Quick action can avert worst of climate change, scientists say

[YankeyMCC]

Source: Boston Globe

(snip)

BANGKOK -- UN-sponsored scientists who warned of the dangers of a warming Earth will issue a new study next month describing how to avert the worst: Everyone must embrace technologies ranging from nuclear power to manure control.
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Under a best-case scenario for heading off severe damage, the global economy might lose as little as 3 percentage points of growth by 2030 in deploying technologies to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, says the panel's draft report, obtained by the Associated Press.
(snip)

(snip)

For one thing, the governments of such major emitters as the United States, China, and India will have to join the Kyoto Protocol countries of Europe and Japan in imposing cutbacks in carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases emitted by industry, power plants, and other sources.

(snip)

Two previous panel reports this year painted a dire picture of a future in which unabated greenhouse emissions could drive global temperatures up as much as 11 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100. Even a 3.6-degree-Fahrenheit rise could subject up to 2 billion people to water shortages by 2050 and threaten extinction for 20 percent to 30 percent of the world's species, the Climate Change panel said.

The third report asserts that the world must quickly embrace a basket of technological options -- both already available and developing -- just to keep the temperature rise to 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit .

The draft states that significant cuts could come from making buildings more energy-efficient, especially in the developing world, through better insulation, lighting and other steps, and by converting from coal to natural gas, nuclear power, and renewable energy such as wind, solar, and biofuels.

(snip)
Over the next century, it says, such technology as hydrogen-powered fuel cells, advanced hybrid and electric vehicles with better batteries, and carbon sequestration -- whereby carbon emissions are stored underground -- will become more commercially feasible.

It says taking "optimal" mitigation measures might by 2030 stabilize greenhouse-gas concentrations in the atmosphere at 445 to 534 parts per million, up from an estimated 430 parts per million today.
It indicates that stabilizing concentrations relatively quickly at 450 parts per million -- an unlikely scenario -- might keep the temperature rise to 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit over preindustrial temperatures, a level scientists think might avert severe damage.
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Read more: http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2007/04/24/quick_action_can_avert_worst_of_climate_change_scientists_say/

[EFerrari]

1. I just saw Howard telling Australia to pray for rain

because the drought is so bad, he may have to cut off water to farmers. :(

[candice]

8. Australia is the first "developed" nation to suffer the effects of global warming

...farmers are committing suicide at the rate of 4 a day (or so I read). Maybe turning around their carbon footprint so that coal is not the significant power source might work better than prayer.

[EFerrari]

9. I can't imagine facing a crisis like that and have some idiot

in office tell me to pray over it. That's just horrendous.

[rodeodance]

2. I think it CAN to done----IF we pull together--but bush is playing chicken now

--as in----china has not joined -why should we. It is a deadly game and who or what will change his mind?--I think NOTHING!!--He has to go!

[lildreamer316]

5. I agree completely.

We don't have the time to bullshit and dilly-dally. Put up or shut up; and as we are very well aware; he's not gonna put up anytime soon.
He's gotta go..out of office.

[candice]

10. Isn't he on his way out (by 2008 at least) and the tide has turned...

Even some of the flat earthers are starting to see that climate change is real. Do your part, buy only what you need and buy locally as much as possible-- buy quality that lasts and look for freecycle goods, recycle everything you can. Use a water filter if necessary and bypass the petro/landfill drain of bottled water, which isn't as regulated as your tap water. Drive less; eat less meat. Use less energy (dry clothes outdoors if you can, use compact flurescent bulbs, pull the plug on TVs, computers, flashing LED light--power strips make this easy). Buy food locally--farmer's markets are fun and the food is fresher. You support family farms and keep land from being paved over, and food doesn't have to travel 1500 miles per bite! Bring your own bags to stores.

[Triana]

3. bu$h is an obstacle to this (n/t)

[Telly Savalas]

16. Has he vetoed anything on this yet?

When can we expect to see a bill from Congress which addresses climate change?

[Bicoastal]

4. The real question is...

...can the environment fend for itself until January 20th, 2009?

[DixieBlue]

6. Given what we've been seeing ...

take the new island off Greenland's coast ... I doubt it.

I do my little part, as so many others, but it will mean nothing if governments don't sign on.

Soon we'll see little W. staning atop the White House watching the world drown, or dry out, depending on where you are.

[northernsoul]

11. boy, I sure am glad that Nader took a "principled" stand in 2000

because we all know that there wouldn't have been any difference between Bush and Gore when it comes to environmental policy </sarcasm>

[mac56]

12. Word that.

Of all the inexcusable, unforgivable bullshit to come out of Ralphie's pie-hole, that was the absolute worst. Not only in retrospect: even at the time it was bullshit.

[The2ndWheel]

7. "Quick action"

"will issue a new study next month"

"the global economy might lose as little as 3 percentage points of growth by 2030"

"will have to"

"Two previous panel reports this year"

"by 2100"

"by 2050"

"The third report asserts that the world must quickly embrace a basket of technological options -- both already available and developing"

"Over the next century"

So we have to quickly take our time by waiting to read new reports each month so that we will know what to do to keep the global economy growing by some point within the next 100 years?

At least we know we won't do anything, other than try and figure out how to make the problem more efficient. The problem being that we see the planet/life as a machine to be exploited. We just want to get better at that process. As long as we know.

[Harper_is_Bush]

14. Would you rather the UN scientists didn't issue a report next month?

You want it today, I suppose?

I'm sorry, but I'm getting a little touchy on this subject. To bash the UN over this while people like Glen Beck are allowed to openly spread global warming denial without any outrage or reaction is a bit much.

[Odin2005]

17. Nobody ever seems to understand NoMoreMyths

She seems to be half luddite, half Postmodernist crazy. I can never understand many of her rants. :crazy:

[BlueIris]

13. Kick.

Focus, people, focus. I like my coastlines where they are.

[Harper_is_Bush]

15. Who is carrying the water for those who want NO ACTION? GLEN BECK!!

Do not put up with it America. Go here for info:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x743123

[columbusdem]

18. I don't mind a slight slowing in the economy.

Considering the destructive nature that storms and floods and droughts (like Australia's current one) will have on the world economy anyway, why not sacrifice a little bit more now to save a lot more down the line. Hopefully the politicians in the world's industrialized democracies will get it through their thick skulls soon enough.