9780309209151: Understanding Earth's Deep Past: Lessons for Our Climate Future
Couverture souple
ISBN 10 : 0309209153 ISBN 13 : 9780309209151
Editeur : National Academies Press, 2011

Synopsis

There is little dispute within the scientific community that humans are changing Earth s climate on a decadal to century time scale. By the end of this century, without a reduction in emissions, atmospheric CO2 is projected to increase to levels that Earth has not experienced for more than 30 million years. As greenhouse gas emissions propel Earth toward a warmer climate state, an improved understanding of climate dynamics in warm environments is needed to inform public policy decisions. In Understanding Earth s Deep Past, the National Research Council reports that rocks and sediments that are millions of years old hold clues to how Earth s future climate will respond in an environment with high levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases. Understanding Earth s Deep Past provides an assessment of both the demonstrated and underdeveloped potential of the deep-time geologic record to inform us about the dynamics of the global climate system. The report describes past climate changes, and discusses potential impacts of high levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases on regional climates, water resources, marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and the cycling of life-sustaining elements. While revealing gaps in scientific knowledge of past climate states, the report highlights a range of high-priority research issues with potential for major advances in the scientific understanding of climate processes. This proposed integrated, deep-time climate research program would study how climate responded across Earth s different climate states, examine how climate responds to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, and clarify the processes that lead to anomalously warm polar and tropical regions and their impact on marine and terrestrial life. In addition to outlining a research agenda, Understanding Earth s Deep Past proposes an implementation strategy that will be an invaluable resource to decision makers in the field, as well as the research community, advocacy organizations, government agencies, and college professors and students.

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Présentation de l'éditeur

There is little dispute within the scientific community that humans are changing Earth s climate on a decadal to century time scale. By the end of this century, without a reduction in emissions, atmospheric CO2 is projected to increase to levels that Earth has not experienced for more than 30 million years. As greenhouse gas emissions propel Earth toward a warmer climate state, an improved understanding of climate dynamics in warm environments is needed to inform public policy decisions. In Understanding Earth s Deep Past, the National Research Council reports that rocks and sediments that are millions of years old hold clues to how Earth s future climate will respond in an environment with high levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases. Understanding Earth s Deep Past provides an assessment of both the demonstrated and underdeveloped potential of the deep-time geologic record to inform us about the dynamics of the global climate system. The report describes past climate changes, and discusses potential impacts of high levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases on regional climates, water resources, marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and the cycling of life-sustaining elements. While revealing gaps in scientific knowledge of past climate states, the report highlights a range of high-priority research issues with potential for major advances in the scientific understanding of climate processes. This proposed integrated, deep-time climate research program would study how climate responded across Earth s different climate states, examine how climate responds to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, and clarify the processes that lead to anomalously warm polar and tropical regions and their impact on marine and terrestrial life. In addition to outlining a research agenda, Understanding Earth s Deep Past proposes an implementation strategy that will be an invaluable resource to decision makers in the field, as well as the research community, advocacy organizations, government agencies, and college professors and students.

Les informations fournies dans la section « A propos du livre » peuvent faire référence à une autre édition de ce titre.

Éditeur
National Academies Press
Date d'édition
2011
Langue
anglais
ISBN 10 
0309209153
ISBN 13 
9780309209151
Reliure
Broché
Nombre de pages
208
Coordonnées du fabricant
non disponible
Personne responsable
non disponible