Climate change reaching unprecedented levels as records tumble

[Paco Dennis]

Earth’s climate is entering “uncharted territory” – and we have no idea what’s coming next.
This was the message from the 2023 State of the Climate report, which measures how the planet is faring based on 35 vital signs. As levels of heat and carbon dioxide hit record heights, the authors are blunt about the challenges facing humanity.
‘As scientists, we are increasingly being asked to tell the public the truth about the crises we face in simple and direct terms,’ they wrote. ‘The truth is that we are shocked by the ferocity of the extreme weather events in 2023. We are afraid of the uncharted territory that we have now entered.’
While the report doesn’t make for cheerful reading, a few vital signs are moving in the right direction. Levels of renewable energy are at an all-time high and continuing to rise, while the loss of the world’s forests is in decline.
The report also emphasises that restoring the rest of Earth’s vitals is in our hands. By demanding our governments, businesses and institutions act now to stem its decline, we have the best remaining chance of preserving our planet.
The full report was published in the journal BioScience.

Our climate in numbers​

• 1.1⁰C – the temperature Earth has warmed by since 1880.
• 4.93 tonnes – the average carbon dioxide emission of every person on Earth.
• 150% – levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere compared before the Industrial Revolution.
• 1.75 million square kilometres – the area of sea ice lost in the Antarctic in 2023, compared to the 1981-2010 average.

Sea ice is hitting record low levels, while glaciers are in retreat. Image © MomentumStock/Shutterstock.

2023: A record-breaking year​

The past year has been a time of climate firsts, mainly for the wrong reasons. There have been over 38 days this year that were more than 1.5⁰C hotter than average – higher than any other year on record.
This follows a warning from the World Meteorological Organisation that 1.5⁰C of warming will start to become the norm in the next five years – and become permanent by the mid-2030s.
Meanwhile, the oceans have also been rapidly heating up. While the oceans’ ability to absorb heat has helped to buffer our climate, there are concerns that they may be reaching their capacity.
This year, sea surface temperatures hit record highs for four months, and were almost 1⁰C hotter than is normal at this time of year.
This had a devastating effect on Antarctic sea ice, which has shrunk drastically over the past decade. It collapsed to a historic low this year, being around a million square kilometres smaller than the previous record from 1986 – an area of ice around four times the size of the UK.
Wildfires, extreme heat and storms have also been constant across the year, with concerns that Earth’s climate may already be passing tipping points that will be hard to recover from anytime soon.
Dr Christopher Wolf, a co-author of the report, says, ‘As scientists, we are hugely troubled by the sudden increases in the frequency and severity of climate-related disasters.’
‘The frequency and severity of those disasters might be outpacing rising temperatures. By the end of the 21st century, as many as three to six billion people may find themselves outside the Earth’s liveable regions, meaning they will be encountering severe heat, limited food availability and elevated mortality rates.’
While 2023’s records may have been contributed to by other factors, including natural climate patterns like El Niño, these are just exacerbating the increases that climate change is already causing.

Levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have never been higher than now during the entire existence of our species. Image © Bilanol/Shutterstock.

What’s changed since the last report?​

Since the last report, 20 out of the 35 vitals have hit all-new records. These are a mixture of both good and bad moments in the ongoing climate crisis.
Starting with the bad news, it’s estimated that concentrations of carbon dioxide now stand at around 421 parts per million. Levels as high as this haven’t been seen since the Pliocene around four million years ago, back when oceans were over 20 metres higher than they were today and mastodon roamed the Earth.
Emissions of carbon dioxide have also reached a new high, at around 39 gigatonnes per year. While they appear to be levelling off over the long term, emissions need to be declining rapidly by the end of the decade if there is to be any chance of global warming being limited to just 1.5⁰C.
These emissions are being driven by fossil fuel subsidies, which reached new heights in 2022. Driven by the impact of the war in Ukraine, the amount nations paid to keep the prices of polluting coal, oil and gas artificially low reached £900 million, more than double the figure for 2021.
On the plus side, renewable energy is now coming into its own. Enough wind and solar power was generated last year to power the UK more than four times over – and is set to rise even further in the years to come.
A recent report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) found that by 2030, renewable energy will provide as much as half the planet’s electricity. Coal, oil and gas emissions will have peaked, as carbon emissions from the energy sector start to decline.
The IEA’s Executive Director, Fatih Birol, says, ‘The transition to clean energy is happening worldwide and it’s unstoppable. It’s not a question of “if”, it’s just a matter of “how soon” – and the sooner the better for all of us.’
‘Governments, companies and investors need to get behind clean energy transitions rather than hindering them. There are immense benefits on offer, including new industrial opportunities and jobs, greater energy security, cleaner air, universal energy access and a safer climate for everyone.’
The IEA warned that, even with this progress, the use of fossil fuels is still far too high, with the planet on course to warm by as much 2.4⁰C this century – far above safe limits.

