Post by ***@aol.comPost by Roger Ford=20
On Friday, March 12, 2021 at 1:30:49 AM UTC-5, Roger Ford wrote:=20
=20
For the NTH time I don't dispute that that they are correct about the=
=20
Post by Roger Fordclimate changes that appear to be going on (tho a future "disaster"=20
whilst of course possible is NOT a foregone conclusion)=20
=20
Oh yes it is.
I see the discission has come down to kindergarten level response
Climate Change Facts
Courtesy of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
What is climate change?
Due largely to the combustion of fossil fuels, atmospheric concentrations o=
f carbon dioxide, the principal greenhouse gas, are at a level unequaled fo=
r more than 400,000 years. As a result, an enhanced greenhouse effect is tr=
apping more of the sun=E2=80=99s heat near the earth=E2=80=99s surface and =
gradually pushing the planet=E2=80=99s climate system into uncharted territ=
ory .
Carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases always have been present in=
the atmosphere, keeping the earth hospitable to life by trapping heat. Yet=
, since the industrial revolution, emissions of these gases from human acti=
vity have accumulated steadily, trapping more heat and exacerbating the nat=
ural greenhouse effect.
As a result, global average temperatures have risen both on land and in the=
oceans, with observable impacts already occurring that foretell increasing=
ly severe changes in the future. Polar ice is melting. Glaciers around the =
globe are in retreat. Storms are increasing in intensity. Ecosystems around=
the world already are reacting, as plant and animal species struggle to ad=
apt to a shifting climate, and new climate-related threats emerge.
What are the effects of climate change?
Scientists predict that if the increase in greenhouse gas emissions continu=
es unabated, temperatures will rise by as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit by =
the end of this century, potentially causing dramatic=E2=80=94and irreversi=
ble=E2=80=94changes to the climate.
The consequences, both anticipated and unforeseen, will have profound ramif=
ications for humanity and the world as a whole. Water supplies in some crit=
ical areas will dwindle as snow and ice disappear. Sea levels will rise, th=
reatening coastal populations. Droughts and floods will become more common.=
And hurricanes and other powerful storms will increase in intensity. Addin=
g to the threat will be the impacts of climate change on agricultural produ=
ction and the spread of disease. Human health will be jeopardized by all of=
these changes.
What are the main sources of greenhouse gases?
Although greenhouse gas emissions are primarily associated with the burning=
of fossil fuels (chiefly, coal, oil and natural gas), they come from many =
sources. As a result, any effort to reduce the human impact on the climate =
will need to engage all sectors of society.
The largest contributors to total U.S. emissions are the electricity genera=
tion and transportation sectors; significant emissions also come from other=
commercial and agricultural activity and from residential and industrial b=
uildings.
Most emissions come from a relatively small number of countries. The seven =
largest emitters=E2=80=94the United States, the European Union (EU), China,=
Russia, Japan, India and Canada=E2=80=94accounted for more than 70% of ene=
rgy-related CO2 emissions in 2004. An effective strategy to avert dangerous=
climate change requires commitments and action by all the world=E2=80=99s =
major economies.
The United States, with 5% of the world=E2=80=99s population, is responsibl=
e for 25% of global GHG emissions, more than any other country. On an inten=
sity basis (emissions per gross domestic product or GDP), U.S. emissions ar=
e roughly 50% higher than the European Union=E2=80=99s or Japan=E2=80=99s. =
On a per capita basis, U.S. emissions are roughly twice as high as those of=
the EU and Japan (and five times the world average). U.S. emissions are pr=
ojected to rise 8% above 2004 levels by 2010 (and 28% by 2025). By comparis=
on, emissions are projected to hold steady in the EU, and decline 5% in Jap=
an, by 2010.
