Coincidentally there is this article published today, looks at just how little average warming it would take to wipe us out.
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/07/climate-change-earth-too-hot-for-humans.html
They’re right about one thing – our ‘climate window’ (in which we can survive) is very narrow.. but they’re overstating the warm risk.
Cooling is much more of a risk, and we have a lower tolerance for it.
Much of the evidence points to a cooling occurring now — we’re crashing headlong into an unusual solar minima.
Yes, overstating the warming risk, but the reality is, we have contributed greatly to the destruction of this planet. Our wasteful food production has resulted in soil that is nutrient deficient. We continue to grow food for mass consumption without returning nutrients to the soil, and without giving the soil an “off season”. Secondly, the food that we do waste, is sent to dumps where it does not compost properly but instead releases harmful gasses into our ozone.
While the acidity levels in the water may in part be natural as a result of the environment, much of the acidity level in the ocean waters is a result of a number of factors including ocean pollution from boats, and oil spills. Scientists are still trying to determine the long term effects of the BP oil spill that happened in the gulf a few years ago. As a result of our offshore drilling, and as a result of the acidity, we’re currently transplanting whole coral reef because it cannot survive in its current environment. And what ones we aren’t transplanting are being bleached as a result of oil drilling.
Let’s talk about what the whaling industry (much of which is used for female beauty products) has put many whale species on the endangered species list, even having driven some species to extinction. But it’s not just whaling. Many species of animals are being driven to extinction. Including the exotic poaching that happens in Africa.
Deforestation is a major issue. For starters we know we are carbon based life forms, which means we require oxygen to breath. We also know we are interconnected with the trees given that trees take in carbon dioxide, and expel oxygen. Problem is, we commit massive deforestation every day and not only are we cutting out our oxygen supply, but we’re displacing thousands if not millions of species that call forests home. Which is why we don’t get to act surprised when bears, and raccoons, wolves, and other animals wander into our rural areas and cities looking for food and shelter. We’ve taken theirs from them. But more to the point, while we may be planting trees, we’re not planting at a rate that we’re taking down, which even if we were would be irrelevant. Trees take hundreds of years to grow full size.
We’ve committed to deforestation in the name of modernization. To create strip malls, and shopping centers, and car dealerships. Yet, how many of those things have closed across just a single country? How many vacant lots are paved with asphalt? Have we turned those old car dealerships into community centers, skateboard parks or other things for youthful kids to do? No. Instead they serve as a reminder that the empty lot you see could be a standing field of trees.
Fact is, “global warming” or otherwise, the reality is, humankind is destroying the planet, and those that we share it with. Which makes our time on this place short. While we may be searching for another planet to habitate, the fact is, as of now, this is the only one we have. So regardless of the political spin, or the corporate funds backing various agendas, it’s in our best interest to take care of this world.
TattooDave 2 years, 6 months ago.
