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Attribution
Asks whether observed changes are consistent with
expected responses to forcings
inconsistent with alternative explanations
Most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century  is very likely (>90% certainty) due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas  concentrations

Source: Thompson et al. 2008.

ENSO = El Nino/
Southern Oscillation

COWL= cold ocean, warm land















Source: Thompson et al., 2008.
Slide 5
Observed Vs. modeled temperature rise since 1860
Computer Model Comparison of Anthropogenic and Natural Forcing (red) vs. Only Natural Forcing (blue)
Understanding and Attributing Climate Change
1000
Years
of CO2
and
Temperatures
Fig. 10.28 Global temperature trends, 1880-2003
Temperature  trends
Temperature Anomalies
10,000 Years of
Greenhouse
Gases
Slide 14
Actual Carbon Dioxide emission added
WhatÕs in the pipeline and what could come
Warming will increase if GHG increase.   If GHG were kept fixed at current levels, a committed 0.6¡C of further warming would be expected by 2100.   More warming would accompany more emission.

Surface Temperature Projections
Changing winds, temperatures
and storm tracks
¥   Anthropogenic forcing has likely contributed to circulation changes (storm tracks, winds and temperature patterns)
Warmer, wetter winters in Norway; drier in Spain (and North Africa)

Slide 19
Projections of Future Changes in Climate