The century of drought (extreme drought to affect one third of planet)

[muriel_volestrangler]

One third of the planet will be desert by the year 2100, say climate experts in the most dire warning yet of the effects of global warming

Drought threatening the lives of millions will spread across half the land surface of the Earth in the coming century because of global warming, according to new predictions from Britain's leading climate scientists.

Extreme drought, in which agriculture is in effect impossible, will affect about a third of the planet, according to the study from the Met Office's Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research.

It is one of the most dire forecasts so far of the potential effects of rising temperatures around the world - yet it may be an underestimation, the scientists involved said yesterday.

The findings, released at the Climate Clinic at the Conservative Party conference in Bournemouth, drew astonished and dismayed reactions from aid agencies and development specialists, who fear that the poor of developing countries will be worst hit.

http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/article1786829.ece

[nam78_two]

1. K & R-Foley or not, this needs to make it to the greatest page....

I think it might be worth posting in GD?

[muriel_volestrangler]

9. If it doesn't have Foley in the title, it'll sink like a stone there

It is probably suitable for LBN, though - it is a study that was only released on Tuesday. I may ask a mod if it's OK to repost it there.

[nam78_two]

10. yeah..this stuff is so much more important in the long run

than some Repub. perve..Though I do understand that with the Rep.s in power NO action will ever be taken.

So yeah -having these guys in the house and senate 2 more years probably means bye-bye planet...:-/

[ThomCat]

2. And still corporate governments will not listen.

They will keep exploiting the environment for profit, and as the world spirals into warming and drought they will simply find ways to profit from that too.
:grr:

[nam78_two]

3. Its truly amazing

This is trans-generational genocide....:grr:

[ThomCat]

5. I agree. And they will never be held responsible.

None of the politicians, none of the corporate executives, nobody.
x(

[Systematic Chaos]

4. Another K & R with a heaping helping of cynicism

And of course, we all know that all previous predictions have been coming to pass exponentially more quickly and severely than was thought even two or three years ago. So, what does that REALLY mean for the desertification of the planet by 2100? 95%?

:cry:

[phantom power]

6. Or, maybe stabilizing at 1/3, but in 50 years, not 100.

[phantom power]

7. Gee, it's a good thing the world's leaders are all busy planning...

for this enormous challenge. Oh wait, that's right. We're doomed.

[nam78_two]

8. we are on our own

Its up to us...the politicians don't care about anything but money and power

[YankeyMCC]

11. You hit the nail on the head friend

I'll still encourage the political leaders to speak up and act and give kudos when they do but we'd be fools to wait for them or any one leader. We all have to act.

[ellenfl]

12. but * said that we need more research!!!! can't

believe the scientists when 'daddy' knows it all.

ellen fl

[Dead_Parrot]

13. One third of the planet will be desert?

Given that two thirds are already ocean, that won't leave much...

Gotta love science reporting :D

[cal04]

14. Crop forecasts lowest in 12 years( drought)

MOST South Australian farmers are heading for one of their worst years ever, with the emerging drought drastically cutting crop estimates.

Primary Industries and Resources SA said today crop production estimates in the state had been cut to 3.2 million tonnes, half the five-year average and the lowest since 1994.

Below average rainfall and above average temperatures in September had placed crops in all farming districts under severe stress with the potential for widespread failures, spokesman Peter Fullwood said.

"For most farmers, this season could be one of the worst ever experienced," he said.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20523201-1702,00.html

[knitter4democracy]

15. We've already been seeing it.

It just doesn't seem that way, but most of the US is in drout mode. Even here in the Great Lakes region, which is scary enough. It may not seem like it right now, what with the torrential rains last night, but we are drier than usual and have been for years.