Climate Change and Carbon Dioxide: Geological Perspective

Harry N.A. Priem
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Harry N.A. Priem: Professor emeritus of isotope geophysics and planetary geology, Utrecht University past director of the ZWO/NWO Institute of Isotope Geophysical Research, Amsterdam past president of the Royal Geological and Mining Society of The Netherlands Amsterdam

Energy & Environment, 2013, vol. 24, issue 3-4, 361-380

Abstract: The climate history of the Earth is a history of continuous change. Through geological time the average global temperature remained always within the constraints set by the presence of abundant liquid water, while the atmospheric CO 2 concentration varied strongly. Its 30% rise since the beginning of the 20 th century can, at least partly, be attributed to human activities. According to the ‘general circulation models’ (GCMs) used by the IPCC the ongoing rise in atmospheric CO 2 concentration will lead to significant global warming. However, in these GCMs the (small) net CO 2 forcing is amplified by strong positive feedbacks, particularly from water vapour and clouds. Real world observations and data of the geologic past do not support the role of CO 2 as the principal climate regulator.

Date: 2013
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:engenv:v:24:y:2013:i:3-4:p:361-380

DOI: 10.1260/0958-305X.24.3-4.361

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