Much concern is felt about global warming and many debates have ranged widely on this subject without as yet arriving at a precise answer; the ‘best guess’ at present is a 60% chance of a global average change in the 1·5–4·5 K range if carbon dioxide concentrations were to double. However, regional temperature changes are still more speculative depending on the heat retaining properties of the oceans and the continents. The reaction of ecosystems to climatic change is here illustrated by considering forests and birds, and it is concluded that the more rapid the climatic change, the higher the probability of disruption and surprise in the ecosystems affected. The author finally recommends the banning of chlorofluorocarbons and switching fuels from coal to natural gas thus buying time and slowing down global warming.
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