The Science Behind Global Warming

Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego has been at the forefront of climate change research for more than 50 years, since a Scripps Oceanography scientist named Charles David Keeling cataloged a history of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels that came to be known as the "Keeling Curve." More recently, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a United Nations-sponsored body of scientists that includes several from Scripps Oceanography, won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize along with former Vice President Al Gore.

Scripps Oceanography is thankful to World Carbon Database for supporting the creation of this webpage. 

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The Basics Behind the Science

The Basics behind the science of climate change. The following links provide resources to learn the very basics behind drivers of the world's climate and today's climate issues:

It has happened before. The earth has been significantly warmer than it is today and studying the climate of ancient times helps put today's issues into a broader context.

• This site presents three projects--probing the ocean beneath the surface, examining the dynamics of the air-sea interface, and investigating the effects of air pollution--that are examples of how scientists are striving to better understand our changing environment.

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Listening to the Experts

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is widely recognized as the authoritative body to summarize "the state of climate science." Results of the IPCC's most recent assessment were released on Feb. 2, 2007.

Learn more about the IPCC conclusions, the IPCC itself and the process for determining at the "state of climate science" at the links below:

• Scripps Oceanography organized a press conference at the Birch Aquarium to summarize IPCC findings. The event featured Tony Haymet, Scripps Oceanography director, Lynne Talley, a lead author of the new IPCC report and V. Ramanathan, an IPCC report review editor. They were joined by climate scientists Ralph Keeling, Tim Barnett, and Dan Cayan in providing analysis of the report's results as well as perspectives from their own diverse research interests.
• This "Summary for Policy Makers" is intended to provide a short and plain language summary of conclusions from the IPCC's most recent assessment of "the current scientific knowledge of the natural and human drivers of climate change, observed changes in climate, the ability of science to attribute changes to different causes, and projections for future climate change". The report is the work of 620 authors and editors from 40 countries, and reviewed by more than 620 experts and governments.
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

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The Impact of Climate Change

Impacts from climate change are expected to vary widely across the globe and it's not all about temperature. Precipitation patterns are changing. The chemical structure of the oceans are changing. The links below delve into the far reaching impacts and science behind determining how the world will reach to the changing climate.

• A journey to a coral reef chain hidden in the Central Pacific forces scientists to revisit the definition of a pristine environment (part 1).
• A journey to a coral reef chain hidden in the Central Pacific forces scientists to revisit the definition of a pristine environment (part 2).

After two decades watching atmospheric oxygen levels drop, a Scripps Oceanography researcher's conclusions about climate could leave one feeling light-headed.

• An overload of carbon dioxide is acidifying seawater, posing a subtle but profound threat to marine invertebrates.
• It's not the extra few feet of water that make sea level rise so dangerous. It's the extra few feet during a storm during El Nino during high tide, say researchers.
• African drought trends could define 185 million people as 'undernourished' by 2030.

Emperor penguins can flourish in locales where few other animals roam. But scientists now wonder if they can adapt to a new threat: climate change.

• Global Scientists Draw Attention to Threat of Ocean Acidification.
• Deadly Heat Waves are Becoming More Frequent in California.
• Consulting with Clouds: A Clear Role in Climate Change.
• High Carbon Dioxide Levels Cause Abnormally Large Fish Ear Bones.
• Dramatic Climate Change-Driven Impacts Documented Across Marine Life Spectrum.

Scripps Oceanography research suggests that climate change will require a complete rethinking of water delivery systems in the West.

• Climate Change Means Shortfalls in Colorado River Water Deliveries.
• Report Presents New Research on Climate Change Effects in California.
• Climate Warming in California Could Be Aggravated by More Frequent Dry Years.
• "Climate Crisis" in the West Predicted with Increasing Certainty.

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The Climate Debate

What's the story behind the "great climate debate?" Gain an understanding of the most misunderstood or politicized issues embedded within climate science. The PDF below defines the line between science fact and science fiction. It may also arm you to become a well informed member of the climate community.

Inundated by complex information, many non-scientists pose sensible questions in an attempt to understand the basics, but answers can be obscure because it can appear as if there is a scientific "debate" about the validity of research conclusions. This debate is largely fictional but can lead to misconceptions about what is broadly considered settled science. It is critical to separate science from ideology, politics,and personal opinions. This paper attempts to present a clearer understanding of settled scientific conclusions that are considered outside the realm of personal and political debate.

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Emissions and Greenhouse Gases

There's a lot said about "emissions" but what exactly does this mean? It boils down to human activity putting gases into the atmosphere that accumulate and then impact how the "Greenhouse Effect" regulates the temperature on earth.

What "emissions" are we concerned about:

• Even if greenhouse gas emissions are fixed at 2005 levels, new analysis shows that irreversible warming will lead to biodiversity loss and substantial glacial melt.
• Termite Killer Lingers as a Potent Greenhouse Gas.
• Air Pollution Might be as Important as CO2 in Affecting Global Climate.
• Soot Affects Snow, Skies in California.
• Potent Greenhouse Gas More Prevalent in Atmosphere than Previously Assumed.
• Unmanned Aircraft to Study Southern California Smog and its Consequences.
• Black Carbon Pollution Emerges as Major Player in Global Warming.

Global Warming and Atmospheric Brown Clouds: A Double Threat for Asia.

• You can use this online calculator to get a rough "ballpark" estimate of your personal or family's greenhouse gas emissions and explore the impact of taking various actions to reduce your emissions.

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Ongoing Research

We're nowhere close to understanding this entire system; there are many, many unanswered questions. The links below highlight ongoing research and the topics of great interest in today's scientific community.

• Join Scripps Oceanography Director Tony Haymet for an exciting overview of groundbreaking climate research.
• Scripps Oceanography researchers tackle one of climate change modeling's toughest challenges.
• Analysis of Greenland ice led by Scripps Oceanography researchers could allay fears about methane 'burp' accelerating current global warming trend.
• Life Beneath the Ice Caps.
• New Antarctic Ice Core to Provide Clearest Climate Record Yet.

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There are Solutions

The world is focused on the problem but science and society have increasingly begun focusing on solutions. The links below highlight these areas:

• Scientists take aim with tiny algae and their giant promise as the biofuel solution of the future.
• Scripps Oceanography researchers race to make desalination eco-friendly while there's still time.
• Cleaning Up Black Carbon Provides Instant Benefits Against Global Warming
• Regional Partnership to Develop Algal Biofuels Gets Backing of San Diego Leaders.
• Climate Panel: Science Must Support Efforts to Cope with Climate Change-Related Problems.

• Science Solutions for a Planet in Peril: Global Earth Science and Sustainability.
• On Beyond: Sustainability at UC San Diego.
• NOAA's Vision for Climate Products and Services / Integrating Ocean Science and Policy.

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More to Come

Scripps Oceanography is thankful to World Carbon Database for supporting the creation of this webpage.  World Carbon Database is in the process of forging alliances between the world's senior scientific leadership to wage a war for knowledge and to translate climate, carbon and emissions science into a new knowledge base for its users. Check back for updates as we further develop these resources.

Until then - here are some best bets for more information.