Power from renewable sources is rising, and will continue to do so as net zero goals get closer. Image © anatoliy_gleb/Shutterstock.

How to improve Earth’s vital signs​

Looking to the future, the State of the Climate report identified six key areas that humanity needs to focus on to save our planet. Because of the linked nature of the threats, the recommendations focus not just on the climate crisis, but also on those affecting biodiversity, food security and disease.
Some of the recommendations, like stopping global warming and phasing out the use of coal, are relatively straightforward. As well as cutting emissions, the team also called for more research into how more carbon dioxide can be absorbed.
While the team prioritised expanding nature-based solutions to this problem, such as restoring forests, they also said that new technology to take greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere will be needed.
At the moment, this industry is still in its infancy, and hasn’t yet been tested at a large scale. While recommending that negative emissions technology must be explored, the paper warns that relying on its development can’t be an alternative to slashing emissions.
There are also more complex proposals in the report. It echoes the call of a group of economists, including former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney, that our economies should be transformed to support the needs of people and planet.
This transition must be done fairly to ensure social and climate justice for the world’s countries, with nations needing to share resources more equally so that everyone can benefit.
Having sounded the alarm in four previous reports, and seen little progress made so far, the researchers are aware that change will not be immediate. But as the effects of climate change become more pronounced, they hope that more people will start to take notice.
Professor William Ripple, the report’s lead author, says, ‘Life on our planet is clearly under siege. The statistical trends show deeply alarming patterns of climate-related variables and disasters, and so far, there has been little progress to report as far as humanity combating climate change.’
‘As scientists, our goal is to communicate climate facts and make policy recommendations. It is our moral duty to alert humanity of any potential existential threat and to show leadership in taking action.’

Climate change reaching unprecedented levels as records tumble

 

[Robb.hisself]

I have a different theory on this. There were 3 known ice ages that predates the human race. That's climate change; REAL climate change. Could it be that the earth has such a long but natural weather cycle that we are just not aware of? Could it be that all this 'climate change' that we are whipping ourselves for is simply aspects of earth's normal cycle? I think so.

So, I won't be participating with you in your self flagellation. You may enjoy it or get something out of it for yourself or like to point to others as a cause. But, I don't. I think this is all just a normal, natural aspect of earth's natural historical past, repeated. What the generations that follow will do about it to cope is up to them. Maybe they'll stop killing each other with needless wars and begin working together. Then there may be more good coming from it than you may think. But, I won't be here to see it. Only time will tell.

 

[Paco Dennis]

I have a different theory on this. There were 3 known ice ages that predates the human race. That's climate change; REAL climate change. Could it be that the earth has such a long but natural weather cycle that we are just not aware of? Could it be that all this 'climate change' that we are whipping ourselves for is simply aspects of earth's normal cycle? I think so.

So, I won't be participating with you in your self flagellation. You may enjoy it or get something out of it for yourself or like to point to others as a cause. But, I don't. I think this is all just a normal, natural aspect of earth's natural historical past, repeated. What the generations that follow will do about it to cope is up to them. Maybe they'll stop killing each other with needless wars and begin working together. Then there may be more good coming from it than you may think. But, I won't be here to see it. Only time will tell.

Wow...that is quite an accusation. In fact you have put me in a nice convenient box, so no reasonable discussion can happen. I don't know if I should even try to converse with you, knowing how you attack the messenger and don't want to discuss the subject....but...just something for you to chew on.

