Science isn’t a house of cards, ready to topple if you remove one line of evidence. Instead, it’s like a jigsaw puzzle. As the body of evidence builds, we get a clearer picture of what’s driving our climate. We now have many lines of evidence all pointing to a single, consistent answer – the main driver of global warming is rising carbon dioxide levels from our fossil fuel burning.
There it is. Along with his 119 one-liners for disputing a climate denier’s claims, here is another great summary of the topics and the scientific conclusions.
Image Credit: John Cook/Skeptical Science
“this experimental data should effectively end the argument by skeptics that no experimental evidence exists for the connection between greenhouse gas increases in the atmosphere and global warming.” (Evans 2006).
is CO2 the only factor in the amount of heat being released? There’s a logical leap there.
Besides, that’s not an experiment, it’s an observation.
“this experimental data should effectively end the argument by skeptics that no experimental evidence exists for the connection between greenhouse gas increases in the atmosphere and global warming.” (Evans 2006).
is CO2 the only factor in the amount of heat being released? There’s a logical leap there.
Besides, that’s not an experiment, it’s an observation.
Skepticalscience and youtube… yeah seems legit. Why should we believe a website whose title knowingly admits it’s entire purpose is to prove one side of the issue? They should be ashamed for making a mockery of real science.
Using your logic, then don’t we ignore the UN panel on climate change? Their entire purpose is to promote only one side of the issue! You just happen to prefer one side of the issue over the other!
It’s always amusing when someone attacks someone else’s source as ‘biased’….. by pointing to their own preferred biased source!
It’s no less biased just because you happen to agree with it!
No, the IPCC’s purpose is to present the science. It’s not an activist organization. It’s an association of thousands of scientists who are presenting a summary of the latest science.
In other words, by using the scientific method very rigorously, this is the unbiased POV.
Skepticalscience and youtube… yeah seems legit. Why should we believe a website whose title knowingly admits it’s entire purpose is to prove one side of the issue? They should be ashamed for making a mockery of real science.
Using your logic, then don’t we ignore the UN panel on climate change? Their entire purpose is to promote only one side of the issue!
You just happen to prefer one side of the issue over the other!
No, the IPCC’s purpose is to present the science. It’s not an activist organization. It’s an association of thousands of scientists who are presenting a summary of the latest science.
In other words, by using the scientific method very rigorously, this is the unbiased POV.
Zachary is retarded…
In the past decade, CO2 is up 30% yet there has been no change in average world temperature…
The science is too shaky to be trying to impact the economy and peoples’ lives till we are more certain.
LOL. you are playing on a completely false premise.
For global records, 2010 is the hottest year on record, tied with 2005. http://www.skepticalscience.com/global-warming-stopped-in-1998.htm
June 2012 marked the 36th consecutive June and 328th consecutive month over the global temperature average for the 20th century. http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/
The world is very clearly warming. You have to try *Really* hard to not see that.
here’s another thing worth looking at: http://www.skepticalscience.com/graphics.php?g=47