Guardian op-ed: "the full horror of what's happening to our planet".

[wtmusic]

Early 21st-century homo sapiens are shown raking the Earth's crust for hydrocarbons to burn, seemingly unaware of impending disaster.

"The draft version of the US National Climate Assessment, released on Friday, makes remarkable reading – not just for Americans but for all humanity. Put together by a special panel of more than 240 scientists, the federally commissioned report reveals that the US is already reeling under the impact of global warming. Heatwaves, droughts, floods, intense downpours, rising sea levels and melting glaciers are now causing widespread havoc and are having an impact on a wide range of fronts including health services, infrastructure, water supply, agriculture, transport and flood defences.

Nor is there any doubt about the cause of these rising temperatures. "It is due primarily to human activities, predominantly the burning of fossil fuel," the report states. As carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere soar, temperatures rise and chaos ensues. Air pollution intensifies, wildfires increase, insect-borne diseases spread, confrontations over water rights become more violent and storm surges rise. This is the near future for America and for the rest of the world. Earth is set to become a hotter, drier, unhealthier, more uncomfortable, dangerous and more disaster-prone place in coming years.

The language used in this exhaustive, carefully researched investigation is also worthy of comment. It includes the word "threat" or variations 198 times and versions of the word "disrupt" another 120 times. After poring over the 1,146 pages of the assessment, readers will be under no illusions about what is happening to our planet. The robustness of its rhetoric is especially striking because it contrasts so noticeably with the debate – or to be precise, lack of debate – on climate change that occurred during last year's presidential campaigning."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/13/no-one-can-deny-global-warming

[Locrian]

1. game over

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[dixiegrrrrl]

2. worse yet, no way to stop the climate change process now.

even if we cut ALL harmful emissions today, say many reports.
But for world governments, for the most advanced nations, to totally ignore the danger, is outrageous, and makes me wonder if we do not have a self destruct gene in us.
I really watch with stunned awe as greed and hubris run amok despite all warnings.

[pscot]

3. The lack of response from Obama is disturbing

I keep hearing what a brllliant guy he is, but his inaction on AGW makes me wonder. Some leadership would be helpful. I guess until people start dieing in large numbers nothing can be done.

[wtmusic]

4. +1

Obama is capable, his heart is in the right place, and he's not a leader - when we most need one.

[Moostache]

5. We cannot get assault weapons banned...

what in the name of Christ makes anyone believe that we are anything but completely doomed on the environment?

The same thing that causes people to vote en masse against their own economic interests, total self-delusion, is what makes so many willing to doubt the science behind climate change - because you know President Bush taught us how going with your 'gut instinct' is always the best solution. They all believe the worst effects will simply starve millions of brown people and they will be spared...stereotypical 'muricans. We're #1!!! U-S-A!!!

[NYC_SKP]

6. K/R (nt)