Climate Change | UN Report: Code Red for humanity

[4bars]

I'm confused why you think that, am I missing something? Everything I've ever read says we've cut down approximately 50% of trees worldwide since the start of human civilisation?

There are more trees than originally estimated, but we've still halved the total really quickly.

https://www.independent.co.uk/envir...first-started-cutting-them-down-10483189.html

Genuinely I didn't want to antagonize anyone on that. I always read the opposite

https://www.independent.co.uk/envir...ion-farming-rainforests-forests-a8486096.html

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/08/planet-earth-has-more-trees-than-it-did-35-years-ago/

https://www.tentree.com/blogs/posts/fact-check-are-there-really-more-trees-today-than-100-years-ago

 

[Balljy]

Genuinely I didn't want to antagonize anyone on that. I always read the opposite

That's interesting, I never knew that the trees in the Amazon being cut were being covered by trees growing in areas that couldn't sustain them before because of global warming!

I think the last link is a bit disingenuous though. It talks about trees going from 1 trillion to 3 trillion, but that was actually due to estimates being below reality and satellites being better able to count tree cover as mentioned in my article. That one also suggests that overall tree cover is going down.

There's obviously more to it than I thought though.

 

[nickm]

Funny thing is that we never had as many trees than now in the whole human history. Lack of trees are not the main problem (in terms of regenerating CO2 to O2. Killing ecosystem is another matter though). Nuclear energy would be the fastest way to cut emissions despite the risk and waiting for the fusion as the only solution. Anyway there is many other things like aviation (will not be solved in 30 years) that will keep increasing) and mostly meat consumption and specially, human birth rate

Oh, and we are fecked, accept it

I have kids, and they are becoming ever more aware of the shit show they are going to inherit. So for their sake I can't accept it. There are things that can mitigate co 2 emissions and it's up to us to create the political pressure to get them done.

Edit: it doesn't help nearly all reactors in use today are based on 1950s designs because research stopped given all the obvious problems. Maybe now would be a good time to revisit that.

 

[4bars]

I don't accept it and neither should you. I have kids, and they are becoming ever more aware of the shit show they are going to inherit. So for their sake I can't accept it. There are things that can mitigate co 2 emissions and it's up to us to create the political pressure to get them done.

Well,

I accepted but I am not stopping just in case. Is called morality and it has not only climate change reasons and is not only for future consequences but present consequences that can improve or worsen things.

But yes, we are fecked, but I am a patron of lost causes like myself

 

[4bars]

That's interesting, I never knew that the trees in the Amazon being cut were being covered by trees growing in areas that couldn't sustain them before because of global warming!

I think the last link is a bit disingenuous though. It talks about trees going from 1 trillion to 3 trillion, but that was actually due to estimates being below reality and satellites being better able to count tree cover as mentioned in my article. That one also suggests that overall tree cover is going down.

There's obviously more to it than I thought though.

Yup, las t link didnt read it to be honest, I wanted to overwhelmed you with quantity. Why you even open it, since when people goes further than the first line

 

[nimic]

Genuinely I didn't want to antagonize anyone on that. I always read the opposite

https://www.independent.co.uk/envir...ion-farming-rainforests-forests-a8486096.html

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/08/planet-earth-has-more-trees-than-it-did-35-years-ago/

https://www.tentree.com/blogs/posts/fact-check-are-there-really-more-trees-today-than-100-years-ago

To be fair, there's a fairly massive difference between "human history" and 37 years. The last link claims to fact check a claim that we have more trees than 100 years ago, but it doesn't actually ever answer the question. There might be more trees now than a hundred years ago, but I bet not much further back than that.

 

[4bars]

To be fair, there's a fairly massive difference between "human history" and 37 years. The last link claims to fact check a claim that we have more trees than 100 years ago, but it doesn't actually ever answer the question. There might be more trees now than a hundred years ago, but I bet not much further back than that.

That is not true. more than 100 years ago, american forest were barely touched, specially the ones in latinamerica

Wood was massively used during the medieval age causing a low point on forest levels. I am just talking about on memory about a graphic that I saw a looong time. I will try to find it

 

[4bars]

I proof myslef wrong. Wasn't the medieval age.

But for example, UK, if the graph is true, the forestry percentage cover never been better in the past 700 years

 

[nimic]

That is not true. more than 100 years ago, american forest were barely touched, specially the ones in latinamerica

Seems like you're arguing against your own point here, though?

Wood was massively used during the medieval age causing a low point on forest levels. I am just talking about on memory about a graphic that I saw a looong time. I will try to find it

A low point in Europe, sure.

 

[nimic]

I proof myslef wrong. Wasn't the medieval age.

