| | |
 |
|
| 02-23-2005 | Previous edition: 02-22-2005 |
        
     |
Printer-friendly version Study spurs debate on global warmingBy Ben StecklerAssistant Campus Editor Ignore the snow, the world is getting warmer. The results of a study on global warming have thrust the topic back to the forefront of environmental discussion. The study, done by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California at Sand Diego, analyzed millions of oceanic temperature readings and provides strong evidence to support global warming. Global warming is the theory that greenhouse gases released during the burning of fossil fuels trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere, raising global temperatures. Noah Diffenbaugh, assistant professor of earth and atmospheric sciences, is convinced global warming is a problem that needs to be addressed. "Are humans altering the atmosphere’s composition? Absolutely," Diffenbaugh said. "If we look at the past 2,000 years, the Northern Hemisphere temperature is outside of the highest uncertainty. That’s an important benchmark." The long-term effects of global warming are still uncertain. Diffenbaugh said scientists estimate global warming could result in a rise of 2 to 6 degrees Celsius. To put the numbers in perspective, he said, "If you change the global mean temperature to five degrees colder now, you get an ice sheet covering half of North America." Diffenbaugh said humanity should be cautious about the amount of gases it emits. "I think if we could stabilize greenhouse gas levels that would be an awesome achievement." In an effort to curb emissions, the United Nations Kyoto Protocol took effect Feb. 16. The Kyoto Protocol is a 141-nation environmental pact that calls for countries to decrease emissions. The United States signed the treaty but did not ratify it. Leigh Raymond, assistant professor of political science, said the Bush administration has firmly said it will not be ratified. He said the administration has said the costs to meet the treaty would be too high, the science is uncertain and a disproportionate amount of the burden is on industrialized countries. China, Australia and India also refused to ratify the treaty. Although Raymond said the United States could eventually give in to the pressure to cut emissions, the Kyoto Protocol will probably never include America because it expires in 2012. "I think it’s unlikely they’ll ever ratify the Kyoto treaty," he said. "That train may well have left the station." Printer-friendly version |
|
Front Page | Campus | City | Features | Opinions | Sports | Classifieds Advertising | Archive | Links | About us | Letter Submission Form To report any errors with or to give ideas on how we can improve the online edition of The Exponent contact Online Production |
