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by Ralph J. Cicerone
Ruddiman et al (2005)
Annually-banded ice
cores can be used to
reconstruct past climatic
conditions…
1.8
1.6
(Watts per square meter)
1.4
Radiative Forcing
1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
CO2 CH4 N2O CFC12 CFC11 Other
Source: NOAA ESRL Global Monitoring Division
Frohlich and Lean (2005): Recent analyses of satellite measurements
do not indicate a long-term trend in solar irradiance
(the amount of energy received by the sun)
Immediate action with multiple benefits.
Energy efficiency would:
decrease our dependency on foreign oil
improve our national security
decrease our trade deficit
decrease local air pollution
increase our national competitiveness
encourage development of new products for
global markets
decrease household energy costs while also
slowing the increases of CO2 and CH4 !
Being Useful Through Science
Polarized discussion obscures priorities.
We must accelerate scientific research to deliver more useful
results.
For example,
• regional precipitation and hydrology,
• extreme events like daily high temperatures to be expected
Actual precipitation
anomalies (relative to
long-term averages)
for Jan-May 1998
by Ralph J. Cicerone