But for example, UK, if the graph is true, the forestry percentage cover never been better in the past 700 years

This is true for the UK, and some other European countries, but I doubt it's true for most of the world. We're definitely on our way up, though.

 

[Zarlak]

Yeah if you square that vs the Amazon rainforest's deforestation alone I'd wager that the UK's woodland increase in the last 700 years is irrelevant and that's before including the rest of the world.

 

[4bars]

Seems like you're arguing against your own point here, though?



A low point in Europe, sure.

As you said is just one continent. For the rest, I would recommend the links. Where there is data that backs up completely what I am saying that the forest had been in steady recovery globally since at least the last 4 decades (and presumably longer). Just rebate me with data, not your opinion and I assure you that I will accept it. Is just good news, a drop on all the other negative news, but good news nevertheless. Anyway, biodiversity on the destruction of the rain forest id being decimated anyway, and partial of the growth of this new trees are in areas that they should not be there, affecting ecosystems that had been there for hundreds of years too. But on quantities of trees, we are gaining % and these are facts

 

[4bars]

Yeah if you square that vs the Amazon rainforest's deforestation alone I'd wager that the UK's woodland increase in the last 700 years is irrelevant and that's before including the rest of the world.

That was just an example that is trending for the whole europe and asia, for the rest, visit the links. Don't be lazy

 

[Classical Mechanic]

Eyes on in Whaley Bridge in Derbyshire tonight as thunder storms threaten to burst a dam on a reservoir and severely flood the village. 1500 have been evacuated. Increased heavy rain resulting from climate change has overwhelmed the Victorian reservoir.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news...ety-fears-persist-with-thunderstorms-forecast

 

[Red_toad]

Yeah if you square that vs the Amazon rainforest's deforestation alone I'd wager that the UK's woodland increase in the last 700 years is irrelevant and that's before including the rest of the world.

Factor in Russia alone an area the size of Belgium that is currently burning and there's an awful of more wildfire activity in the Northern Hemisphere now. These fires are going to burn for months.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-49125391

 

[Patrick08]

Factor in Russia alone an area the size of Belgium that is currently burning and there's an awful of more wildfire activity in the Northern Hemisphere now. These fires are going to burn for months.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-49125391

Always curious as to how do these fires start.

 

[Red_toad]

Always curious as to how do these fires start.

Lightning strikes, arson, electrical equipment arcing, the usual stuff plus tinder dry grass. Get the same shizzle in Australia every summer, but it’s more expected here.

 

[Adisa]

 

[Buster15]

A friend of mine recently told me that the only way that we are going to tackle Climate Change is through leaving the EU.
I could hardly believe my ears.
But he is convinced that 'when we get back control of our borders' we can control the population and hence control CO2 emissions.

I did remind him that CC is a global problem but it just goes to show how narrow some peoples views are. Particularly Brexiteers.

 

[Buster15]

I read with horror that the Brazilian government says that it does not have the resources to fight the massive number of fires in the rain forest.
Surely if climate change is such a high priority, why are the other governments not falling over themselves to offer their support and help.
One minute I am optimistic that the penny is dropping and CC is now really high on the public agenda.
And the next minute we hear about the huge increase in Rain Forest deforestation.
The level of human stupidity has no bounds...

 

[maniak]

I read with horror that the Brazilian government says that it does not have the resources to fight the massive number of fires in the rain forest.
Surely if climate change is such a high priority, why are the other governments not falling over themselves to offer their support and help.
One minute I am optimistic that the penny is dropping and CC is now really high on the public agenda.
And the next minute we hear about the huge increase in Rain Forest deforestation.
The level of human stupidity has no bounds...

Have they asked for help? Just yesterday I watched Bolsonaro saying the NGO's are to blame for the fires, that the fires are normal at this time of the year and he sees no need in using the army to help fight them.

 

[Buster15]

Have they asked for help? Just yesterday I watched Bolsonaro saying the NGO's are to blame for the fires, that the fires are normal at this time of the year and he sees no need in using the army to help fight them.

He should be 'persuaded' to ask for help with financial inducements.
One other point. I heard today on the BBC that Brazil is negotiating a massive trade deal with the EU.
One part of this is the EU beef imports.
The EU should insist that Brazil takes action on deforestation before the deal is signed.
Is it likely this will happen.
Absolutely not.
I despair...

 

[George Owen]

I read with horror that the Brazilian government says that it does not have the resources to fight the massive number of fires in the rain forest.
Surely if climate change is such a high priority, why are the other governments not falling over themselves to offer their support and help.
One minute I am optimistic that the penny is dropping and CC is now really high on the public agenda.
And the next minute we hear about the huge increase in Rain Forest deforestation.
The level of human stupidity has no bounds...

