Nature 328, 123 - 126 (09 July 1987); doi:10.1038/328123a0

Unpleasant surprises in the greenhouse?

Wallace S. Broecker

Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964, USA.

There is now clear evidence that changes in the Earth's climate may be sudden rather than gradual. It is time to put research into the build-up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere on a better footing.