Here's a copy of a press release from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a group of scientists employed by the United States government to research natural sciences such as meteorology, vulconology, and oceanography. This is more evidence that global warming is occurring, and we must take action to stop it now, before it's too late!
NOAA-98-019
CONTACT: Lori Arguelles (202) 482-5647
Randee Exler (301) 713-0622
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- April 7, 1998
SPECIAL EL NIŅO WEATHER SUMMARY ISSUED
'97-'98 Winter Consistent with Trends Toward a Warmer/Wetter World
A special summary on the nation's unusual winter weather and climate extremes
has been issued by the Commerce Department*s National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, the agency announced today.
The report provides highlights on the country's unique weather during the
height of the El Niņo, from December 1997 through March 1998.
"This winter's El Niņo ranks as one of the major climatic events of this
century," said D. James Baker, Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and
Atmosphere. "The country as a whole saw the warmest and wettest January and
February in the past 104 years. Rainfall records dating back to 1884 were
broken in California, and temperature records from 1890 were broken in Ohio."
"When you look more closely at the numbers, you also see that this
record-breaking El Niņo is consistent with a worldwide trend over the last 40
years toward a warmer and wetter world," said Baker.
This winter's El Niņo, in a sense, provides us a window on the future," said
Baker. "We can*t draw a causal link between El Niņo and global warming," said
Baker. "But our modeling tells us that global warming may first manifest
itself in changes in weather patterns. In other words, this winter's El Niņo
is a taste of what we might expect if the earth warms as we now project," said
Baker.
There is broad scientific consensus that the evidence points to a discernible
human influence on global climate. Climate records indicate that a warming of
the earth is occurring, and human activity is contributing to it. The average global temperature rose 1.1 degrees (F) over the past century and is
projected to rise another 2 to 6 degrees by 2100. This is a faster rate of
change than any that*s occurred on the planet in the last 10,000 years.
"It is difficult to predict with any precision the impacts on any given area,"
said Baker. "we have studies under way to develop a clearer picture of
potential impacts on different regions of the United States."
More proof of global warming
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