The Human Impact on Global Warming

By Stephanie Chennell

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change or the I.P.C.C. announced recently that by the end of the century temperatures are likely to rise by 3.2-7.2 degrees Fahrenheit and sea levels to rise by 28-43 centimeters. These estimates are the first that have been presented in a way that suggests that humans are responsible for a large part of global warming (as much as 90 percent). In addition to rising temperatures and rising sea levels the I.P.C.C. also indicated that a rise in temperature will lead to stronger and more intense tropical storms that will leave much devastation behind. However, the I.P.C.C.'s projections may be wrong just as they were in their most recent report from 2001.

The Journal of Science found that the I.P.C.C.'s 2001 projections of rising temperatures and sea levels may have been severely miscalculated. The report suggested changes of .27-.63 degrees Fahrenheit, leaving quite a large space of leeway. However, the actual findings are a rise in temperature of .57 degrees Fahrenheit. This is much closer to the upper end of the scale and much more dangerous for environmental health. The sea levels estimates were also off dramatically. The sea levels have risen much more than was originally projected. All of this information suggests that estimates made by scientists can be dangerously underestimated and lead to greater environmental devastation as well as human devastation if nothing to done to slow the process of global warming. If as indicated by the I.P.C.C, humans are as much as 90 percent responsible, then much has to done by people and their governments to combat global warming.