Global warming. Have we reached the point of no return? Will we change our habits before its too late?

Question

See CNN article: http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/science/12/29/canada.arctic.ap/index.html. Good news: it was floating ice. Bad news: it has now moved away from land-locked ice which can now fall into the ocean contributing to increased sea levels. (Don't understand? Watch "An Inconvenient Truth" for a good explanation of the differences between floating ice and land-locked ice.) It is not a matter of saving the planet, but of saving humankind. With global warming in so much dispute in the mass media and with the majority of the population not taking an active part in making a difference, will we save ourselves before the Earth Mother restores balance in a way that will lead to the death of millions, billions, or all of humankind?

Answer 1

I actually think all hope is lost. Seriously, I mean I don't think no matter how much we try to make people aware of this stuff, I don't think they'll really get it until they are in trouble. There might be people out there who understand about it but just choose to ignore it. That is why I think we might not be able to save ourselves. In the mean time, let's just hope to raise more awareness throughout the world and perhaps, there might be the slightest of hope that people will change their ways and we will be able to save ourselves.

Answer 2

There is a major dispute only in US mass media. No serious mass media argue in other countries.
The problem is so big that individual acts have no real effect. Only governmental actions are efficient. The only serious one, Kyoto protocol, was just a first step and is not signed and applied by the biggest polluter.
Now, US mass media are changing their message, now they tell: it is true, but it is a natural cycle (same message: buy oil).
According the 2500 scientists members of the UN scientific group for climate change, yes, we have reached the point of no return.
According to them, this level of greenhouse gases has not been so high in the last 650.000 years, and increasing fast. Current mammals (including humankind) didn´t exist at that time. Other animals were on the earth as we have seen in movies. Yes they disappeared.
As you say, it is not a matter of saving Life, we know that Life will go ahead.
Can a human being survive into an atmosphere over a certain level of CO2? No, no human being can. Can other living beings? Yes, some can. Most green trees and plants, anaerobic beings, etc.
It seems that we will learn where that level is, i hope we will stop all emissions as soon as the first human beings die because of "natural" asphixiation. Since that moment. Count 50 years and we will check if humankind has survived.

If not, in the future, some living beings will elaborate theories about why humankind disappeared, (they will add: humankind had some intelligence, no?)

Does anybody believe that this weak being called homo sapiens can survive to hurricanes, deserts, etc.

Does anybody believe that we can survive with any CO2 proportion into the air?

Of course, if you believe it then put more and more CO2 into the atmosphere, but if you don´t believe it, what are you waiting for?

Answer 3

Global warming is truly a complex question. Global temperature has many factors influencing it. There are even influences which have yet to be discovered. With that said, it is true that global warming is happening and it is because of human activities. I think we can solve the problem. It will involve changing our minds about a lot of things. A simple example: light bulbs. We have been using incandescent light bulbs since their invention in the 1880's. Can't we insist on some newer technology here?!?! I mean, you wouldn't dream of listening to your newest tunes on an 8-track tape, would you? Of course not! You want the very latest iPod with video capabilities....etc. And yet, we use a light source (the incandescent bulb) which is over 100 years old and WASTES over 90% of the electricity burned as heat. It should be called a heat bulb, not a light bulb!
We are never past a point of no return. Will life look different in 100 years? Probably. Will we still be here? You betcha. I think that what we need is some really inspirational leadership. You may not remember John F. Kennedy when he said that we are going to the moon. It started the space race, triggered a huge growth in research and development, stimulated science education and built an economy that was the envy of the world. We need that now...someone who will soothe all the naysayers who claim the economy will come to ruin if we eliminate fossil fuels...someone who will give us hope for solutions to this crisis. I really believe that the human race is a bunch of survivors. The goal is to survive and keep as many species with us along the way.
Final word: Everyone do what you can. It doesn't have to hurt. Start by using compact fluorescent bulbs, reduce, reuse, recycle, walk when practical, use fuel efficient cars, take public transport. A series of small changes can make a big difference.

Answer 4

Al Gore has been giving a speech saying that global warming will destroy our societies within 10 years. He has been giving this same speech for 12 years now, so since Al Gore is never wrong, we must have all died and not noticed.
A recent study of polar bears found that of the 13 populations of polar bears, 11 have increased in numbers over the last 10 years and the other 2 have been stable.
They call it Greenland because when it was discovered it was warm enough to be green, not white like it is now that it is frozen.
Scandinavians went to Greenland to grow food so they could send it back to their homeland.
I still remember the 1970s when liberal alarmists who hated American industry said we were heading to an ice age because of our industries. Now many of the same people say we will bake because of the same thing that they then said would freeze us all.
This year there have been record snows in Denver, New York State, and even Jerusalem.
The earth is also gradually moving away from the sun because the sun is constantly losing mass and this reduces the sun's gravitational pull on the earth. Enjoy the warmth while it lasts...

Answer 5

Haven't you noticed that our climate in general is very wild, and keeps fluctuating? I thought some scientists predicted we're headed for an ice-age...besides, even if we do melt the land-locked ice, and the levels of the seas rise by even 10 feet, oh well, there's still plenty of land that's 10 feet above the sea level. There are only two certain facts:

1) we don't really have a clue what will happen. as evidence, consider how often and drastically we revise our predictions.
2) news agencies don't make headlines out of jack who was sitting on his couch all day long and eating potato chips. they make headlines out of wars, disesase, epidemics, doom, rape, and negative things in general. why wouldn't they publish such a story if it will probably increase their ratings, even if there's much contradicting scientific evidence? it's been done before.

Answer 6

there's a chemical anti physique, in an attempt to speak, contained in the variety of a substance named Carb take in. Filters produced from this might eliminate all carbon dioxide. because of the fact it relatively is in powder style its properties could be ready to being became right into a liquid then a gasoline? If it is obtainable the we are able to revive the ozone layer promptly yet that isn't as we talk quiet down the extra suitable warmth we've already absorbed. the international can cut back its carbon output with the aid of two hundred% merely with industry on my own with out the gentle bulb situation. alongside with --- No united states is permitted an airplane hub like Heath Row. turbines might desire to cut back their waste of warmth as a generic occasion and enhance the potential component of its output at the instant dropping 15% of its generated potential. Water companies must be made to settle for a a million.0% leakage fee. production companies should not be allowed to deliver products with air around them. manufacturers of electric vehicles must be made to conform to the comparable superior favourite the place the tip result could be a a hundred% performance progression for family participants products. (skinny out the copper utilization and improve the earnings on an identical time as making the customer pay for an ongoing working fee) Make companies use warehousing instead of offering on call for. (50% saving on transport expenses consequently trucks) Consolidate and centralise documents base computers and this might cut back that footprint with the aid of 70% in government use on my own. think of what number government have your info? there is extra and that i've got no longer point out a delicate bulb everywhere.

Answer 7

Not much chance of reversing the trend we seem to be on but we could slow down the changes if we all got serious about it. The main thing we have to do is adapt to the new conditions we will be living with.

Answer 8

We reached the point of no return at the advent of agriculture, 10,000 years ago. The rest is postscript.

Answer 9

Check out http://www.junkscience.com/Greenhouse/Greenhouse_not_a_problem.htm for some real science behind the drama.

Answer 10

We have reached a point of no return, there"s no turning back now.