http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20757152-30417,00.html
"CLIMATE change may occur more rapidly and with far greater effect than
expected.
The warning comes from Australian atmospheric researcher Barrie Pittock. He argues there are firm scientific grounds for suspecting the pace of climate change may be faster and its manifestations more extreme than presently thought.
Pittock is a scientist who should be respected. Twenty-five years ago he was
an influential figure in a group that persuaded the superpowers - the US and
Soviet Union - that the nuclear winter unleashed by atomic war would leave
no survivors. Thus, one of the first uses of climate modelling was to save
humanity.
Pittock lists the following reasons for believing the consensus on climate
change may understate its effect:
* Global dimming, which acts as a brake on global
warming, has been reducing.
* Permafrost is melting across huge areas, reducing
the albedo, or reflectivity, of the Earth's heat into space.
* There are signs that forests, soils and algae are becoming
sources rather than sinks for atmospheric carbon as climate
change stresses them.
* Arctic sea ice is retreating rapidly, also reducing the amount
of heat being returned to space.
* Ocean circulation changes are occurring in the mid to high latitudes
in ways that may have unpredictable effects on the climate.
* The ice cover of Antarctica and Greenland is shrinking, raising
sea levels and reducing heat loss.
* Tropical cyclones appear to be becoming more intense.
* The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation, one of the
Earth's main heat transport systems, has slowed. This
was not expected to occur for a century or more."
Note well the last effect. This could be very serious.
Greg
posted to ClimateConcern
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