Report: Global Warming May Be Irreversible By 2006

[tex-wyo-dem]

?8149

GENEVA—A new report from the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned Monday that global warming is likely to become completely irreversible if no successful effort is made to slow down the trend before 2006.

Unless greenhouse-gas emissions are drastically reduced by then, the report concludes, it will be too late to avoid inflicting a grave environmental catastrophe upon future generations.

"We have absolutely no time to waste," said Dr. William Tumminelli, lead author of the report, which stresses it is utterly crucial the world cut its carbon footprint in half by the year 2000. "If we wait until 1998 or even 1995 to really start doing something about climate change, our planet's rising temperature will already have set in motion a series of devastating and irreparable long-term consequences. We need to have strict international rules in place well ahead of 2006 or, to be blunt, many of the earth's inhabitants will be doomed."

The situation could not possibly be more urgent," Tumminelli added.

The IPCC report—the most comprehensive study of its kind ever undertaken—estimates the failure to address global warming immediately could result in sea levels rising 6 inches by the end of the 20th century, 2000-2009 being the hottest decade ever recorded, and roughly half the Arctic ice cap melting by 2011.

much more...

http://www.theonion.com/articles/report-global-warming-may-be-irreversible-by-2006,26808/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=SocialMarketing&utm_campaign=LinkPreview:1:InFocus

[tex-wyo-dem]

1. Let me be clear that I applaud what Obama did today...

Just thought a bit of sobering satire is in order to point out just how far behind we are.

[magellan]

2. Agreed on all points. n/t

[tex-wyo-dem]

6. Perhaps you missed the overall point of "The Onion" article...

That being that scientists had already identified the problem as early as the late 60's (or even earlier) and if we had used our knowledge and wisdom to address the problem, we could, by now, be almost entirely carbon neutral and the rest of the world would have likely followed our lead. Instead, we allowed big energy to throw money into the Washington trough and launch one of the most sophisticated propaganda campaigns in history to dupe people into thinking it was some vast left-wing conspiracy and we have nothing to worry about.

....and here we are.

BTW, welcome to DU

[GeorgeGist]

5. Troll on aisle 4.