Global Sea Surface Temperature Data Provides New Measure of Climate Sensitivity Over the Last Half Million Years

Global Sea Surface Temperature Data Provides New Measure of Climate Sensitivity Over the Last Half Million Years

Reference- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111206082754.htm

Summary- The sensitivity of global temperature to changes Earth’s radiation balance is a key parameter for understanding past natural climate changes as well as potential future climate change. Researchers from the University of Southampton and Bristol For the first time Reconstructed climate sensitivity over five ice age cycles based on the global suite of records of sea surface and polar temperature change. These were compared with the new reconstruction of changes in Earth’s radiation balance caused by the changes in greenhouse gas concentrations. The researchers infer that Earth’s climate sensitivity over the last half million years. It is most likely amounted to a 3.1 to 3.9 Celsius temperature increase for the radiative equivalent of a modern doubling of atmosphere carbon dioxide concentrations. It is about a total range of 1.7 to 5.7 Celsius.

Critique- There is a change in the climate with the temperature from the past half million years. The temperature between now and back then is a big difference that is why it is good to have research into other topics to see the differences.

Impact- This will show the changes in the temperature from the past half million years. If there is a steady pattern going up or down in temperature researchers can calculate how much it will change and what will happen. This would help to see future changes in the climate in the future.