Irish Meteorological Society

Dr Simon Torok
School of Environmental Sciences University of East Anglia,

The natural greenhouse effect has been enhanced by increases in greenhouse gases. There has been a corresponding increase in global temperatures: 1998 was the warmest year and the 1990s the warmest decade in the record of thermometer observations, while proxy records show the 1900s to have been the warmest century of the millennium. Other changes include increases in precipitation, shrinkage of mountain glaciers, and sea level rise of 10-20cms. The consensus of opinion is that most of the observed warming over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities.

Climate will continue to change in future. Modelling studies suggest global temperatures will rise by between 1.4 to 5.8 degC by the end of the century (and continue to rise). Sea levels will rise by 9-88cms due mainly to the consequent thermal expansion of water. Many other aspects of the climate will change -- such as a possible increase in extreme weather events. There will be impacts on health, agriculture, water resources, coasts and ecosystems. Communication plays an important role in changing behaviour to help society mitigate as well as adapt to climate change.

Room G32 Earlsfort Terrace, NUI Dublin

8p.m. Friday 19th April, 2002

Members of the Public are Welcome to Attend
Updated Tue 13 Nov 2001