How will the release of Siberian methane affect global warming? Can climate models predict its signature?

Because it’s a complicated process, and we can’t predict how much of the released gas may be re-absorbed by plants and the oceans, how quickly it will be released, or whether the sudden increase in methane will trigger an, as yet, un-predicted event. It is estimated that a Siberian thaw could push 500 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere. The U.N.-sponsored Panel on Climate Change has published its estimate for global warming over the next one hundred years, producing a rise of between 3 and 11 degrees F. The addition of Siberian gas releases could change these predictions to 5 to 15 degrees F.

What will be the consequences of global warming at the regional scale ?

This is a scale that need to be reached if we want to help society but more research is needed.

What is the differential sensitivity of ecosystems to warming?

The effect of global warming on ecosystem functioning results from the product of the rate of warming and the ecosystem sensitivity to a unit of warming.

(1) Warming Effects on Ecosystem Functioning = Ecosystem Sensitivity * Rate of Warming

Here, we define ecosystem sensitivity as the degree of change in ecosystem functioning per unit of warming; and we separate the degree of warming from the ecosystem response. In the past, the focus has been on the degree of warming assuming that all ecosystems were equally responsive to warming. Consequently, we expected that ecosystems that would warm the most would change the most. However, are all ecosystems equally sensitive to warming? Are arid ecosystems more sensitive than mesic ecosystems? Are ecosystems in lower latitudes more sensitive than ecosystems in higher latitudes? If so, the expected higher warming of higher latitudes may be offset by lower sensitivity. There is a major gap in our understanding of ecosystem sensitivity to warming at the continental scale because experimental studies lack full geographical coverage.

Will the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation slow in the comming century and what will be the climate impacts due to this change?

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (MOC) is the principal manifestation of the ocean’s response to earth’s net radiation budget. Its mean circulation and variability are linked to globally distributed climate phenomena e.g. European average temperatures and rainfall distribution. The MOC is predicted to slow under global warming. We first need to observe the meridional distribution and temporal characteristics of the MOC then model and predict future change.

How to curb carbon emission and related gases released from the industries and vehicles all over the world in next decade?

Emission of carbon related gases is most responsible for global warming and green house effect. Factories, industrial zones and vehicles emit enormous amount of carbon compounds. Due to rapid deforestation such huge amount of carbon remains in the atmosphere instead of being used by the trees for the process of photosynthesis. Global warming is a result of such uncontrolled carbon emission.

How will polar climate respond to continued global warming?

Current climate models do not adequately simulate the behaviour of the climate at the poles (a) because they are based largely on tropical to mid-latitude processes, and (b) because they ignore the effects of changing ozone through time. Without improvements in polar climate models we shall be unable to provide any adequate projection of the decay of ice sheets and their contribution to sea level rise.

Can we safely use geoengineering approaches to help cool the planet?

We may need to try to experiment with certain geoenginnering approaches to stave off catastrophic global heating. This can buy us time to implement carbon emissions reductions to avert the worst effects of catastrophic climate change. Obstacles: We cannot fully predict the outcomes with present knowledge, though we know that some approaches are less wise than others.

How can we make use of global warming to generate energy in the future?

As reported some where by the year 2030 if carbon dioxide reaches twice is pre-industrial level, global temperature would be 1.5 degree to 5 degrees C higher than that of today. This means more solar heat available on the earth. Is it possible to use this potential radiated heat from CO2,O3,CH4 and CFC,s etc.and increased solar heat to generate solar power stations all over the world in the next couple of decades?

Does global warming bring more rain or less rain, and how the rainfall pattern is changed around the globe?

water is one of the most important resources affecting people’s lives. We need to know how global warming changes the pattern of the rainfall, so the policy makers and governments can plan and implement policies that can mitigate severe problems such as drought or flooding, and infrastructure to distribute water effectively.

What coud be the evolution of emerging pathogenic agents in relation with global earth changes?

Earth warming, ecological changes and globalization of transportation may induce further spread of insect born diseases away from the tropics. Large numbers of population might not be ready to cope with the threat with their natural defenses, or with public health procedures.