Emissions are rising fastest in developing countries. China=E2=80=99s emiss=
ions are projected to nearly double, and India=E2=80=99s to increase an est=
imated 80%, by 2025. Annual emissions from all developing countries are pro=
jected to surpass those of developed countries between 2013 and 2018. Their=
per capita emissions, however, will remain much lower than those of develo=
ped countries. In 2025, per capita emissions in China are expected to be on=
e-fourth=E2=80=94and in India, one-fourteenth =E2=80=94 those of the United=
States.
TWO More Lots Of Climate Change Facts
EU Science Hub
Scientists list four key actions to halt global warming
Scientists identify four technological dynamics in the energy sector,
having the power to limit global warming to below 2°C if implemented
simultaneously.
The study shows that it is technically possible to transition to clean
energy and reach the 2°C target at relatively small cost, while
triggering benefits, such as improvements in air quality, and reducing
the economic impacts of climate change itself.
©adrian_ilie825 Adobe Stock.com
MAR
30
2020
The latest edition of the JRCs Global Energy and Climate Outlook
(GECO), identifies four technological dynamics in the energy sector
that have the power to limit global warming to below 2°C if
implemented simultaneously.
The global average temperature is already 1°C above the pre-industrial
levels and today's emissions and energy consumption trends are not on
track to meet the targets of the Paris Agreement.
But the means exist to reach those targets.
The JRCs latest Global Energy and Climate Outlook (GECO), produced
jointly with the Chinese National Center for Climate Change Strategy
and International Cooperation (NCSC), shows that it is technically
possible to reach the 2°C target of the Paris agreement at
relatively low cost by simultaneously transforming four elements of
the energy system.
1 - Electrification can supercharge the energy transition
Electricity is increasingly produced from renewable energy sources.
Therefore, electrification replacing technologies that run on fossil
fuels with alternatives that run on electricity plays a key role in
the energy transition.
The report finds that electrification rates have been increasing in
all energy-consuming sectors (industry, buildings and transport), and
will continue to increase even in the absence of new, stronger climate
policies.
However, a further push is needed to electrify the energy consuming
sectors so as to accelerate the decarbonisation of the entire energy
system.
Transport, in particular, is one of the crucial sectors that has shown
a very low degree of electrification so far, but this situation is
likely to revert soon thanks to the quick development of electric
vehicles and the expected uptake of electricity-derived synthetic
fuels.
When combined with a transition towards renewable electricity,
electrification can also have positive effects for air quality and
human health.
2 - Decarbonising power generation
Decarbonisation of power generation can be achieved by increasing the
share of low-carbon energy sources, particularly renewables, and
reducing the use of fossil fuels.
With the decarbonisation of power generation, electricity
progressively becomes a low-carbon fuel.
The JRC report argues that full decarbonisation of power generation is
not only technically feasible but also an economically cost-attractive
measure to combat climate change.
Key low-carbon power generation technologies are already available.
And with lower generation cost than that of fossil fuel-based
technologies in a growing number of markets around the world, they are
also increasingly competitive.
Apart from electricity, the 2°C scenarios also see the wider adoption
of other low-carbon energy carriers such as liquid biofuels, hydrogen,
e-gas and e-liquids.
3 - Boosting energy efficiency
Energy efficiency options in our buildings, transportation, and
industrial sectors help save energy and reduce consumption.
The report stresses that the switch from inefficient fossil fuel
technologies to more-efficient electric ones offers efficiency gains.
For instance, electric technologies such as heat pumps in buildings
and electric vehicles have higher energy efficiency than traditional
heating systems and vehicles.
4 - Mobilising novel options for integrating and storing green energy
The report also calls for mobilising new solutions that would enable
the expansion of renewable energy technologies, some of which are
intermittent by nature.
For instance, stationary energy storage solutions can be used to
increase the share of renewables in the power mix, and stabilise the
power grid.
What's the cost?
The study shows that it is technically possible to transition to clean
energy and reach the 2°C target at relatively small cost, while
triggering benefits, such as improvements in air quality, and reducing
the economic impacts of climate change itself.
