Climate Change/Mass Extinction Megathread

[crazy canuck]

New report out saying that the Ocean has absorbed more heat than had been thought.  That has a lot of knock on consequences but one of the more concerning ones is that if we are to stay below 2 degrees of warming we need to reduce our carbon emissions by 25% more than had been estimated.

https://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/study-oceans-have-absorbed-60-percent-more-heat-previously-thought

The climate change debate over the past few decades has been a useful object lesson in the consequences of statistical illiteracy on policy.  Namely that to the extent uncertainty exists about a range of outcomes, that should more often than not prompt a willingness to spend MORE resources to insure against the bad outcome, not less.

Agreed.  I think the most significant thing about this report is that it has reduced the amount of uncertainty regarding the outcomes we can expect.  And because we now live in a world dominated by Trump's constant lies and misinformation - this news hardly gets a mention.  WAD as far as the Trumpists are concerned I guess. 

[mongers]

New report out saying that the Ocean has absorbed more heat than had been thought.  That has a lot of knock on consequences but one of the more concerning ones is that if we are to stay below 2 degrees of warming we need to reduce our carbon emissions by 25% more than had been estimated.

https://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/study-oceans-have-absorbed-60-percent-more-heat-previously-thought

The climate change debate over the past few decades has been a useful object lesson in the consequences of statistical illiteracy on policy.  Namely that to the extent uncertainty exists about a range of outcomes, that should more often than not prompt a willingness to spend MORE resources to insure against the bad outcome, not less.

Agreed.  I think the most significant thing about this report is that it has reduced the amount of uncertainty regarding the outcomes we can expect.  And because we now live in a world dominated by Trump's constant lies and misinformation - this news hardly gets a mention.  WAD as far as the Trumpists are concerned I guess.

I don't disagree.

Oh and give now big a 'number' this ocean temperature warming is, it's astonishing how little impact it's having on politics in America, the UK or many other countries.

[mongers]

Should have gone full nuclear.

Also, "we're fucked", "glad I don't have kids" etc. What is this, loser hour? Man the fuck up and deal with stuff that our grandparents would have been thrilled to have to deal with compared to crap back then.

Well said.

[Eddie Teach]

Today's youth are too soft, what with their hula hoops and television.

[Maladict]

And there it is. After more than a decade of dragging their feet and fighting court orders to do more to reach climate targets, the government has now stated we need nuclear plants as it's the only realistic option left on the table. 

[Richard Hakluyt]

Yes, nuclear for the base load and wind and solar for intermittent, with improved links between different countries so that non-nuclear renewables can provide a larger percentage share. If fossil fuels are used for the transition then gas is the least damaging.

[The Larch]

Stop trying to make nuclear happen. It's not going to happen.

[Syt]

I think we're on the cusp of major changes. The climate will get worse before it gets better. If it gets better - no one wants to really do anything as long as it threatens a country's economic development and competitiveness.

And making it better and/or adapting will require major changes across the entirety of society and will create a huge upheaval either way. EU and US will have to significantly strengthen their borders. Question is what happens when they face their own migrants, e.g. if parts of Spain or Italy become unsustainable to live in, or if US coastal cities are flooded?

[Tamas]

I think we're on the cusp of major changes. The climate will get worse before it gets better. If it gets better - no one wants to really do anything as long as it threatens a country's economic development and competitiveness.

And making it better and/or adapting will require major changes across the entirety of society and will create a huge upheaval either way. EU and US will have to significantly strengthen their borders. Question is what happens when they face their own migrants, e.g. if parts of Spain or Italy become unsustainable to live in, or if US coastal cities are flooded?

If that happens I'll go and open a pub in Canada near the North-West Passage. We'll serve authentic goulash. Made out of moose.

[Duque de Bragança]

And making it better and/or adapting will require major changes across the entirety of society and will create a huge upheaval either way. EU and US will have to significantly strengthen their borders. Question is what happens when they face their own migrants, e.g. if parts of Spain or Italy become unsustainable to live in, or if US coastal cities are flooded?

It's not like migration from South Italy to Padania  or Andalusians to Northern Spain is unknown of. Problem is, even the meseta in central/north Spain will be affected.

[Tamas]

I think it will also depend on a general level of the economy and infrastructure in some places. You can't do anything for flooded coastal cities but if an area becomes more barren and hot, the farmers are fucked, sure, but people may persevere if there'll be jobs and food. I'd imagine, at least.

[viper37]

or if US coastal cities are flooded?

Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama turn blue!? 

[Valmy]

Alabama? Maybe. Tennessee is in the mountains though

[viper37]

I think we're on the cusp of major changes. The climate will get worse before it gets better. If it gets better - no one wants to really do anything as long as it threatens a country's economic development and competitiveness.

And making it better and/or adapting will require major changes across the entirety of society and will create a huge upheaval either way. EU and US will have to significantly strengthen their borders. Question is what happens when they face their own migrants, e.g. if parts of Spain or Italy become unsustainable to live in, or if US coastal cities are flooded?

If that happens I'll go and open a pub in Canada near the North-West Passage. We'll serve authentic goulash. Made out of moose.

sounds good!  Though elk might be easier to find at this latitude.

[HVC]

Alabama? Maybe. Tennessee is in the mountains though

perfect island real-estate?