How does rising atmospheric CO2 affect marine organisms?

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The Instrumental Surface Air Temperature Record of the Past 150 Years
Reference
Jones, P.D., New, M., Parker, D.E., Martin, S. and Rigor, I.G.  1999.  Surface air temperature and its changes over the past 150 years.  Reviews of Geophysics 37: 173-199.

What was done
The authors present a comprehensive update and analysis of the surface air temperature record of the globe for the last 150 years.

What was learned
From 1861 to 1997, global surface air temperature rose by 0.57°C; while from 1901 to 1997, it rose by 0.62°C.  The bulk of this warming occurred within two 20-year periods: 0.37°C between 1925 and 1944, and 0.32°C between 1978 and 1997.  The warming was greatest over the northern continents and over the half-year period December through May.  In addition, over the period 1950-1993, nighttime (minimum) temperatures warmed at a rate of 0.18°C per decade, while daytime (maximum) temperatures warmed by 0.08°C per decade.

What it means
The earth has warmed slightly over the past century or so.


Reviewed 1 December 1999