Short-term climatic change: evidence, causes, environmental consequences and strategies for action

Abstract

The last two decades have been dominated by extreme weather events worldwide, which are generally regarded as good indicators of distinctive climatic change. This paper examines the evidence for short-term climatic change provided by atmospheric observations and environmental indicators over the past century or so and accounts for this change in terms of current (if conflicting) theories, particularly those associated with dust veils, the greenhouse effect and ozone depletion. It also discusses the predicted impact of these changes on a wide range of environmental factors, including sea level, agriculture and human health. It concludes with an analysis of a number of strategies for action which are required urgently to minimize the severity of the predicted impact.