Climate Change Digest
01 March 2008
The average weather for a region, including temperature, wind and rainfall, is described by its climate. So a region that has little rainfall would described as having a dry climate. Climate is a major determining factor in human activities through its effect on plant and animal populations, disease, sea levels and landscapes which in turn govern food, water, habitation and energy supplies.
There have been many changes in the earth's climate in the past from natural causes. However recent climate changes have been at an accelerated pace and the consensus among scientists is that this is largely due to man's activities. Any indications of climate change are a matter of great concern.
Exclusive to RSC members through the Virtual Library via Knovel, the full text e-book, Global Environmental Change
Plenty of evidence exists to prove that climate is changing globally, most notably as a result of increasing temperature
The Earth's climate is greatly influenced by the amount of heat stored in the atmosphere
Climate change has a multitude of impacts on the world including flooding, droughts, famine, extreme weather, decrease in biodiversity and disease
Mitigation of Climate Change and supporting policies
Climate change is a serious threat to world population, a great number of measures need to be taken to abate it and avoid the worst case scenario from its impacts.
Related Links
What is climate?
BBC weather page - defines climate and describes the main types that are found around the world
Climate Change - Past, Recent and Future
An overview, background information and links to data on climate change from the US Environment Protection Agency with links to basic information
History of Climate Change
A history of climate change from 1753-2005 provided by the Climate Change Communication Initiative led by the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs DEFRA in partnerships including the Energy Saving Trust.
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Also of interest
Publishing cutting-edge research that reduces the environmental impact of the chemical enterprise by developing alternative sustainable technologies.
Climate Change
Copyright: 2001Dorothy Warren
This is a flexible resource and can be used to study both ideas and evidence and the nature of science, and also when teaching key skills.
Global Environmental Change
Copyright: 2002Ron E Hester
This readable and factually detailed book will have wide appeal but will be of particular interest to environmental scientists, industrial managers, policy-makers and students.
