“The world’s leading climate scientists [IPCC] have warned there is only a dozen years for global warming to be kept to a maximum of 1.5C, beyond which even half a degree will significantly worsen the risks of drought, floods, extreme heat and poverty for hundreds of millions of people.” (Guardian, 8 October 2018)
Don’t get me wrong: I believe in climate change. Climate change has been around for 4.5 billion years, the estimated age of planet Earth. Its main geological periods are glacial periods (or: “global cooling“) and interglacials (or “global warming“). Wiki: “The current Holocene interglacial began at the end of the Pleistocene, about 11,700 years ago”.
Our current interglacial period reversed the Last Glacial Maximum “when ice sheets were at their greatest extension. Vast ice sheets covered much of North America, northern Europe, and Asia. The ice sheets profoundly affected Earth’s climate by causing drought, desertification, and a dramatic drop in sea levels” (Wiki). Note: italic markings in quote by LO.
The impact of this climate reversal was immense: global sea levels rose by 120-140 meters (some 400 feet) from 20,000 years ago until some 8,000 years ago (graph). See my blog The Great Flood of 11,000 BC – 4,000 BC.
A 2018 study concluded: “The results suggest that if the pre-industrial temperature will be surpassed by 1.5 to 2°C, sea level will respond and rise 2 to 6 meters (7 to 20 feet) above present sea level.” (my 2018 blog)
It might indeed be possible to restrict future temperature rise if all countries would participate. Greenhouse gases, however, are only one of the 9 known factors causing climate change (BGS).
In general, a significant part of the Netherlands is already below current sea level and protected from flooding by dunes and dykes. My Dutch city is on top of such a dune and thus several meters above sea level. Nevertheless, I aim to relocate to a place with much higher elevation.
Hence, I’m willing – and able – to adapt to a changing environment because I believe in Change, including climate change. Given my current age, I could also bide my time and adopt an “après nous le déluge” attitude. I prefer to be an “early adopter” rather than a “laggard” (Wiki).
I think, feel and believe that these IPCC warnings are becoming counterproductive. Most people do not want to change their life and/or life-style, even if they believe in climate change. Only when there is an acute need then wants finally become irrelevant (my Needs-Wants-Beliefs blogs).
Final Warning (2013) by Skylar Grey
artist, lyrics, video, Wiki-1, Wiki-2
Note: all markings (bold, italic, underlining) by LO unless stated otherwise
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