Global warming and associated climate changes:

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Rising atmospheric greenhouse gases have already altered the climate: global mean surface temperatures, sea level, Arctic sea ice extent, glacier mass, and the frequency/intensity of some extreme weather events show clear, observed trends. Attribution studies using physical climate models and observations link most of the recent warming to human-caused emissions of CO2, CH4 and other greenhouse gases. The key physical concept is climate system inertia—oceans and ice store heat and respond slowly—so some degree of additional warming and associated impacts are already “locked in” by past emissions.

Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Observations: Instrumental records show global average temperatures have increased ~1°C since preindustrial times; sea level has risen ~20 cm over the 20th century; Arctic summer sea ice and mountain glaciers are shrinking. These are measured facts.
2. Attribution: Climate models and fingerprint studies attribute the majority of recent warming to anthropogenic greenhouse gas increases rather than natural variability.
3. Physical inertia: CO2 persists for decades to centuries in the atmosphere and the ocean takes centuries to equilibrate. Because of this, some future warming and impacts will occur even if emissions stop today.
4. Consequence: Since some impacts are already occurring and further near‑term change is unavoidable due to past emissions, the statement that global warming “are already a problem” is supported. The clause “about which nothing can be done” reflects the scientific point that certain changes are effectively irreversible on human timescales (committed warming, sea level rise from thermal expansion and ice melt), even though long-term mitigation can limit further change.

Why the other choices are incorrect:
- “Caused the ozone hole”: The ozone hole primarily resulted from chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a separate issue addressed by the Montreal Protocol; it is not the direct cause of climate change.
- “Likely to be a problem in the future, about which nothing can be done”: This understates the current reality—impacts are already observed today.
- “The greatest hoax”: Contradicted by the extensive observational evidence and scientific consensus.

Final confirmation: The correct answer is “Are already a problem, about which nothing can be done.”

Global warming and associated climate changes:单项选择题

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