Climate change
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[edit] Climate Change
Climate Change refers to the result of human activities, especially the buildup of Greenhouse Gases, such as carbon dioxide and nitric oxide, which result from the consumption of fossil fuels for heating, travel, and the production of chemicals and plastics. This has also been referred to as Global Warming - the buildup of the average heat of the atmosphere and the oceans over time, although Climate Change is a more comprehensive description because it may result in the cooling of some regions and the warming of others, as well as increases in the frequency of storms, the melting of glaciers, and the rise of ocean levels.
[edit] Uncertainty of theory
There are many aspects of the science of global warming that have created doubt as to the degree, causation, manifestation or severity of the phenomenon. For example the general hypothesis that global warming is caused by human activity (anthropogenic) was often called into question due to the fact that the earth is still leaving an ice age, which takes many millennia. Some have questioned the validity of the statistical methodology used for one of findings supporting the idea that global temperatures are increasing geometrically. Further, the possible ramifications of global warming are highly uncertain, for example the melting of ice may not cause sea levels to increase as much as has been reported for several reasons. Some have argued that increased levels of atmospheric CO2 may enhance plant growth.
[edit] IPCC Report
Many scientists have evaluated numerous possible signs that global warming is occurring. Some results have been inconclusive, flawed, or based upon sloppy scientific technique. However, many different scientists, using many different methods for measurement, in many different countries have come to a consensus that it is "very likely" that climate change caused by humans is occurring. This conclusion was collated by the Intergovernment Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was most recently updated and summarized in November, 2007.
[edit] Current and Future Effects of Climate Change
While many scientists continue to evaluate and refine the studies that have been done to date, others are now working to predict the possible effects of climate change. The scientific challenge of determining that climate change is likely has been a great challenge. Predicting the future is an even greater challenge for scientists. However, while scientists cannot accurately predict precise outcomes, they have presented reasonable hypotheses as to what may occur. In some cases, the uncertainty is around timing and magnitude. Other uncertainties include the degree to which our responses affect the progress. Further, compounded impacts (several unrelated effects interacting with each other to amplify, or mitigate) create further uncertainty.