Climate change is a complex phenomenon that has been studied extensively by scientists. It is not simply a part of the Earth’s normal cycle. The Earth’s climate has changed naturally in the past, but the current rate of change is much faster than any natural cycle in the past. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a scientific body established by the United Nations, has concluded that the current warming trend is very likely caused by human activities, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane 1.

While it is true that the Earth’s climate has changed naturally in the past, the current rate of change is much faster than any natural cycle in the past. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) states that the current warming trend is of particular significance because most of it is extremely likely (greater than 95% probability) to be the result of human activity since the mid-20th century and proceeding at a rate that is unprecedented over decades to millennia 2.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also states that the current warming trend is of particular significance because it is unprecedented in the past 1,300 years and is extremely likely (greater than 95% probability) to be the result of human activity since the mid-20th century 3.

In summary, while the Earth’s climate has changed naturally in the past, the current rate of change is much faster than any natural cycle in the past. The current warming trend is very likely caused by human activities, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane. This is the consensus of the scientific community, as represented by the IPCC, NASA, and NOAA

 

[AnnieA]

Could it be that all this 'climate change' that we are whipping ourselves for is simply aspects of earth's normal cycle? I think so.

So, I won't be participating with you in your self flagellation. You may enjoy it or get something out of it for yourself or like to point to others as a cause.

Why is everything either/or these days? So sick of polarization. Could it possibly be that we're entering a natural cyclical heat era and that humans are exacerbating it? Yes is my answer.

 

[Paco Dennis]

Why is everything either/or these days? So sick of polarization. Could it possibly be that we're entering a natural cyclical heat era and that humans are exacerbating it? Yes is my answer.

Quite possibly. All the science is saying that our climate is becoming more dangerous, and costing billions of $$$, and affecting millions of lives in many challenging ways. For me, if it continues on the current trajectory, we have just begun to feel it's fury. So why do we not address this like it is an emergency? We need to try to fix it, like anything else that needs fixing. Why argue about how it is happening...we need to try to fix it now, with whatever means possible. It is just common sense.

 

[Paco Dennis]

Now the Government just issued a climate report a few days ago.

Massive new US climate assessment shows global warming is hurting people in all regions of the country​

Revved-up climate change now permeates Americans’ daily lives with harm that is “already far-reaching and worsening across every region of the United States,” a massive new government report says.

The National Climate Assessment, which comes out every four to five years, was released Tuesday with details that bring climate change’s impacts down to a local level.

Unveiling the report at the White House, President Joe Biden blasted Republican legislators and his predecessor for disputing global warming.

“Anyone who willfully denies the impact of climate change is condemning the American people to a very dangerous future. Impacts are only going to get worse, more frequent, more ferocious and more costly,” Biden said, noting that disasters cost the country $178 billion last year. “None of this is inevitable.”

Overall, Tuesday’s assessment paints a picture of a country warming about 60% faster than the world as a whole, one that regularly gets smacked with costly weather disasters and faces even bigger problems in the future.

Since 1970, the Lower 48 states have warmed by 2.5 degrees (1.4 degrees Celsius) and Alaska has heated up by 4.2 degrees (2.3 degrees Celsius), compared to the global average of 1.7 degrees (0.9 degrees Celsius), the report said. But what people really feel is not the averages, but when weather is extreme.

6
Gilda Jackson walks on a pasture on her property that she grows hay on in Paradise, Texas, Aug. 21, 2023.AP
With heat waves, drought, wildfire and heavy downpours, “we are seeing an acceleration of the impacts of climate change in the United States,” said study co-author Zeke Hausfather of the tech company Stripe and Berkeley Earth.

And that’s not healthy.

Climate change is ”harming physical, mental, spiritual, and community health and well-being through the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme events, increasing cases of infectious and vector-borne diseases, and declines in food and water quality and security,” the report said.

Compared to earlier national assessments, this year’s uses far stronger language and “unequivocally” blames the burning of coal, oil and gas for climate change.

6
A person carries sands bags through water as heavy rains cause streets to flood in Hoboken, NJ, on Sept. 29, 2023.AP
The 37-chapter assessment includes an interactive atlas that zooms down to the county level.

It finds that climate change is affecting people’s security, health and livelihoods in every corner of the country in different ways, with minority and Native American communities often disproportionately at risk.

