Posted on Oct 25, 2017
Climate Change: 1. Is the Earth warming and sea-levels rising? 2. Is this a problem for humans? 3. Can/should we do something about it?
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This isn't a question as to whether people are responsible for climate change. At this point, that is an irrelevant distraction. The questions have nothing to do with POTUS, Obama, the Paris Accord, or anything else.
I'm just curious as to whether we think climate change is a problem and whether or not we can do anything about it.
I'm just curious as to whether we think climate change is a problem and whether or not we can do anything about it.
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Meteorology
Climate Change
Meteorology Climate Change
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 10
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Is climate change a problem? No. The weather (as opposed to climate) changes daily and the prediction accuracy looks like less than 50%--depending on where you live. Climate is a different matter. In military terms it might be considered the international strategic political-military realm of activity. Climate changes slowly and has changed with or without human influence over the entire existence of the planet. The subject of climate is large, complex, and difficult to predict. Within the span of human history, climate has changed from very cold (ice ages) to very warm with local conditions changing a great deal over time according to archeologists. The planet and life forms thereon survived these climate changes because they happened gradually and the lifeforms that survived adapted. Doubtlessly climate change is happening now. Statistics do not support a dramatic warming or cooling of the planet over the last 20 years or even since 1880. Deviation appear to be less than 1 degree Celsius. The change is slow enough that man can adapt. Will climate change be a problem in 100 years. I won't know. In fact very few of us will be alive to know. I believe we can accurately predict that humans will continue to adapt to their environment and climate change over the next 100 years really won't matter much. It's possible in that time span, humans may actually figure out how to control weather making the whole climate change debate mute.
Can humans do anything about climate change? No. I'm not convinced humans have the power to change the planet as much as necessary to effect climate. We may effect weather in some areas. Certainly things like air pollution and water pollution effect environments where they happen. Fortunately the planet has the means to clean itself and resolve most of the pollutants humans create. The most influential effect humans might have is the future manipulation of weather. If we gain the power and expertise to change weather in localities to suite human needs, then we might change the climate. For example, turning deserts into verdant farm land might actually influence the global climate.
Can humans do anything about climate change? No. I'm not convinced humans have the power to change the planet as much as necessary to effect climate. We may effect weather in some areas. Certainly things like air pollution and water pollution effect environments where they happen. Fortunately the planet has the means to clean itself and resolve most of the pollutants humans create. The most influential effect humans might have is the future manipulation of weather. If we gain the power and expertise to change weather in localities to suite human needs, then we might change the climate. For example, turning deserts into verdant farm land might actually influence the global climate.
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MAJ Bryan Zeski
I agree that the climate has been changing on the planet for billions of years - no question about that. I disagree that it'll be 100 years before we see issues regarding climate change. Rising sea levels have already been studied and addressed by the Navy as increased sea levels have contributed to increased flooding and damage to buildings and infrastructure at strategic locations such as Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia. Many coastal stations are looking at being flooded before the end of the century.
Will humans adapt? I imagine they will - but at what cost? And are there things we could do now that would reduce the impact of sea level rise in the future? I get that WE won't be around to suffer the effects of our failure to do something now - but our kids and grandkids probably will. I think using the speculation that maybe someday we'll be able to control the weather as a reason to not DO something now is a bad idea.
Also, I agree that the planet has numerous means of cleaning itself and pollutants. I think the problem we face is that humans are NOT taken into account as part of the cycle of cleaning. The planet doesn't care one iota about the survivability of humans living on the planet. Some of those "means" of letting the planet fix itself of our damage could be the end of humanity. Again, the planet wouldn't care - but that should be important to us, as people, if we like to be non-extinct, right?
I absolutely agree that we should be heavily invested in terraforming areas of the planet - it'll both help us now and provide us with the ability to possibly make other planets more hospitable to human life.
https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2016/07/29/rising-oceans-threaten-to-submerge-128-military-bases-report/
Will humans adapt? I imagine they will - but at what cost? And are there things we could do now that would reduce the impact of sea level rise in the future? I get that WE won't be around to suffer the effects of our failure to do something now - but our kids and grandkids probably will. I think using the speculation that maybe someday we'll be able to control the weather as a reason to not DO something now is a bad idea.
Also, I agree that the planet has numerous means of cleaning itself and pollutants. I think the problem we face is that humans are NOT taken into account as part of the cycle of cleaning. The planet doesn't care one iota about the survivability of humans living on the planet. Some of those "means" of letting the planet fix itself of our damage could be the end of humanity. Again, the planet wouldn't care - but that should be important to us, as people, if we like to be non-extinct, right?
I absolutely agree that we should be heavily invested in terraforming areas of the planet - it'll both help us now and provide us with the ability to possibly make other planets more hospitable to human life.
https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2016/07/29/rising-oceans-threaten-to-submerge-128-military-bases-report/
Rising oceans threaten to submerge 128 military bases: report
These bases will see hundreds of floods and in some cases could be submerged by 2100, a new report warns.
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When I was in high school we were taught that the USA was going to be covered by ice. The rhetoric was just as emphatic as what I hear today about the calamity of global warming.
Our climate does cycle and we surely have some impact, but, I think our impact is grossly over stated.
What is next? I don't know, nor do I think anyone else does.
Yes, we should be good stewards of our environment, but, in the end I think the changes we see will be well beyond our control.
Our climate does cycle and we surely have some impact, but, I think our impact is grossly over stated.
What is next? I don't know, nor do I think anyone else does.
Yes, we should be good stewards of our environment, but, in the end I think the changes we see will be well beyond our control.
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Sgt John Steinmeier
"Climate experts believe the next ice age is on its way." - Leonard Nimoy, 1978 Excerpt from the 1978 show, In Search Of: "The Coming Ice Age" Purchase the e...
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I don't think that it's an apocalyptic problem like a lot of people make it out to be. The earth has gone through natural heating and cooling cycles since it came to be. Heck, it was a big ol' ball of lava at one point. It was a sheet of ice at another.
Humans are probably the most adaptable species on the planet. If it did become apocalyptic it would suck but we'd ride it out. Regardless, the planet will be around a lot longer than we will. Even if we do screw it up, it'll get rid of us and fix itself.
Humans are probably the most adaptable species on the planet. If it did become apocalyptic it would suck but we'd ride it out. Regardless, the planet will be around a lot longer than we will. Even if we do screw it up, it'll get rid of us and fix itself.
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MAJ Bryan Zeski
I think you are very right. One of your comments here will likely part of another discussion soon!
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