Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

applegrove

(118,622 posts)
Mon Aug 19, 2013, 11:03 PM Aug 2013

"Climate Panel Cites Near Certainty on Warming"

Climate Panel Cites Near Certainty on Warming

By JUSTIN GILLIS at the NY Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/20/science/earth/extremely-likely-that-human-activity-is-driving-climate-change-panel-finds.html?_r=1&

"SNIP.............................


But the draft says only that the low number is possible, not that it is likely. Many climate scientists see only a remote chance that the warming will be that low, with the published evidence suggesting that an increase above 5 degrees Fahrenheit is more likely if carbon dioxide doubles.

The level of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, is up 41 percent since the Industrial Revolution, and if present trends continue it could double in a matter of decades.

Warming the entire planet by 5 degrees Fahrenheit would add a stupendous amount of energy to the climate system. Scientists say the increase would be greater over land and might exceed 10 degrees at the poles.

They add that such an increase would lead to widespread melting of land ice, extreme heat waves, difficulty growing food and massive changes in plant and animal life, probably including a wave of extinctions.


............................SNIP"
1 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
"Climate Panel Cites Near Certainty on Warming" (Original Post) applegrove Aug 2013 OP
We won't be able to feed ourselves pscot Aug 2013 #1

pscot

(21,024 posts)
1. We won't be able to feed ourselves
Mon Aug 19, 2013, 11:17 PM
Aug 2013

What's coming will make Pharaoh's troubles look like a day at the beech.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Environment & Energy»"Climate Panel Cites Near...