Abstract
And the Creator said: “Behold, I give you every plant yielding seed, all over the Earth, and every tree bearing seed in its fruit, let that be your food. To every wild beast on the Earth and to every bird of the air, and to every living creature that creeps on the Earth, I give all the green growth for food.” And it was so. Genesis 1: 29, 30. Our planet receives energy from its star, the Sun, in the form of ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared radiation. Water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are principal greenhouse gases within the atmosphere. Approximately 19% of the energy is absorbed by these gases and emitted downward to Earth’s surface raising its temperature, and 26% is reflected into outer space. Almost all of the remainder is absorbed and partly reflected to total 30% at the Earth’s crust. Prior to the mid-20th century, atmosphere and clouds, and solid surface were cyclically warmed to equilibrium steady states. Present time, carbon dioxide is generated by fossil fuel burning and tropical deforestation. Current level already exceeds geological records. We shall discuss consequences of climate change: flooding, extreme droughts, wildfires, diminishing crop yields, and extinction of species. Kyoto Protocol with extension is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas concentrations to a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Moreover, it is extremely likely that carbon dioxide emissions have predominately caused global warming. There are two commitment periods ending in 2020. Ratification has been weak.
Presenters
Samuel E. MoskowitzResearch Professor and Emeritus Professor of Applied Mathematics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Greenhouse Gases, Warming, Extreme Weather, Mitigation Treaty, Irreverence
Digital Media
This presenter hasn’t added media.
Request media and follow this presentation.
