Human activity could upset balance of Earth's climate: study

WASHINGTON (AFP) Dec 03, 2003
Human activity could cause dramatic changes in the Earth's climate in ways that are still largely unknown and potentially devastating, researchers said Tuesday.

"We are entering the unknown with our climate," said Thomas Karl and Kevin Trenberth of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in an article for Friday's edition of the journal Science.

The researchers suggest that a global effort be made to monitor the Earth's climate and the effect of human activity, particularly the emission of so-called "greenhouse" gases.

"Climate change is truly a global issue, one that may prove to be humanity's greatest challenge. It is very unlikely to be adequately addressed without greatly improved international cooperation and action," they wrote.

SPACE.WIRE