Greenhouse Warming: Consequences for Arctic Climate

Abstract

Man is changing the chemical composition of the atmosphere. Over the past century, the increasing amounts of radiatively active gases (RAGs) emitted into the atmosphere have resulted in measurable and significant increases in the atmospheric concentrations of such gases as carbon dioxide, methane, and chlorofluorocarbons. The impact on the world's climate has the potential to be larger than any experienced during the history of man on this planet. In polar regions, climate change is anticipated to be much larger than in other areas due to various positive‐feedback processes operating there, such as the snow/ice‐albedo feedback. Large temperature increases are expected, especially in winter. Precipitation is expected to increase as well. Uncertainties related to climate change are very large, and it is impossible to specify the rate or amount of change in a precise way. Improvements in general‐circulation models, especially ocean‐coupled models, will provide better estimates of future changes.