Science Colloquium
Two Problems Found in the Recent Literature on Global Warming
Curt Rose
Bishop's University
Friday, November 17, 2006
12:30 - 1:20 PM
Johnson Room 150
Two of the major sticking points in recent debates about 20th century climate change concern the insistence by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that changes in atmospheric CO2 concentrations are the major driver of the recent warming trend and that the late 20th century warming (1976-2000) is unprecedented in the last 10,000 years. The first argument is analysed using calculations of the climate sensitivity factor (λ), (how much warming we get from a given change in radiation forcing), and using estimates of contributions to this factor by various atmospheric gases and water vapour. The second assertion is discussed as a debate about whether we have the correct surface temperature record for the last 1000 years. On the view that I have, scientific opinion remains divided for both problems.
