GRG 305 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Gerontology Research Group, Ocean Acidification, Climate Change Denial
Document Summary
The global economy is based on burning fossil fuels. Fossil fuel companies earn hundreds of billions of dollars a year. Some of these profits are invested in climate denial. Citizens united has increased the ability of corporations to influence political opinions. Politicians; heavily dependent on corporate donors, which are more often supportive of fossil fuels than sustainable energy. Ipcc (committee of 259 climate scientists from around the world) finds it is extremely likely that human influence has been the dominant cause of warming since the mid-20th century. Politicians respond to both sides of the debate. 3000 km2 of antarctic ice is lost each year (equiv. to size of rhode island) Net yearly outflow of greenland ice shield = annual flow of the nile. 14 of the 15 hottest years on record have all occurred since 2000. Overall thinning of glaciers and most glaciers are losing mass a. The few gaining mass are in high latitudes where warming increases winter precipitation.
