Greenhouse Gases Have Already Reached Dangerous Tipping Point
Climate change, or global warming, is the greatest environmental threat we've
ever faced. How we respond to this crisis will greatly impact both current and
future generations and all other species.
The global carbon dioxide equivalent of greenhouse gases ( GHG ) in
the atmosphere has exceeded 400 parts per
million ( NOAA ). This level is considered a tipping point.
"There is alarming evidence that important tipping points, leading to irreversible changes in major ecosystems and the planetary climate
system, may already have been reached or passed. Ecosystems as diverse as the
Amazon rainforest and the Arctic tundra, for example, may be approaching
thresholds of dramatic change through warming and drying. Mountain glaciers are
in alarming retreat and the downstream effects of reduced water supply in the
driest months will have repercussions that transcend generations. Climate
feedback systems and environmental cumulative effects are building across Earth
systems demonstrating behaviors we cannot anticipate.
"The potential for runaway greenhouse warming is real and has
never been more present. The most dangerous climate changes may still be
avoided if we transform our hydrocarbon based energy systems and if we initiate
rational and adequately financed adaptation programs to forestall disasters
and migrations at unprecedented scales. The tools are available, but they must
be applied immediately and aggressively."
Global temperatures are now the highest in 4,000 years.
Report from National Oceanic & Atmospheric
Administration:
"When I look at this data, the trend is perfectly in line
with a temperature increase of 6 degrees Celsius (by 2050), which would have
devastating consequences for the planet."
On a positive note, research indicate that global emissions of
carbon dioxide from the energy sector stalled in 2014, marking the first time
in 40 years in which there was a halt or reduction in emissions of the
greenhouse gas that was not tied to an economic downturn.
Report from the UN Office for the Coordination
of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA):
" In 2012, there were 905 natural catastrophes
worldwide—and 93 percent of these events were weather-related disasters"."Climate disasters are. . . up from around 50 percent from two decades
ago. These disasters take a heavier human toll and come with a higher price
tag. In the last decade, 2.4 billion people were affected by climate
related disasters, compared to 1.7 billion in the previous decade. The cost of
responding to disasters has risen tenfold between 1992 and 2008".
"Destructive sudden heavy rains, intense tropical storms,
repeated flooding and droughts are likely to increase, as will the
vulnerability of local communities in the absence of strong concerted
action."
"Climate change is not just a distant future threat. It is
the main driver behind rising humanitarian needs and we are seeing its impact.
The number of people affected and the damages
inflicted by extreme weather has been unprecedented."
"Unless we can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere to 350 parts per million, we will cause huge and irreversible
damage to the earth."
