Global efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions have had little impact?

Question

The rate of emissions more than doubling since the 1990s around the world.

CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research scientist, Mike Raupach, said that from 2000 to 2005, the growth rate of carbon dioxide emissions was more than 2.5 per cent per year. "In the 1990s it was less than one per cent per year."

What do you think our future will be if this rates continues. I mean in our day to day life?

Answer 1

I think that the best science-based resource on climate change that is accessable to the non-scientific person is the "climate change forum" on the web pages of the BBC below. The comments I make are based on information found on those pages. As for the person above who still has doubts about the human contribution, I urge them to consider the fact that carbon dioxide levels are at their highest in 650,000 years and, as you said, are riseing rapidly. The industrial collapse of the Soviet Union did much to hide the rate of increase in emissions elsewhere, and the greater rate is a combination of improved conditions there along with dramatic increases in emissions by China and India, along with a lack of real improvements from most developed countries.

So, the future. Read the pages below, or your choice of sources, for the dire predictions of drought, famine, extreme weather, acid oceans, and a host of other factors that are well known. I would rather focus on what might be possible. The world was able to come to agreement on ozone depletion when the real threat became aparent and undeniable. I have hope that the next few years will see that sort of consensus emerge as dramatic changes begin. If not, the predictions of the Stern Review (link on page below) spells out the grim future. No solution can be expected without addressing questions of global equity, as some of us should not be expected to keep large portions of the world in poverty in order to stabalize the climate.

Answer 2

The real answer is: We don't know what the effect will be. The questions that need to be asked, and the answers we do know are:
Q1. is the temperature rising? Answer. The earth's temperature appears to be rising, but only very slightly. Most historical data has significant errors, errors that are larger than the temperature increase we are looking for. Most computer models produce results that vary widely depending on assumptions and the way the data are manipulated.

Q2: If the temperature is increasing, is man the cause? Answer: The temperature on our planet has varied considerably. We appear to be on a warming trend, but temperatures in the year 1000 were higher than they are now so it is not clear what a "normal" temperature is. Consequently, it is not at all clear that man is the cause.

Q3: What can we do about it? Answer: The burning of fossil fuel generates not only greenhouse gas (which may or may not be contributing to global warming), but also generates many pollutants. Consequently, there are many reasons to limit our use of fossil fuel and to take steps to limit the pollution that is produced by fossil fuel. So called "greenhouse gas" may or may not be a pollutant but there is ample reason to maximize the efficiency of fossil fuel use and limit pollution.

Answer 3

Unless we change our day-to-day life,there is no future.Unlike what a lot of people think,it starts with the little people,not the government or industry.If average citizens changed their habits-the most basic things-then government and industry would be more likely to follow.I think there are people trying to change,but some of them are like me and trying to change everything all at once,when it would be better if everyone changed little things to start with,and gradually increased them.I mean,sure,I use all CFL's and drive as little as possible,but if everyone in this country started by just changing one lightbulb,that would be a significant enough change to start with.There is just no way to get everyone to do something,no matter how small.It's almost impossible to get anyone to do anything,at this point.We're doomed.No one wants to give up their SUV's and porchlight all night habits.What a pity,I'd started out with such hope for my children...

Answer 4

The Earth is more resilient than most people realize. That does not mean that we should "lay waste" to it. Global warming might be due to a natural climate change caused by factors out of human control. However, we shouldn't add to the problem by doing nothing.

Answer 5

short-term:O3 levels will increase lower in the atmosphere creating the severe health problems that ozone exposure creates.

long term: same, but more prolonged effect of 03 exposure on plants and microorganisms that keep our ecosystem balanced.

in short, i don't think we have to worry much about global climate change if we continue our current trends, since no one will be around to worry about it.

Answer 6

It will be warmer...some will get a lot more rainfall and usually all at once...some will experience prolonged drought...if the land glaciers in Antarctica and Greenland melt, the sea will raise at least 20-40 feet...you will see a lot of starving refugees, prepare yourself for seeing dying children at unprecedented levels.

Answer 7

People are going to have a lot of health problems.