Global Warming, the real threat to society

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 30 Jan 2007 03:15

For those who don't know, the IPCC report on Climate Change is about to be released this week (on Friday).

The Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change is a panel made up of over 1000 climate based scientists. It's reports have to be unanimously approved by 154 governments and the research used has to be peer-reviewed.

The IPCC is notorious for being conservative and painting the most positive picture possible. As with other reports, a number of scientists believe that the current IPCC report has understated the significance of the problem.

Despite that, this is what the upcoming report will say:

There is more than 99% certainty that carbon levels in the atmosphere are higher than they have ever been for at least the last 650,000 years.

There is above 95% certainty that global warming is happening and is caused by human actions.

If we maintain the current levels of actions than approximately 25% of all species of life on Earth will be extinct by the end of the century.

60% of coral reefs, including the Great Barrier Reef, will be completely wiped out within the next 20 years. (Which alone will cost Australia around $5,800,000,000 per year).

We will face the worst economic depression the world has ever seen.

Within 75 years, between 1.1 billion and 3.2 billion people will face serious water shortages.

We have 10 years to make a difference.

mosher · Post by **mosher** » 30 Jan 2007 05:18

And one thing that never gets mentioned but will soon be a VERY big topic: GLOBAL DIMMING.

If you don't know what that is yet, you will in time and you will learn to be fucking scared.

Basically global dimming is caused by airborne manmade particles that are effectively reducing the amount of sunlight hitting the earth. What scientists are just realizing is that for a long time this has been counteracting the effects of global warming!! Don't take this to mean that we can just pollute all we want and it will cancel global warming!!! What it really means is that we may have grossly underestimated the effects of global warming because they've been diminished by the effects of global dimming.

Here is the kick in the balls, as we make efforts to reduce global warming we also wind up putting less of these airborne manmade particles into the atmosphere, effectively reducing the counter balancing effect of the global dimming which then causes global warming to be EVEN WORSE!!

Yeah.. we're fucked.

mosher · Post by **mosher** » 30 Jan 2007 05:22

Oh yeah, and anyone NOT concerned by global climate change has their ignorant head up their stupid ass. .. they may be selfish too but I had trouble cramming another adjective in there.

Also, these are like.. some of my first ever posts in the discussion forum.

And thanks jeremy for starting an important topic. People blabber on about stupid shit like religion while totally ignoring REAL topics like this that DO affect them every day and will soon change their lives drastically forever.

Iron Clad Ben · Post by **Iron Clad Ben** » 30 Jan 2007 08:07

Things everyday people can help (besides complaining, arguing, lobbying etc.)
Reduce Vehicle Emissions

Maintain your vehicle regularly, it will pollute less and live a longer life.

Drive an energy efficient vehicle (heck even the non hybrid Honda civics get 44MPG highway)

Ride a bicycle for short distances instead of driving, better exercise anyway

Carpool

If you are lucky enough to live in a city that has a bus and/or subway system, USE IT!

Reduce Water consumption

Reduce meat consumption. It takes an average of 25 gallons (95L) of water to pack 1 lb. (0.45kg) of meat. This is compared to 1 gallon (3.78L) of water to pack 1 lb (0.45kg) of vegetables or grains. Go vegetarian! (plug had to be done, makes sense right?)

Bathe efficiently. Long showers may be relaxing but at 2.5 gallons/minute (9.5L/min) you can waste water pretty quickly

Don't leave the water running while brushing your teeth, washing hands etc. Common sense here peeps.

Reduce Power Consumption

Many cities SUBSIDIZE solar panels to the point where they are almost paid for, and will begin to reduce your electric bill immediately. Call your area department of energy (or equivalent) for info.

Keep your house INSULATED! A $50 investment could reduce your AC / heat bill (depending on season) by $50 in just one month. Pays for itself very quickly!

And, just for laughs...

james · Post by **james** » 30 Jan 2007 08:37

It's out of bloody control and there's nothing anyone can do about it.
Resistance is futile.

There are only 3 possible solutions, one of which WILL happen one way or the other (war, disease, failed biosphere), whilst the other two are lost causes.

1. Population reduction
2. Eliminate nationalism
3. Eliminate religion

We're fucked, have fun.

HighDemonslayer · Post by **HighDemonslayer** » 30 Jan 2007 11:04

Oh this issue totally should have prominence in this forum, for many reasons.

Climate change means hunger and thirst for billions: report
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2007/01/3 ... xdzu8.html

(...)The Age said it had obtained a copy of the report, believed to be one of three prepared for release by the IPCC, which is highly regarded for its neutrality and caution.

Jeremy wrote:

The IPCC is notorious for being conservative and painting the most positive picture possible.

