Global warming: happening now, happening fast

The 300 scientists involved in the in-depth analysis looked at 10 climate indicators such as; humidity, sea surface temperature, sea ice cover, snow cover, ocean heat content, glacier cover, air temperature in lower atmosphere, sea lever and temperature over land and ocean.

“This is like going to the doctor and getting your respiratory test and circulatory test and your neurosystem test,” said co-author Derek Arndt, head of climate monitoring branch of NOAAs National Climate Data Centre.

The US National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administrations released the annual ‘State of the Climate’ report.

The tests showed there has been consistent warming over the past three decades, with the last decade being the hottest on record.

It showed the temperatures are rising and the ice and snow levels are dropping.

The report highlighted the influx in greenhouse gases have heavily affected the ocean.

Of the 90% of heat trapped by greenhouse gas emissions over the last 50 years are absorbed by the ocean.

The heating is also causing the water to expand, increase ocean heat and contribute to the rapid melting of the ice.

The melting of ice caps in 2010 is predicted to be worse the 2007 which was when the ice cover reached the lowest point on record.

The report explained how climate change has caused extreme weather, especially in Australia.

Australia last year experienced its third hottest year on record resulting in the disastrous Black Saturday fires through Victoria.

The report highlights what is really going on in the world, not simply based on tables and predictions.