New Study Shows Global Warming is a Winnable War with Proper Planning
Amanda Reed, 15 Sep 10
Humans have yet to push the planet past the point of no return when it comes to global warming, according to the surprising results of a new study. The Vancouver Sun has the story:
By the time the existing emitters are pulled from the road, torn down or phased out over the next 50 years, they will have collectively pumped out 496 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide, their study concludes. The study says this will raise carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere to less than 430 parts per million and push the average global temperature 1.3 C above pre-industrial levels, which is below the 2 C threshold widely expected to lead to dangerous and potentially catastrophic warming."The most threatening emissions" are from sources that have yet to be built — the vehicles, homes, factories and energy plants of tomorrow, the researchers conclude.
[...]
While existing infrastructure is less of a threat to climate than they expected, the researchers stress there is an urgent need to take action.
"Because most of the threat from climate change will come from energy infrastructure we have yet to build, it is critically important that we build the right stuff now — that is, low carbon emission energy technologies," Caldeira says in a summary.
That's good news and an excellent reminder of the urgency needed in building a better future.
(via Sightline Daily)
A) Isn't this going to infuriate the Chinese, Indians et al. by saying the past and current emissions of the West are no problem and exceeding the "safe level" will be their fault?
B) Isn't there increasing doubt that 450ppm is a "safe level"? See James Hansen's analysis in "Storms of My Grandchildren" saying we don't want to go there unless we want to risk 70m sea level rise. (Summarized in this post.
Posted by: Doc on 16 Sep 10
The article does say that we haven't reached the point of "dangerous and potentially catastrophic warming," we have to realize that the pollution level doesn't just jump from point A to point B - there is a path between them, and that path has been shown to have it's own destructive effects. It's not a "safe level" really. It's a "we're not yet doomed" level.
I don't think anyone in their right mind would actually say "Oh the pollution we pumped into the world are no problem," anyway.
Also, I was curious about your post about James Hansen's work, but it's not working.
Posted by: Michael Vickery on 17 Sep 10
It seems that the report is just saying that catastrophe will happen slightly later than we expected.
Posted by: Joe Earth on 20 Sep 10
Please note that comments will remain open for only 14 days after the article is posted. While previous comments will remain visible, attempts to post new comments after this period will fail. This helps stop comment spam, so your forebearance is appreciated.
The Worldchanging comments are meant to be used for further exploration and evaluation of the ideas covered in our posts. Please note that, while constructive disagreement is fine, insults and abuse are not, and will result in the comment being deleted and a likely ban from commenting. We will also delete at will and without warning comments we believe are designed to disrupt a conversation rather than contribute to it. In short, we'll kill troll posts.
Finally, please note that comments which simply repost copyrighted works or commercial messages will be summarily deleted.
