Table 27.3 - Best estimates of climate change projections over the next 50 years

Source: Schneider, 1990

 Distribution of changes  Confidence of projection
Indicators Annual average change Regional average Change in seasonality Interannual variability Significant transients Global average Regional average
Temperature +2 to +5°C ­3 to +10°C Yes Down? Yes High Medium
Sea level +10 to +100 cm ­ No ? Unlikely High Medium
Precipitation +7 to 15 per cent ­20 to +20 per cent Yes Up Yes High Low
Direct solar radiation ­10 to +10 per cent ­30 to +30 per cent Yes ? Possible Low Low
Evapotranspi-
ration
+5 to +10 per cent ­10 to +10 per cent Yes ? Possible High Low
Soil moisture ? ­50 to +50 per cent Yes ? Yes ? Medium
Runoff Increase ­50 to +50 per cent Yes ? Yes Medium Low
Severe storms ? ? ? ? Yes ? ?