In Alaska, which is warming two to three times faster than the global average, reduced snowpack, shrinking glaciers, thawing permafrost, acidifying oceans and disappearing sea ice have affected everything from the state’s growing season, to hunting and fishing, with projections raising questions about whether some Indigenous communities should be relocated.

The Southwest is experiencing more drought and extreme heat – including 31 consecutive days this summer when Phoenix’s daily high temperatures reached or exceeded 110 degrees – reducing water supplies and increasing wildfire risk.

6
A barge moves on the Mississippi River, Nov. 8, 2023, near Cairo, Ill.AP
Northeastern cities are seeing more extreme heat, flooding and poor air quality, as well as risks to infrastructure, while drought and floods exacerbated by climate change threaten farming and ecosystems in rural areas.

In the Midwest, both extreme drought and flooding threaten crops and animal production, which can affect the global food supply.

In the northern Great Plains, weather extremes like drought and flooding, as well as declining water resources, threaten an economy dependent largely on crops, cattle, energy production and recreation. Meanwhile, water shortages in parts of the southern Great Plains are projected to worsen, while high temperatures are expected to break records in all three states by midcentury.

In the Southeast, minority and Native American communities — who may live in areas with higher exposures to extreme heat, pollution and flooding — have fewer resources to prepare for or to escape the effects of climate change.

6
Heat ripples engulf two ladies while crossing the street on July 17, 2023, in downtown Phoenix.AP
In the Northwest, hotter days and nights that don’t cool down much have resulted in drier streams and less snowpack, leading to increased risk of drought and wildfires. The climate disturbance has also brought damaging extreme rain.

Hawaii and other Pacific islands, as well as the U.S. Caribbean, are increasingly vulnerable to the extremes of drought and heavy rain as well as sea level rise and natural disaster as temperatures warm.

The United States will warm in the future about 40% more than the world as a total, the assessment said. The AP calculated, using others’ global projections, that that means America would get about 3.8 degrees (2.1 degrees Celsius) hotter by the end of the century.

Hotter average temperatures means weather that is even more extreme.

6
Pulling a sled with fuel containers in the lagoon, Joe Eningowuk, 62, left, and his 7-year-old grandson, Isaiah Kakoona, head toward their boat through the shallow water.AP
“The news is not good, but it is also not surprising,” said University of Colorado’s Waleed Abdalati, a former NASA chief scientist who was not part of this report. “What we are seeing is a manifestation of changes that were anticipated over the last few decades.”

The 2,200-page report comes after five straight months when the globe set monthly and daily heat records. It comes as the U.S. has set a record with 25 different weather disasters this year that caused at least $1 billion in damage.

“Climate change is finally moving from an abstract future issue to a present, concrete, relevant issue. It’s happening right now,” said report lead author Katharine Hayhoe, chief scientist at the Nature Conservancy and a professor at Texas Tech University. Five years ago, when the last assessment was issued, fewer people were experiencing climate change firsthand.

Surveys this year by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research show that.

6
A structure is engulfed in flames as a wildfire called the Highland Fire burns in Aguanga, Calif., Oct. 30, 2023.AP
In September, about 9 in 10 Americans (87%) said they’d experienced at least one extreme weather event in the past five years — drought, extreme heat, severe storms, wildfires or flooding. That was up from 79% who said that in April.

Hayhoe said there’s also a new emphasis in the assessment on marginalized communities.

“It is less a matter … of what hits where, but more what hits whom and how well those people can manage the impacts,” said University of Colorado’s Abdalati, whose saw much of his neighborhood destroyed in the 2021 Marshall wildfire.

Biden administration officials emphasize that all is not lost and the report details actions to reduce emissions and adapt to what’s coming.
By cleaning up industry, how electricity is made and how transport is powered, climate change can be dramatically reduced. Hausfather said when emissions stops, warming stops, “so we can stop this acceleration if we as a society get our act together.”

But some scientists said parts of the assessment are too optimistic.

“The report’s rosy graphics and outlook obscure the dangers approaching,” Stanford University climate scientist Rob Jackson said. “We are not prepared for what’s coming.”
Massive new US climate assessment shows global warming is hurting people in all regions of the country

 

[Robb.hisself]

Wow...that is quite an accusation.

