PERSPECTIVE ON CLIMATE CHANGE IN NORTH AMERICA DURING THE TWENTIETH CENTURY

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Abstract
The climate record from many parts of North America provides ample evidence of climate change. For specific elements such as temperature or precipitation, a substantial portion of these changes can be shown to be statistically significant; that is, they either reflect an unusual combination of events in a stationary process or they reflect a nonstationary process. The practical significance of a climate change, however, even when it can be shown to be statistically significant, cannot be assumed. Conversely, it is entirely possible to have a practically significant climate change without statistical significance, although this is less likely to occur. The preponderance of evidence over recent years suggests that any notion regarding static climate regimes must be dismissed in favor of a dynamic system. The differential heating of our planet which results in a restless atmosphere can also yield a restless climate. Whether this dynamic climate system is merely a manifestation of natural variations or at least partly caused by changes in external influences, we cannot yet be certain. The fact that the climate has changed in North America during the 20th century, and in all likelihood will probably continue to do so in the future, should be considered in any decision-making process related to climate. [Key words: climatic change.]