What makes us different? Read our Declaration of Journalistic Independence Home | About Natural News | Contact Us | Write for Natural News
Search our 25,000 free articles and special reports
rainfall

Human activity drastically altering rainfall patterns

Sunday, December 09, 2007 by: David Gutierrez | Key concepts: rainfall, emissions and water

Want stories like this e-mailed to you? Click here for free email alerts

Email this article to a friend Printable Version
(NaturalNews) Global warming caused by industrial emissions has changed precipitation patterns worldwide, according to a new study published in the journal Nature. While many prior studies have demonstrated that emissions have led to rising global temperatures, this is the first major international study to examine the effects of human-related emissions on rainfall.

"It's the first time that we've detected in precipitation data a clear imprint of human influence on the climate system," said lead author Francis Zwiers.

Various climate models have been predicting global-warming related changes in rainfall patterns for years. Starting with 1925, Zwiers and colleagues examined global rainfall data, then compared it with 14 different computer climate models. They found that rainfall changes in the past 80 years do indeed fall in line with those predicted by the models.

Industrial emissions and global warming have caused the water cycle to become stronger, so that more water moves north, away from the warm equatorial region. This has resulted in increased rainfall in already wet areas and less in dry ones. In addition, the scientists say that higher fossil fuel use in the Northern Hemisphere is pushing the equatorial rain belt farther south, into the Southern Hemisphere.

The study concluded that climate change caused by industrial emissions is responsible for the majority of precipitation increases south of the equator and in the middle latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. It has also resulted in less rainfall in the regions just north of the equator, including Mexico, Central America and northern Africa.

Zwiers said that the results of the study are particularly alarming, even in the realm of climate predictions.

"Temperature changes we can cope with," Zwiers said. "But water changes are much more difficult to cope with. That will have economic impacts and impacts on food production, and could ultimately displace populations."

###

Related Articles

Global warming already impacting monsoons, crop production in India

Additional Resources:

rainfall
emissions
water

Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com

Email this article to a friend

Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us

Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/022349.html

Reprinting this article: Non-commercial OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link.

Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE

Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber!
  • Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more.
  • Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.
Your Email Address:
Free Subscription Code:
Enter the numbers you see:
100% free of charge. Unsubscribe anytime.
Absolutely no spam. We respect your email privacy.

Recommended Special Report:

Seven Words that can Change the World
by Joseph R. Simonetta

Read this special report now...

"Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com

More on NaturalNews.com:

Streaming Health Ranger Videos
CounterThink Cartoons
FREE Special Reports
Podcasts

Also Posted Today

The Politics of National Health Care Reform: Why no Popular Presidential Candidate can Solve Our Health Care Crisis (transcript)

Big Pharma "Doomed" if it Doesn't Change, Says Eli Lilly Chairman

The Poisoning of America's Water Supplies

Rickets on the Rise as Vitamin D Deficiency Surges Among Expectant Mothers

The Many Benefits of Coconut Oil and Coconut Butter

Beat Disease With Juice Feasting!

NEW 6-CD audio set reveals amazing new protocol for reversing cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and more. Click to learn more.

Own Health Ranger Report Podcasts on Audio CD

Own the first 8 Health Ranger Report audio programs on 6 CDs. Covers weight loss, ADHD, vaccinations, processed meats, bone health and more. Click to learn more.

Featured Videos

Short clip on Aspartame
A short clip on aspartame from the documentary All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...

Exclusive video on Aspartame
The dangers of aspartame! Exclusive interview footage from Cori Brackett of Sweet Remedy.
Click here to view now...

Exclusive Footage from All Jacked Up!
See interview footage featuring the Health Ranger in the upcoming junk food film, All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...

Drug Ad Parody
See the Health Ranger's satire parody of Merck's cholesterol drug ad.
Click here to view now...

Free Health Reports!

Amazon Herb Company review
The pH Nutrition Guide to Acid / Alkaline Balance
Pet Food Ingredients Revealed! (shocking)
Medicine From Fish
The Water Cure
The Healing Power of Sunlight and Vitamin D

Featured CounterThink Cartoons

Human Roundup


The Pollution Point of No Return


Global warming deniers


Health Product Companies We Recommend

Read recommendations on supplement companies, health food manufacturers and personal care product makers that you can trust. Our 100% independent review list tells you who to trust and who to avoid in the natural health industry. Click to read.
This site is part of the Natural News Network © 2008 All Rights Reserved. Privacy | Terms All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing International, LTD. is not responsible for content written by contributing authors. Truth Publishing sells no health or nutritional products and earns no money from health product manufacturers or promoters. The information on this site is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice of any kind. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. Your use of this website indicates your agreement to these terms and those published here. All trademarks, registered trademarks and servicemarks mentioned on this site are the property of their respective owners.