Another warning that will be ignored: ‘Time running out’ as CO2 levels hit new high: UN

[LuckyTheDog]

Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations have crossed a new threshold, the UN's weather agency said Monday, highlighting the urgency of curbing manmade, climate-altering greenhouse gases.

In April, for the first time, the mean monthly CO2 concentration in the atmosphere topped 400 parts per million (ppm) throughout the northern hemisphere, which pollutes more than the south, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said.

"This should serve as yet another wakeup call about the constantly rising levels of greenhouse gases which are driving climate change," WMO chief Michel Jarraud said in a statement.

"If we are to preserve our planet for future generations, we need urgent action to curb new emissions of these heat-trapping gases. Time is running out," he warned.

MORE HERE: http://wonkynewsnerd.com/time-running-co2-levels-hit-new-high-un/

[deutsey]

1. Unbelievable, isn't it?

I was with my sister yesterday for a family get-together and we were talking about her teenage son and my teenage kids. I made the comment that I'm hoping their generation will find a way to clean up the mess our generation (and previous ones) are leaving them.

I keep forgetting that my sister (whom I love very much) is also something of a benign evangelical, so I was taken aback when she responded: "Well, the Bible says the world is supposed to get worse..."



It occurred to me as I thought about this later that this sentiment is probably one of the main reasons we, as a nation, aren't more alarmed about and motivated to do something about these reports of time running out. To some, it's all supposed to happen this way.

Let the world go to hell all around you (according to prophesy) while keeping your gaze to the sky, waiting for Jesus to return and whisk you away to heaven.

[The2ndWheel]

4. No worse than "well, I'm sure they'll think of something"

With all the knowledge out there, surely someone will think of something. That's what human history is all about. No need to worry.

I'm thinking people don't get alarmed or motivated about it because, really, what are people supposed to do? Unfortunately, I don't think it's as easy as just changing the kind of car you drive or whatever. The issues go to the foundations of civilized life, not just the toys we have here at the apex of it.

Hell, we were altering our environment when we hunted with sharp sticks as nomads. We've gone well above and beyond that, and nobody really has any idea of what we're supposed to do, can do, will do, when we'll do it, what it means if we don't by whatever date, how to do it, etc.

[deutsey]

5. It may be already a case of "too little too late"

Not much you can do about a world climate gone haywire with increasingly extreme weather.

We've already done the damage and now we'll have to live (or, for many, die) with the consequences.

[raouldukelives]

2. The one thing we should declare war on is the only one we never will. nt

[Ron Green]

3. Yes, and the one topic that should have thousands of replies

and rec's on DU is the one that usually goes begging.

[ladjf]

6. Almost all trends on Earth point to disaster for the inhabitants. nt

[Silent3]

7. It's a wake up call, alright, but the Koch brothers pay a lot to make sure...

...we keep hitting the snooze button.