Menu
28/07/2003
Met Office claims more links between man and climate change
Climate scientists at the Met Office claim to have found new evidence that humans are to blame for climate change, not only on the global level, but over individual continents as well.
Scientists from the Met Office's Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research have compared temperature rises since the beginning of the last century, over six continents, with simulations from climate models.
They believe that the effect of human-made greenhouse gases can be seen over the past few decades in every continent, including Europe, but is especially clear over North America, South America and Africa.
Dr Peter Stott, who leads the team at the Hadley Centre, said: "The continental warming of the past few decades cannot be explained by natural factors such as solar changes, volcanoes or natural variability.
"But once we factor in the effects of human activity, we find we can explain the warming that is observed. It is generally accepted that global-scale warming of the past few decades is largely due to emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. But now we have gone a step further and shown that the same thing is happening on the scale of continents."
Global average temperatures have risen by about 0.6 to 0.7 degrees centigrade over the last 100 years. Identifying the effect of human activity on the global scale is difficult due to the 'noise' of natural climate variability - on a continental scale the noise is even greater.
Dr Stott has used the Hadley Centre's climate model together with advanced 'optimal detection' analyses, to show that the effects of greenhouse gases from human activity, such as CO2 from fossil fuel burning, can be detected. He also showed that cooling from sulphate aerosols, small particles also generated from fossil fuel emissions, counteracts some of the greenhouse warming.
(GMcG)
Scientists from the Met Office's Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research have compared temperature rises since the beginning of the last century, over six continents, with simulations from climate models.
They believe that the effect of human-made greenhouse gases can be seen over the past few decades in every continent, including Europe, but is especially clear over North America, South America and Africa.
Dr Peter Stott, who leads the team at the Hadley Centre, said: "The continental warming of the past few decades cannot be explained by natural factors such as solar changes, volcanoes or natural variability.
"But once we factor in the effects of human activity, we find we can explain the warming that is observed. It is generally accepted that global-scale warming of the past few decades is largely due to emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. But now we have gone a step further and shown that the same thing is happening on the scale of continents."
Global average temperatures have risen by about 0.6 to 0.7 degrees centigrade over the last 100 years. Identifying the effect of human activity on the global scale is difficult due to the 'noise' of natural climate variability - on a continental scale the noise is even greater.
Dr Stott has used the Hadley Centre's climate model together with advanced 'optimal detection' analyses, to show that the effects of greenhouse gases from human activity, such as CO2 from fossil fuel burning, can be detected. He also showed that cooling from sulphate aerosols, small particles also generated from fossil fuel emissions, counteracts some of the greenhouse warming.
(GMcG)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 January 2005
Climate prediction study warns of higher temperature rises
Results from the world's largest climate prediction experiment have suggested that greenhouse gases could cause global temperatures to rise by more than double of previous forecasts. The experiment, climateprediction.net, warned that average temperatures could eventually rise by up to 11 degrees, even if carbon dioxide levels were limited.
Climate prediction study warns of higher temperature rises
Results from the world's largest climate prediction experiment have suggested that greenhouse gases could cause global temperatures to rise by more than double of previous forecasts. The experiment, climateprediction.net, warned that average temperatures could eventually rise by up to 11 degrees, even if carbon dioxide levels were limited.
14 November 2003
Temperature rise in North America due to 'human activity'
North America is already being affected by man-made global warming, a new study by a team of international scientists has claimed. The scientists, who include Dr Peter Stott of the Met Office in the UK, said that "human activity is to blame" for an increase in North American temperatures during the 20th century.
Temperature rise in North America due to 'human activity'
North America is already being affected by man-made global warming, a new study by a team of international scientists has claimed. The scientists, who include Dr Peter Stott of the Met Office in the UK, said that "human activity is to blame" for an increase in North American temperatures during the 20th century.
07 August 2003
Think-tank says alternative needed to 'flawed' Kyoto approach
The Kyoto approach is flawed and future international climate policy must use a radically different approach based on social justice and science, according to research published today by the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) think-tank.
Think-tank says alternative needed to 'flawed' Kyoto approach
The Kyoto approach is flawed and future international climate policy must use a radically different approach based on social justice and science, according to research published today by the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) think-tank.
28 October 2010
Defra Commits £100m To International Forestry Projects
The Government has committed £100 million to international forestry projects which provide specific benefits for biodiversity.
Defra Commits £100m To International Forestry Projects
The Government has committed £100 million to international forestry projects which provide specific benefits for biodiversity.
30 November 2009
Arctic Trip Highlights Global Warming
An expedition to the High Arctic has scored a world first. Aboard his boat, Caelan, to shoot material for a TV pilot on climate change, natural history producer and cameraman Brian Black, of Evergreen Media, has gone where no one has gone before - because of global warming.
Arctic Trip Highlights Global Warming
An expedition to the High Arctic has scored a world first. Aboard his boat, Caelan, to shoot material for a TV pilot on climate change, natural history producer and cameraman Brian Black, of Evergreen Media, has gone where no one has gone before - because of global warming.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