No. A difference of opinion does not have to be an accusation. Rather it is just a different opinion based on a different perspective. How do you have a discussion with anyone if everyone must first subscribe to the same opinion or perspective? You don't. By that, everyone must chime in and sing the same tune. Maybe what you are expecting is an endorsement of your opinion. You tolerate no descent. That is not a discussion.

What you offer is an opinion because except for the recent climate changes and long dated trends you've noted you still don't have a perspective or handle on what the long term weather cycle of the earth is and means. So, what you are talking about as fact remains simply an opinion based on a rather small length of time compared to earth's historical time line. That is the only fact that I am pointing out to you. I am not disagreeing that there is short term weather change. But, it is comparatively short term and, therefore, can be interpreted differently than you have.

Unlike what you offer - gloom and doom - I am suggesting this 'emergency' may actually be a blessing by which the human race stops its childish behaviors resulting in massive and destructive wars and gets people to come together so that the human race may survive. My long term perspective is actually more optimistic than yours if you stop to think about it. I don't see weather change to be the negative threat that you do.

If you pause for a moment you may realize that yes I do see weather change as a threat to human survival as we know it, but I see its cause differently than you - it is long term more a natural event than one caused by human activity. Then, unlike you, I don't think we can fix what we haven't really caused. But, we can survive this event of weather change as a species if we learn to unite our efforts to do so.

So our only disagreement is to the cause of weather change and its fix. I am not going to go around beating myself or others up for what is a naturally occuring phenomenon. There's no point to that. Rather the human race needs to look ahead rather than back. Your finger pointing is going to disunite rather than unite. And, unity to address weather change is the key ingredient needed.

 

[Wayne]

Growing up here it got hot in the summer months and cooler in the winter oddly it still does the same.

 

[Paladin1950]

That's one thing I strongly dislike about celsius. The numbers are so small they don't tell a lot of us anything or they don't seem so bad.
1.1°C in Fahrenheit equals 33.98°. Now that's tell us a lot more! It makes global warning seem a lot more dire.

 

[Paco Dennis]

No. A difference of opinion does not have to be an accusation. Rather it is just a different opinion based on a different perspective. How do you have a discussion with anyone if everyone must first subscribe to the same opinion or perspective? You don't. By that, everyone must chime in and sing the same tune. Maybe what you are expecting is an endorsement of your opinion. You tolerate no descent. That is not a discussion.

What you offer is an opinion because except for the recent climate changes and long dated trends you've noted you still don't have a perspective or handle on what the long term weather cycle of the earth is and means. So, what you are talking about as fact remains simply an opinion based on a rather small length of time compared to earth's historical time line. That is the only fact that I am pointing out to you. I am not disagreeing that there is short term weather change. But, it is comparatively short term and, therefore, can be interpreted differently than you have.

Unlike what you offer - gloom and doom - I am suggesting this 'emergency' may actually be a blessing by which the human race stops its childish behaviors resulting in massive and destructive wars and gets people to come together so that the human race may survive. My long term perspective is actually more optimistic than yours if you stop to think about it. I don't see weather change to be the negative threat that you do.

Come on what you said was derogatory, and you again tell me what I am offering. "Doom and gloom". That is a personal judgement when all I did was post an article. and some facts that are widely accepted. Yea, it could be a wake up call for a better world, but then you would have to do something about it, and you apparently think it is fake, so how could anything you do or think be productive...unless you are agreeing that it is a problem?

 

[AnnieA]

Growing up here it got hot in the summer months and cooler in the winter oddly it still does the same.

Same in Mississippi though not nearly as cool in the fall. Starting mid October, we used to break out sweaters and coats but that's long gone. I've been noticing it for the last ten years or so because of two events I attend regularly in October. In the 70s, 80s and 90s, it was coat requiring cold for those events but no more. This year, I wore sleeveless tops for much of my outside work and used the gas fireplace only two mornings.

 

[Robb.hisself]

Come on what you said was derogatory, and you again tell me what I am offering. "Doom and gloom". That is a personal judgement when all I did was post an article. and some facts that widely accepted. Yea, it could be a wake up call for a better world, but then you would have to do something about it, and you apparently think it is fake, so how could anything you do or think be productive...unless you are agreeing that it is a problem?

