Climate Change
Follow key dates in the story of climate change and the world's response.
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Before the Industrial Revolution, the atmosphere holds 280 parts per million of heat-trapping carbon dioxide (CO-2). (Figure based on later research.)
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Swedish scientist Svante Ahrrenius warns that CO-2 from coal and oil burning could warm the planet.
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U.S. scientist Charles Keeling finds atmospheric CO-2 has risen to 315 parts per million.
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NASA scientist James Hansen tells the U.S. Congress global warming "is already happening now."
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The United Nations establishes the Climate Change Convention. When it goes into effect March 21, 1994, 180 nations are signed on to combat the production and effects of greenhouse gases.
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A U.N.-organized scientific panel says evidence suggests man-made emissions are affecting the climate.
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The member countries of the Climate Change Convention unanimously approve the Kyoto Protocol, mandating emission cuts by industrial nations. It must be ratified by at least 55 countries, including those accounting for at least 55 percent of CO-2 emissions in 1990, to take effect.
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The warmest year globally since record-keeping began in the mid-19th century.
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The United States signs Kyoto, but the Senate opposes it, citing potential damage to the economy and insisting that growing polluters such as China and India also be covered. It is never submitted for ratification.
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A U.N. scientific panel concludes most global warming is likely due to man-made emissions.
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U.S. President Bush defends his decision to withdraw from negotiations aimed at finalizing Kyoto, saying, "The Kyoto Protocol was fatally flawed in fundamental ways."
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CO-2 emissions reach a record 379 parts per million.
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Russia's upper house of parliament ratifies the Kyoto Protocol and sends it to President Vladimir Putin for a final stamp of approval, paving the way for the pact to go into force in early 2005.
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The Kyoto global warming pact goes into effect, limiting emissions of six greenhouse gasses. Ratified by 140 countries, the rules apply to more than 30 industrial nations, but not the United States, the world's largest emitter of such gases.
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Introducing a major report commissioned by the British government, Prime Minister Tony Blair said unabated climate change would eventually cost the world between 5 percent and 20 percent of global gross domestic product each year. He called for "bold and decisive action" to cut carbon dioxide emissions and stem the worst of the temperature rise. A senior British government economist, said that acting now to cut greenhouse gas emissions would cost about 1 percent of global GDP each year.
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"An Inconvenient Truth," former Vice President Al Gore's film on the perils of global warming, scores two Oscar nominations - for best documentary feature and best original song.
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A United Nations report to be released in Paris on Feb. 2will include the strongest warning yet that humans are stoking global warming that may cause colossal damage to nature if they ignore rising temperatures. The report by 2,500 scientists will say there is at least a 90 percent chance that human activities led by burningfossil fuels are the main cause of warming in the past 50 years. The warming may cause more floods, heatwaves, droughts and rising sea levels by 2100.
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Two advocacy groups testify that federal scientists have been subjected to political pressure aimed at downplaying the threat of global warming. The investigative hearing -- the first since Democrats took control of Congress -- focused on allegations that the White House for years has micromanaged the government's climate programs and has closely controlled what scientists have been allowed to tell the public.
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Al Gore is nominated for the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his wide-reaching efforts to draw the world's attention to the dangers of global warming. During eight years as Bill Clinton's vice president, Gore pushed for climate measures, including for the Kyoto Treaty. Since leaving office in 2001 he has campaigned worldwide, including with his Oscar-nominated documentary on climate change called "An Inconvenient Truth."
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"An Inconvenient Truth" wins two Academy Awards - best documentary feature and best original song.
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Credits:
CBS News, Associated Press
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