The Challenge of Fossil Fuel and Climate Change
Abstract Chapter 1 reviews the dramatic increases in global fossil fuel consumption, global temperature, and greenhouse gases emissions since the 1950s; the rise in air pollution in much of the world; the major sources of greenhouse gases and air pollution; and the growth of the natural gas and petr...
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| Format: | Book Part |
| Language: | English |
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Oxford University PressNew York
2022
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| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780197588161.003.0001 https://academic.oup.com/book/chapter-pdf/57960489/oso-9780197588161-chapter-1.pdf |
| Summary: | Abstract Chapter 1 reviews the dramatic increases in global fossil fuel consumption, global temperature, and greenhouse gases emissions since the 1950s; the rise in air pollution in much of the world; the major sources of greenhouse gases and air pollution; and the growth of the natural gas and petrochemical industries as major emitters of greenhouse gases. It describes the decimation of forests and the warming of oceans, reducing their ability to store carbon and causing extensive loss of biodiversity. It presents the sharp increase in climate-related severe floods, storms, fires, and drought. The chapter ends with a review of potential tipping points that could cause an irreversible change in the climate system and start positive feedback loops that amplify the effect of greenhouse gases: an example is the disappearance of Arctic sea ice leading through a feedback loop to the rapid melting of the Artic permafrost and resulting in the release of vast amounts of carbon. The chapter is a loud call for action on solutions described in Chapter 6 and Chapter 7. |
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