Remember Brazil (and south america) are the USA backyard. I would assume, any help needs to be authorized by them first, and of course, they prefer to let the rainforest to burn a little bit longer. More space to install their farming and mining industries.

Now that the news has finally reached the mainstream, after weeks of hiding it, help will start coming.

Chile government announced today they are in talks with Brazil officials and offering help.

 

[spaceboyRSA]

A friend of mine recently told me that the only way that we are going to tackle Climate Change is through leaving the EU.
I could hardly believe my ears.
But he is convinced that 'when we get back control of our borders' we can control the population and hence control CO2 emissions.

I did remind him that CC is a global problem but it just goes to show how narrow some peoples views are. Particularly Brexiteers.

Ahhhhhh yes. Climate change and CO2 emissions pay attention to country borders.

Am doing quite a bit of work in this field, and considering the UN report on climate change, theres no point getting too stressed about mitigating against climate change. It's too late... we are f*(&ed.

 

[Buster15]

Remember Brazil (and south america) are the USA backyard. I would assume, any help needs to be authorized by them first, and of course, they prefer to let the rainforest to burn a little bit longer. More space to install their farming and mining industries.

Now that the news has finally reached the mainstream, after weeks of hiding it, help will start coming.

Chile government announced today they are in talks with Brazil officials and offering help.

Thank you for this.
My optimism that the human race is beginning to understand the threats posed to future generations by CC and more importantly is starting to take positive action, is reducing by the day.
The rain forests have a significant impact on atmospheric CO2 levels, not just for Brazil but across the globe.
And to hear at the widescale destruction in such a short period of time simply makes no sense at all.

 

[Buster15]

Ahhhhhh yes. Climate change and CO2 emissions pay attention to country borders.

Am doing quite a bit of work in this field, and considering the UN report on climate change, theres no point getting too stressed about mitigating against climate change. It's too late... we are f*(&ed.

I would be very interested to hear about the work you are involved with.
Despite being a huge optimist, I am becoming less and less convinced that the species who is responsible for the damage has the wherewithall to do anything about it.

 

[spaceboyRSA]

I would be very interested to hear about the work you are involved with.
Despite being a huge optimist, I am becoming less and less convinced that the species who is responsible for the damage has the wherewithall to do anything about it.

Well we are doing work for local government on their Strategic Environmental Assessment. Large team of PHDs and MSCs and it's all quite alarming. Basically 15 or so years left before we pass the tipping point, and at the rate we going we wont manage to course correct in time.

 

[Buster15]

Well we are doing work for local government on their Strategic Environmental Assessment. Large team of PHDs and MSCs and it's all quite alarming. Basically 15 or so years left before we pass the tipping point, and at the rate we going we wont manage to course correct in time.

Thank you and I wish you well in your job.
It is incredible is it not that our planet is some 4.5bn years old and humans have been around for a tiny fraction of that time AND we claim to be an intelligent species.
AND yet, as your work now tells us that we have about 15 years before we pass the point of no return for damaging climate change.
I am a grandfather of 4 young children. And I look at them with genuine fear as to what their world is going to be like for them.
Me and my wife are doing our best to reduce our CO2 output.
But all of this is swamped by the devastating fires in both the Arctic and Brazil.
To say that I am angry is a massive understatement.

 

[4bars]

Thank you and I wish you well in your job.
It is incredible is it not that our planet is some 4.5bn years old and humans have been around for a tiny fraction of that time AND we claim to be an intelligent species.
AND yet, as your work now tells us that we have about 15 years before we pass the point of no return for damaging climate change.
I am a grandfather of 4 young children. And I look at them with genuine fear as to what their world is going to be like for them.
Me and my wife are doing our best to reduce our CO2 output.
But all of this is swamped by the devastating fires in both the Arctic and Brazil.
To say that I am angry is a massive understatement.

The fire forest that are happening is probably nothing to be worried on thegic scheme of things. Is very visual and terrifying but has probably not much impact at the rate is happenning. Another thing is that it will get worse and worse, but right now that should not worry us. What it matters is our consumption pattern. Specially the meat/dairy industry and the energy consumption. You tackle both (veganism/0 waste + renewables) and the solution would be there. Unfortunately, is too late for this drastic changes as it will not come for the will of the people to change nor the governments will implement anything against the big coporations

 

[Smores]

A friend of mine recently told me that the only way that we are going to tackle Climate Change is through leaving the EU.
I could hardly believe my ears.
But he is convinced that 'when we get back control of our borders' we can control the population and hence control CO2 emissions.

