Global Warming, The facts
By: Hubert Crowell
Temperature change is a normal occurrence on the changing earth that we live on. If we look
back over the past 400,000 years, we see that the average temperature as determined by Antarctic
ice-core records, show an 8-deg C change. The earth is normally about -4 to -5 deg C below the
current temperature. This was during the four ice ages that occurred during this period.
The warm periods between the ice ages are relative short compared to the length of the ice ages
which last about 100,000 years. Our current warm period has lasted longer than normal, about
6,000 years. About the same length of time that we have a recorded record of man on earth.
Carbon Dioxide levels have in the past followed along with the major changes in temperature.
However in the past 200 years, this level has jumped and may have even prevented a return to
another ice age.
The previous warm period was warmer that our current warm period and lasted almost as long as
our current warm period followed by a 100,000 year ice age. This may have been the time of the
heavy forest growth and many fires, as the Carbon Dioxide levels also remained high. The
Carbon Dioxide levels peaked at the same time that the warming levels peaked, but lasted much
longer after the temperatures started to cool. This leads me to believe that the high Carbon
Dioxide levels may have brought on the warm periods. As the Carbon Dioxide levels fell the
temperature also fell.
If we look at the last 1,100 years, we see only about a one deg C change with the current
temperature about equal to what it was about 1,000 years ago. During the last few years the
temperatures have leveled off and may be cooling back down again.
With so many factors affecting our global temperatures, I would expect more drastic changes in
the future and if history repeats itself, we could be in for another ice age. If in fact anything man
is currently doing is affecting the temperature by keeping the earth warmer, it would be a positive
thing.
See: (http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/pastcc.html#ref) for more information.
In my life time I have seen large orange groves once common in north central Florida wiped out
by colder weather and the land owners giving up and moved to more southern areas. I know that
the reverse may have been true in other parts of the country and is only evidence that change is
normal. There is an old saying, If you don't like the weather, just wait, it will change.
Global Warming
Information on the upcoming government report on climate change from the Climate Change
Science Program (CCSP). This group has held two public meetings and the notes from the
October 30 November 2, 2006 meeting are available in pdf format:
CCSP3-3notes-FACA-meeting-revised-1.pdf
In is interesting to note that during the meeting no one from the public made any comment during
the time set aside for input.
ID: 23 Info. Type: HISA
Contact Person: Krisa Arzayus Contact Information: NOAA Locator
Projected Dissemination Date: 10/1/2008
Projected peer review Start Date: 11/1/2007
Title: CCSP Product 3.3 Climate extremes including documentation of current extremes.
Description: The U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP), established in 2002 to coordinate climate and global change research conducted in the United States and to support decision-making on climate-related issues, is producing twenty-one synthesis and assessment reports that address its research, observation, and decision-support needs. This report, to be produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in coordination with other federal agencies, will focus on sharpening understanding of climate extremes through improved observations, analyses, and modeling, and determining whether any changes in their frequency or intensity lie outside the range of natural variability. The ability to assess, understand, and predict extreme events has important implications for natural resources, property, infrastructure, and public safety.
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