MAST200 Lecture Notes - Lecture 24: National Oceanographic Data Center, National Centers For Environmental Information, 2003 European Heat Wave

• School: University of Delaware
• Department: Marine Studies
• Course: MAST200
• Professor: Thoroughgood Carolyn

Document Summary

Data: ncdc (national climate data center), nodc (national oceanographic. Greenhouse gases represent only 1% of atmospheric gases, but extremely powerful heat trappers. Human activities have changed the composition of the atmosphere since the pre- industrial era. Pre-industrial levels co2 at 280 ppmv; current levels greater than 380 ppmv. Ipcc predicts co2 levels from 490-1260 ppmv by end of 21st century. Water vapor is the most important gas in the natural greenhouse effect contributing 60% of the effect compared to 26% of co2. Atmospheric moisture over the ocean is increasing at a rate of 4% per degree f of warming since 1988. Earth is getting warmer by every measure we know. Global surface temperature have increased ~33 f since the late 19th century. 7 of the 8 warmest years on record have occurred since 2001. The warmest years have all occurred since 1995. 1991-2012 average temperature compared with 1901-1960 average.