10 March 2008

No Chance of This Ever

New research has indicated that the only way to prevent massive destruction and dislocation from global warming is for mankind to get to zero carbons emissions almost immediately. This is flat out impossible and will never occur. Even a reduction of percentage points is not going to happen for decades. The annual carbon output of nations globally is well in excess of ten billion tons and is increasing notably with each passing day. China is bringing three coal power plants online weekly with zero environmental protective measures, and India is adding more than one per week. Latest studies indicate the United States will need the equivalent of 90 new coal power plants in the next decade to meet projected increased electricity demands. Although many of these plants will not be built, emissions from the ones built as well as other emission sources like motor vehicles, manufacturing plants, and livestocks emissions will continue to strongly add to global warming. The application of new technologies of energy such as wind and solar are only in their infancy and will take at least part of a generation to even become marginally a contributing factor to reducing emissions. And fossil fuel burning corporations have powerful lobbies and plenty of cash to direct and dictate government policy on every level for a long time which makes any vital change impossible.

We should all expect an obviously apparent change in climate within a few years, with temperatures rising noticeably, more frequent and intense occurences of severe storms of all types, and widespread increase of drought even in areas and regions where it has been unknown. It is not going to be pretty very soon.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/09/AR2008030901867.html?hpid=artslot

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