Climate Change - Science

The sun's energy drives the Earth's weather and climate and heats its surface. Some of this energy radiates back into space, but some of it is trapped by greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, water vapor and other gases). A natural "greenhouse effect" keeps the Earth warm enough for life to flourish, but if too much heat is trapped, the Earth's climate could change in disruptive and dangerous ways. 

There is a growing scientific consensus that increasing emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) are affecting the Earth's climate. That consensus is represented by the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a body established by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations to assess scientific, technical and socio-economic information relevant for the understanding of climate change, its potential impacts, and options for adaptation and mitigation. 

The IPCC’s Fourth Assessment Report, released in November of 2007, states, “Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observation of increases in average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global average sea level.”  The report notes that eleven of the last twelve years (1995-2006) rank among the twelve warmest years of recorded temperatures (since 1850).

A key finding of the Fourth Assessment’s 123-page “Summary for Policymakers” is: “Observational evidence from all continents and most oceans shows that many natural systems are being affected by regional climate changes, particularly temperature increases.” A change from the previous report was the increased confidence in findings. “In terrestrial ecosystems, earlier timing of spring events and poleward and upward shifts in plant and animal ranges are with very high confidence linked to recent warming. In some marine and freshwater systems, shifts in ranges and changes in algal, plankton and fish abundance are with high confidence associated with rising water temperatures, as well as related changes in ice cover, salinity, oxygen levels and circulation.”  Another finding on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is: “Global GHG emissions due to human activities have grown since pre-industrial times, with an increase of 70% between 1970 and 2004.” On a positive note, the Summary states: “Both bottom-up and top-down studies indicate that there is high agreement and much evidence of substantial economic potential for the mitigation of global GHG emissions over the coming decades that could offset the projected growth of global emissions or reduce emissions below current levels.” Charts and graphics in the report aid in understanding the complex scientific information presented.

In its Third Assessment Report published in 2001, the IPCC noted that the Earth's surface temperature has increased by about 1 degree Fahrenheit in the past century, with much of that warming occurring the past two decades. The IPCC concluded that "In the light of new evidence and taking into account the remaining uncertainties, most of the observed warming over the last 50 years is likely to have been due to the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations." The IPCC also concluded that these increased concentrations are largely attributable to human activities that result in emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), halogenated fluorocarbons (HCFCs) , ozone (O3), perfluorinated carbons (PFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Aerosols, including sulfate particles and black carbon (soot), are also believed to contribute to global warming. 

Climate change simulations for the period of 1990 to 2100 based on IPCC scenarios for future GHG emissions yield a globally-averaged surface temperature increase by the end of the century of 1.4 to 5.8°C (2.5 to 10.4°F) relative to 1990, with a mid-range prediction of 3°C (5.4°F). Uncertainty remains in our understanding of how the climate system varies naturally and reacts to emissions of greenhouse gases and aerosols, thus current estimates of the magnitude of future warming will be subject to future adjustments (either upward or downward). The IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report is due in 2007. 

For more information on the science of climate change, see:
Martin Hoerling and Jon Eischeid, Emerging Issues for Water in the West: 21st Century Drought, NOAA Earth Systems Research Lab, 11/20/06 (2.8 MB PDF)
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 
National Academy of Sciences, Testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, July 21, 2005
National Academy of Sciences, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Global Climate Change and Impacts, U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, July 20, 2005
National Research Council, Climate Change Science: An Analysis of Some Key Questions (2001)
U.S. Department of Energy
U.S. Energy Information Administration
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

Climate Change - Impacts

For information on climate change impacts at the national and international levels, see:
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
National Research Council, Climate Change Science: An Analysis of Some Key Questions (2001)
Center for Health and the Global Environment, Climate Change Futures: Health, Ecological, and Economic Dimensions, Harvard Medical School, November 2005

Climate Change Policy

International
The international response to the problem of climate change took its first major step forward with the signing of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. The Convention sets an ultimate objective of stabilizing greenhouse gas emissions "at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic (human induced) interference with the climate system." It states that "such a level should be achieved within a time-frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not threatened, and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner." Among other provisions, the Convention requires industrialized countries to prepare and update inventories of greenhouse gas emissions. 

As its name implies, the UNFCCC was always intended to be a "framework" document -- something to be amended over time so that efforts to deal with climate change can be strengthened. The first addition to the treaty, the Kyoto Protocol, was adopted in 1997. It set mandatory targets for greenhouse gas emissions for most industrialized nations, aiming for an overall 5% reduction from 1990 levels. The Clinton Administration signed the Protocol but the Bush Administration withdrew U.S. support. 

National
The Bush Administration has focused U.S. policy on climate research, development of new technologies, and on voluntary programs to reduce GHG emissions. 

For more information, see:
White House Climate Change Fact Sheet (2005)
U.S. Climate Action Report (U.S. Department of State, 2002) 

State & Regional
There is growing interest in the United States in state-level actions to address the effects of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. More than 20 states have prepared a state climate action plan. Many states have held stakeholder processes, which have led to new policies being proposed or adopted. Typically, the policies serve multiple aims such as improving air quality, reducing traffic congestion, securing reliable energy supplies, preserving land, or improving waste management, in addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

For examples of state and regional action plans click here.

See also: Western Governors' Association Clean and Diversified Energy Initiative

For more information, see:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, State Action List
Pew Center on Global Climate Change, State Policy