It is obvious to me you did not read my entire response to you and then stop to think about it. Rather this reply to me is just the accusation that you accuse me of. So, I'd have to conclude that what you want is a ringing endorsement of your perspective, only. You really are not interested in any other opinion but one that only endorses yours.

 

[Myrtle]

Same in Mississippi though not nearly as cool in the fall. Starting mid October, we used to break out sweaters and coats but that's long gone. I've been noticing it for the last ten years or so because of two events I attend regularly in October. In the 80s and 90s, it was coat requiring cold for those events but no more. This year, I wore sleeveless tops for much of my outside work and used the gas fireplace only two mornings.

There are trends in weather. When I was a child it was very dry here with little snow or rain. When I was a young woman it was wetter with a nice shower almost every afternoon and heavy snow storms in the winter. Since then we’ve gone through years with blizzards and years with little snow.

I can believe the earth is warming a bit but I also remember all the predictions of another ice age a few decades ago.

There is a big political aspect to the global warming hysteria. Follow the money.

 

[Timewise 60+]

I lived long enough now to remember all the predictions of Global Cooling and that we were moving into another ice age! Now we see all the hype on Global Warming. Personally, I don't accept any of it as fact! Some of the data they used in both examples included some facts, but the conclusions they have reached in both examples were pure theory at best, and more likely speculation.

For every theory we can find other theories that contradict these conclusions. Fact is, I believe, no one knows for sure...it cannot be predicted! Heck they cannot accurately predict tomorrows weather...! Get it?

 

[Paco Dennis]

It is obvious to me you did not read my entire response to you and then stop to think about it. Rather this reply to me is just the accusation that you accuse me of. So, I'd have to conclude that what you want is a ringing endorsement of your perspective, only. You really are not interested in any other opinion but one that only endorses yours.

Here is your perspective. Climate has changed over history. This is another cycle where it is getting warmer. We don't know for sure why. We can not make assumptions that it is getting worse. It presents a doomer view of the future. Some people only want to see the glass half empty ( me ).

I would love to see the research that supports it, because I DO NOT WANT this dire forecast to be true. I really hope it is not. The only thing we can do is find research on the subject, not personal opinions. I really do hope that your theory is true. Now, could all these scientists be on to something, or are they just shills in the Global Warming fad. I hope they all are making it sound worst than it is.

 

[debodun]

This past summer certainly seemed warmer and wetter than average for the northeastern U.S.

 

[papa tiger]

The Chinese proves one child per family reduces Methane emissions significantly over 25 years. As this moves forward, one child per couple

across the globe every 25 years significantly reduces the population, thus the Emissions. Take it forward 5000 years and what cha got. Problems

fixed. Due to reduced procreation, hanky panky, wild parties, Frat house escapades and natural reductions due to accidental or proper deaths
and of course, Child sex trafficking stopped.

Now we are like Lemmings, marching to the sea to control our overgrowth due to the good life, older Budweiser.

 

[Old Salt]

This past summer certainly seemed warmer and wetter than average for the northeastern U.S.

This past year has been catastrophic for the Maritimes, especially for Nova Scotia. In my 87 years I have never seen the likes of it. Hurricanes that only came occasionally our way now come regularly and, compared to previous ones, cause widespread destruction. We are still repairing the damage caused by hurricane Fiona last year.

Then we had record highs in early spring, followed by an unprecedented frost that killed our vineyards and robbed us of most of our strawberry, plum and cherry crops. And what it didn't kill was drowned later on! (Strawberries, Blueberries, potatoes)

Add to that also unprecedented floods, wildfires that destroyed 152 homes, extreme heat in late spring followed by an unseasonably rainy and cold summer! This cannot be a manifestation of natural warming. These warming and cooling periods have always been much slower in the past! Over a prolonged period of time.

Sadly, what we are faced with at the moment is the typical human reaction of closing our eyes to the rapid and highly unusual changes and pretend that all of it will somehow go away!

It couldn't be us contributing to these changes. So, big deal, the temperature's gone up a few degrees. So what? In Canada's case, this should be good for the Great White North, shouldn't it? Okay, our forests burned down, but maybe with another couple of good years we might be able to start farming in those devastated areas that have been cleared by nature for us. So, what's a bit more Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere, it's a big planet!

