Global warming
the threat is real.
Yesterday I wrote immigrants are generally a benefit, today lets try global warming is real. Maybe not surprisingly there will be some reptation of characters from yesterday, both who have decided global warming is a hoax. There will also be a few trolls who don’t believe its real, usually when its cold. Apparently global warming to them only becomes relevant on a warm day, similarly if it rains that’s also a sign. There may even be reference to those shouting about contrails from aircraft actually being poisonous chemicals.
Climate change can be witnessed in the global warming statistics, this shows the steady increase in the globes average temperature. The knock on effect can be recorded in the changes to the earths climate system, things like melting ice caps due to rising temperatures.
The modern day rise in temperature is known to be man made, using fossil fuels is the main part. The deforestation of large parts of the globe and some of the worlds chemical companies who, release large amounts of greenhouse gas, also contribute. The greenhouse gases absorb heat rising from the earth , carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere has risen by 50%. The levels are far higher than they have been for many million years.
The knock on effects include more severe weather episodes, more wildfires, warming of the artic, damage to coral reefs and wild life numbers. Even if the attempts to reduce harmful emissions works, some of the damage will take centuries to sort. Things like ocean heating, ocean acidification and sea level rises. This in turn leads turns to obvious danger to humans and animals.
The news is often filled with death tolls from forest fires, floods and landslides. In Paris in 2015 an accord was signed to keep global warming under 2c. Even if this was enacted quickly the level of global warming will be 2.8c as we enter the next century. There is support around the world for action to be taken, from people who can see the dangers coming. Around the world there are many low lying areas that will be under water if things aren’t done quickly.
Even though numbers and charts show a steady rise in temperature in records started in 1850, some want to ignore the facts. Many countries have a quota of greenhouse gases they can produce, bizarrely they can sell their quotas to other countries and carry on as they were. Another problem is that a high percent of greenhouse gas pollution comes from countries that cant afford to change or modernise the equipment they use. Of course the richer countries could help but must wont.
Since 1970 the average temperature in the united states has risen by 1.4c, yet the president doesnt believe in global warming. Contrast this with his desperation to take over Greenland. The excuse is the sea ice is melting and Russian or Chinese could send in military boats. I wonder if he has worked out why the ice is melting, then again as he doesn’t believe in global warming probably not.
Trump likes to call global warming fake or a scam, similar to other things he doesn’t understand. One of his catchphrases is “drill, baby drill” in reference to drilling for more oil and coal. He managed to call coal a clean fuel. He has also removed America from any climate treaties, including the afore mentioned one signed in Paris. Considering many of the worlds forest fires and storms happen on his shores it shows him as even more blinkered from reality.
The government revoked the EPA endangerment finding that showed greenhouse gases are harmful to people. This finding formed part of the legal drive to lower emissions. Also deep sea drilling has been increased, while land based drilling has been cut back. Trump has also cut funding to research and even had the phrase “Global warming” removed from government websites. Trump has once again appointed climate deniers to government roles, while culling the real experts. As ever he thinks better and if it affects his and his friends money making he doesn’t like it.
In the UK Trumps biggest sycophant, Nigel Farage, peddles the same lies. Luckily he isnt in power , so can only talk about it. He wants more drilling, more coal and anything else that reminds him of the early 20th century. He claims the science is still being questioned, says carbon dioxide isn’t a pollutant and wants a referendum to stop the countries emission reductio commitments. He follows the Trump plan of ignoring a pile of proof, preferring to use 1 page from someone questioning reality. Any local governments that have acquired any of Farages reform party will see their climate plans abandoned.
Keyboard warriors also like to say climate change is fake. In 1976 England had a long heatwave, many point to this to show it was hot then. They cant fathom that there have been 6 hotter summers since and global warming is an average. They are the same people that believe vaccines cause autism and that the covid vaccine killed more than it saved, therefore they are best ignored.
We all have to do or best, keep telling our politicians to do more and keep making a fuse while we still can. Estimates state that man made climate change kills around 5million people a year, from pollution and extreme heat. That should be enough for countries to do something, unfortunately I am not holding my breath.
