Mankind changed the climate before the combustion engine was invented

6.7.2012

In the last 150 years, the global temperature increased by 0.8°C. According to a new study, ten percent of this increase was caused by pre-industrial change of land use. Climate change is not caused just by carbon dioxide from cars and factories, but also the continuing cutting of trees that would otherwise capture part of the carbon dioxide. The study gives developing countries greater blame for climate change, because of the massive deforestation and population growth, for instance in China and India. According to scientists, emissions from the pre-industrial era are still having impact, since carbon dioxide emissions remain in the atmosphere for many centuries.

Usually it is believed that the rich countries are responsible for climate change, because they produce emissions since the early Industrial Revolution. This is still true, but a new study shows that poor countries have had a greater impact than previously thought. From 800 to 1850 A.D., the world population increased approximately five fold, while half of that increase is accounted for by China and India. The most serious problem, however, remains the huge amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere since 1840.

-tk-