The scientists estimated that the cost over the coming decades would
add up to 0.03% of GDP annually, meaning that the global economy would
still more than double by 2050.
The report also stresses that better enabling conditions for
electrification can play a significant role in lowering the
macroeconomic costs.
Further info: http://ec.europa.eu/jrc/geco/
And from the Union Of Concerned Scientists............
Climate change is one of the most challenging problems that humanity
has ever faced. At stake are hundreds of millions of lives,
innumerable species and ecosystems, the health and viability of the
economy, and the future habitability of this planet.
Fortunately, climate change is solvable. We have the technologies. We
have the science. We now need the leadershipand the courage to change
course.
Cut emissions
EXPLAINER
Carbon Pricing 101
When carbon emissions cost money, we produce less of them.
Carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases are the main drivers of
global warming. While climate change cannot be stopped, it can be
slowed.
To avoid the worst consequences of climate change, well need to reach
net zero carbon emissions by 2050 or sooner. Net zero means that, on
balance, no more carbon is dumped into the atmosphere than is taken
out.
To achieve net zero emissions, we need a massive transformation in how
we produce and consume electricity. We need a newer, better
transportation system. We need to stop deforestation. We need a
climate-friendly agricultural system.
The scale of these changes will require significant federal policy
that puts a price on carbon. It also requires international
cooperation: the Paris Agreement, signed in 2016, reflects the worlds
best effort to solve climate change so far, though it doesnt include
the emissions reductions we need.
Much remains to be doneand we need to do it as quickly as possible.
Remove carbon dioxide
To reach net zero emissions, we need to do more than just reduce our
emissions: we need to actively remove carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere or offset its effects.
The easiest way to do this is by planting new forests (afforestation)
or restoring old ones (reforestation). Other enhanced land management
practices can help, as can new technologies that suck CO2 out of the
air (direct air capture), or prevent it from leaving smokestacks
(carbon capture and storage).
Scale, speed, and cost are the main barriers to all these technologies
and approaches. In the United States, strong state- and federal-level
policiesand large-scale investment in research and developmentare
crucial.
Fight disinformation
FEATURE
Diagram of evasive football play
The Disinformation Playbook
Five tactics business interests use to sideline science, deceive the
public and buy influence at the expense of public health and safety.
For years, media pundits, partisan think tanks, and special interest
groups funded by fossil fuel companies have raised doubts about the
truth of global warming.
These contrarians downplay and distort the evidence of climate change,
lobby for policies that reward polluters, and attempt to undercut
existing pollution standards.
This barrage of disinformation misleads and confuses the public about
the growing consequences of global warming and makes it more difficult
to implement the solutions we really need. Until the influence of
these special interests is sufficiently diminished, climate action
will be that much harder.
Prepare and adapt
REPORT
isle de jean charles biloxi chitimacha choctaw tribe
Toward Climate Resilience
15 principles to ensure that investments in climate change adaptation
are scientifically sound, socially just, and fiscally sensible.
No matter how quickly we reduce emissions, the reality is that certain
climate impacts are inevitable. The seas are rising. Temperatures
break records every year.
Droughts, floods, and extreme weather are damaging communities today.
Cutting carbon is the only long-term solution for avoiding climate
impacts. In the short-term, we need to adapt. That means everything
from discouraging development in high-risk areas, to planning for
water scarcity, to building more resilient cities and communities.
Investments should be scientifically sound and socially just, and
focused where the impacts are greatestoften in low-income communities
and communities of color.
Act
The best policy ideas in the world arent worth much if we dont have
activists, experts, and everyday people fighting for change. From
school groups to churches; from corporate boardrooms to mayors and
local leaders: we need action.
The Union of Concerned Scientists has worked on global warming
solutions for over 30 years. Our experts and activists are campaigning
to cut emissions from the energy and transportation sectors;
highlighting climate impacts; and fighting for accountability from
major fossil fuel companies. You can help.
ROGER FORD
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