Rising CO2 levels show a climate emergency -- urgent action needed

[Fast Walker 52]

Last edited Mon Apr 25, 2016, 01:45 PM - Edit history (1)

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2016/04/atmospheric-co2-rising-off-chart-spikes.html

For quite a while, climate scientists have been comforted (if that's the world for a very jittery bunch) by the stability of the CO2 growth rate — "only" 2.11 ppm per year. There is some acceleration, obviously. But for the most part that acceleration hasn't been dramatic, aside from the large one-year spike in 1998 (chart here).

We now have another large one-year spike (see chart at the top of this piece; also here), and we're not done yet. The actual yearly peak in atmospheric CO2 is reached in May, a number not yet available, so the April peak (so far) is still shy of the actual number for 2016. (Note that both 1998 and 2016 are El Niño years, but as you'll read, that should not be comforting.)

Keep in mind, CO2 readings barely touched 400 ppm very recently — as a the daily average, in 2013; as a monthly average, in 2014 — and the monthly readings solidly breached 400 ppm only in 2015 (per-month data table here). The May 2014 highest weekly mean was 401.88 ppm. The May 2015 highest weekly mean was 403.94, for a rise of a little over 2 ppm, the average over the last 10 years. The May 2016 weekly average could peak near 410 ppm, and one of the daily averages could exceed it. (If you look at this chart, you'll see the hourly average has already breached 410 ppm. In the hourly measurements, we're already there.)

This is a problem, this spike in atmospheric CO2, and a more immediate one than this generation is prepared to acknowledge. Robert Scribbler comments (my emphasis):

Hothouse Gas Spikes to Extreme 409.3 Parts Per Million on April 10 — Record Rate of Atmospheric CO2 Increase Likely for 2016

[thereismore]

1. Yep, this looks like something is running away from us...

[Fast Walker 52]

4. Indeed-- thanks for posting that

scary shit!

[fred v]

17. Next Stop: Venus

[thereismore]

18. Side by side (Venus without clouds)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/92/Venus,_Earth_size_comparison.jpg

[highprincipleswork]

2. Bernie is the only one making climate change the fundamental issue of survival that it is.

[Fast Walker 52]

5. Agree 100%... one of the most important reasons why I support him

However, I have a feeling that no matter who is elected president, they are going to be spending a lot of time on climate change, whether they want to or not.

:sigh:

[silvershadow]

6. And not a damn thing will be done. Gotta keep the $ circulating around the world. nt

[Dragonfli]

3. K&R for needed exposure /nt

[felix_numinous]

7. The rest of the world is waiting for us

to catch up with the 21st Century. Bernie Sanders will match international ecological standards, while all the others want to turn back the clock and endanger us all.

We need someone who can move quickly to a fast changing climate with ready made policies, not people who are so caught up in their own narcissistic dramas they are unable to cope with this reality. Supporting fracking and fossil fuels, war and TTIP shows a disconnect with reality that now appears to be delusional.

We are seeing the end games of the old paradigm and there is nothing left but to manufacture consent, and to create illusions of a viable future, but these are actions taken out of fear not confidence.

This is the last gasp of the golden age of the 20th century, they are desperate and are afraid of the unknown future. I have always hoped to inspire individuals to do the right thing and invest in a sustainable future, make their grandchildren proud, and be a champion of the 21st century.

[Duppers]

14. Exactly. "Narcissistic dramas....unable to cope with reality"

Well stated.

Yet I take a small exception in that I think many are as confident as they are ignorant. When approach with facts, they close their eyes, cover their ears, and metaphorically scream liar.

[tclambert]

8. But, but . . . I keep hearing that winter is coming.

[Fast Walker 52]

12. Haha, I just saw a video saying how GoT is a metaphor for climate change

at bottom here:
http://www.vox.com/2016/4/22/11475210/game-of-thrones-spoilers-jon-snow-dead-season-6

[jhart3333]

9. I run biodiesel and I hardly drive any more. I walk instead.

I filled my tank over a year ago and I still have a quarter tank. Not sure what the percentage of my carbon footprint that covers but I'm sure it helps. As a baby boomer I grew up with cars so it's a revelation that I can get along fine without driving. Changing my profession helped(plumber -> computer guy) but mostly I just don't enjoy it anymore. I find myself yelling at people from within my little car bubble and it's just no fun.

I just want to pass along that it's possible in the city and really helps your outlook and your health to walk instead of drive: good for the earth, good for you in so many ways.

[Fast Walker 52]

10. thanks-- that's awesome

[jhart3333]

11. Just trying to get the word out. (some of)Us boomers can do it too!

Hey you hipster kids with your fixies, get off my lawn!

[Fast Walker 52]

13. I am really looking forward to getting an electric car in the near future

we have switched to wind energy for electricity, so I should be reasonably renewable for my car, which I need job-wise.

[RobertEarl]

15. I have the solution

Are you ready? We can end it in days.





Become homeless and car less. If we all did that CO2 output would drop, fast!

[nationalize the fed]

16. The end of oil is here

Every 24 hours, the US spends ~$200 million dollars on the wars. http://costofwar.com

Think of what could be done with just one day's war budget. If there was a Manhattan style project for clean energy independence it could be done in a matter of a few years. So why isn't it happening?

How much of a carbon footprint does the US create with the wars? Why does Obama like Fracking when all the gas ever needed could be made with solar and wind power?

[Fast Walker 52]

19. yeah, for sure-- it can't happen soon enough

too bad the oil companies have so much money and influence... but they are on their way out sooner or later

[Visionary]

20. Don't worry

Hillary will get right on this when elected. Have no fears!

[Fast Walker 52]

21. I have plenty of fears about her...