Layer 1
This is the IFF World Model. Roll over each of the factors, or use the navigation panel on the right hand side of the page, to investigate trends and discontinuities in each area. For more information on the model overall and how to use it visit the world model pages.
Description
Global warming is occurring – there is a growing body of observations of increasing air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising sea levels. Since the beginning of the industrial revolution the burning of fossil fuels, land use change, and agriculture have significantly increased the atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Scientific research and knowledge on climate change have also progressed substantially, confirming that the current acceleration of warming of the Earth's climate is almost certainly due in large part to these human activities.
The effects of warming are not fully understood but increasing super-storms, reversals of El Nino in the southern ocean, extreme rainfall with flooding, and desertification of previously fertile regions are already being seen.
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