200 years of burning fossil fuels leaves us in a very tight spot. Even if we stop all the carbon emissions right away there is a latency of 40 years for the climate to adapt.
Because of all the methane starting to bubble up in the Arctic, I think we're way past the point of no return. An interesting aspect of global climate change is that global warming and sea level rising would be a small problem for an enlightened race of beings with all nations federated under a global government for dealing with global issues. A peaceful, loving global society would simply move people around as needed, set them up with meaningful work, and adjust crops to suit new climates.
I don't know, but it seems likely. All livable planets are probably made of similar stuff, and the intelligent beings probably go through similar stages of development--inventing metal, projectile weapons, explosives, and then nukes.
200 years of burning fossil fuels leaves us in a very tight spot. Even if we stop all the carbon emissions right away there is a latency of 40 years for the climate to adapt.
ReplyDeleteVery thougtful piece - so do all live forms have a self-destruct button?
ReplyDeleteMH
Mili,
ReplyDeleteBecause of all the methane starting to bubble up in the Arctic, I think we're way past the point of no return. An interesting aspect of global climate change is that global warming and sea level rising would be a small problem for an enlightened race of beings with all nations federated under a global government for dealing with global issues. A peaceful, loving global society would simply move people around as needed, set them up with meaningful work, and adjust crops to suit new climates.
MH,
ReplyDeleteI don't know, but it seems likely. All livable planets are probably made of similar stuff, and the intelligent beings probably go through similar stages of development--inventing metal, projectile weapons, explosives, and then nukes.