Climate Change Report

Climate Change Report

Melting Sea Ice

Melting Sea Ice: Arctic and Antarctic sea ice is projected to shrink significantly. In one model, late-summer Arctic sea ice nearly disappears by 2100. This loss threatens species like polar bears that use the sea ice as a hunting ground. In Dec. 2006, the Bush administration suggested that polar bears be listed as a "threatened" species due to the destruction of their environment.
- Will Polar Bears be Listed as Threatened?

Sea Level Increase

Sea Level Increase: Flooding has half-submerged a road sign in Mobile, Ala. during 2004's Hurricane Ivan. The IPCC report projects sea level increases of 7-23 inches by 2100. Raising the sea level by nearly two feet could threaten coastal areas throughout the world. Furthermore, an additional 3.9-7.8 inches are possible if recent rates of polar ice sheet melting continue.
- Photo Gallery of New Orleans Floods

More Intense Storms

More Intense Storms: There is evidence that increased water temperatures have caused more intense tropical cyclone activity, especially in the North Atlantic. The changes in storm strength have occured since about 1970, and could pose a significant threat to the eastern United States.
- Hurricane Photo Gallery

Greenhouse Gases on the Rise

More Greenhouse Gases: This refinery in Grangemouth, Scotland contributes to the production of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, a key contributer to climate change. The IPCC found that carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere has increased over 35 percent since pre-industrial times. That concentration exceeds the natural range over the last 650,000 years.
- Calculate Your Impact

Record Warmth

Record Warmth: Residents of Qingdao, China try to cool downat the beach during hot weather on Aug. 16, 2006. Calling evidence of a warming climate "unequivocal," the IPCC report notes that 11 of the last 12 years rank among the 12 warmest years since 1850, when recordkeeping began. It also concludes that the temperature increase is accelerating -- the rate of temperature change over the last 50 years is nearly twice the rate over the last 100 years.
- 2007 Could be Hottest Year Ever

More Frequent Extreme Weather

More Extreme Weather: The IPCC's report concludes that climate change is producing more extreme weather. Scientists are 90% certain that extremely hot temperatures, heat waves and heavy precipitation will continue to be more frequent. Conversely, the frequency of cold temperatures and frost has decreased.
- Extreme Weather Quiz: Hurricanes

Already Centuries of Damage

Damage Already Done: Light pollution provides a visual representation of the world's growing population and energy needs. The amount of greenhouse gases and other pollutants has already reached a significant level. The IPCC estmates that even if greenhouse gas emissions were stabilized, global warming and sea level rise would continue for centuries.
More Photos of Earth From Space

Average Temperatures Rising

Average Temperatures Soaring: The panel's report predicts significant temperature rises by the year 2100. Although the best estimate was for temperature rises of 3.2-7.1 degrees, increases of as much as 11.5 degrees Fahrenheit are considered possible. So far, the temperature has only gone up 1 degree since the 1700s, making the IPCC's predictions 2-3 times the rate of temperature increase.
- 2007 Could be Hottest Year Ever

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