Reference: Quirk, D.G., 2021. Human-related greenhouse gas emissions and their effects, 1850-2020.
DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.11432.49921/2.
Global data are used to demonstrate the effect that carbon emissions have had on temperatures, sea-level and ocean acidity. These emissions result from burning organic carbon (fossil fuels & vegetation), industrial manufacturing and agriculture. Although there are uncertainties in the degree of warming and climate change we can expect in the future, the greenhouse effect is indisputable. Solar energy absorbed by the surface of the Earth is radiated back to the atmosphere as infrared energy. Rather than being lost to space, too much of the infrared energy is now being trapped by rising amounts of greenhouses gases, predominantly carbon dioxide, causing the atmosphere to heat up. This effect was already predicted by Svante Arrhenius in 1896. In addition, more carbon dioxide is being dissolved in sea water so that the oceans are becoming more acidic, a threat to shelled animals such as corals. To maintain a climate comfortable for humans and an environment suitable for present-day animals and plants, emissions of greenhouse gases need to be quickly and effectively curbed.
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