INTERPRETING SOME OF THE RECENT DATA RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE

Daily air temperature data over the surface of a large mid-latitude landmass (Eurasia) was obtained for a sixty year period using outgoing long wave radiation (OLR) measurements. The data include measurements taken from earth satellites as well as aircraft. The data are distributed over the study area in a grid with measurements approximately every 1.75 degrees latitude by 1.75 degrees longitude. An average daily temperature for the entire study area, including a correction for changes in quadrangle area with latitude, was computed. Analysis of the data was carried out using commonly available software including Microsoft Excel and graphing programs.

The interval of time between an arbitrary date, in this study the vernal equinox, and the statistically computed times of maximum temperature during the Northern Hemisphere summer and minimum temperature during the Northern Hemisphere winter was computed and graphed for the study period. During a period of warming, in the study area, we would expect that the interval of time to the statistical coldest day would shorten and the interval of time to the statistical warmest day would lengthen.

The authors’ inspection of the results of this study appears to support this hypothesis. The data also clearly indicate that significant warming in the study area, during the study period, occurs mainly during the Northern Hemisphere winter. This correlates with higher atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations during the Northern Hemisphere winter and is consistent with increasing carbon dioxide levels being a significant factor in warming during the study period.

Funded by US Dept. of Education (USDOE) Grant titled "Enhancing African American Students' Talents."