. The idea that a United Nation's panel or committee about climate change, could be conservative is ridiculous.

Groups like the IPCC advocate socialism, growing U.N. power, and massive thefts of U.S., and other Westerners wealth.

You know, Global Warming is kind of like a religion itself.

True believers are kind of like bible-bangers ,maniacally forcing their world plan on everyone....preparing for the coming apocalypse.

Only ten years left!

I do wonder what sort of violence, murder, and systematic starvation or disease, will be committed by those who truly believe that the Earth is on the edge of collapse.

It should perhaps be a crime, against humanity, to question Global Warming.

I wonder how many policies environmentalists support, result in pollution that outpaces their conservation by 1000-fold.

Later I will suggest some strategies for reducing population.

As a planet, we do have to decide who lives and who dies. And we will certainly have to choose, depending on race, national origin, and geography.

Of course, the global elites and the business class will have the final say, on how all these "useless eaters" will be liquidated.

-n

mc · Post by mc » 30 Jan 2007 13:27

everyone make sure to come to worlds this year; who knows how many we have left?

Sporatical_Distractions · Post by **Sporatical_Distractions** » 30 Jan 2007 14:17

We are definitely speeding up the process almost exponentially. Especially since the Industrial Revolution. but keep in mind that it is a natural cycle that the earth has gone through several times since its creation.

I'm not condoning it at all, I want earth to be as healthy as it should be right now had we not interfered.

BainbridgeShred · Post by **BainbridgeShred** » 30 Jan 2007 15:08

And one thing that never gets mentioned but will soon be a VERY big topic: GLOBAL DIMMING.

Does global dimming have anything to do with the sky getting dark hella early, because here's an real inconvienient truth; I can't play basketball passed 5 o clock anymore.

BainbridgeShred · Post by **BainbridgeShred** » 30 Jan 2007 15:09

Edit: Oh yea, I forgot it's winter.

smokefree · Post by **smokefree** » 30 Jan 2007 23:22

we wrecked this planet quick. Anyway how long do you guys think we have left to colonize other planets before extinction lol? I saw a story on the news saying the Bush administration ordered documents on global warming from scientists to be hidden or kept secret. Do you think time is near and they're just not trying to create a panic?

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 31 Jan 2007 02:37

HighDemonslayer wrote:The idea that a United Nation's panel or committee about climate change, could be conservative is ridiculous.

Groups like the IPCC advocate socialism, growing U.N. power, and massive thefts of U.S., and other Westerners wealth.

I'm sure you're aware that the reports of the IPCC cannot be published unless they gain the unimous approval of 154 countries, including the USA. The report to be released on Friday has already gained that approval from the US Government. If the IPCC report is advocating massive thefts of the US then you can only blame your own government for not vetoing it.

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 31 Jan 2007 02:42

mosher wrote: And thanks jeremy for starting an important topic. People blabber on about stupid shit like religion while totally ignoring REAL topics like this that DO affect them every day and will soon change their lives drastically forever.

Religion effects all our lives. My country spends millions of dollars of tax payer money supporting schools that teach people that God created the world and that science is lies - and I am sure most Western countries are the same. Many schools in the US to not teach children how to have safe sex, and students from those schools have the highest rates of stds and unplanned teenage pregnancies. The reason they don't teach safe sex is because they instead teach not to have sex until you're married like it says in the bible. This costs American tax payers millions of dollars in welfare, stress on medical systems etc. We will continue to waste money on religion until people do something about it. Actions are people.

mosher · Post by **mosher** » 31 Jan 2007 06:00

Jeremy wrote:
mosher wrote: And thanks jeremy for starting an important topic. People blabber on about stupid shit like religion while totally ignoring REAL topics like this that DO affect them every day and will soon change their lives drastically forever.
Religion effects all our lives. My country spends millions of dollars of tax payer money supporting schools that teach people that God created the world and that science is lies - and I am sure most Western countries are the same. Many schools in the US to not teach children how to have safe sex, and students from those schools have the highest rates of stds and unplanned teenage pregnancies. The reason they don't teach safe sex is because they instead teach not to have sex until you're married like it says in the bible. This costs American tax payers millions of dollars in welfare, stress on medical systems etc. We will continue to waste money on religion until people do something about it. Actions are people.

Man, you're so good at this arguing shit. Great points!

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 31 Jan 2007 07:21

Cool, well I didn't really want this to get into a debate about religion, there is a place for that.

Neither do I want this to be a debate at all. The time for arguing over global warming is long gone. It's time for action.

I think there is a lot that we can do, and should be doing.