I did remind him that CC is a global problem but it just goes to show how narrow some peoples views are. Particularly Brexiteers.

A brexiteer who has actually believes in man made climate change seems to be a rarity in my experience.

Most polls I've come across seems to have UK beliefs at around 45% for man man made climate change, wonder what political assertion those other 55% might be.

 

[Fingeredmouse]

A brexiteer who has actually believes in man made climate change seems to be a rarity in my experience.

Most polls I've come across seems to have UK beliefs at around 45% for man man made climate change, wonder what political assertion those other 55% might be.

A majority in the UK doubt the existence of man made climate change? Surely not. That's just...depressing.

 

[Ekkie Thump]

A majority in the UK doubt the existence of man made climate change? Surely not. That's just...depressing.

Found this (from 2018):http://www.bsa.natcen.ac.uk/media/39251/bsa35_climate_change.pdf

From that:

• 95% think climate change is at least partly due to human activity when asked about relative contributions of human and natural causes.
• 36% say climate change is “mainly” or “entirely” due to human activity.
• 53% think human and natural causes are equally to blame.
• Just 2% claim that climate change definitely is not happening.​

 

[Don't Kill Bill]

A friend of mine recently told me that the only way that we are going to tackle Climate Change is through leaving the EU.
I could hardly believe my ears.
But he is convinced that 'when we get back control of our borders' we can control the population and hence control CO2 emissions.

I did remind him that CC is a global problem but it just goes to show how narrow some peoples views are. Particularly Brexiteers.

"The Climate Change Act 2008 set the country's emission reduction targets. The "legally binding"targets are a reduction of least 80% by 2050 (against the 1990 baseline)."

I wonder if your friend is thinking of this. In 1990 the population was estimated at 57 million by 2030 its projected to be 71 million. Its not making reaching the targets any easier, that is for certain but Brexit thinking on it stopping immigration is probably wrong anyway.

 

[Buster15]

"The Climate Change Act 2008 set the country's emission reduction targets. The "legally binding"targets are a reduction of least 80% by 2050 (against the 1990 baseline)."

I wonder if your friend is thinking of this. In 1990 the population was estimated at 57 million by 2030 its projected to be 71 million. Its not making reaching the targets any easier, that is for certain but Brexit thinking on it stopping immigration is probably wrong anyway.

Thank you. He is one of those who really believes the Brexit publicity and that everything will be sorted out when we leave.
Anyway. That population projection is pretty frightened. But actually it makes no difference to CC as it is a global problem.

 

[United58]

Question - as someone who's always worried about climate change but never really studied it in detail (3 years left of an engineering degree in college), how fecked are we in the near and far future? How much leeway have we?

 

[utdalltheway]

Read up above there, by spaceboyrsa.

 

[United58]

Read up above there, by spaceboyrsa.

I've been so pessimistic about things that 15 years actually a lot of time to me - I remember about 10 years ago people saying we had 7 years to sort things out. It's crazy how we're still burning fossil fuels and forests like there's no tomorrow

 

[Buster15]

Question - as someone who's always worried about climate change but never really studied it in detail (3 years left of an engineering degree in college), how fecked are we in the near and far future? How much leeway have we?

Firstly well done for choosing to study Engineering. It may not be the most popular or most financially rewarding career but Engineering is actually something that the UK is very good at. I am a retired Gas Turbine Aero Engineer and in the main found it highly rewarding.
So. Climate Change.
Very much like you, I am extremely concerned about what is happening now and what the future could hold.
It is absolutely madness the way a so called intelligent species is carrying on damaging our fragile planet. We are the first generation who actually knows about the critical effects of our stupid behaviour and yet we are actually making things far worse instead of changing what we are doing.
It is going to be down to your and future generations to try and sort out our mess.
And I wish I could give you some positive feedback but that would be false.

 

[Maagge]

Question - as someone who's always worried about climate change but never really studied it in detail (3 years left of an engineering degree in college), how fecked are we in the near and far future? How much leeway have we?

We're firmly within damage limitation territory at this point.

 

[United58]

Firstly well done for choosing to study Engineering. It may not be the most popular or most financially rewarding career but Engineering is actually something that the UK is very good at.

I've worked minimum wage for years to be able to afford rent/car/college so anything above that is financially rewarding I love maths so Mechanical Engineering is great for me (so far, anyway).

I actually find that engineering seems a relatively popular choice now - loads of jobs there etc. (hope that's the case in 3 years too).

I'm pretty existential and nihilistic so I like to say feckit, we're all going to die anyway so if society is going to burn the world to the ground we might as well enjoy the time we have left, and do what we can ourselves (as insignificant as our input is vs massive corporations) to reverse it.