A Summary of the 2007 Climate Change Report

            It is no surprise that climate change damages economic growth. All over the world—as irregular patterns of weather wreak havoc on land development, agriculture, and natural landscapes—the issue is being pressed as a priority to ensure our survival as a species. In 2007, the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the following report on the effects of climate change, and the impact it might have for future generations.

            Global atmospheric conditions have risen significantly since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution. Due in part from increases in the burning of fossil fuels, land use, agriculture, etc., emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide have steadily risen in the past centuries. Unprecedented levels of CO2 (379 ppm in 2005 from 280 ppm in the pre-industrial era) have increased the effect of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The Earth is heating at an alarming rate. The combined radiative forcing due to the increase of these gases have reached the level of atmospheric conditions not seen for more than ten thousand years.

            The report outlines direct observations that are believed to be affected by anthropocentric practices which have contributed to global climate change: from 1995-2006, the warmest 12 years were recorded for global surface temperature; tropospheric warming as evidenced by the use of weather balloons; water vapor increase, an effect from warmer temperatures; snow melt and glacial retreat; warming of ocean to depths of 3000 metres below; changes in precipitation and ocean salinity; extreme wind patterns; extensive droughts, increased cold temperatures; warming of arctic permafrost; sea level rises from concurrent ice melts; and overall widespread changes in extreme temperatures—the list really does go on and on.

            The report is an invaluable outline of major changes occurring in the natural world. The data collected is extensive, backed up by empirical evidence through decades of observations from places all over the world. The predictions are conclusive with the growing changes and increases in temperature we see each year. Although there are some difficulties in extrapolating the data to predict trends further into the future, scientific models reinforce the overall trend as evidenced by the data collected by climatologists.

            The next two decades predict a rise in global temperatures of a range .2 degrees Celsius from the emission scenarios of current atmospheric levels. Even if it were possible to retain a rate of temperature increase to the minimum, the slow response of the oceans’ recovery will prove to be a problem for the future. We are already seeing the impacts man-made climate change is having on Earth. The predictions of future weather patterns are murky in how they will effect humanity and the species who inhabit the Earth. Past and future human transgressions will continue to contribute to carbon dioxide emissions, and it is only through time where we see how our practices affect and shape the Earth.

Critical Thinking: Given that projections of global climate change are not certain, should we act now? If not, how long should we wait?

It is imperative as a species that we act now and place our best efforts to stop the increasing problem of climate change. The evidence is all around us: everywhere around the world, more chaotic storms wreak havoc and decimate communities; of course, storms and natural disasters are not out of the norm, but the frequency in which they seem to be occurring are. The models that predict the outcome of current trends are only a blueprint for what might happen. Nevertheless, the data does seem to suggest that things are getting worse, not better. We must be prudent and enforce the precautionary principle—because even though there is a lack of scientific certainty to the degree of danger climate changes imposes on humanity, the danger is real and it should not be used as an excuse when there is a serious threat of irreversible damage.

Works Cited

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. “Summary for Policymkakers: Climate Change 
                        2007: The Physical Science Basis.” Sources: Selections in Environmental Studies. Ed. 
                        Thomas Easton. United States, 2014. 123-131.