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A Climatic Timeline

1886
Swedish chemist Svante Arrhennius publishes first scientific paper on human-induced global warming.

Roger Revelle and Hans Suess, renowned oceanographers at the Scripps Institution, proclaim that "human beings are now carrying out a large-scale geophysical experiment" as a result of CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion.

1957

1958
David Keeling, a young scientist spurred on by Revelle and Suess, begins measurements of CO2 at Mauna Loa, Hawaii.

National Academy of Sciences publishes its first report on global warming projecting that a doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations could result in significant global climate change.

1979

1983
EPA publishes first policy analysis, Can We Delay a Greenhouse Warming_, which calls for more research to improve the basis for policy development.

Toronto conference on the changing atmosphere calls for 20% cut in global CO2 emissions by 2005; United Nations and World Meteorological Organization establish the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and appoint the best international scientists.

1988

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change publishes first scientific assessment report projecting that if business as usual prevails, the rate of global warming over the next century will be faster than any natural climate changes over the last 10,000 years. The report also predicts a doubling in CO2 will result in a temperature increase of 1.5 to 4.5 degree Celsius.

1990
Second World Climate Conference, involving 137 countries, calls for climate treaty containing "real commitments" by 1992.

1992
Climate treaty signed at Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Industrialized countries pledge to "aim" to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2000, but mandatory cuts are rejected.

1993
In Earth Day speech, President Clinton announces climate change action plan intended to reduce emissions to 1990 levels by 2000.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change publishes second assessment report concluding that global warming has already begun and humans are probably at least partly responsible. The 2,000 scientists forecast possibly severe sea-level rise, extreme droughts and floods and the spread of disease unless strong action is taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

1995
First conference of parties to climate treaty in Berlin calls for a protocol to strengthen climate treaty by 1997.

At second conference of parties to climate treaty in Geneva, US calls for protocol to contain binding caps on greenhouse gas emissions. Over 120 nations agree to accelerated talks.

1996

In December, the third conference of parties to climate treaty takes place in Kyoto. After Vice President Gore brings message of increased flexibility, an agreement is reached under which the US is required to cut emissions to 7% below 1990 levels by 2008-2012.

1997
In June, the second U.N. Earth Summit held in New York ends without any new commitments to reduce heat-trapping gases.

1998
In February, President Clinton proposes climate technology initiative, a $5 billion package of research and development funds and tax credits designed to jump-start emission reductions.

THE FUTURE IS UP TO US

In November, at the fourth conference of parties in Buenos Aires, international emission trading rules are adopted.

1998
In November, at the fourth conference of parties in Buenos Aires, international emission trading rules are delayed.

Federal electricity industry restructuring legislation is enacted. By encouraging investments in energy efficiency, environmental information disclosure, and renewable power, the legislation delivers a substantial down payment on greenhouse gas emission reductions.

1999
Federal electricity industry restructuring legislation is enacted without any measures to encourage efficiency and cleaner generation.

Kyoto protocol ratified by US Senate.

2000
Kyoto protocol rejected by US Senate.

Binding emission limits to begin for industralized countries.

2008
U.S. dependency on fossil fuels continues to grow as do our emissions of heat-trapping gases. Storms become more frequent. Malaria reappears in the southern states.

Binding emission limits to begin for all countries.

2018
Severe droughts and floods cause dislocation of millions of people in developing countries destabilizing neighboring countries and shaking world economy.

Global greenhouse gas emissions declining steadily.

2061
The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere reaches 150% of 1990 levels.

Global concentrations of greenhouse gases stabilized.

2100
The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is nearly twice 1990 levels. Sea levels have risen as much as a meter. Some small island nations are uninhabitable. Coastlines have changed dramatically and many coastal cities are flooded regularly by surge storms. The human and economic toll is beyond imagination.

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	1886	Swedish chemist Svante Arrhennius publishes first scientific paper on human-induced global warming.
Roger Revelle and Hans Suess, renowned oceanographers at the Scripps Institution, proclaim that "human beings are now carrying out a large-scale geophysical experiment" as a result of CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion.	1957
	1958	David Keeling, a young scientist spurred on by Revelle and Suess, begins measurements of CO2 at Mauna Loa, Hawaii.
National Academy of Sciences publishes its first report on global warming projecting that a doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations could result in significant global climate change.	1979
	1983	EPA publishes first policy analysis, Can We Delay a Greenhouse Warming_, which calls for more research to improve the basis for policy development.
Toronto conference on the changing atmosphere calls for 20% cut in global CO2 emissions by 2005; United Nations and World Meteorological Organization establish the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and appoint the best international scientists.	1988
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change publishes first scientific assessment report projecting that if business as usual prevails, the rate of global warming over the next century will be faster than any natural climate changes over the last 10,000 years. The report also predicts a doubling in CO2 will result in a temperature increase of 1.5 to 4.5 degree Celsius.	1990	Second World Climate Conference, involving 137 countries, calls for climate treaty containing "real commitments" by 1992.
	1992	Climate treaty signed at Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Industrialized countries pledge to "aim" to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2000, but mandatory cuts are rejected.
	1993	In Earth Day speech, President Clinton announces climate change action plan intended to reduce emissions to 1990 levels by 2000.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change publishes second assessment report concluding that global warming has already begun and humans are probably at least partly responsible. The 2,000 scientists forecast possibly severe sea-level rise, extreme droughts and floods and the spread of disease unless strong action is taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.	1995	First conference of parties to climate treaty in Berlin calls for a protocol to strengthen climate treaty by 1997.
At second conference of parties to climate treaty in Geneva, US calls for protocol to contain binding caps on greenhouse gas emissions. Over 120 nations agree to accelerated talks.	1996
In December, the third conference of parties to climate treaty takes place in Kyoto. After Vice President Gore brings message of increased flexibility, an agreement is reached under which the US is required to cut emissions to 7% below 1990 levels by 2008-2012.	1997	In June, the second U.N. Earth Summit held in New York ends without any new commitments to reduce heat-trapping gases.
	1998	In February, President Clinton proposes climate technology initiative, a $5 billion package of research and development funds and tax credits designed to jump-start emission reductions.
THE FUTURE IS UP TO US
In November, at the fourth conference of parties in Buenos Aires, international emission trading rules are adopted.	1998	In November, at the fourth conference of parties in Buenos Aires, international emission trading rules are delayed.
Federal electricity industry restructuring legislation is enacted. By encouraging investments in energy efficiency, environmental information disclosure, and renewable power, the legislation delivers a substantial down payment on greenhouse gas emission reductions.	1999	Federal electricity industry restructuring legislation is enacted without any measures to encourage efficiency and cleaner generation.
Kyoto protocol ratified by US Senate.	2000	Kyoto protocol rejected by US Senate.
Binding emission limits to begin for industralized countries.	2008	U.S. dependency on fossil fuels continues to grow as do our emissions of heat-trapping gases. Storms become more frequent. Malaria reappears in the southern states.
Binding emission limits to begin for all countries.	2018	Severe droughts and floods cause dislocation of millions of people in developing countries destabilizing neighboring countries and shaking world economy.
Global greenhouse gas emissions declining steadily.	2061	The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere reaches 150% of 1990 levels.
Global concentrations of greenhouse gases stabilized.	2100	The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is nearly twice 1990 levels. Sea levels have risen as much as a meter. Some small island nations are uninhabitable. Coastlines have changed dramatically and many coastal cities are flooded regularly by surge storms. The human and economic toll is beyond imagination.