Progression: Press Room - News Archive

IPCC Report Blames Humans for Climate Changes
Wednesday, May 16

Old Westbury, N.Y. - A new report issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) "strongly" connects human activity to influencing climate change. A primary cause—the burning of fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas.

According to a story posted on CNN.com on April 29, 2007 titled, Scientists: Humans 'very likely' cause global warming, climate experts "unanimously linked the increase of average global temperatures since the mid-20th century to the increase of manmade greenhouse gases in the atmosphere."

New scientific evidence indicates that climate changes are already in progress. The IPCC report warns the world of more frequent heat waves, droughts and intense storms. The scientists predict that global temperature will increase 3 to 7 degrees Fahrenheit and that sea levels will rise between 7 and 23 inches by the year 2100.

"Climate change is quickly becoming one of the world’s most serious threats," says Matthew Vecchione, student project manager of NYIT’s 2007 Solar Decathlon team. "The Solar Decathlon explores many energy-saving alternatives and offers humans a way to take action against global warming."

Most American homes are powered by fossil fuels and release carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. The self-sufficient solar-powered homes designed and constructed for the Solar Decathlon are clean and do not use any fossil fuels.

"To achieve true global energy independence, the world must reduce their reliance of fossil fuels and focus on sustainable development strategies," adds Vecchione.

For information about NYIT's 2007 Solar Decathlon team, visit www.nyit.edu/solar, and for more about the competition, visit www.solardecathlon.org.

# # #

Contact: Jason Selss, media relations manager, 516.686.7481 or jselss@nyit.edu.