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International Climate Panel Cites Near Certainty On Warming

mdsolar writes "An international panel of scientists has found with near certainty that human activity is the cause of most of the temperature increases of recent decades, and warns that sea levels could conceivably rise by more than three feet by the end of the century if emissions continue at a runaway pace. The scientists, whose findings are reported in a draft summary of the next big United Nations climate report, largely dismiss a recent slowdown in the pace of warming, which is often cited by climate change doubters, attributing it most likely to short-term factors. The report emphasizes that the basic facts about future climate change are more established than ever, justifying the rise in global concern. It also reiterates that the consequences of escalating emissions are likely to be profound." This comes alongside news of research into one of those short-term factors: higher than average rainfall over Australia. "Three atmospheric patterns came together above the Indian and Pacific Oceans in 2010 and 2011. When they did, they drove so much precipitation over Australia that the world's ocean levels dropped measurably." According to Phys.org, "A rare combination of two other semi-cyclic climate modes came together to drive such large amounts of rain over Australia that the continent, on average, received almost one foot (300 millimeters) of rain more than average. ... Since 2011, when the atmospheric patterns shifted out of their unusual combination, sea levels have been rising at a faster pace of about 10 millimeters (0.4 inches) per year."

2 of 510 comments (clear)

  1. FAKE, DAMNED LIES AND DISINFORMATION by allcoolnameswheretak · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    It can't be true. The Republican shills on Fox News told me that global warming is fake, there are weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, Obama is a muslim and not a U.S. citizen, universal health care is a bad, bad thing, rich people pay too much taxes, and that there is no money for evil, commie social welfare programs because poor people are just entitled leeches and they smell bad too, and anyway, we have to invest more hundreds of billions into Northrop Grumman to build more shiny Stealth Fighters with.
    I need to go buy a rifle in the convenience store to protect me and my family from these crazy liberal, monkey-offspringed disinformationalists. God help us!

  2. Re:Is It Just Me? by asylumx · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    I know some fat blowhard will make less money

    I believe Mr. Boehner prefers that you refer to this as "job killing."