Global warming refers to the increases in the average temperature of
the Earth's atmosphere and oceans that have been observed in recent
decades. The scientific opinion on climate change is that much of the
recent change may be attributed to human activities. Carbon dioxide
and other greenhouse gases released by the burning of fossil fuels,
land clearing, agriculture, among other human activities, are the
primary sources of the human-induced component of warming.
Observational sensitivity studies and climate models referenced by the
IPCC predict that global temperatures may increase by between 1.4 and
5.8 °C between 1990 and 2100. An increase in global temperatures can
in turn cause other changes, including rises in sea level and changes
in the amount and pattern of precipitation. These changes may increase
the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as
tropical cyclones or floods. There are a few scientists who contest
the view about attribution of recent warming to human activity.
Uncertainties exist regarding how much climate change should be
expected in the future, and there is a hotly contested political and
public debate over attempts to reduce or reverse future warming, and
how to cope with possible consequences.
Read the rest of this article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1734:
A black slave known as Marie-Joseph Angélique was tortured and then
hanged in New France.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie-Joseph_Ang%C3%A9lique)
1788:
New Hampshire ratified the U.S. Constitution and was admitted as the
9th U.S. state.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Hampshire)
1813:
Laura Secord set out to warn British forces of an impending American
attack at Queenston, Ontario.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Secord)
1864:
Maori Wars: The Tauranga Campaign ended.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tauranga_Campaign)
1985:
Greenland officially adopted its own flag, adding support to its
independence movement.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Greenland)
2000:
The controversial amendment known as Section 28 was repealed in
Scotland with a 99 to 17 vote.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Section_28)
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Wikiquote of the day:
"Liberty, as it is conceived by current opinion, has nothing inherent
about it; it is a sort of gift or trust bestowed on the individual by
the state pending good behavior." -- Mary McCarthy
(
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Mary_McCarthy)