SHOCKFACTS: Climate change

July 6, 2005
Issue 
632

  • During the 20th century, the Earth's average temperature increased by 0.6 degrees Celcius. The warmest year of that century was 1998, and the warmest decade was the 1990s.

  • During the 20th century, the sea level rose by 10-20cm, and the Earth's snow coverage decreased by around 10%. In recent decades, arctic sea-ice thickness has decreased by about 40%.

  • The level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, a key cause of global warming, has increased 30% since 1750, it is now the highest in 20 million years.

  • The Earth's surface temperature is projected to increase by 1.4-5.8% between 1990 and 2010. Temperatures will also vary more widely, and extreme weather events are predicted to increase. Sea levels are predicted to rise by 10cm in that time.

  • The projected rate of warming between 1990 and 2010 is the highest in 10,000 years. Many of the global-warming-causing gases now in the atmosphere are long-lasting, meaning that even if emissions are cut, global warming will continue for the next 1000 years.

[Source: The Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. <http://www.ipcc.ch>.]

From Green Left Weekly, July 6, 2005.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.

If you like our work, become a supporter

Green Left is a vital social-change project and aims to make all content available online, without paywalls. With no corporate sponsors or advertising, we rely on support and donations from readers like you.

For just $5 per month get the Green Left digital edition in your inbox each week. For $10 per month get the above and the print edition delivered to your door. You can also add a donation to your support by choosing the solidarity option of $20 per month.

Freecall now on 1800 634 206 or follow the support link below to make a secure supporter payment or donation online.