Climate study warns of greenhouse gas feedback loop
Icebergs off Greenland's eastern coast
Keystone
Many current climate models could be underestimating the long-term consequences of global warming, says an international study with Swiss participation.
This content was published on
1 minute
SDA-ATS/ts
العربية
ar
باحثون يحذّرون من إغفال تبعات ذوبان الجليد بالقرب من القطبيْن
Researchers from 17 countries, including a team from the Oeschger Centre for Climate Change ResearchExternal link at the University of Bern, combed through data going back 3.5 million years and analysed several warm periods.
During these periods, the high latitudes near the poles heated up more than the tropics, said a statement from the University of Bern, Oregon State University and the University of New South Wales.
The scientists said this meant the thawing of permafrost released additional carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere, which would drive global warming even more.
If humanity succeeded in limited global warming to two degrees Celsius more than in pre-industrial levels, the risk would be “somewhat small” of a self-reinforcing greenhouse gas feedback loopExternal link, they concluded. However, they said future emissions scenarios would have to take into consideration the high amount of additional carbon dioxide.
The 59 researchers had focused on the issue of past warm periods at a workshop in Bern in April. The resulting study has now been published in the journal Nature Geoscience.
More
More
How the Alps inform polar research
This content was published on
Switzerland might seem an odd place for a summit on polar studies. But with its high mountains, it is part of the “third pole” after North and South.
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?
Switzerland faces income losses from US tariffs, says ETH Zurich
This content was published on
Compared to Germany and France, Switzerland would face “significantly higher losses,” says ETH Zurich’s Centre for Economic Research (KOF).
Christian Oppliger named new head of the Swiss Air Force
This content was published on
Christian Oppliger has been named the new head of the Swiss Air Force, starting on October 1. He succeeds Peter Merz, who will become CEO of Skyguide.
Swiss Solidarity raises over CHF6 million for earthquake victims in Myanmar and Thailand
This content was published on
The earthquake in March caused severe destruction, especially in Myanmar, where the humanitarian situation is already dire, according to Swiss Solidarity.
This content was published on
On Wednesday, the Swiss government named Ambassador Gabriel Lüchinger to the role, amid the ongoing trade war initiated by US President Donald Trump.
Switzerland to cut UN development aid by CHF13 million
This content was published on
The reduction in contributions is due to the cuts to the 2025 budget for international cooperation, which were decided by Parliament last December.
Swiss parliamentary committee seeks extra billion for army ammunition
This content was published on
A committee of the Swiss House of Representatives wants to swiftly acquire ammunition for its ground-based air defence and other systems.
Nestlé Waters scandal: Élysée Palace ‘knew of misconduct’
This content was published on
An inquiry revealed that the French presidency granted Swiss company Nestlé Waters access to ministries despite knowing about their misconduct.
This content was published on
The Swiss are participating in an open test of the new electronic identity card. This will eventually lead to a state-recognised e-ID.
This content was published on
Will climate change indeed result in large-scale human migration, notably from poor to rich countries? Vally Koubi and Thomas Bernauer answer.
This content was published on
The governing Federal Council said it had adopted a dispatch for the revised CO2 law that would now be submitted for the attention of parliament. It states that emissions generated in Switzerland should be cut by at least 30% by 2030, with a maximum of 20% of the reduction due to measures taken abroad. “In…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.