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Gilles is the owner of Take Part Media, a Paris-based media company co-founded in 2006 with Jean-Philippe Lorenzo, with private funds. Both founders hold a PhD in Physics...
The Signs of Global Warming
15 Feb, 2007 04:09 pm
If it is not sure that events such as the storms of 1999, the violent phenomenon of El Nino in 1997, or also hurricane Katrina are the direct consequences of Global Warming, the signs of climate change are already concrete and visible in the oceans.
The inhabitants of certain Pacific islands, like the Tuvalu islands, are very worried. Actually, this progressive increase could combine with other phenomena such as El Niño, which are capable of rapidly increasing the level by 20 centimeters.
The melting of the Polar Icecaps Even if the polar icecap of Antarctica seems to be holding, the melting of Arctic Ocean ice is at a very advanced stage. In the next coming years, the icecap could completely disappear during the summer.
The main consequence of this rush of fresh water in the oceans could destabilize the ocean currents. The Gulf Stream – a warm current that circulates north along the European coasts- could slow down, attenuating the warming of the region.
The acidification of the oceans
Finally researchers have observed a progressive acidification of the oceans, which is the direct consequence of CO2 emissions resulting from human activity. This acidification could have grave consequences on ocean biodiversity, and thus, on the entire food chain.
Read more:
Investigation of climate change: what we know, the consequences and how to stop it
The Kyoto Protocol
Between 1.8 and 4C
5.5 trillion dollars
Translation: Christopher Le Coq
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