Graduate Program

Natural Sciences

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

2003

Thesis Director

Alan Baharlou

Abstract

Human activities, since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, have caused measurable and significant changes to local and regional weather and climate, as well as to global climate.

There is substantial evidence to show that anthropogenic influences have caused statistically significant changes to local and regional weather and climate, and have played a major role in the 0.6°C increase in global, low level temperature observed in the last 100 years. There is also an abundance of data that establishes a causal relationship between the 32% increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration that has occurred since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, and the observed temperature increase. Recent studies indicate plant and animal migrations toward higher latitudes, longer growing seasons, worldwide retreat of mountain glaciers, and decreases in sea-ice, all in response to the observed increase in global temperature.

There is additional evidence from Project METROMEX, that was conducted in the Saint Louis, Missouri region during the summer months of 1971-1975. The study, designed to determine whether urbanization plays a role in local, inadvertent weather modification, demonstrated that temperature, precipitation, and wind flow patterns were significantly altered by the presence of this urban region.

Four additional studies will be included that corroborate these findings.

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