Climate Change and Carbon Dioxide: Geological Perspective. Issue 3 (June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Priem, Harry N.A.
• Is Part Of: Energy & environment. Volume 24:Issue 3/4(2013)
• Page Start: 361
• Page End: 380
• Publication Date: 2013-06
• Subjects: Power resources -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Energy policy -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Ressources énergétiques; Politique énergétique; Energy policy -- Environmental aspects; Power resources; Power resources -- Environmental aspects; Renewable energy sources; Periodicals; 333.7
• DOI: 10.1260/0958-305X.24.3-4.361
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0958-305X

Abstract

The climate history of the Earth is a history of continuous change. Through geological time the average global temperature remained always within the constraints set by the presence of abundant liquid water, while the atmospheric CO2 concentration varied strongly. Its 30% rise since the beginning of the 20 th century can, at least partly, be attributed to human activities. According to the 'general circulation models' (GCMs) used by the IPCC the ongoing rise in atmospheric CO2 concentration will lead to significant global warming. However, in these GCMs the (small) net CO2 forcing is amplified by strong positive feedbacks, particularly from water vapour and clouds. Real world observations and data of the geologic past do not support the role of CO2 as the principal climate regulator.