Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

malaise

(267,845 posts)
Sat Aug 6, 2016, 05:34 PM Aug 2016

Scientists warn world will miss key climate target

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/aug/06/global-warming-target-miss-scientists-warn
<snip>
Leading climate scientists have warned that the Earth is perilously close to breaking through a 1.5C upper limit for global warming, only eight months after the target was set.

The decision to try to limit warming to 1.5C, measured in relation to pre-industrial temperatures, was the headline outcome of the Paris climate negotiations last December. The talks were hailed as a major success by scientists and campaigners, who claimed that, by setting the target, desertification, heatwaves, widespread flooding and other global warming impacts could be avoided.

However, figures – based on Met Office data – prepared by meteorologist Ed Hawkins of Reading University show that average global temperatures were already more than 1C above pre-industrial levels for every month except one over the past year and peaked at +1.38C in February and March. Keeping within the 1.5C limit will be extremely difficult, say scientists, given these rises.

These alarming figures will form the backdrop to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change talks in Geneva this month, when scientists will start to outline ways to implement the climate goals set in Paris. Dates for abandoning all coal-burning power stations and halting the use of combustion engines across the globe – possibly within 15 years – are likely to be set.
11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Scientists warn world will miss key climate target (Original Post) malaise Aug 2016 OP
The last sentence: guillaumeb Aug 2016 #1
And how many politicians were bought by said interests malaise Aug 2016 #2
duh? hollysmom Aug 2016 #3
Al Gore n/t malaise Aug 2016 #4
Not optimistic on this Calculating Aug 2016 #5
Does anyone take this nonsense seriously?? Lurker Deluxe Aug 2016 #6
I take it seriously as a long-term threat, BUT... Buckeye_Democrat Aug 2016 #7
Of coarse Lurker Deluxe Aug 2016 #8
Agreed 100% Calculating Aug 2016 #10
Meh Buckeye_Democrat Aug 2016 #11
K&R... spanone Aug 2016 #9

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
1. The last sentence:
Sat Aug 6, 2016, 05:40 PM
Aug 2016
Dates for abandoning all coal-burning power stations and halting the use of combustion engines across the globe – possibly within 15 years – are likely to be set.


If, a big if, if there is a consensus to abandon coal and internal combustion engines, how many people will have died to safeguard the right of oil companies to profit?

hollysmom

(5,946 posts)
3. duh?
Sat Aug 6, 2016, 06:28 PM
Aug 2016

you expected them to make it,. I have decided too late now, tipping point past. bye bye humans.
name me one politician who is actively working to solve this problem or supporting the scientists - some are more than others, but no one has thrown their full weight behind it and treated it like the crisis it is. If they treat this like the threat it is, they would never get elected. People are so dumb - "but but they cut my taxes".... and took away my oxygen and clean water
I have to get over it I will be dead before it is seen completely.

Calculating

(2,954 posts)
5. Not optimistic on this
Sat Aug 6, 2016, 06:36 PM
Aug 2016
Dates for abandoning all coal-burning power stations and halting the use of combustion engines across the globe – possibly within 15 years – are likely to be set.

With our current progress we'd be lucky to stop burning coal for power, and oil in cars within 50 years. To get real on climate change we'd probably need to chop about 75% of our military budget and divert it to energy development.

Lurker Deluxe

(1,031 posts)
6. Does anyone take this nonsense seriously??
Sat Aug 6, 2016, 07:11 PM
Aug 2016

If you stopped the use of internal combustion engines/coal more people will die, within months, then global climate change will ever kill.

There would be mass starvation in many places across the globe, New York City would most likely be the early leader in the US but certainly any large urban area will see instant chaos, riots, and death. Even if, somehow, the power supply could be moved from coal to other sources in 15 years (no f'n way) the shutting down of internal combustion engines would make all food supply management across the globe become simply impossible. There is nothing out there that can put forth the energy needed to move that kind of mass, and even if there was we could not convert within 15 years without using tremendous amount of fossil fuels to build these imaginary transport vessels.

Doomsday stuff like this can not be taken seriously. It just can not be done, and will not even be attempted.

Buckeye_Democrat

(14,848 posts)
7. I take it seriously as a long-term threat, BUT...
Sat Aug 6, 2016, 07:23 PM
Aug 2016

... I still have bigger concerns, such as nuclear weapons.

Coronal mass ejections concern me more too.

Getting humanity off fossil fuels still matters. The supply isn't infinite either.

Lurker Deluxe

(1,031 posts)
8. Of coarse
Sat Aug 6, 2016, 07:51 PM
Aug 2016

We should continue to make strides in both alternative energy and energy efficiency. New ways to burn fossil fuels cleaner and more and more ways to produce more energy with less fossil fuels are realistic and attainable goals and should be targeted.

However, were we not supposed to be in "peak oil" territory now with fuel prices pushing past $10/gal by 2020? Instead we have growing reserves and drilling being halted around the world because of supply excess. This is from a number of factors, certainly alternative fuels and efficiency have played their part.

Fossil fuels are not infinite, nothing is, but they are renewing themselves at an unknown rate. The myth of oil/natural gas becoming scarce anytime soon have been greatly exaggerated for decades, there are vast reserves and there will be for the foreseeable future.

Moving towards a cleaner world is certainly a worthy goal and without a doubt should be pursued in all reasonable ways. Attempting to set a goal of shutting down all internal combustion engines in 15 years is not only unreasonable it is also unnecessary and makes any attempt at progress seem futile.

I mean, if we are all doomed to die by 2030 if we can not shut down all coal/internal combustion why even try ... it is not possible. After a bit of time with doomsday predictions being made and then pass by with little to no change to our every day lives eventually the wolf cry is ignored. Instead, set realistic goals and get people across the worth to buy into the change instead of laughing at the proposal.

Just saying ....

Calculating

(2,954 posts)
10. Agreed 100%
Sat Aug 6, 2016, 07:57 PM
Aug 2016

This outrageous claims of doom if we can't stop using fossil fuels within 15 years do nothing for the cause.
They make people think all hope is lost and we shouldn't even bother. (might as well relax and enjoy the end of the world)
They make people think the whole thing is just another big doomsday hoax.
They give rise to the right wing fear mongering about how the left would have us all living in caves with candle light again.

Buckeye_Democrat

(14,848 posts)
11. Meh
Sat Aug 6, 2016, 08:05 PM
Aug 2016

The "fear mongering" isn't all that bad from many people, like this fellow:



I suspect most scientists would greatly appreciate that deniers be HONEST about the reality of it, even if it's not likely to cause a worldwide catastrophe within just a few years.
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Scientists warn world wil...