Is this the beginning of the End?

Question

This global warming was supposed to take years to change the world. After watching the news this week, looks like there is already huge changes taking place...Where will this take us?

Answer 1

To some extent global warming has already changed the world. We tend to be sheilded somewhat from the changes in the west because we're not the people who have been forced to leave our islands or who's farmlands have turned to desert. It's been happening for decades.

The IPCC Third Assessment Report (TAR) published in January hinted at what would be included in today's report and to people involved with climate change there's no big suprises, the findings have been accepted for some time now (if you look at one of my websites you'll see that most of what was contained in today's report was published there few weeks ago).

Now, it's good to keep things in perspective and much of the media's coverage has focused on the dramatic rather than the mundane and you could be forgiven for thinking that this is the begining of the end. Hold fire for a while and wait until the next IPCC report is published (November I think) as this contains proposals for dealing with the problem and it's not all doom and gloom. There are things that can, and no doubt will, be done to mitigate at least some of the climate change.

I'm not overly happy about this way of doing things - telling everyone how bad it could be, let people panic then say 'hey look, it might not be so bad after all'.

I'm also optimistic about some of the technologies that are being investigated at the moment which will compensate for mankind's greenhouse gas emissions. There's several schemes, they're all in the early stages but some look very promising. Typically we're looking at timescales of 20 to 30 years to develop the technologies, get them up and running and remove substantial amounts of greenhouse gases that are already in the atmosphere. This could pull us back from the brink, personally I think this could be 20 to 30 years away so relying solely on technology to rescue us is going to be cutting things mighty fine (some scientists think differently, others believe the 'tipping point' may be much nearer, some that we're already there and others that it's quite some way off).

If we take some common sense precautions now we can buy ourselves some time whilst we develop schemes to effectively engineer our planet. In future, such schemes coupled with sustainable energy demands etc should ensure we can continue mor or less as we are without having to make large sacrifices or radically change our lifestyles.

I'm hopeful for the future of the planet and personally don't think that this is the begining of the end. Changes - yes, the end - no.

Answer 2

I definitely think it depends on your definition of "the end." If you consider "the end" a world in which we have very little biodiversity, there are hardly any healthy functioning natural systems, while drought, war, and natural disasters are common, then yeah I think we're getting a little too close for comfort. On the other hand, if you can live with these changes and you're living in a country that can afford to get knocked around by hurricanes more often, and has enough natural resources to get by when water is scarce in some areas, then I think we're quite a ways off. Personally, I think we're heading in a direction that will promote more hardship and instability and less compassion and peace of mind.

Answer 3

It could be the end of the beginning. After all what is time, our definition is rather short. We could be at the start of the next phase. Fear is not appropriate, preparation is. Remember the truth is out there...somewhere, all we have to do is find it.

Answer 4

is this the commencing up or end? What have you ever started or ended at present? my answer: a commencing up i began off with a prayer, "Mornin', Lord" in a protracted time, while i pass to sleep, .."thank you."