23 October 2007 - Global warming “will come sooner and harder”; Chinese growth and loss of natural “sinks” highlighted in study.
Scientists warned last night that global warming will be “stronger than expected and sooner than expected”, after a new analysis showed carbon dioxide is accumulating in the atmosphere much faster than predicted.
Experts said that the rise is due to soaring economic development in China, and a reduction in the amount of carbon pollution soaked up by the world’s land and oceans.
It also means human emissions will have to be cut more sharply than predicted to avoid the likely effects.
Dr. Corinne Le Quere, a climate expert at the University of East Anglia and British Antarctic Survey, who helped conduct the study, said: “It’s bad news because the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide has accelerated since 2000 in a way we did not expect. My biggest worry is people are discouraged by this and do nothing. I hope political leaders will act on this, because we need to do something fast.” More >>>
[This is an article from October last year that I missed but thought important enough to post today. Editor]