Did you read about how much quicker Canada's North and the Arctic are warming, compared to the rest of the world? The ice is melting, the Northwest Passage will be open all year long. And coastal cities in North America should start preparing to build on higher ground! Not my opinion! Sane, moderate scientific observations!

 

[Murrmurr]

Quite possibly. All the science is saying that our climate is becoming more dangerous, and costing billions of $$$, and affecting millions of lives in many challenging ways. For me, if it continues on the current trajectory, we have just begun to feel it's fury. So why do we not address this like it is an emergency? We need to try to fix it, like anything else that needs fixing. Why argue about how it is happening...we need to try to fix it now, with whatever means possible. It is just common sense.

Calling climate change an emergency gives certain departments of the federal government an excellent chance at obtaining federal funding. Ignoring or failing to mention one or two things that effect climate, such as forests, specific types of plants, and changes in the soil, gives entrepreneurs an excellent chance at obtaining federal funding.

I highly recommend you watch this video by physicist Sabine Hossenfelder:

 

[Don M.]

Climate Change IS occurring, and there is little we can do to stop it. If every nation suddenly ceased using fossil fuels, and began planting millions of trees, we Might slow it down...fat chance of that happening. Instead, the latter half of this century will see mass migrations to places like Canada and Siberia. Society Will be turned upside down, and there will be a huge decline in human population...either by starvation, or warfare.

 

[Packerjohn]

Sure, you can argue "until the cows come home" about climate change:
1. It's man made.
2. It's a natural cycle

The argument is purely academic. The fact of climate change is more important than what is causing it. The fact is that the world is way, way over populated and many people are going to die sooner or later due to climate change. Some will die due to heat; others due to floods and many will die due to lack of food. Many will die in wars that will be fought over the need for land to grow food.

Some people say that if we stop using plastic bags, it's a good start to save the planet. Everyone is yelling that "We're Green" and that is suppose to sell whatever they are selling. Facts are now coming out that most recycle programs do not work. We can no longer ship our garbage from Canada to India. They don't want it.

Nothing stays the same forever and climate change is a change that is going to change the world. Oh, you might not like it or you might want to stop it but it's going to happen, one way or another.

 

[dilettante]

This looks more like something that belongs on your blog, not a forum thread. There you can write giant walls of text with bloated pictures in it all you want.

 

[Warrigal]

I have a different theory on this. There were 3 known ice ages that predates the human race. That's climate change; REAL climate change. Could it be that the earth has such a long but natural weather cycle that we are just not aware of? Could it be that all this 'climate change' that we are whipping ourselves for is simply aspects of earth's normal cycle? I think so.

Even "natural" cycles are caused by something. During past geological cycles atmospheric composition would not have been the same as today. A younger Earth would have produced more CO2 due to vulcanism and the vegetation eons ago would also have been different.

There are natural weather cycles now in the atmosphere and also natural currents in the oceans that distribute heat energy around the globe. It is these cycles that are being disrupted due to the natural balance of CO2:O2 increasing as a result of human activity. The balance can only be restored in two ways. One is that humans modify their industrial processes to reduce greenhouse gases. The other way is a sharp reduction in the number of humans living on the planet.

Of course, we could also do nothing and wait a few million years to see how it all works out naturally.

 

[Warrigal]

Climate Change IS occurring, and there is little we can do to stop it. If every nation suddenly ceased using fossil fuels, and began planting millions of trees, we Might slow it down...fat chance of that happening. Instead, the latter half of this century will see mass migrations to places like Canada and Siberia. Society Will be turned upside down, and there will be a huge decline in human population...either by starvation, or warfare.

Australia is already the hottest, driest continent on the planet. The interior is mostly desert or semi desert. With the natural el Nino cycle beginning now, we are already facing a Summer of disaster - the fire season has already begun and heavy rain in other areas is producing flooding. Our resources to handle such emergencies are being stretched to the limit. Equipment and volunteers are in short supply because the extent of the twin emergencies is much greater than in past years.

A decade of inaction on emissions reduction by governments and continuing reliance on fossil fuels has not helped. On the other hand, roof top solar electricity generation is widespread.

 

[Myrtle]

There’s another cycle here and that’s the ‘OMG we’re all gonna DIE from climate change‘ article cycle.

Maybe someone will look back and count them. If they do they will probably find us all saying the same things we said before.