CO2 levels already in danger zone

Lemmings I tell ya.

From the article linked above:

If climate disasters are to be averted, atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) must be reduced below the levels that already exist today, according to a study published in Open Atmospheric Science Journal by a group of 10 scientists from the United States, the United Kingdom and France.

The authors, who include two Yale scientists, assert that to maintain a planet similar to that on which civilization developed, an optimum CO2 level would be less than 350 ppm - a dramatic change from most previous studies, which suggested a danger level for CO2 is likely to be 450 ppm or higher.

Atmospheric CO2 is currently 385 parts per million (ppm) and is increasing by about 2 ppm each year from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas) and from the burning of forests.

"This work and other recent publications suggest that we have reached CO2 levels that compromise the stability of the polar ice sheets," said author Mark Pagani, Yale professor of geology and geophysics.

"How fast ice sheets and sea level will respond are still poorly understood, but given the potential size of the disaster, I think it's best not to learn this lesson firsthand."

The statement is based on improved data on the Earth's climate history and ongoing observations of change, especially in the polar regions. The authors use evidence of how the Earth responded to past changes of CO2 along with more recent patterns of climate changes to show that atmospheric CO2 has already entered a danger zone.

According to the study, coal is the largest source of atmospheric CO2 and the one that would be most practical to eliminate. Oil resources already may be about half depleted, depending upon the magnitude of undiscovered reserves, and it is still not practical to capture CO2 emerging from vehicle tailpipes, the way it can be with coal-burning facilities, note the scientists.

Coal, on the other hand, has larger reserves, and the authors conclude that "the only realistic way to sharply curtail CO2 emissions is phase out coal use except where CO2 is captured and sequestered."

In their model, with coal emissions phased out between 2010 and 2030, atmospheric CO2 would peak at 400-425 ppm and then slowly decline. The authors maintain that the peak CO2 level reached would depend on the accuracy of oil and gas reserve estimates and whether the most difficult to extract oil and gas is left in the ground.

The authors suggest that reforestation of degraded land and improved agricultural practices that retain soil carbon could lower atmospheric CO2 by as much as 50 ppm. They also dismiss the notion of "geo-engineering" solutions, noting that the price of artificially removing 50 ppm of CO2 from the air would be about $20 trillion.

While they note the task of moving toward an era beyond fossil fuels is Herculean, the authors conclude that it is feasible when compared with the efforts that went into World War II and that "the greatest danger is continued ignorance and denial, which could make tragic consequences unavoidable."

We all should be.

Reduction in Livestock I believe is the only way to see fast change and must happen now. Were past the tipping point on the scales but not pas the point of no return. 2050 is not soon enough targets should be by 2012 max.

JanforGore,

Thank you for speaking truth to power.

Did you ever read the story about Chicken Little and Henney Penney? Running around saying that the sky is falling will only lead to trouble. There are too many "Sly Foxes" in this world who take advantage of people.

Jan the time for talk is over I'm afraid. In my book (and please excuse the blatent push of it) www.strategicbookpublishing.com/ZEROGreenhouseEmissions.html I explain in language that the man and woman on main street will find easy to understand where we have gone wrong and WHY. You and I as concerned and aware environmental people are mostly - I'm afraid to say singing to the choir. My book is to sing out loud and strong to every mother and father and every grandparent. It will I know with all my heart and soul inspire a parade of concern that our global political leaders will want to walk in front of. We have 20/20 hindsight of the past, of which it is said we can be wise. We have 20/20 foresight on the future, we must ask everyone; Will We Be Wise? It must not be a question asked of us by our children. For You and Yours. For Me and Mine. For Them and Theirs.
Bob Williamson
Chair & Founder
Greenhouse Neutral Foundation

We need a leader of the world to command such a thing, to get rid of all the pollution, and replace it all with the green products, it seems like we aren't going to be getting anywhere, unless we have a plan to get rid of it altogether and to do it now, not next year, now, its looking worse than ever before, a leader who really stands for such green products and actually stopping pollution, can only save us...

BREAKING NEWS!!!

President-elect Obama just outsmarted us.

He found a way to accomplish the goal we set out for him, re-engaging the United States in the U.N. climate talks, without having to get on a plane.

Speaking via (low-carbon) video to a gathering of world leaders, Obama said that the continued existence of George Bush as president would prevent him from making the trip to Poland next month for the next round of international talks. But he'd clearly heard the call for his presence - - including the nearly 50,000 invitations you sent in from every corner of the world that came through the 350.org website.

Here's a key passage from Obama's video statement:

"Let me also say a special word to the delegates from around the world who will gather in Poland next month: your work is vital to the planet. While I won't be president at the time of your meeting and while the United States has only one president at a time, I've asked members of Congress who are attending the conference as observers to report back to me on what they learn there. And once I take office, you can be sure that the United States will once again engage vigorously in these negotiations, and help lead the world toward a new era of global cooperation on climate change."

Although we wanted Obama to go to Poland in person, we're overjoyed by the words above - - and pleased to see that he's pioneering fossil-fuel free ways to communicate with the rest of the world!

Why is Obama's statement such a big success? Because for eight years the U.S. has been blocking genuine progress on an international climate deal. Now, in the middle of economic crisis and with plenty of other issues to address, President-elect Obama took the time to make a special statement committing the U.S. to positive engagement in the upcoming negotiations. His commitment will be seen as a major breakthrough by countries around the world.

You made that possible through your commitment to this campaign. Politicians don't say "special words" unless prodded, and your tens of thousands of invitations and letters to the editor did just that.

And now the task of injecting 350 ppm into the negotiations is front and center. Obama may not be going to Poland, but some of the crew behind 350.org will be--we'll keep you in the loop as world leaders negotiate our future. Together, we'll keep building this movement. Follow this link to check out some of the beautiful 350 actions from India, Chile, Costa Rica, and the USA:

http://www.350.org/obama-commits

JanforGore, if you ran for president, i'd vote for you.

As long as Obama embraces the dirty technologies that continue to contribute to climate change and continues to call for that same 80% by 2050 reduction he is not calling for what is now needed. Why he won't embrace the challenge of 100% renewable energy in 10 years is a mystery. He claims to want change and claims to be different from the rest... Well, I haven't seen it yet. I'm still waiting. Personally, I think it is going to be the engagement of more people out here especially our youth that bring about the necessary changes. And that isn't to continue to tout "clean coal," nuclear, and other toxic energy sources while saying you want GHG emission reductions. Bringing people to the table is only a first step. It is what they bring to that table and what they do once they leave it that matters.

phoebs: I appreciate your comment... But I treasure my sanity. ;-).

1 abbreviation LPG

propane and butane compressed gas, comes from oil extraction and refinement.

more people using this in there vehicle instead of high carbon content liquid fuels like diesel and petrol will result in a much more economic society extracting less oil for the system.

carbon isotopes are large amounts of carbon taking more oxygen to get them in to a chemically balanced gas. .

Education is the first step & can raise awareness so that the uninformed or misinformed have a clearer understanding of just how serious the problem of climate change has become & will continue to worsen without immediate action. Gov’t needs to help educate, employ, fund or offer incentives for a more sustainable future with energy options, managing resources & particularly our environmental.

Since we're all part of the problem, why can't we all be part of the solution? A “Think globally & act locally” mentality will hopefully inspire people once they see that they can help with so many green lifestyle choices available, from recycling to hybrid cars & using alternative fuel sources - other than fossil fuels. One way to start is to reduce, reuse & recycle whenever possible.

They're going to keep rising unless something is done now...