The impact of man on climate

Abstract

In the past decade the realization has grown that (a) our society is becoming increasingly vulnerable to fluctuations in climate, and (b) human activities may have important influences on climate in coming years. The effects of steadily increasing use of fossil fuels seem likely to be most serious through increasing atmospheric concentration of CO₂ and raising the temperatures of the global atmosphere. Also, introductions of chlorofluoromethanes and NO_x into the stratosphere either by transport and diffusion from the surface or by jet or rocket exhaust in the stratosphere may lead to depleting the Earth's O₃ shield and to significant effects on climate and health.

Regional influences on the large scale climate are highly uncertain but should not be dismissed lightly. Such influences include the effects of release of large quantities of heat from urban areas or from ‘power parks’, large irrigation or desalination projects, and extensive forest clearing. Injection into the atmosphere of particles and gases from industry, vehicles, and homes affects the atmosphere in a variety of ways and may result in regional changes in climate.