Is global warming going to put us into an ice age?

Question

How will we survive that?

Answer 1

No, it's not going to trigger a global ice age, but it might trigger glacial advance. We'll survive this the way mankind survived last time. There might be a little thinning of the herd, but we're probably overdue for a bit of genetic pool cleaning, anyway.

Answer 2

The scientific consensus is that an ice age is preceeded or triggered by an increase in mean global temperature. This increase in temperature creates a loss of oceanic and continental ice, specifically in the northern hemisphere which alters the salinity of the ocean and destroys the main ocean current (called the thermo-haline circulation) which distributes heat from the equator to the poles.

Thus you have a colder climate in northern lattitudes and mostly draught in the tropics and sub-tropics due to the earth's water being locked up in the frozen northern climates.

Listen, the earth is a complicated system with interconnected elements so don't listen to the idiots telling you to turn the thermostat up a degree or that changes in the amount of polar ice won't effect the continental sea level.

Every year we pump billions of tons of pollutants into the air and then seem to think that the earth is a giant vacuum cleaner that sucks it all up and deposits it somewhere safe. No. The earth is a closed system, just because we can't see those billions of tons of pollutants doesn't mean they aren't still here and aren't having an effect on global climate.

Answer 3

There are natural cycles, and eventually we would end up back in an iceage, but global warming is real and does accelerate the speed of the natural cycle by warming up the stratosphere. But the the warming in Britain will mean we get a wetter, more rainforest type climate, not necessarily sunny blue skies, but muggy and overcast.
We won't have to survive ice age - but our grandchildren might. We might have plenty wet + murky weather with no snow and obvious seasons for a while though.
Check out Global Warming on Wikipedia.

Answer 4

The possibility of an ice age is based on the fact that as the earth warms more fesh water will be dumped in the polar oceans. The influx of fresh water will push the gulf stream south, reducing the exchange of heat from the equatorial regions to the polar regions and choking off the deep ocean currents that produce upwellings. The end result is that heat from the equator is not transfered to the polar regions and they freeze over and and ice age begins. The prospects for the human race under such circumstances are grim.

Answer 5

It's quite possible if the ice caps melt to such a degree that the fresh water from them will dillute the concentration of salt in the sea water causing the North Atlantic Drift to either weaken or switch off entirely. This would cause the temperatures in the UK to plummet significantly, we are on the same latitude as Hudson bay after all (that depends on where you live here btw). But another ice age? It seems highly unlikely so don't panic we'll survive!

Answer 6

No. The U.K. might become colder IF the gulf stream moves for a period. That is not going to be soon if at all.

Ice Age ages have only happened do to the continents moving over 100's of thousands of years. Mini-ice ages can be caused by extreme volvanic events, or perhaps a massive asteroid strike.

It is easier to live on the ice than underwater, in the desert or in a hurricane. That's perhaps what you should be concerned about. Vegetarians will starve, but that's their choice.

Answer 7

Global warming is more likely to cause a lot more flooding from the north pole and south pole melting. And deserts in other areas.
When I was growing up in Maryland there was a 50% chance of a white Xmas. Now in Maryland there is only snow once or twice a year, in Jan or Feb.
And where I live now there is less snow too.
More likely a hot age will/is coming.

Answer 8

Geographically the British Isles are on a level with South Alaska. If climate change alters the course of the Gulf Stream, we can all look forward to Alaskan weather. Turning up the thermostat will exacerbate the problem, just wrap up warmer!

Answer 9

Historically the world has always cycled, from hot to cold and has repeated this many times.

The changes do not happen overnight, but are quite gradual.
With the current level of technology, I am sure mankind will manage, not only to survive, but to do so, in some comfort.

Answer 10

I remember strolling to college interior the 70's whilst i replace into 6/7 years previous. The snow replace into truly deep interior the wintry climate-and it lasted. beginning in November, precise by to February. In seventy six' it replace into the longest, maximum well liked summer time I remember!. the two do no longer pass hand-in-hand if there replace into worldwide warming, or, climate replace. right this moment, it style of feels the Governments of the international are at as quickly as making a lot of funds for some drawing near doom state of affairs that they do no longer desire to proportion. If we are to be struck down, our civilisations on the factor of returning to the stone-age, then why positioned up taxes!?. Why do no longer they permit us to spend what now we've!?. enable us to rejoice with our selves, and make tax concessions for the damaging. and not skill examined!. everybody left to moan or whine would desire to settle for community service to assist the deprived and not the hangers-on!!!.