Anyone here see the New Yorker editorial this week?

[hydrashok75]

Scary news...the smallest Artic ice measurements on record, carbon outgassing from soil in Ireland, 36 Cubic Miles of ice lost from Antartica last year, 2005 the hottest year on record...

In our lifetimes, we're going to see dramatic rises in sea levels across the board. Maybe rebuilding NO isn't such a hot idea after all (gulp).

The question for me is what can be done (besides the obvious that we need to quit electing Republicans, because this is an international crisis and will need an international answer) from a technology standpoint to improve the situation.

[LiberalPartisan]

1. Move away from the oil economy ASAP

Unfortunately this won't happen any time soon. The world is wedded to oil as oil is the fuel which powers all the world's economies. Only when it is too late will anything substantive be done. When that day comes it will be a minimum of 150 years before the impact of the last 150 years begin to fade.

[brokensymmetry]

2. OK...we'll use coal!

That should get things cooking! :sarcasm:

Seriously, we may as well get ready for a bumpy ride - because we're doing nothing to reduce our carbon emissions. For that matter, we aren't even trying to limit them.

[gristy]

3. What can be done?

Move away from and sell all property at low elevations near the coast. There isn't much more than that which one can do. The tipping point has likely been reached. Hopefully the planet will be able to continue to grow enough food for everyone, and that countries that have an excess can help provide for those who come up on the short end of the climate-change stick.

You're right, rebuilding NO may not be such a good idea.