Understanding Earth's Deep Past: Lessons for Our Climate Future - Softcover

National Research Council; Division On Earth And Life Studies; Board On Earth Sciences And Resources; Committee On The Importance Of Deep-Time Geologic Records For Understanding Climate Change Impacts

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0309209153 ISBN 13: 9780309209151

Verlag: National Academies Press, 2011

Inhaltsangabe

There is little dispute within the scientific community that humans are changing Earth's climate on a decadal to century time-scale. By the end of this century, without a reduction in emissions, atmospheric CO2 is projected to increase to levels that Earth has not experienced for more than 30 million years. As greenhouse gas emissions propel Earth toward a warmer climate state, an improved understanding of climate dynamics in warm environments is needed to inform public policy decisions. In Understanding Earth's Deep Past, the National Research Council reports that rocks and sediments that are millions of years old hold clues to how the Earth's future climate would respond in an environment with high levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases.

Understanding Earth's Deep Past provides an assessment of both the demonstrated and underdeveloped potential of the deep-time geologic record to inform us about the dynamics of the global climate system. The report describes past climate changes, and discusses potential impacts of high levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases on regional climates, water resources, marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and the cycling of life-sustaining elements. While revealing gaps in scientific knowledge of past climate states, the report highlights a range of high priority research issues with potential for major advances in the scientific understanding of climate processes. This proposed integrated, deep-time climate research program would study how climate responded over Earth's different climate states, examine how climate responds to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, and clarify the processes that lead to anomalously warm polar and tropical regions and the impact on marine and terrestrial life.

In addition to outlining a research agenda, Understanding Earth's Deep Past proposes an implementation strategy that will be an invaluable resource to decision-makers in the field, as well as the research community, advocacy organizations, government agencies, and college professors and students.

Table of Contents

• Front Matter
• Executive Summary
• Summary
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Lessons from Past Warm Worlds
• 3 Climate Transitions, Tipping Points, and the Point of No Return
• 4 Deciphering Past Climates - Reconciling Models and Observations
• 5 Implementing a Deep-Time Climate Research Agenda
• 6 Conclusions and Recommendations
• References
• Appendixes
• Appendix A: Committee Biographical Sketches
• Appendix B: Workshop Agenda and Participants
• Appendix C: Presentations to Committee
• Appendix D: Acronyms and Abbreviations

Über diesen Titel

Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Charlotte y Peter Fiell son dos autoridades en historia, teoría y crítica del diseño y han escrito más de sesenta libros sobre la materia, muchos de los cuales se han convertido en éxitos de ventas. También han impartido conferencias y cursos como profesores invitados, han comisariado exposiciones y asesorado a fabricantes, museos, salas de subastas y grandes coleccionistas privados de todo el mundo. Los Fiell han escrito numerosos libros para TASCHEN, entre los que se incluyen 1000 Chairs, Diseño del siglo XX, El diseño industrial de la A a la Z, Scandinavian Design y Diseño del siglo XXI.

Details zur Ausgabe

• Verlag: National Academies Press
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2011
• Sprache: Englisch
• ISBN 10: 0309209153
• ISBN 13: 9780309209151
• Einband: Tapa blanda
• Anzahl der Seiten: 208
• Kontakt zum Hersteller: Nicht verfügbar
• Verantwortliche Person: Nicht verfügbar