Climate change is more complex than Heiberg thinks

I appreciate Rick Heiberg’s acknowledgment that he is not an expert in climate science (Columbia Basin Herald, March 17), so I would like to clarify some points he raised.

The reason the term “global warming” was changed to “climate change” is that what is happening involves a complex suite of changes, only one of which is an accelerating increase in air, land, and water temperature averaged across the globe. This is solid, incontrovertible data obtained by many methods and not subject to belief or disbelief. The many changes caused by the overall warming include melting glaciers, rising seas, droughts, heat waves, and the “historic” weather events that seem to be the new normal. Our experiences of these consequences are also incontrovertible. The oceans have absorbed much of the carbon dioxide we have added to the atmosphere. This has increased their acidity, threatening marine ecosystems and the fisheries on which many people depend. Burning fossil fuels has indisputably caused what is happening to the oceans.

Early climate models were simplistic. They measured different things and sometimes led to discrepant results. But models have improved tremendously and they unanimously point to drastic changes on this planet. Sure, Antarctic sea ice is increasing (for reasons we understand), but the overriding truth is that the Antarctic Ocean itself is rapidly warming. That’s climate change.

Based on the evidence, 97 percent of climate scientists accept human-caused climate change and a similar majority of meteorologists (including TV “weathermen”) now agree. I don’t know how much more settled something can be. Problems with the hockey stick don’t invalidate the science.

It’s time to stop hopefully dredging up examples of past climate changes caused by volcanoes or orbital shifts, conclusions based on demonstrably cherry-picked data, or discrepancies in the findings of models that are not measuring the same thing. When Noah was warned, he wisely built an ark. We’ve also been warned, and we ignore the warning at our peril.

Carol Steinhart

Madison, Wisc.