What if it Snows?

They advance and retreat constantly. Glacier bridge use to be a mile or so up from where you were, but 4 bridges built there were destroyed by glacial run-off, so they moved it to where it is now in the 1950's. Had you been standing on that bridge in the 1850's you would have been under a lot of ice, because the glacier extended beyond that point. That was also before the industrial revolution, and CO2 levels were much lower than today, but the earth began warming at the end of what is now called the little ice age. Just before we began keeping accurate weather and temperature records in 1887, Krakatoa erupted in 1883 and caused a global cool-down including ocean temperatures that lasted a few years. So basing our climate and temperature records at a time when they were historically low kind of throws a monkey wrench in the entire system. Of course temps are going to rise from historic lows.

Earth has dramatic climatic changes with or without elevated CO2 levels. Between 130,000 and 115,000 years ago was the last interglacial period known as the Eemian. At approximately 125,000 years ago, atmospheric CO2 levels were 280 to 300 ppm, but the average temperature in the northern hemisphere was several degrees warmer, and sea levels were as much as 20 feet higher than today. By 115,000 years ago, the earth cooled rapidly and we headed into the next ice age or Holocene epoch which continues even now. As long as there is ice in the polar regions,technically we're still in an ice age. Global warming lead to the rise of human civilization. I don't deny global warming, I embrace it. To think that earth's climate is something that never changes is denying science fact. We think in terms of our life span. The earth can't be troubled with silly little increments of centuries. There is a much bigger picture.

 

Earth's climate always changes. However, humans have driven the level of CO2 in the atmosphere above 400 ppm within the last two centuries, escalating in the last few decades, since the Advent of the industrial age.

Again, when was the last time CO2 in the atmosphere was above 400 ppm? Here's a hint...

...it was millions of years before our species existed.

Wrap your minds around that for at least a nanosecond.

Our species developed and flourished at atmospheric CO2 levels at 60% lower CO2 levels than we have now. We have dramatically I creased CO2 levels and they are escalating. Your grandchildren may well find vast areas of the planet uninhabitable in their lifetime.

Sure, as another forum member mentioned, glaciers recede and grow over time. What happens when they recede? The water they contain to feed downriver irrigation and power sources are severely impacted. Hydroelectric power in the PNW is a huge deal. They have been forced to cut way back on water retention behind dams, because late summer water flows are slowing to a trickle.

There used to be a book published about the ice climbs on Kilimanjaro. It's out of publication. There is no more ice on Kilimanjaro. No more glaciers. The local agriculture around the mountain is suffering. The same thing has been happening in the Andes and the Himalaya. Runoff from glaciers is drastically impacting down stream agriculture.

Glaciologists note that the recession of glaciers world wide is something not seen in tens of thousands of years. Plants that had been encased in ice for over 100K years are being exposed on Baffin Island.

I respect science and scientists. Many of my friends work in glaciology and weather. They aren't stupid. They look at data and facts. They are not just worried about what's happening, they are terrified.

Worst case scenarios about climate change, and remember all the climate change modeling is ONLY for the next 100 years (beyond that they refer to the 2100's as the century from hell), the WORST case scenarios increase average global temperatures 5°C, putting countries like Bangladesh or cities like Miami or New Orleans or New York under water.

That's why our own DOD identifies climate change as a major destabilizing force in the future. Syria's civil war was stoked by a years long drought. That in turn caused a refugee crisis. What happens when 10x more people from Bangladesh become refugees later this century? It's already starting to happen in Central America. Heck, within our own country there's already folks getting away from New Orleans or southern Florida. Want to sell sea sea property on the coast of Florida? Good luck with that. Property values are plummeting, reflecting the known risk of flooding.

 

Guess the sarcasm didn't come through on my post.

I am just glad I have no spawn that will be around when the earth does it's inevitable correction.......

I'm betting that nothing cataclysmic will happen between now and my death.

 

You're fine. I just upgraded to Sarcastometer 2.3...

 

Happy Groundhog Day

 

As another wise poster once said..."shakes head and slowly walks away"...

 

Yes man has destroyed alot of the earth. Yes we can try to reduce our carbon foot print. Yet to me, I see it as out of our hands. We have yet to see the great fires that will destroy much of the trees (according to revelations) that supposedly will burn much of the landside. 3 great fires to burn a third of the trees. What will all that soot do for the atmosphere? You think 400ppm is high? I wouldnt be surprised to see it go to 800ppm or higher.

Personally I am riding the wave and accepting that there are some things in life we cant change. Man is making summers all the hotter with airconditioners. When I was a kid in the 1960's in NJ. I can remember the weatherrmen at the time saying we were in for a day of 100 degrees. That 100F was a rarity and at the time NJ had only seen that high a temp 2 times in the decade prior. Now we see 100F regurlarly according to a school friend whom still lives there. If anything now it isnt that rare and is accepted as the norm.

Nope, I dont think we can make a change. Life is what it is. There are some things in life we just cant change. People have a voice for change until they have to pay for it. When it means paying money the people forget the subject and go back to burning fossil fuels.

 

It’s nice and warm around here this week