That is actually what set off the alarm bells - was diverse reports especially from biologists in the field that things were changing rather dramatically - migration, mountain islands notably, fish species, early blooming ....it was a long list as reports of change coalesced from different disciplines.
Then specific outcomes were looked for like a cooling stratosphere, declining sea ice in the Arctic
The tree line moving northward. Net glacial loss world wide.
Other areas of potential cause like solar radiation gain were eliminated as new satellites improved the data.
and even the isotopic proof that fossil carbon was the major increase in the atmosphere.
All these lines of evidence were explored and confirmed or an alternative explanation eliminated.
It's after that - where it gets very difficult to project as the outcomes in general were known but regionally difficult, droughts, extremes in temperatures both day and night and in duration, increase in intensity or frequency of storm systems ( intensity increased, frequency not )
Given that the driving force was human emissions there is no way to project those accurately nor the mix of competing gases like S02 which dims incoming radiation or methane which is 20 x more potent but short lived.
Regional impact forecasting is very much in it's infancy with some small success in the very vital monsoon patterns.
But particulates, ENSO reaction to a much warmer ocean, higher moisture content in the atmosphere all upped the complexity.
Interestingly tho ....the global models do work on a coarse grained scale for other planets. Thanks to Cali for this heads up
http://www.space.com/18085-mars-climate ... earth.html
and even for Titan
http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/features/ ... ars-titan/
It's not the reality that is in question ....it's what the outcome will be and how soon the onset of the more damaging aspects.
Welcome to the Anthropocene.
Sensible threatened nations get on with it...
Leading by Example: The Dutch Prepare for Climate Change ...
blogs.worldwatch.org/.../leading-by-example-the-dutch-prepare-for-...Posted by Alison Singer on August 14, 2012. Aug 142012 ... In 2007, the Dutch began preparing for the changing climate in the upcoming two hundred years.
some get caught up in fossil fools denial campaign and sit on their hands.
The insurers know the score...they just up the premiums.
My GF house insurance went up 300% this year and she's not even in a storm surge/flood zone. Some areas in flood zones will no longer have any flood insurance at all.
Fools deny the reality.
Pragmatists deal with the consequences and risks and take steps to keep it from getting entirely out of hand by moving towards a carbon neutral society.
Nordic power road map 2050: Strategic choices towards carbon ...
http://www.nordicenergy.org/project/nor ... -map/Build knowledge and understanding about possible carbon-neutral futures for an integrated ... Build and disseminate knowledge about the Nordic region in the time perspective up to 2050. Participating Countries. Denmark, Norway & Sweden ..
Pay now,or pay more later....
At least the US as the largest emitter has made some positive steps, closing coal plants, opening nuclear plants, more gas plants and lots of small initiatives for lower carbon footprints.
China is doing as much as it can within the limitations of modernizing where is needs ALL power sources and must do so or suffocate. They also see the opportunity for sustainable power and are building solar panels in a flood.
Hey Obama got elected twice....miracles do happen
- the populace in the US might show signs of being fed up with the Repuglies....in Canada our Dino- of the Day dear leader just got a dead fish slap from his home province where 40% reductions in emissions from the tar stands are on the legislative table.
I could NOT be more pleased....tho Ontario eliminating coal entirely this year is a close second.
