Apocalypse or extinction? - Nature Bats Last
About a year ago, the Hadley Centre for Meteorological Research provided an update [to the IPCC predictions], indicating that, in the absence of complete economic collapse, we're committed to a global average temperature increase of 2 C. Considering the associated feedbacks, such an increase likely spells extinction of the "wise" ape.
Last month, the United Nations Environment Programme concluded we're committed to an increase of 3.5 C by 2100, thus leaving little doubt about human extinction by then.
Last week, Chris West of the University of Oxford's UK Climate Impacts Programme indicated we can kiss goodbye 2 C as a target: four is the new two, and it's coming by mid-century. In a typical disconnect from reality, the latest scenarios do not include potential tipping points such as the release of carbon from northern permafrost or the melting of undersea methane hydrates. Giving the response I've come to expect from politicians, the Obama administration calls any attempt to reduce emissions "not grounded in political reality."
A bleak assessment of humanity's (and earth's) chances for survival based on the latest climate change figures. Not sure I agree with the "human extinction by 2100 line", but if you substituted "unprecedented levels of misery, suffering and death, especially among the world's poor majority - and even in many industrialised areas - by mid-century" I'd probably say you have a fair point. Enjoy your weekend everyone!
