A paper appearing in Science magazine in 2003 entitled “Abrupt Climate Change” states, “Large, abrupt, and widespread climate changes with major impacts have occurred repeatedly in the past, when the Earth system was forced across thresholds.” They add, “…it is conceivable that human forcing of climate change is increasing the probability of large, abrupt events.” Incidentally, when the authors use the term, “abrupt” they mean only a few years. 

Since then, the term “threshold” has become synonymous with “tipping point,” and climate scientists have identified several dangerous candidates. There’s good reason why the phrase, “on the brink” is ominous. 

Sounds like we’re playing a game of “chicken” with our precious home (Earth). 

Late last year the scientifically conservative IPCC reported that, “It is extremely likely that human influence has been the dominant cause of the observed warming since the mid-20th century.” They also determined that methane is 34 times stronger as a heat-trapping gas than CO2 over a 100-year time scale. So when methane escapes – from any source, natural or man-made – it’s going to capture heat radiation – further warming our planet.

And in their Fifth Assessment Report released in March, they asserted, “Continued emissions of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and changes in all components of the climate system. Limiting climate change will require substantial and sustained reductions of greenhouse gas emissions.” Oh, and they also reported that governments of the world are still spending far more money to subsidize fossil fuels than to accelerate the shift to cleaner energy. 

Key words – substantial – sustained – reductions.

Mindful of our current fossil fuel exploitations, aren’t we hearing about the oil and gas industries planning to seriously ramp up fossil fuel production – even in the high Arctic – once all the ice is melted? 

What?

Will we be able to claim the moral high ground if we continue to place our planet at serious risk? When our children and grandchildren begin to suffer, will they ask why we didn’t heed the warnings? 

Or don’t we care? 

Isn’t it time that we begin to seriously act on climate change?  Let’s really think about it.

Mike Kamandulis

Kersey