Are you concerned about climate change in your area...What are you doing about potential threats...?

Question

Bangkok Sinking Under Rising Seas
Major Cities Around the World at Risk of Being Swamped
AP
Posted: 2007-10-21 14:20:26
Filed Under: Science News, World News
KHUN SAMUT CHIN, Thailand (Oct. 20) - At Bangkok's watery gates, Buddhist monks cling to a shrinking spit of land around their temple as they wage war against the relentlessly rising sea. Jutting above the water line just ahead in the Gulf of Thailand are remnants of a village that has already slipped beneath the sea.

Experts say these waters, aided by sinking land, threaten to submerge Thailand's sprawling capital of more than 7 million people within this century. Bangkok is one of many of the world's largest cities at risk of being swamped as sea levels rise in coming decades, according to warnings at the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change held here.

http://news.aol.com/story/_a/bangkok-sinking-under-rising-seas/20071020153809990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001

Answer 1

We are very concerned about climate change and have been working at the forefront for over a decade, since we identified aviation as a major proven man-made cause, having an immediate effect on, at least, regional temperature.

At our urging, European countries got aviation on the IPCC's agenda.

However, because of the powerful air transport industry and our lack of resources we are very limited in what we can do.

Below is a synopsis of the issue; thank you for your insightful questions.

============

There is relatively new important proof that there is a significant man-made cause of climate temperature change.

Aircraft are the only proven man-made cause of climate change, resulting in an immediate change in temperature over North America diurnally by over 1 degree Celsius (Travis, 2002).

It was predicted by many earlier global studies, including NASA, that aircraft could have a significant impact on our climate but it was not proven until all of the aircraft could be grounded in some region.

When aircraft were removed from the sky over North America, because of the tragic events of 9-11, the temperature quickly reverted back to pre-1950s over the US diurnally. Not coincidently, the 1950s was the advent of jet air travel.

Sadly, flights are supposed to triple by about 2015-2020 and double every 8-10 years thereafter, until 2050, if left unchecked; this is likely to lead to something catastrophic in our lifetime.

Some of my advisors, including senior US government scientists/ climatologists believe that something catastrophic could begin as early as 2011 or so; if it has not begun already. However, no one knows for sure and generally, new aviation/ climate models have not been run.

*The real answer is to immediately limit flights and develop viable alternatives; however, the powerful air transport industry and the US government are opposed to them.

The media doesn't get it either: They think it is everything else.

HOWEVER, you take the planes out of the sky and the temperature immediately is effected... DUH!

Answer 2

We live a few hundred feet above sea level, so you can paddle over here to visit us when the seas around you rise. OK seriously! I am very concerned. I don't know what I can do that I'm not doing. Probably some people should be thinking about legislation that would mandate protection for lower lying urban areas like New Orleans and even NYC. How can we get anything started while we are waiting for the next presidential election cycle to take its course. If only I could find soemthing small and manageable to do to help.

Answer 3

Im concerned. I live on a small island sea level in the middle east. The country has been over run with biuildings & land reclaiming. All the trees have been chopped down. Its hotter than ever its muggy, steamy, horrid. The place has been ruined through greed. I have cronic asthma because of this but have to stay here for family!

Answer 4

I had central air conditioning installed and a new heater. I should be ok in all climates now.