Abrupt Climate Change This Century? Discussion by Scientists @ USGS

EarthForum Archive DiscussionCentral: Abrupt Climate Change This Century?

Key findings:

* Climate model simulations and observations suggest that rapid and sustained September arctic sea ice loss is likely in the 21st century.

* The southwestern United States may be beginning an abrupt period of increased drought.

* It is very likely that the northward flow of warm water in the upper layers of the Atlantic Ocean, which has an important impact on the global climate system, will decrease by approximately 25–30 percent. However, it is very unlikely that this circulation will collapse or that the weakening will occur abruptly during the 21st century and beyond.

* An abrupt change in sea level is possible, but predictions are highly uncertain due to shortcomings in existing climate models.

* There is unlikely to be an abrupt release of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, to the atmosphere from deposits in the earth. However, it is very likely that the pace of methane emissions will increase.