Copenhagen: The era of climate stability is coming to an end—But there is good news too

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/nov/30/era-of-climate-stability-end

Copenhagen: The era of climate stability is coming to an end

After 400 generations of stable weather, the world is on the brink of violent climate change. But there is good news too

Fred Pearce
The Guardian, Monday 30 November 2009

For about 10,000 years, our climate on Earth has been stable. Remarkably stable, in fact. Since the end of the last ice age, we humans have spent 400 generations taking advantage of this stability to build our civilisation.

We have had warm periods and little ice ages; but the changes have been small. We have always known pretty much when it will rain, what the temperature will be each summer and winter, and how high the rivers will flow.

This benign climate is arguably the main reason why our species has been able to progress. Why, within 400 generations, we have gone from the scattered tribes of spear-carriers and fire-raisers who emerged from their caves at the end of the ice age to become the first farmers, metallurgists, urbanists, industrialists and now the seven billion inhabitants of a digitised, globalised world.

Our massively complex society relies on the ability to plant crops knowing that they will grow, and build cities and infrastructure in places that won't be flooded by incoming tides or washed away by torrential rains.

…

[XemaSab]

1. This article talks about 2C as though it is possible to cap warming at that amount

We can spend money until we have spent $2 billion. We can count out 200 beans in a jar. We can breed mice until we have 2000 mice.

We cannot cap warming at 2C.

[joshcryer]

3. 2.0C is very unlikely, I agree.

The article ends with:

Can we reach our tipping point before nature reaches one of its tipping points? That is, probably, unknowable right now.

But we should know a great deal more about our chances before the month is out.

OK, so, I agree we can't know. But the likelihood is increasingly grim.

At least COP15 gives us an idea of where we stand.

[Dead_Parrot]

4. I can flap my arms 2 million times 'til I reach the moon.

Oh, wait. That's bollocks, isn't it?

[FirstLight]

2. Important article and informative too

so nice to see some common sense...basically, we are screwn.
And despite the little fluff at the end about how we CAN DO IT with our technology... the fact is that we won't.
Humanity won;t stop using easy cheap fossil fuels until the planet comes crashing down around our ears, and by that time all you can do is deal with the climate as it happens in your own geographic area. It will be Mr Toad's wild ride for sure...

[Name removed]

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