Scientist: Global warming could melt ice caps, eliminate half of Earth's species

[Kadie]

Scientist: Global warming could melt ice caps, eliminate half of Earth's species
Updated 1/11/2007 11:20 AM ET


By Tom Gardner, Associated Press Writer

MAMMOTH LAKES, Calif. — The effects of global warming are being felt around the world and unless international efforts are launched within the next 10 years, species will disappear and the Earth will be a vastly less habitable planet by the end of the century, according to NASA scientist James E. Hansen.

"Global warming is already starting, and there's going to be more of it. I think there is still time to deal with global warming, but we need to act soon. Humans now control global climate, for better or worse," Hansen said Tuesday at an annual gathering of meteorologists.

Hansen, who came under fire from the White House after a December 2005 lecture in which he called for prompt reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to slow global warming, delivered his keynote speech by satellite at the 14th annual Operation Sierra Storm meeting at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area. Global warming is the theme of the conference.

Hansen, who said he was not speaking for NASA, said that after the warming of the past three decades, the world is within 1°C of its warmest period in the past 400,000 years. He predicted that if greenhouse gas emissions continue at the same rate, the warming this century will approach 3°C, or about 5°F.

He forecast that such a change would eliminate up to half the species on Earth and would melt polar ice caps. Subsequently rising ocean levels would inundate Florida, most of Louisiana and much of the East Coast, Hansen said.

more...
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/climate/2007-01-11-hansen-warming_x.htm?csp=34

[Uncle Joe]

1. There are times, I'm thankful, I don't have children,

this is one of those times.

Thanks for the post Kadie

Kicked and recommended

[Kadie]

2. I tell my son,

'Sorry, but we have left a big mess for you. Get a good education and maybe you can help.'

It breaks my heart when I look in the faces of the children today. They have a lot to deal with.

On the brighter side, my son often refers to Al Gore and hates it when he sees waste. (he is only 6) Maybe things will be ok.

:hi:

[Uncle Joe]

5. Sounds like you have a smart son, Kadie

:hi:

[Kadie]

7. Thanks Uncle Joe.

We are very proud if him.

:hi:

[helderheid]

11. My son as well - same age - perhaps there is hope?

[ixion]

3. yep, if I had kids, the only thing I could think to say to them would be:

"gee, I'm sorry I got you into all this."

The world inherited by our generation's children will be a much different place, I'm afraid.

[Vogon_Glory]

4. And It'll All Be The Clinton's Fault, Too!

And all these catastrophic changes will be the Clinton's fault. Hear and see it on Fox!

[Kadie]

8. Of course.

:rofl:

:hi:

[kansasblue]

6. Here in Kansas....

The general thought is ... yes there is global warming. But 1) it's a nature cycle, 2) historic records show this has happened before. 3) Scientist do not agree on the cause. 4) volcanoes cause more than people do.

So I set off to research the scientist disagree angle.

There ARE scientists that disagree about why... all of them can apparently be listed on one page of

wikipepdia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_scientists_opposing_global_warming_consensus


More when time allows.

kb

[AliceWonderland]

10. Interesting -- most of those sceptical scientists did not write in peer reviewed journals

I saw a number of news sites -- some sketchier than others -- but I think I only saw one scholarly journal... Environmental Geology or some such. Now, maybe these folks have also put in their two cents in peer reviewed journals, but the impression that the link leaves? These sceptics cannot support their assertions.

[Kadie]

9. .

:kick: