Article 8
Topic: Global Warming
Author: Rachel Nuwer
Date: November 8, 2012
This article informs the reader about scientists' predictions and their attempt to prove it by providing strong evidence. The majority of estimates fall between a rise of 2 to 4.5 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees to 8.1 degrees Fahrenheit). As a result, this leaves a wide range of uncertainty. A new paper in journal Science by Kevin Trenberth and John Fascullo states that future warming may fall on the high side of climate projections. To prove their theory, they set out to assess which of 16 leading climate models most accurately portrayed the earth's current climate, especially in regard to clouds. Since clouds influence the earth's temperature, the researchers focused on the relationship between relative humidity - a measure of moisture in the atmosphere - and clouds. They found out that a strong, observable relationship exists between the two: when relative humidity is high, condensation occurs and clouds form. Their result also suggests that relative humidity is a necessary metric for models to perform accurately. However, the only way to prevent the earth from warming up is to emit less carbon dioxide and reduce our carbon footprint.
I decided to choose this article because it focuses on Global Warming, which is a huge global issue. The scientists' predictions about how warm the earth will be clearly proves that we need to start emitting less carbon dioxide in order to save ourselves and the planet. The two authors who wrote the paper are very determined to prove their point but several factors always change, so there is no accurate way of measuring how warm the Earth will be as we continue to live.
Author: Rachel Nuwer
Date: November 8, 2012
This article informs the reader about scientists' predictions and their attempt to prove it by providing strong evidence. The majority of estimates fall between a rise of 2 to 4.5 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees to 8.1 degrees Fahrenheit). As a result, this leaves a wide range of uncertainty. A new paper in journal Science by Kevin Trenberth and John Fascullo states that future warming may fall on the high side of climate projections. To prove their theory, they set out to assess which of 16 leading climate models most accurately portrayed the earth's current climate, especially in regard to clouds. Since clouds influence the earth's temperature, the researchers focused on the relationship between relative humidity - a measure of moisture in the atmosphere - and clouds. They found out that a strong, observable relationship exists between the two: when relative humidity is high, condensation occurs and clouds form. Their result also suggests that relative humidity is a necessary metric for models to perform accurately. However, the only way to prevent the earth from warming up is to emit less carbon dioxide and reduce our carbon footprint.
I decided to choose this article because it focuses on Global Warming, which is a huge global issue. The scientists' predictions about how warm the earth will be clearly proves that we need to start emitting less carbon dioxide in order to save ourselves and the planet. The two authors who wrote the paper are very determined to prove their point but several factors always change, so there is no accurate way of measuring how warm the Earth will be as we continue to live.