'More disasters' for warmer world

onelongsong

before i shut down i will tell you the direct cause of global warming:
SELFISHNESS AND GREED.
that's it dude. simple isn't it? the best part is you can prove it to yourself. sit down with a history book and fan through the ages. (yes; ages).
you can wring out a sponge so many times that it renders no more water.

Commy

I think global warming is an issue better supported than not. If we're wrong and its just cyclical climate change, oh well, no big deal. But if we're right, and you haven't believed what the majority of the scientific community believes and we really are destroying this planet...well then, you can see where I'm going I hope...

sourdough

surferdude wrote:

Just answer me a few simple question using scientific data and methods.
How much of climate change is man made?
How much man made climate change is acceptable?
Would some of the listed changes you gave possibly still be occurring without man's help?

1) Since 1958 the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere has risen from ~305 ppm (parts per million) and steadily risen to ~375 ppm. Correspondingly global temperatures have risen by 0.6C (~1.0F) which does not sound like a lot but considering the last age saw an annual temperature difference of about 5.0F, a small change can mean a big difference. Our CO2 output is only increasing and if we accept that the greenhouse effect is legit, than we can only conclude that temperatures will also continue to increase. If CO2 continues to increase at the same rate as it has, we are likely to have temperatures increase to between 2.5-10.4 C. Even at best case scenario at 2.5C, this is very substantial as we have seen it doesn't take a huge increase to yield massive change. Furthermore, it will effect the most vulnerable places (arctic regions) A LOT more than equatorial areas which may not see too much change, but near the poles it is likely to see a double digit change in temperature. In conclusion, there is lots of evidence to assert that the CO2 output alone makes us responsible for atmospheric changes which control temperature. Keep in mind that globally (think India and China, we are going to see millions of new driver/cars as well as many new industries all of which produce tons of CO2 along with thefact that forests are continuing to be cut and burned down therefore removing the natural systems that remove CO2.

2) I believe human impact should be negligible at best when it comes to climatic change. The atmosphere is too fragile and too important to be messed with. Its not just a local change or loss, but a planetary problem. If climate changes, it impacts and disturbs an entire planet's worth of ecosystems which it cannot adapt to quickly enough. The planet and nature is resilient, but I think extinction rates have shown that it cannot adapt quickly enough to compete with human intervention.

3) Yes, it is possible that some changes are due to natural changes, however, we cannot deny that we are emitting billions of tons of CO2 and other green house gasses into the atmosphere while at the same time removing the earth's defences. The atmosphere is extremely thin and vulnerable to change. I think we demonstrated that by ripping a hole in the ozone layer in only a few decades. you have said that you concur that the greenhouse theory is valid, so doesn't it add up??

Lastly, even if humans can adapt, the same may not be said about other living things on this earth. To me they are just as important if not more important than humans for the longevity and sustenence of the planet's ecosystems. We are losing key ingredients that keep our planet healthy due to human intervention including climate change. I'm incredibly saddened by the loss of biodiversity in nature and even more so that so many more species will be lost in my lifetime.