History+Of+Climate+Change

__**The Ice Age**__ The first people arrived in North America around 15,000 to 30,000 years ago. When they arrived, most of North America was covered in a great sheet of ice. 14,000 years ago the last of the great sheet of ice melted away faster than normal. In a matter of 7,000 years all of the ice was completely gone. This changed the enviorment and the temperature started to rise this caused animals and plants to die out. [] (picture above)

Serious droughts and other unusual weather since 1972 increase scientific and public concern about climate change. In 1975 concern about environmental effects of airplanes leads to investigations of trace gases in the stratosphere and discovery of danger to ozone layer. Manabe produce complex but plausible computer models which show a temperature rise of several degrees for doubled CO2. Studies in 1975 find that methane can make a serious contribution to the greenhouse effect.Deforestation and other ecosystem changes are recognized as major factors in the future of the climate. In 1991 global warming skeptics emphasize studies indicating that a significant part of 20th-century temperature changes were due to solar influences. The correlation would fail in the following decade. Studies from 55 million years ago show possibility of eruption of methane from the seabed with enormous self-sustained warming. In 1992 a conference in Rio de Janeiro produces UN framework Convention on Climate Change, but US blocks calls for serious action. Study of ancient climates reveals climate sensitivity in same range as predicted independently by computer models. In 1993 ice samples from greenland proeduce evidance that the tempature will change. In 1997 Toyota introduces the Prius in Japan, first mass-market electric hybrid car. Also swift progress in large wind turbines and other energy alternatives and International conference produces Kyoto protocol, setting targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions if enough nations sign onto a treaty. In 2003 variety of studies increase concern that the collapse of ice sheets can raise sea levels faster than predicted .A deadly heat wave in Europe during the summer accelerates divergence between European and US public opinion. In 2005 the Kyoto treaty goes into effect. It was signed by major industrial nations except US. Hurricane Katrina and other major tropical storms spur debate over impact of global warming on storm intensity. The level of CO2 in the atmosphere reaches 380 ppm//. By : Dakota Letendre//
 * __Recent History of Climate Change__**