Really the most important thing is political policy change. Things that you do around your house are great, but that makes so little difference. What we need is legislation that forces everybody to do those things around their houses, that forces people to stop using fossil fuels and pushes towards a sustainable future. I would say the best thing you can do is supporting the politicians that have the most comprehensive and significant approach to global warming. International treaties like Kyoto are a must, because without a global approach, we won't be able to achieve anything. There is a wealth of local and international environmental lobby groups and charities that do countless work on such issues, and supporting such groups is as much of an investment for the future as you could make.

Although the statistics are frightening and overwhelming, especially when you understand how long it takes for changes to come into effect, this is far from a lost cause. If you look at how good you were at footbag when you first played, and how good you are now, you should know that all it takes to achieve something is hard work. Yes our lives might get more difficult, but we will only be successful if we think we can be, and make every effort to be. If we give up, we are sure to fail.

I feel exceedingly lucky to be alive at all, and see life as a fantastic opportunity. Human experience is worth far more than any individual and I believe we have a moral imperative to ensure that we leave the world in a better place than we found it. Blaming the generations that have come before us will achieve nothing, we can't change history, lets take control of our future.

Switch Kicker · Post by **Switch Kicker** » 31 Jan 2007 12:46

Jeremy wrote:Cool, well I didn't really want this to get into a debate about religion, there is a place for that.

Neither do I want this to be a debate at all. The time for arguing over global warming is long gone. It's time for action.

I think there is a lot that we can do, and should be doing.

Really the most important thing is political policy change. Things that you do around your house are great, but that makes so little difference. What we need is legislation that forces everybody to do those things around their houses, that forces people to stop using fossil fuels and pushes towards a sustainable future. I would say the best thing you can do is supporting the politicians that have the most comprehensive and significant approach to global warming. International treaties like Kyoto are a must, because without a global approach, we won't be able to achieve anything. There is a wealth of local and international environmental lobby groups and charities that do countless work on such issues, and supporting such groups is as much of an investment for the future as you could make.

Although the statistics are frightening and overwhelming, especially when you understand how long it takes for changes to come into effect, this is far from a lost cause. If you look at how good you were at footbag when you first played, and how good you are now, you should know that all it takes to achieve something is hard work. Yes our lives might get more difficult, but we will only be successful if we think we can be, and make every effort to be. If we give up, we are sure to fail.

I feel exceedingly lucky to be alive at all, and see life as a fantastic opportunity. Human experience is worth far more than any individual and I believe we have a moral imperative to ensure that we leave the world in a better place than we found it. Blaming the generations that have come before us will achieve nothing, we can't change history, lets take control of our future.

You should be a politician. But then I would have a biased desire to detest you...

Scott · Post by **Scott** » 31 Jan 2007 14:50

A politician in California wants to ban incandescent light bulbs.

here's the article http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6316635.stm

I particularly like to name of the legislation 'the How Many Legislators Does It Take To Change A Light Bulb Act'.

Jeremy is right, the most improtant thing is political policy towards the environment and that isn't going to change until people start putting some pressure on the politicians to take the environment seriously. A major obstacle is probably going to be the large number of people employed in industries that would be considered environmentally unfriendly so I imagine the change will have to be gradual.

It's also a shame that some of the worlds wealthiest individuals like Bill Gates and Warren Buffet have donated most of their fortune towards medical research when they probably would save more lives (not to mention the earth) by making contributions to environmental causes.

I wonder how much gets donated annually towards medical research compared to environmental causes, Jeremy probably knows

max · Post by **max** » 02 Feb 2007 06:22

Well the IPCC report is out and as expected it paints a pretty bleak picture of where we're at with regards to global warming:

`warming of the climate system is unequivocal,'' the cause is ``very likely'' man-made, and the menace will ``continue for centuries.''

quote taken from this article from The Hindu.

Switch Kicker · Post by **Switch Kicker** » 02 Feb 2007 07:03

Yes... Heaven forbid I'm veiwed as irresponsible in a history book...

What will I care if I'm veiwed as irresponsible? I'll be dead. I'm not saying that I don't care, or that I'm not going to try and get a feul efficient vehicle and make sure I turn off the lights in my house when they're not in use and what not... But honestly, why would they bring up something so... Pointless.

mosher · Post by **mosher** » 02 Feb 2007 07:18

Switch Kicker wrote:Yes... Heaven forbid I'm veiwed as irresponsible in a history book...

What will I care if I'm veiwed as irresponsible? I'll be dead. I'm not saying that I don't care, or that I'm not going to try and get a feul efficient vehicle and make sure I turn off the lights in my house when they're not in use and what not... But honestly, why would they bring up something so... Pointless.

You're so fucking stupid Fred.

Pointless? The world will stop working if we don't change what we're doing. That's not pointless.

Here's a handy tip, any time you've got something to say, just shut the fuck up instead.