Tokyo Governor: Global warming may make 2016 Olympics the last

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.examiner.com/x-25061-Climate-Change-Examiner~y2009m10d1-Tokyo-Governor-Global-warming-may-make-2016-Olympics-the-last

Tokyo Governor: Global warming may make 2016 Olympics the last

October 1, 4:36 PM - Climate Change Examiner - Tony Hake

As representatives from four cities spanning the globe descend on Copenhagen, Denmark to lobby for their right to host the 2016 Olympics, environmental and climate issues play a large part in the discussion. Emphasizing the potentially dire consequences of manmade climate change, Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara warned that the 2016 games may be the last Olympiad.

At a reception for the Tokyo bid, Governor Ishihara sought to drive home climate concerns saying, “I think this (the 2016 Games) could be the last for mankind.” He said, "Global warming is getting worse. Scientists have said that the earth has passed the point of no return."

“However, more realistically we have to come up with measures without which the Olympics cannot last long, “ Ishihara said. "Tokyo is prepared to do everything to create the best conditions for the athletes environmentally speaking. But if things are left unattended the Olympic Games will not continue for long. I want people to make choices with consideration for the environment. "

Tokyo, Chicago, Rio de Janeiro, and Madrid are all vying for the highly coveted Summer Olympic Games and each city is working to distinguish themselves from their competitors. Chicago and Rio are largely thought to be the frontrunners leading up to a decision by the International Olympic Committee on Friday. In a display of the gamesmanship that goes into getting the games, President Barack Obama, his wife Michelle, and Oprah Winfrey have winged their way to Copenhagen to push for their hometown of Chicago’s bid.

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[hatrack]

1. Uh . . . . wow.

Not so much what he said as who he is - the governor of Tokyo?!?

Of course, he's also has a reputation as something of a winger flake, which makes this even harder to pigeonhole.

:wtf:

[joshcryer]

2. By 2016 we will have released as much CO2 as we have from 150 years ago until now.

So while he may be making a wild ass claim here, it most certainly does emphasize just how much CO2 we lovely creatures are releasing.

(Note, that assumpgion, 16 years, is based on *no* CO2 emission increases, it's sooner than that if you assume a 1.8% increase.)