Up until now I’ve kind of avoided talking about Global Warming in this series, as it’s something which tends to attract fanatical debaters on both sides. People line up like rival armies, and like a war sometimes people’s arms get ripped off.
ABOVE: What each side in the climate change debate looks like to the other side.
But if you can accept the IDEA of global warming, that a fairly small rise in the overall temperature of the globe would result in the end of life as we know it, then we can proceed with today’s article. Okay?
So, scientists are now predicting that the world is on the way to a catastrophic six degree rise in temperature by the end of this century. If that doesn’t sound like much, think of the difference between a 24 degree day and a 30 degree one. Or, consider that many experts say as little as 2 degrees of change in the overall temperature of the world would be enough to permanently change the ecology of the planet.
This is, naturally, a problem. A change that large has impacts on every level of the ecosphere, from the tinest plants to the largest animals. And in between, looking nervous, humans.
A lot of people have the idea in their heads that “global warming” means that the seas will rise and everyone will be living in a world covered in water.
ABOVE: If only we had listened...
Fortunately it probably won’t be like that. Although it could possibly be that way for people living on small islands. But no one cares about those guys anyway.
ABOVE: No one cares.
In reality most of us will actually find it getting drier, as the temperature rises and previously sub-tropical areas become arid, while the tropics because so hot most of the wildlife literally couldn’t live there any more. It’d be like nature was the fat guy who spent too long in the sauna.
Of course there’s a lot of opposition to the idea of climate change. Mostly from people who have a fairly tenuous grasp of the science involved, but still, they have a sort-of point. There’s no actual hard data that backs up the climate change theory.
Having said that, getting rid of all the crap that we’re pumping into the atmosphere probably isn’t a terrible idea in the long run, you know?
Regardless, my bunker is fitted with airconditioning, just in case.
Tags: The November Challenge, Ways The World Will End