World Emissions of Carbon Dioxide Outpace Worst-Case Scenario

[Monster]

Slashdot alerts us of a new DOE calculation :

"The global output of heat-trapping carbon dioxide jumped by the biggest amount on record in 2010, the U.S. Department of Energy calculated. A chart accompanying the study shows the breakdown by country. The new figures mean that levels of greenhouse gases are higher than the worst case scenario outlined by climate experts just four years ago. It is a 'monster' increase that is unheard of, said Gregg Marland, a professor of geology at Appalachian State University, who has helped calculate Department of Energy figures in the past. The question now among scientists is whether the future is the IPCC's worst case scenario or something more extreme."

From the linked-to article:

These estimates show that 2010 was by far a record year for CO2 emissions from fossil-fuel combustion and cement manufacture. Globally 9,139 Teragrams of oxidized carbon (Tg-C) were emitted from these sources. A teragram is a million metric tons. Converted to carbon dioxide, so as to include the mass of the oxygen molecules, this amounts to over 33.5 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide. The increase alone is about 512 Tg-C, or 5.9%, over the 2009 global estimate. The previous record year was 2008, with 8,749 Tg-C emitted; the 2010 estimate is about 104.5% of that, or 391 Tg-C more.

 

[Sunfyre7896]

Whether we really are in the complete danger zone or not is debatable. The point is that no matter what, we're going to have to cut down on this at some point or face a danger that is not debatable and is in our face.

 

[Monster]

IEA warns of irreversible climate change in 5 years

"As a follow up to the previous slashdot story, there has been a new release by the International Energy Agency indicating that within 5 years we will have irreversible climate change. According to the IEA, 'There are few signs that the urgently needed change in direction in global energy trends is under way. Although the recovery in the world economy since 2009 has been uneven, and future economic prospects remain uncertain, global primary energy demand rebounded by a remarkable 5% in 2010, pushing CO2 emissions to a new high. Subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption of fossil fuels jumped to over $400bn (£250.7bn).'"

climate change has been observed very clearly by scientists since the 1980ies ... I've read about it for 3 decades now.

if people choose to ignore climate change it will only fall back onto them ...

 

[Sunfyre7896]

Even if there aren't clear cut signs, it doesn't take a rocket scientist, or even a chemistry teacher to figure out if you keep pumping chemicals into the air and water that you're going to jack up the planet. If they say eating too much trans fat and saturated fat are bad for you, would you keep piling it in your face for the next 40 years? Well actually, some do. I guess we know who's running Washington. :ycard: